The Detroit times., 1913-05-07
CHAPTER EIGHT.
(Oontinued.)

Late one afternoon they reached In
dependence. and tied up to the bank
A tall black-bearded man OF 3S or 49,
in greasy buckskins, had established
himself at nearby wood-pile. from
which he could command an excellent
prospect OF the river and what was
passing there. lie had kept his
watch from dawn until dark for u
week or more. II was only when
some steamer made landing In his
vicinity that he would forsake his
post; then he would hurry along the
bank, thrusting his vigorous way
among the passengers, eagerly giles
uoning from whence they came. Dur
ing those intervals when there were
no boats arriving. he cultivated a
measure OF intimacy with the proprie-
tor OF the woodward; and the latter
had Hospitality urged him TO make
free with shelter of blankets he had
devised In the rear OF one OF the wood
ranks. But his Impotence had In
creased as the days passed. and the
good-nature which had at first ex-
pressed itself In ill-fiavoured jests at
the expense OF the emigrants seem
ed TO leave him: this was Basil Land.
ray. He saw the Caledonia" tie up
10 the shore and he watched her
passengers as they made their way to
land. laden with the more easily
portable OF their belongings; sudden
~. however. he uttered an exclama'
zion and strobe down the bank
IF your name amt Landray, I'll
never guess again" he said. when he
had made his way to where stephen
and Bushrod stood.
"Basil?" cried the former, Basil
Landray?"
In spite Of certain differences.
which later on became so apparent
that they seemed to destroy all family
resemblance, the cousins were won
derfuly alike.
How long have you been here?"
said Stephen.
Not above fortnight. I counted
on your getting here sooner; but
you're full early; there's no srass TO
speak Of yet. and you can't start a
hoof across the plains until that
gets up
In a covert, secret fashion Of his
own he was taking careful stock Of
the brothers. When Stephens letter
had been put into his hands at Coun-
ell Bluffs the previous fall. IL had re-
quired an effort Of memory on his
part to determine who this Stephen
Landray was, and just how they
were related. or the writer's circum-
stances he had known absolutely
nothing. and of these the letter gave
no hint: this was point upon which
he had felt certain misgivings, but
the very appearance of the brothers
was in itself reassuring. He noted.
for nothing was lost on him. that the
others of the party treated them with
a marked respect, which he instantly
attributed to superiority OF fortune.
that to him being the basis of all
social differences.
"Well, now he cried. with bolster
GUS heartiness, land to think | should
have known the pair OF you the min
ute clapped eyes on you. Singular.
amt IT."
No" said Stephen. surveying THE
fine muscular figure OF the fur trader
with frank approval. NO. II Is not
so singular after all: for we do look
alike"
Aye, with this on" running his
fingers through his bushy beard. AS
like as three peas in pod"
Their wagons, which were among
the last loaded on the Caledonia,
and consequently among the first TO
be put ashore, were soon drawn up
the bank: and Dunlevy, with Bingham
and Walsh busted themselves settling
the camp.
Now" said Basil. what are your
plans?"
The Landrays had drawn apart from
the others. and had thrown them
selves down on the short turf which
was already specked with flowers
They told him first of the return OF
Rogers. and OF the formation OF the
company.
"Yonder tall fellow" nodding in
the direction of the Californian.
Yes"
Basil grinned. You must have