Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-08-16


word Captain Suffers aloof expression
had relaxed.
II beg your pardon for addressing
you so abruptly" Johnny was saying.
1.-THE surprise Of the moment must ex-
cuse me. Ten years ago, sir, I had the
pleasure Of meeting you at the time
you visited my father in Virginia"
any dear boy!' cried Suffer. "You
are Of course the son Of Colonel Fair
fax. But ten years ago you were a
very young man," &.
"a small boy. rather" laughed
Johnny.
They chatted for few moments, ex-
changing news, suppose, though they
had drawn beyond our earshot In a
few moments we were summoned and
presented, first to Colonel Suffer, then
to Don Gaspar Martinez. The latter
talked English well Yank and I, both
somewhat silent and embarrassed be-
fore al this splendor Of manner, trail
ed the triumphal progress like two
small boys. We were glad to trail.
however. Captain Suffer took US about.
showing US in turn all the many indus
tries of the place.
Don Gaspar here excused himself on
the ground of business, promising to
rejoin us later.
We walked back through the inclos-
ure. Our companion was greeted on
all sides with the greatest respect'and
affection. To all he responded with
benign but unapproachable. dignity.
From the vociferating group he called
the trader Mcclellan. to whom he In
troduced Us, all three, with urbane
Formally.
"These young men," he told McClel-
Ian, who listened to him intently, his
brows knit, ''are more than acquaint-
ances; they are very especial friends
Of mine. wish to bespeak your good
Offices for what they may require.
They are ON their way to the mines.
And now, gentlemen, I repeat, I am
delighted to have had this opportunity.
I wish you the best Of luck, and I SIN
cerely hope you may be able to visit
me at Feather River, where you are
always sure Of a hearty welcome.
Treat them well. Mcclellan"
"You know, cap'n, friends Of yourn
are friends >of mine" said McClelaan
briefly.
At the end Of half an hour We found
Ourselves In possession Of two pack
horses and saddles and load Of pro-
visions.
~Look out for hoss thieves advised
Mcclellan. these yere Greasers will
follow you for days, waitin' for q
chance to git your stock. Don't picket
with rawhide rope, OF the coyotes are
likely to gnaw yore animfles loose.
Better buy couple Of ha'r ropes from
the nearest Mex. Take care Of yore
selves. Goodby." He was immediate
ly immersed in his flood Of business.
We loaded our pack horses and set
OF next morning early on the trail up
the American river. At last, 1t SEEM
ed to us, we were really under way;
as though our long journeyings and
many experiences had been but a prep
aration for this start. Our spirits were
high, and we laughed and joked and
sang extravagantly. Even Yank woke
up and acted like frisky colt. Such
early wayfarers as we met we hailed
with shouts and chatting; nor We're we
in the least abashed by an occasional
surly response, or the not infrequent
attempts to discourage our hopes. For
when one man said there was no gold
another was confident that the dig
gings were not even scratched.
Yank turned the two horses out into
a grass meadow and sat, his back
against an oak tree, smoking his pipe
and watching them. Johnny and / I'M
rolled the beds, sorted out the simple
cooking utensils, and started to cook.
Occasional travellers on the road just
above us shouted out friendly greet
ings. They were miscellaneous lot.