The Detroit times., 1913-05-09
The Fortunes of the LandrayS
Just an the
Author OF The Prodisal Judge.
Just and the Unjust" etc.

! Gently rolling and intersected al inter
walls by streams, along whose banks
grew scattered elms and cottonwoods
| Hidden away in the fertile bottoms
| they came upon farms or ranches,
each with it's patch OF cultivated land /;
but as they advanced these became
less and less frequent; the uniform
view was now one wide, rolling plain,
with distant fringe OF timber mark
ing the water-courses.
Then the waves OF land ceased, the
soil seemed TO lose its fertility; and a
dead level spread before the unresist-
ing eye. They were entering upon the
region of the Platte river and the
plains proper. Long ere this the slow
moving oxen had fallen 60 the rear
Of the line of white-topped wagons;
the mules had outstripped them as
they, In their turn, were outstripped
by the mounted men. But a greater
change was making itself manifest
throughout the caravan. The enthus-
iasin OF the gold-seekers was waning
in the face OF unlocked for hardship
and suffering. The cholera had caught
them as they left the Missouri and
their line OF march was dotted with
newly-made graves.
Then, even as Basil Landray had
foretold, the faint-hearted sickened OF
their enterprise. and with the strick-
en- ones who had lost friends or rela-
tives, turned back. The fur trader.
giving way TO boisterous merriment
showed an inclination 10 chaff these
as they passed: but Stephen sternly
hade him keep silent.
He was finding Basil a sore trial. yet
the fur trader retained measure OF
bis faith and confidence. for he dis
played a tireless energy in the face of
every difficulty II their mules or
horses strayed over night, ii was us
ually Basil who found them in the
morning; II there was stream TO be
crossed. IL was Basil who located the
ford: II they needed game, Basil was
almost certain TO bring il into camp:
these were real and tangible benefits
which could not be overlooked.
Stephen and Bushrod discussed him
privately; at first with palpable bias
in his favor. magnifying each redeem
Ing trait; but gradually their feeling
a evaporation toward him was Who'll
ly In the ascendent
Hes positively servile 10 us, com
planned Bushrod. That's what can't
stand II he treated us as he treats
Rogers, for instance | don't know but
what I'd like him a great deal better:
at least I'd have sufficient excuse 10
kick him out OF camp"
Don't you think we've allowed him
to wear on us?" said Stephen. After
a 1 LIZ "
right TO expect him 10 be different
from what he is: and he certainly Is
the most useful member OF the COM
pany; we must admit that"
Yes. he's handy with the stock, y
said Bushrod grudgingly.
Early in June they reached Fort
Laramie, where they camped with the
intention of giving their teams a rest
OF several days. At the Fort, which
had been one OF the many posts of the
American Fur company, and which
the government had only recently &C
quired by purchase, they found a de
tachment OF Mounted Rifles. while the
employees OF the company were still
In camp on the river. Among these
latter Basil found number OF former
associates. and for night and day
they saw nothing OF him: but on the
second evening he suddenly strobe
into camp. and flung himself down In
the midst Of the little group about the
fire
IT know what | reckon there's many
a one would give good deal &c
know" he said jubilantly. Steve
how'd you fancy shortening mp the
trail into Salt Lake? / been talking
with one OF the company's men who
knows all the country hereabouts, and
he's marked a trail for me-"
II allowed you knew this here coun