The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-24
(Continued.)
CHAPTER xxx.
In EXCHANGE.

CHAPIER AAlA.
In Exchange.
Great women belong to history
and to sacrifice.-Leigh Hunt.
For sufficient reasons of my own,
which have been explained, I did
not care to mingle more than was
necessary with the party of the
Hudson Bay folk who made their
quarters with the missionary fami.
lies. l kept close to my own camp
when not busy with my inquiries in
the neighborhood, where l now be-
gan to see what could be done in
the preparation Of proper outfit
for the baroness. Herself | did not
see for the next two days; but one
evening | met her on the narrow
low gallery of one of the mission
houses. Without much speech we
sat and looked over the preasant
prospect of the wide flats, the
fringe of willow trees, the loom of
the mountains off toward the east.
Continually you surprise me,
Madam" l began at last. Can we
not persuade you to abandon this
foolish plan of your going east:'
81 can see no reason for abandon
ing It," said she. "There are some
thousands of your people, men,
women and children. who have
crossed that trail. Why should not
II"
"But they came in large parties;
they come well prepared. Each
helps his neighbor"
1.-THE distance Is the same, ana
the method is the same"
| ceased to argue, seeing that she
would not be persuaded. AT least,
Madam" said |, 81 have done what
little l could in securing you a par
ty. You are to have eight mules,
two carts. six horses. and two men,
besides old Joe Meek, the best
guide now in Oregon. He would
not go to save his life. He goes to
save yours.
you are a good special pleader,"
said She but you do not shake
me In my purpose. and hold to my
terms 1t does not rest with you
and me, but with another. AS |
have told you-as we have both
agreed-"
"Then let us not speak her
name" said I.
Again her eyes looked into mine,
straight, large and dark. Again the
spell of her beauty rose all around
= me. enveloped me as l had felt it do
before. you can not have Oregon,
except through he" she said at
last. you can not have--her-eX-
cept through mel"
1T is the TRUTH" I answered. "In
Gods name, then. play the game
fair"
CHAPTER xxx.
Counter Currents.
Woman is like the reed that
bends to every breeze, but breaks
not in the tempest.-Bishop Rich
ard Whately
The Oregon immigration for 1S45
: numbered. according to some &C
Our people still rolled westward in
a mighty wave. The history of that
great west-bound movement is
well known. The story of vet
more decisive journey of that same
year never has been written-that
of Helena Won Ritz. from Oregon
to the east. The price of that Jour
ney was an empire; its cost-ah,
let me not yet speak of that.
Although Meek and | agreed that
he should push east at the best pos
sible speed, 1t was well enough un-
derstood that | should give him no
more than day or 50 start. ! did
not purpose to allow 50 risky a
journey as this to be undertaken
by any woman in so small party,
and made no doubt that | would
overtake them. at least at Fort
Hail. perhaps 500 miles east of the
Missions, or at farthest at Fort
Bridger, some 700 miles from ,the
starting point in Oregon.
The Young wife of one of the mis-
sionaries was glad enough to take
passage thus for the east. and there
was the silent Threlka. Those two
could offer company. even did not
the little Indian maid, adopted by
the baroness, serve to interest her.
Their equipment and supplies were
as good as any purchasable. What
could be done, we now had done.
Yet, after all, Helena Won Ritz
had her own way. | did not see
her again after we parted that
evening at the Mission. | was alb
sent for couple OF days with n
hunting party and on my return
discovered that she was gone, with
no more than briet farewell to
those left behind! Meek was
anxious as herself to be off; but
he left word for me to follow on at
once.
1t may be supposed that l myself
now hurried in my plans. was
able to make up a small party of
four men. about half the number
Meek took with him; and / threw
together such equipment as | could
tad ,af ,tsNsr N.NA