Year: 1871

other employees The only thing he was
ever known to do, was to stand guard al
that gate, aud to follow and watch the
person held there as Il prisoner, when she
was permitted to 90 abroad-0r, rather,


when she desired to 90 abroad, for, will
the exception of keeping her strictly tC
herself, she was permitted the largest


liberty.


had been at the fort only a few days


before | discovered that the cottage was
the prison-house Of a female. Young
woman-about as pretty as human flesh
could be made. Il hain't got no good
descriptive powersn-to use his exact
words-"or I'd tell you how she looked !;
but I'm tirst-rate Judge OF beauty, and
will pledge you my faith that she was
regular stunnin' The old Scotchman.
standin' OF sittin' in front of THAT gate all
the time, had aroused my curiosity, and |
axed a good many questions, trying 70
find out what it all meant, but could get
from them only shrug OF the shoulders
and a peculiar grimance, which meant
very little or good deal, lust as il hap
pened"


l finally made bold enough to ask the
old Scott, but got from him only a surly,
growing intimation that | had better
mind my own business, and not meddle
witt the concerns of others. Shortly
after | was called into the store by the
factor, cautioned against pursuing my in
vestigations, and dismissed with a warn
inc


The evident desire to keep the secret OF
that cottage was sore temptation to me
and | determined to risk everything 10
solve the mystery, but was compelled %
bide my time and opportunity. My rash
ness had caused me to be watched, and it
was not until all suspicion had been al
layed, that | could with safety, make
another effort


One day ! was returning from the eN-
cursion up the Payullup river and was
lesurely walking across one of those
beautiful prairies which abound in this
region. Now, these prairies are about as
pretty pictures as one can see in days
walk. but ''ain't worth shucks for farmin'
purposes" The soil is hard and unyield-
ing, the herbage sour, and tit only for
sheep; even the deer refuse to browse
upon it. A wagon or vehicle could travel
over it as lightly as over Il beated road,
while the hoofs Of animals hardly more
than bruised the garss but as they fell
upon the ground thev made noise that
could be heard a long distance. Stop
ping for a moment under the shade of a
solitary tree, to enjoy the beauty of the
scene, my ears caught the sound of APP
proaching horses Looking in the direc-
ton whence the sound came, saw that
one of hem was ridden by i woman not
more than six ana twenty years of age
Her hair was about the color of corn silk
in August, while her features, notwith-
standing they showed traces of sorrow,
were very beautiful. The other animal,
which was fully two hundred yards in the
rear, was ridden by the Scottish guard Of
the cottage ! instantly surmised that
the beautiful female was the prisoner, and
stepped out for the purpose of attracting
her attention, and giving an opportunity
to address me. The woman no sooner
caught sight Of mo than she turned her
horses head toward the spot where | was
standing. The movement was observed
by the Scot, who, sinking his heavy spurs
into his horses sides, urged him forward
at the top of his speed, at the same time
shouting:


''Dinna ye spake to her ef We value yer
life =


The lady had the advantage Of her
guard, and was soon beside me, but did
not stop to speak. As she passed, she
gave me- a look -nll Of meaning. which
seemed TO say II would give worlds tOr
a half-hour's conversation with you, but |
will have TO postpone it till some other
OCCASION


AS the Scot rode past, he said, 'tYe did
weel to keep yer tongue within your
mouth


This little incident increased my desire
to know more about the fair prisoner, but
my Judgment told me if I would learn |
must use strategy. I could not under
stand why the girl should be guarded 80
closely, nor why she had been sent to this
far, out OF the way place for imprison-
ment. After this, quite frequently
caught sight of the prisoner, but she was
always attended by the Scot, who never, for
a single instant relaxed his vigilance, or
gave her al opportunity to speak to .
single soul Many night have / laid
awake puzzling my brain over the matter,
and wondering if the mystery would ever
be revealed.


a year had passed away since my ar
rival al the fort. and still the young girl
was held q prisoner. Her keepers, how
ever, had long ceased to exercise an
espionage upon my actions and move
ments, because had taken pains to allay
their suspicious At length, finding that
| could move about the fort without hav-
ing an Indian at my heels, | commenced
making preparations for an interview
with the fair prisoner 1t is not necessary
for the understanding Of my story that
should weary you with explaining how
laid my plans, constructed scaling LADDERS
from rope made of bark; how, upon one
dark night, when the rain was pouring
down in torrents and the wind sighed
through the trees, stole forth
from my cabin, and soon found myself
within the inclosure and beside the cot
tage. gazing into The room occupied by
her.


Notwithstanding the hour was past the
meridian Of night, the fair occupant of
the room was still awake. was puzzled
how to attract her attention, and not at
the same time startle her and cause her
to scream, or give some alarm, which
would bring the old Scotchman to inter-
rupt the proposed interview. After re-
volving a number of schemes, and reject
ing them all, | tapped gently upon the
glass, at the same time placing myself in
such position that | could be seen the
moment her eyes were raised to the Win
dow. The noise caused the girl to raise
her head, and as She did 50 she caught
sight of me. Her face blanched with ter
Tor, and she opened her mouth as if to
scream; but by desperate struggle she
choked down her feelings and tottered
toward the door. opened it, and SAID
which | thought was an invi-
tation to enter, and which I accepted as
SUCH


Motioning me to be seated, she COM
menced telling me something, but as she
spoke in French | could not understand
word she said Here was pretty condi-
ton of affairs After all my trouble to
find cut how | could assist the un(ortu-
nate lady, to be baked at the very mo
ment when success appeared certain |
told her that | could not understand
word she was saying; that l was totally
ignorant of all languages but my native
one. A shade of deep disappointment
passed over her features, and she stood
for moment as if revolving in her mind
what to do. Suddenly a bright CLEAN
Illuminated her face, her eyes sparkled
with nlaaSura and Sba oaotod barsolf of q