The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-06-12
MOUNTAIN FIRE-BUG.
nv HARRY !. MYERS.
E~copyright. 1871


Hannah Stoneman against the flap of
! tents as she stood in observant atti-
.nde, a picture of INDIGESTION and anx-
with the barrenness of a Cripple
Greek camp as a frame. 1t was not to
be expected that a young woman of
the culture Of Harvard annex would
be wholly at home in the wildness Of
the Rockies, but it was not the loneli-
ness Of the surroundings nor the rugged
grandeur Of the peaks that caused UNI
rest Her brief season of camp life
with Sister Ruth's family was made
stormy with trying events. Ruth Bor-
den was asleep in the tent, her little
son at her side. She was worn out with
watching for her husbands return, and
was unnerved by trying to keep a pair
Of lawless men from stealing the Bor-
den claim
John Borden never thought of trouble
when he started for Denver to file a
claim for a newiy-found prospect in
the United States land Office. He prom
ised to return in three days.
BE a brave little woman, Ruth" he
said, as he kissed his wife, land don't
let our 4enderfoot' sister get out Of
sight remark which Miss Hannah
considered impairment.
The business of the land office was
behindhand, and the days passed into
q week before Borden was able to
leave for home. 1t was not the wisest
thing to leave the family undefended,
he told himself; but Ruth was self-re-
liant, and Hannah such good company,
81 there wa not much cause for wor-
riment; besides, it was imperative that
the legal title be perfected.
Mrs. Borden was preparing supper
on the day following her husbands de.
parture, when she was disturbed by see
ing two men going into camp in the "a
vine. Apparently they had not noticed
the Borden tent. The next morning,
however. tsouble began with startling
promptness. Fhe strangers made a sur
vey of groand abutting the Borden
property rs a preliminary move; then
they told the women that the wilder
ness was M place for ~petticoats; y that
it was time to move to town"
This is my husbands claim!'' pro-
tested Ruth, indignantly, sand he will
soon be here to defend his rights!'
Il hope not, madam sarcastically
said one Of the intruders, 'for that
would mean the beginning of your
widowhood Pack your duds on n of
horses and let us steer you to ths.
raiirdad, y miseF down the gulch; YOU
p ST vi aar the train, and be
talSen to ce dead easy. Take adj
vice and be reasonable. Oar little car
avaA viii move st eight o'clock to-mor-
row Morning.
Before the asfonished women could
rollect their wits. the unwelcome visit
nrs slouched back 20 the camp in the
ravine.
To Ruth Borden the home in the
mountain held memories more dear
than those which cluster about a tenn
porary abiding place. Swallowed by
g dwarfed spruce tree, close by the tent,
was a child's grave, a rough resting
Place for a precious little one, but the
bosom of the mountain could be as kind
ly-natured as the warm valley and the
grass-clad plain. Vegetation was sparse
at that altitude; few flowers grew on
the mound, but the protecting spruce
was V E green.
It was not strange that the woman
was unnerved by the prospect Of evic-
tion. A council of war was held with
Hannah. Should John fail to return in
a day, escape from being driven away
was unlikely. But Ruth shuddered
when she remembered the threat that
her husband might be waylaid. AS the
woman walked to the tent, Hannah
heard her say: Eyes, there is just one
plan"-after which the Winchester rifle
was loaded.
Both women expected to pass a sleep
less night. Black clouds obscured the
sky, Redeemed at intervals by the dis
tGrbing flame of the ~insoIent strangers
camp fire. The women agreed that
Ruth should try to get a little rest, then
mount guard in Hannah's place. In
spite of excitement Ruth fell into a
deep sleep before midnight. Hannah
cndeavored to be a brave sentinel; but
before being aware of it this gentle
-stenderfootr dropped on a blanket and
dozed. She awoke an hour later, noon
light streaming in her face, the clouds
dissipated. Hannah ~reproached herself
for lack Of vigilance, and as punish
ment, determined not to call Ruth for
the remaining part of the watch.
Wrapping the blanket about heI
shoulders, she stood outside the tent
The night was cold and clear. The un-
welcome camp fire was beginning t.
flicker, Suggesting crumbling embers
Hannah was no coward; for an hour
she busted her brain for a plan Of de
hverance. Her quick wit seemed al
fault, with all it's resource failing to Oh
tain results in such a wilderness. Turn.
ing to the camp in the %ravine, each de
tail OF its arrangement was noted Th'
men were wrapped in blankets, lyins
close to the fire. and nearby the horse:
were picketed. Gums and stores had
been slowed away in the tent.
Hnnnah'g thoughts drifted back to hel
sister. While watching the tired woman
who had known so much trouble, q
kerosene can was spied in n corner o.
the tent.
'gThe idea atlast-is my courage equal
TO it?' gasped the girl, breathless, turn
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