THE UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 THE WILMER COLLECTION 
 OF CIVIL WAR NOVELS 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 RICHARD H. WILMER, JR. 
 
j^iLMER CCXXiCTlON 
 
 ^^'• 
 
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Digitized by tine Internet Arcinive 
 
 in 2009 with funding from 
 
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 http://www.archive.org/details/shenandoahorhoriOOgedn 
 
SHENANDOAH; 
 
 OR, 
 
 The Horizon's Bar. 
 
 % Storg of i^i Mm 
 
 BY 
 
 Hon. FREDERICK G. GEDNEY. 
 
 Copyright^ 1890, by J. S. Ogilvu. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 X S. OGILVIE, PUBLISHER, 
 
 57 ROSE STREET. 
 
SHENANDOAH; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 CHAPTER 1. 
 
 the compact on the blue ridge. 
 
 July, 1865. 
 
 A sultry afternoon. 
 
 Under the spreading boughs of a great oak re- 
 cline two young men, officers in the cavalry branch 
 of the United States Army. ■» 
 
 Below them the lovely and historic valley of the 
 Shenandoah. Snowy camps dot it here and there, 
 and in the distance a river, like a silver thread, fringes 
 the border of the mountain. 
 
 A supply train winds slowl)^ along the dusty road 
 at its base, and then, one by one, the wagons are lost 
 to view in the depths of the summer haze. 
 
 The young men are silent and thoughtful. 
 
 A few months since, Lee's brave but broken le- 
 gions had folded in final defeat the standards of the 
 lost cause. 
 
 The war of the Union was over. 
 
 Regiments were being mustered out of service, 
 and thoughts of home and peaceful ways filled the 
 heart of the young soldier. 
 
 7 
 
 537710 
 
8 SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 No more '' Boot and Saddle," said Lieutenant 
 Fairleigh, snapping the ashes from his cigar, " no 
 reveille to dash the morning's dream of home and 
 children. Home itself awaits us, and with it, ' Fare- 
 well the neighing steed, the plumed troop, and the 
 
 big war. 
 
 > >> 
 
 '' Our occupation's gone," interrupted his friend 
 with a smile, turning in his grassy bed, and throw- 
 ing his cigar down the hillside, as if in pursuit of 
 his lost position. 
 
 " And to what base use may we return Horatio ? 
 Think of the festive lieutenant in his father's count- 
 ing-room book-keeping ! Is it not horrible ? Dr. on 
 one side, and Cr. on the other." The speaker, Henry 
 Fairleigh, was an only son, and had known nothing 
 of responsibility, toil, or care. 
 
 Early in the war he volunteered and then 
 "■ roughed " it in the camp and field. 
 
 To his delicacy of feeling was added a muscular 
 and vigorous frame. 
 
 He was tall, well formed, and a splendid horse- 
 man. A face bronzed by daily exposure, with a 
 long, drooping mustache, known as the " cavalry 
 cut" and lighted by gray eyes that warranted good 
 fellowship. 
 
 "A man's a man for a' that," Lieutenant, whether 
 he is the recorder of mugs and jugs, or the soldier 
 in his country's cause ; this army life has its wild ^ ^ 
 excitements and its terrible monotonies as well. Itq^ J 
 is an experience, however, which for its memories 
 alone I would not have missed. The sooner we 
 are measuring tape or hoeing corn, the better for 
 our country and ourselves. I fear a soldier's life 
 
SHENAIS^DOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 9 
 
 has unfitted me for a law office, with its dull routine 
 work that is never done, books that are never read, 
 and clients never satisfied," replied Captain Vincent, 
 resting his head upon his elbow and looking down 
 the valley. 
 
 " It may be treason — let Gotham make the most 
 of it. I dread to return there." Captain Vincent 
 arose and surveyed the broad prospect. He ap- 
 peared in form and feature hardly twenty years of 
 age, but in expression, action, and command he was 
 fort}'. He was good-looking, with a sympathetic 
 voice and easy manner. If he was silent, his men 
 treated this reserve with respect. 
 
 An earnest soul spoke in quiet tones even in his 
 orders. 
 
 The campaign in the valley had fearfully reduced 
 the ranks of the regiment. 
 
 Many officers had resigned, fallen in battle, or 
 died of disease and in prison. 
 
 A couple of squadrons — not two hundred men, 
 were now all that remained of the gallant New 
 York Cavalry of the Shenandoah. This handful 
 Vincent had commanded for over a year. 
 
 " It is singular " said General Custer, turning to 
 one of his staff during an encounter, '' how Vincent 
 holds his men. I never hear his voice ; they seem 
 to anticipate his orders and execute them." 
 
 In the captain's command were as wild and reck- 
 less spirits as could be found in the Cavalry 
 Division. 
 
 During the company's first week "at the front" 
 they tried their young captain's mettle. 
 
 His orders were tardily obeyed. The " high pri- 
 
10 SHENAi^DOAH; OE, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 vates " had arrived at a conclusion around the camp- 
 fire that their commander was a poet, a '' star gazer," 
 as they termed it. 
 
 In any event he would not set fire to the Potomac, 
 or teach discipline to Stonewall Jackson, they said. 
 
 Something was wrong with Vincent. 
 
 The wind was east frequently. 
 
 The first occasion, however, on which he was or- 
 dered to lead a reconnoissance dispelled all doubts 
 as to his power as a leader. 
 
 A mutinous corporal, brave enough, but too loud 
 at the camp-fire, relying unluckily upon his supe- 
 rior's supposed effeminacy, attempted to lead a 
 dozen troopers to the rear, muttering, as his horse 
 turned out of line, that " he'd be damned if any boy 
 took him into fire." 
 
 " Halt !" said a calm, clear voice. 
 
 The column stood fast. 
 
 All save the corporal, whose horse faced the rear, 
 and who, turning to his immediate CQmrades, said, 
 " Come on." 
 
 Crack! the sharp report of a pistol. 
 
 A riderless horse with flying stirups galloped 
 back to camp as the mutineer was borne to the rear 
 to nurse his wound. '' Trot !" came the same clear 
 voice of the captain, as he replaced the smoking 
 pistol in his holsters. 
 
 The whole command moved as one man. 
 
 No sound save the clatter of the hoofs and the 
 
 jingle of spur and sabre scabbard. The men were 
 
 thinking. 
 
 ****** 
 
 To-day he leaned against the tree and looked at 
 
SHEI^ANDOAH ; ^R, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 11 
 
 ^he camp below, but his thoughts were out beyond 
 it. " I suppose we part here in a day or two." 
 
 Fairleigh read in the tired look of his friend that 
 fiense of loneliness which so often haunts proud 
 natures ; discouraging syjnpathy, yet repining at 
 the want of^it, (Teservlng more of friendship than 
 the outward air invites.^. 
 
 "This is the time," said Fairleigh, rising and 
 placing both hands on his friend's shoulders, " to 
 decide whether our regard shall merely be an inci- 
 dent of the war, a record written in the sand, or 
 whether it shall be for life." 
 
 Vincent returned the earnest gaze of his comrade, 
 was silent for a time, and then answered slowly : 
 
 " Few friendships are more than the result of an 
 accident. How shall we expect friendship to long 
 outlive the time which gave it birth?" 
 
 Fairleigh smiled. 
 
 " Nevertheless," continued the captain, also smil- 
 ing, " the colder teachings of philosophy must al- 
 ways yield to the dictates oi a warm heart. If you 
 are willing to say that no barrier of distance, time, 
 or changing taste shall enstrange us from each 
 other, but that we shall be friends forever — 
 
 '' Friends forever," interruped Fairleigh, his face 
 beaming as if his first declaration of love had been 
 accepted. " Your hand." 
 
 "■ In yours." 
 
 '' It is a vow," said the captain, " and not a mo- 
 ment too soon ; for lo ! the charm is wound up." 
 
 The notes of a bugle rang out merrily on the still 
 air. 
 
12 SHEKANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOK'S BAR. 
 
 "The adjutant's call; we must hasten back to 
 
 camp." 
 
 The scene in the valley below them was now 
 animated in the extreme. 
 
 The bugle blast awakened the idlers in their 
 tents, and servants were busy with their masters' 
 equipments. Horses neighing, trotted with arched 
 necks into line. 
 
 The first sergeants were reporting the number of 
 men in the various companies as the friends in bat- 
 tle tried reached their quarters. 
 
 A week later and the gallant — th was mustered 
 out of service of the United States. 
 
 The brigade band at headquarters played " Should 
 auld acquaintance be forgot" as the veterans with 
 faces expressive of deep feeling moved away to the 
 depot. 
 
 Fairleigh reported to his father. 
 
 Vincent " took up the burden of life again," and 
 with heavy heart turned his steps to the law office 
 in which prior to his enlistment he had been both 
 student and clerk. 
 
 It required all his philosophy and strength of 
 character to curb his proud spirit and to meet the 
 drudgery of a settled business or profession. 
 
 One day deliverance came. 
 
 It came in the shape of a telegram. 
 
 "Leavenworth House, Kansas. 
 
 " September ist, 1865. 
 
 " Rollm Vince7it, 29 Wall Street, New York, N. Y. 
 
 "■ Remember your promise. Join me here by the 
 twentieth. Answer. Mansion House. 
 
 " Harry Fairleigh.'* 
 
SHENANDOAH; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 13 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 LEAVENWORTH. 
 
 The boat that Rollin Vincent took passage in at 
 St. Louis reached Leavenworth, and hardly had 
 she made fast, before a tall figure pressed through 
 the crowd assembled on the levee, crossed the 
 gang-plank, bounded up the stairway, and seizing 
 Vincent around the neck, gave him several frantic 
 hugs. 
 
 " Harry !" 
 
 " You are here at last, Vincent !** 
 
 The friends breakfasted at the Mansion House, 
 and soon, repairing to Fairleigh's room, pipes were 
 brought out, and the '' long talk " commenced, 
 while the perfume of the glowing bowl rolled forth 
 in clouds of smoke. 
 
 " Ned Pritchard," Fairleigh began — **you remem- 
 ber Ned on Custer's staff? The tall fellow from 
 the 9th Michigan — returned last month from New 
 Mexico." 
 
 *' He has the golden fever, and badly ; such 
 

 14 shenaxdoah; or, the horizo2?'s bar. 
 
 glowing accounts of the wealth of the terri- 
 tory. Well, he has formed a mining company of 
 the old officers of our corps that he knew, and 
 some few outsiders, and we are all going out to 
 New Mexico to establish mines, mills, cities, and all 
 that. I could not stand the store. It d^ove me 
 wild. I readily endorsed his story, for I wanted 
 to get away.'* 
 
 " Don't speak of it. I have had ten defaults taken 
 against me Tried to practice ; studied up Hardie 
 and Upton instead of Parsons and the Code." 
 Within a week the company was formed." 
 The first step. Will it pay ?" 
 
 *' You should see the specimens." 
 
 " The rocks on the mantel-piece here ?" 
 
 " The same. Gold-bearing rocks, my son, make 
 no mistake. No member to own more than one 
 share of the stock. Going to keep all to ourselves. 
 Nothing mean about us, is there?" 
 
 " Well, Harry, I hope you will do well in the 
 venture. Your money used to go freely enough 
 in the war days." 
 
 " Yes, surely ; each share is five thousand dollars, 
 and here is yours — bought and paid for." 
 
 '' Mine ! " ejaculated Vincent. 
 
 ** Yours, Rollin Vincent, in gold letters ; see ; big 
 American eagle, also gold, hovering over a blue 
 prairie and a pink stamp mill." 
 
 " Never can pay for it in the world, my dear 
 boy." 
 
 " It is paid for ; money in the treasury now. 
 Treasurer has salted it down in his tin box." 
 
SHE]!^A."N JOaH ; dR, THE HORIZON S BAR. 15 
 
 •' Harry, I never — " 
 
 ''Not a word. I bought it, paid for it; it is 
 youro. If we succeed you can pay me back out of 
 dividends." 
 
 '' If we fail—" 
 
 " In the wide what-you-call-it of youth there is 
 no such thing-um-bob as fail." 
 
 " But, Harry, we may — " 
 
 "Then it is charged to that old account between 
 us of love on the Shenandoah, where I owe you yet 
 so much. Now silence, silence, mon enfant^ 
 
 "■ Who are of the party ?" 
 
 " Tom Eaton." 
 
 '' Good." 
 
 " Dunscombe, Dakin, Churchill, Meredith, a 
 man by the name of Frank Adderly, a friend of 
 Churchill. Know him ? he was not a soldier." 
 
 Vincent made no ansvv'er. 
 
 " Why, we will have more fun — nearly all old 
 soldiers ; why, we will waltz away with all the 
 Indians that get in our path. I wish they would 
 have made exclusively up of officers. Did you say 
 that you knew Adderly ?" 
 
 " I have heard of a Francis Adderly ; he may not 
 be the man." 
 
 Vincent seemed absorbed in distant and un- 
 pleasant thoughts. 
 
 '' I don't like him very much. Churchill seems 
 
16 SHENANDOAH ; OR^ THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 very fond of him ; any way, he is one of us. The 
 machinery for our stamp-mills is all here ; we 
 bought twelve enormous wagons in St. Louis, and 
 we have more young mules, kicking and snorting 
 out in a yard out here, than you would care to 
 count or mount." 
 
 " You're just in time. We start to-morrow for 
 the plains ; and as we shall all be well mounted, I 
 pressed into service a horse for you. I hope he 
 will suit vou." 
 
 Fairleigh led the way to the stables, and first 
 patting a dark gray that he said was his, he ordered 
 the hostler to bring out the black horse. 
 
 Vincent was a true cavalry man. A horse was 
 his kingdom ; over it he loved to rule. 
 
 The black horse was led into the stable-yard and 
 received the warm encomiums of the captain. 
 
 " The horse is yours, RoUin." 
 
 '' But my dear fellow, that horse must have 
 cost " — ■ 
 
 " Money — pay for him out of your dividends." 
 
 " Come rouse thee, my merry Swiss boy," sang 
 Fairleigh, as he improvised a reveille on Vincent's 
 door early the following morning. 
 
 The door was opened, and the light-hearted fel- 
 low bounded into the room. 
 
 '' Are you aware that you have been mustered 
 out of service ? You retired last night with }' our 
 uniform on, as if you expected to hear the ' long 
 roll' ere you had forty winks." 
 
 Vincent, who had passed a sleepless night, hur- 
 riedly arranged his toilet, and with his friend was 
 
8HEKAND0AH; OR, THE HORIZON^S BAR. 17 
 
 soon in the saddle. A short ride brought them to 
 Salt Creek, a few miles from the city, where the 
 party, mounted, waited the arrival of the wagon- 
 master. Sam Hallett, an experienced plains 
 " freighter " and superintendent, who, with slouched 
 sombrero, buckskin suit trimmed with bits of silver 
 fringe, and mounted on a handsome mule, soon 
 made his appearance and assumed command. 
 
 As the friends drew rein, all saluted in long-ac- 
 customed military style, and cheery words passed. 
 All except Adderly, who bestrode a magnificent 
 chestnut horse, and rode a short distance away with 
 Churchill. 
 
 " By the way," said Harry, lighting a segar, and 
 handing one to Eaton, who accompanied the two 
 friends, and was mounted on a dark bay that cur- 
 vetted and champed near him. " I have received a 
 letter from home. Father writes me that he in- 
 tends crossing the plains for his health, and he 
 hopes that he may meet us on the road." 
 
 " Romantic," said Eaton, watching a smoke ring 
 blown from under his mustache into the clear air. 
 
 " And he brings with him Nellie, my sister, and 
 our cousin Kate," continued Fairleigh. 
 
 *' Jolly !" ejaculated Eaton. " A fine presentable 
 party we will be by that time ; they they will take 
 us for Sioux and clutch their chignons." 
 
 The most interesting figure connected with the 
 train now came up — the wagon-master, Sam Hal- 
 lett, a sort of "old salt" of the plains, now over 
 sixty years of age, straight as an arrow, eyes black 
 and piercing, long, gray hair thrown back off his 
 
18 SHEKANDOAH, OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 ears, and falling in profuse waving ringlets or Lis 
 shoulders ; wearing a low, broad-brimmed felt hat, 
 an army blouse, a red flannel shirt open at the neck, 
 around which a black silk handkerchief was loosely- 
 tied ; buckskin pants fringed at the seams in Mexi- 
 can style, handsome moccasins, and long Spanish 
 spurs, of which the little steel pendants tinkled as 
 he rode. He was mounted on a gigantic black 
 mule. A blanket was neatly folded under the sad- 
 dle, which was of the kind known as the '* Califor- 
 nia tree." A pair of revolvers in holsters were fas- 
 tened to the horn of the saddle, and a girth of Mex- 
 ican grass passed twice under the mule and fastened 
 to a ring on the left side. The broad wooden stir- 
 rup was hooded with leather. Everything found 
 on examination to be ready, the wagon-master is- 
 sued to the driver of the forward wagon the la- 
 conic order " Git, Jim." 
 
 In Western parlance, the word "up" has been 
 discarded by drivers as superfluous. The train 
 moved on into a lovely country, the very France of 
 America. Our soldiers felt once more the stir, ex- 
 hilaration, and enthusiasm of their recent camp-life. 
 That night they halted, packed their wagons, turned 
 out their horses, pitched their tents, divided the com- 
 pany into messes according to their affinities, kindled 
 their fires, prepared and ate their evening meal, en- 
 joying their first night in the open air in the luxury 
 of the plains, and liable to attack from the Indians. 
 Leaving the' cattle to the care of the herder, the 
 company gathered around the camp-fire. Some 
 hardly touched the ground ere they were asleep 
 with the fatigue of the march. Others joined in 
 
SHEKAKDOAH ; OU, THE HORlZON^S BAR. 19 
 
 songs and stories of the camp. These being passed, 
 and equally familiar to them all, the general inter- 
 est centred in Sam Hallett, the wagon-master, 
 whose very garb and manner seemed to reveal mar- 
 vellous tales of the new life on which they were 
 now entering. 
 
 ** Any chance of scaring up some Injuns yet?" 
 inquired Fairleigh of the teamster, as he lighted his 
 pipe by the camp fire. 
 
 " More chances of their scarin' us up," replied the 
 wagon-master. " Have a good time while ye can 
 these moonlight nights, for, as we get on, we'll only 
 boil the kettle and then dash the fire. Can't keep 
 a light to draw the Injuns." 
 
 " Don't you usually get some inkling beforehand ? 
 Can't you scent 'em, or guess pretty well when 
 they're around ?" inquired Dakin. 
 
 The old man surveyed Dakin with a look of com- 
 passion, and replied drily : *' Sometimes, young 
 man, they send a letter by the post-office, or a mes- 
 senger to notify us when we may expect 'em ; but, 
 as you may have read somewhere, them instances 
 is seldom." 
 
 Dakin smiled with the rest at the old man's hu- 
 mor, as he cared more to " draw him out '" than to 
 shine in the discussion. 
 
 " But these Injuns couldn't make many points 
 fighting veterans like ourselves ?" 
 
 " You'd be cooler under fire," replied Hallett ; 
 *' and if that would stop an arrow, you'd be safer. 
 But I tell you, boys, you've all got your fightin' to 
 larn agin when you come out here. It's a long 
 
20 SHBKAKDOAH ; OE, THE HORIZOK's BAR. 
 
 time since' General B found that out, and the 
 
 pint is settled." 
 
 '' Hark ! hist ! drop! " said the old guide, throw- 
 ing himself on the grass, and putting his ear to the 
 ground. 
 
 '* Nothing," he remarked, rising ; " it felt like a 
 stampede, but its only the herder moving the stock. 
 It's well we've got a good herder : they aren't com- 
 mon. The first time I crossed the plains I was a 
 herder. I hadn't larned the trade at all, and a 
 rough time we had of it." 
 
 " Tell us about it," chimed the whole party. 
 
 " Well, if you don't care to turn in, I will. We 
 started a large party from Fort Leavenworth about 
 the middle of September for California. Grass was 
 high, and not much water till we reached the Platte. 
 We lay corralled one night at Plum Creek, thirty 
 miles beyond Fort Kearney. It was in October, and 
 the nights were cold. In the afternoon there had 
 been a light fall of snow. While we were unhar- 
 nessing, an ox-train came up and camped near us. 
 I drove our mules down to drink, and was return- 
 ing with them to find good grass, when the oxen 
 came down to the river-bank. Their herder was a 
 young man not over twenty, mounted on a hand- 
 some bay. He reined up and said : ' Pardner, if 
 you'll wait until I water my oxen, I'll show you a 
 place where the buffalo-grass is high.' 
 
 '' So I waited for him. We were soon driving our 
 stock before us, laughing and hallooing. We halted 
 about a mile from camp. The buffalo-grass was 
 good, and the horses fell to eating. The ground 
 was wet and cold, as the snow had melted. But 
 
SHEKAKDOAH ; OE, THE HORIZON^S BAR. 21 
 
 my partner taught me a new wa};^ to find a dry, 
 warm bed in the midst of a cold, wet prairie. Go- 
 ing" to where two oxen were 13'ing back to back, he 
 rooted one of them up by a kick in the ribs. The 
 other never stirred. Lying down in the place va- 
 cated by the ox, and snuggling up to my bovine 
 bed-fellow, I found an exceedingly warm and com- 
 fortable companion. Taking the saddle off my 
 boss and laying it down alongside, I tied a lariat to 
 the bridle, and made the other end fast to my wrist. 
 I then lay down to sleep, fully protected from the 
 wind, dry and as warm as a cup of toast and tea. 
 There was a good moon, but I soon fell asleep. I 
 must have been asleep about an hour, when I felt a 
 jerk at my wrist and started up. My boss seemed 
 in mortal terror. He was doubled up, and shivered 
 like a poplar in the wind. It was so bright that I 
 could see for miles. I saw nothing to alarm him, 
 so I said in a low tone : ' Be quiet, sir.' He quieted 
 down and began to feed again. I lay down once 
 more, right wide-awake and keen, for I kept won- 
 dering what had startled him. 
 
 " Presently a slight jerk at the rein caused me to 
 start up quickl}^ and I saw a sight that caused me 
 to draw my revolver instantly. I cocked it, and 
 waited for a chance to fire. I lay on the outer 
 edge of the herd, with my ox between me and my 
 object. I could not make it out. It was about 
 sixty yards off, and seemed like a buffalo crawling 
 in the grass. It would creep slowly, then disap- 
 pear. It remained hidden for some time. It then 
 raised itself again within eight rods of me. It was 
 crawlmg towards me through the grass. 
 
S2 SHEKAKDOAH ; OR, THE HOUIZON^S BAR. 
 
 " My horse saw it, and began to snort and dance 
 with fear. I was about to fire, when a hand was 
 laid hurriedly on my leg by some one behind me. I 
 sprang and almost yelled with terror. I shall al- 
 ways remember what a chill ran over me. It was 
 the young herder. He had crawled through the 
 grass to where I lay to warn me of danger. 
 
 " ' Hist ! said he, in a whisper, ' make no noise ; 
 we are surrounded by Indians ; they are going to 
 stampede the stock. Draw in your horse quickly, 
 as I do ;' (his horse had followed him slowly, so as 
 not to show alarm) ' when he is near enough 
 mount, and fly to camp for your life. We cannot 
 save the stock. I counted six feathered heads in 
 the grass, and the ravine beyond where I lay 
 swarms with them.' While he was whispering I 
 was drawing in the frightened horse. In an ink- 
 ling we were mounted. As I sprang in the saddle, 
 I struck my horse with the end of a lariat, and drove 
 my spurs deep into his flesh. Snorting with pain 
 and rage, he dashed madly, for camp with the 
 speed of the wind. I never strike a horse except 
 in peril. I never had touched him with a spur be- 
 fore, and it made him wild. An arrow whizzed 
 past my face ; and then a cry at my side, and the 
 young herder fell from his saddle. I could not save 
 him, for they were close behind. I looked back. 
 A painted savage had his knee planted upon his 
 breast, I saw a flashing of bright steel in the 
 moonlight, a cry of agony was borne on the still 
 air, and I knew that the young herder was past 
 saving. With a terrible yell they tossed aloft his 
 bloody scalp. Their awful cry froze my very 
 
8SEN"Al^t)0Afi ; Oil, THE noMzON^S BAit. S3 
 
 blood. My heart seemed to stop beating. Many 
 a night when far away from danger, in bed at 
 home, I have heard that yell in my dreams. When 
 I did, farewell to sleep that night." 
 
 " What had you seen in the grass ?" interrupted 
 Stokes. 
 
 "An Indian. I afterwards caught a glimpse of 
 him as he sprang into the middle of the frightened 
 herd. Upon his head he wore the front and horns 
 of a buffalo-bull, the skin of the animal hanging 
 down his back. In one hand he held a large rattle, 
 box, in the other a spear ; with a shout he sprang 
 up before the animals and began shaking the rattle^ 
 box. I have one now in my wagon. It is made of 
 deer-skin, and filled with buffalo-claws and bits of 
 flint. As he shook the rattle and yelled, the herd 
 stampeded, and roaring, snorting, and bellow^ing, 
 the mules and the oxen dashed over the prairie. 
 
 " An Indian seized the lariat of the dead herder's 
 horse, and was on his back and after the flying 
 herd in no time. The others, whose ponies were 
 hidden in a ravine near by, mounted and followed, 
 yelling at the animals and thrusting their spear- 
 points into the sides of those that lagged. I 
 reached camp ; the train had been roused by the 
 yells of the savages. Twenty -four hunters joined 
 us the day before ; their horses were picketed near 
 the wagons. As I rode up the party were mount- 
 ing. ' How many red skins are there ?' said they. 
 * Not over twenty, I should think,' I replied. On 
 they rode after them ; I rode back to where I had 
 lain to get my saddle. I found it, and was buckling 
 my girth, when I heard a low, moaning sound. I 
 
24 SHEKAIIDOAH ; OR, THB HORIZON*S BAR. 
 
 turned quickly and listened. The night winds 
 were sighing in the trees along the opposite shore 
 of the Platte. The slightest sound alarmed me. I 
 was about to mount, but there in the moonlight, 
 with his face ghastly and upturned, lay the young 
 herder, with an arrow through his heart." 
 
 The old man paused. His voice trembled, and a 
 tear fell on his hand. 
 
 " It was the first man I had seen killed by an 
 Indian; it impressed me ; I never can forget it." 
 
 The old man had forgotten in the memories his 
 story had awakened to make use of the slang terms 
 and Border phrases that marked his conversation 
 at the outset. His roughness of language and man- 
 ner had vanished as he warmed into his story. 
 After a pause he resumed : 
 
 '* I lifted the dead boy from the ground and laid 
 his head upon my knee ; the arrow had gone 
 through his body ; the point came out just below 
 the shoulder blade. Did you ever see an Indian 
 arrow ?" turning to Meredith. 
 
 " No, I never did." 
 
 " I have one in my wagon ; I will bring it." 
 
 *' This is a Sioux arrow. It's singular that the 
 arrows of every tribe difter. I said it was no use 
 to attempt to pull out the arrow, for see here." 
 
 The young men gathered around. 
 
 " Do you see this little groove running from 
 the point down to the feather? They cut that 
 in their arrows so the blood will not clog around 
 the point, but will continue to fiow till their victim 
 bleeds to death. See, too, the shape of the point. 
 The red devils do not mean that you shall with- 
 
BHEIS"ANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 25 
 
 draw the arrow, for if you attempt it, it makes a 
 wound that rarely or never heals. 
 
 Well, the young herder had been scalped, and 
 the blood trickled down over his handsome face. 
 I laid him down, mounted my horse, and rode on 
 swiftly after the hunters, who had passed out of 
 sight. I knew they could not be far distant. I 
 fancied I heard a rushing sound like the wind in 
 the distance. I reined in my horse. Nearer and 
 nearer it came. I could hear yells and the sound 
 of fire-arms. Presently horsemen came in sight. 
 The hunters were retreating. Full two hundred 
 Indians were behind them. 
 
 '' Fly for your life !" shouted the foremost hunter, 
 as he came near me. We dashed back to camp- 
 It w^as a narrow escape, for they had almost over- 
 taken us. The Indians halted just beyond rifle- 
 range, and remained in consultation. We waited 
 an attack. I learned from one of the hunters that 
 they came up to the Indians about three miles fi-om 
 camp. Just as they were ready to fire upon them 
 the red devils rose from the grass on all sides, and 
 they were surrounded. They dashed through, fol- 
 lowed closely by the savages. 
 
 " It was upwards of an hour before any movement 
 was made by the Indians against our camp. At 
 last, with a yell, they dashed down upon us. They 
 never come in platoons, but formed a circle ; five or 
 six dropped, but they were instantly taken off. 
 
 Soon after the Indians retired, six hunters, armed 
 and mounted, set out to notify the garrison at Fort 
 Kearney of our loss. It was a ride of thirty miles. 
 The moon had gone down. It was ver^ dark, Once 
 
Jr 
 
 26 . SHEN^ANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON S BAR. 
 
 away from camp they had little to fear, as the In- 
 dians never attack in the dark. Silently they rode 
 out of camp ; their horses' hoofs had been muf- 
 fled so as to make no noise when they reached the 
 waofon-road. We all shook hands at the mouth of 
 the corral, for perhaps we might never meet again 
 in this world ; then out they rode into the night. 
 We listened with our ears to the ground to hear if 
 they were attacked ; not a sound was heard but the 
 howling of wolves far in the distance. 
 
 " I lay down to rest. I drew my blanket over 
 me but I could not sleep ; the pale face of the 
 herder with the blood upon his forehead was con- 
 stantly before me. I thought of the poor fellow 
 
 lying unburied in the prairie, and it worried me. 
 I rose, walked out ; I passed the guard, and 
 
 crossed to the camp of the ox-train. They were 
 all awake, and many started to their feet as I en- 
 tered the corral. 
 
 " ' Poor Shirley,* said the wagon-master of that 
 train, when he had discovered who I was. * I won't 
 know what to say to his mother.' 
 
 ** * I cannot sleep,' said I, ' while the thought of the 
 poor boy lying unburied is in my mind. I know 
 where he lies, and if you will help me, I will go now 
 and bury him.' 
 
 " ' I will go with you,' said he. 
 
 *' The others tried to reason us out of it. We 
 went. We soon found the wagon-road, and were 
 traveling along noislessly. 
 
 "'It must be near here,' I said in a whisper; 
 * yonder is the ravine.' 
 
 Suddenly the wagon-master caught me by the 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 27 
 
 arm a«d forced me on my knees. " Look !' he said 
 huskily, * what is that ?' 
 
 ** It was a moving object of some kind ; I cocked 
 my revolver. ' Don't fire, don't fire,* he whispered, 
 we may have the whole howling pack of red-skins 
 down on us in a minute." 
 
 " We crawled nearer the object, our revolvers in 
 our hands, In a moment my hand was upon the 
 dead body of the herder. I saw the gleaming eyes 
 that darted forth lightning, then a low growl. I 
 started with horror. It was a wolf. . . . 
 
 " I drew a match from my pocket, lit it hurriedly, 
 and threw it at its eyes. With a howl it started off 
 a few yards, and sat down ; and we could see, as we 
 dug a grave with our knives, the eyes of the fiend 
 watching us. The grave was made, and the lifeless 
 form was soon hid from view. The wolf kept trot- 
 ting around as we were covering up the body. 
 
 " ' We must kill him, or as soon as we are gone he' 
 will dig it up,' whispered the wagon-master as we 
 pressed down the sods on the grave. 
 
 '' ' How shall I kill him ?' I asked. 
 
 " * Wait till you get a chance, then fire.* 
 
 '' ' But the Indians—' 
 
 *' ' We have put our hands to the plough ; we must 
 not turn back now.' 
 
 " I waited for the chance and fired ; the wolf fell. 
 We rushed upon him. He was not dead, but on a 
 broken hip wheeled round and round, snapping with 
 his sharp teeth. Another shot finished him. * Now,' 
 said the wagon-master, cutting open the carcass and 
 strewing it over the ground, * if wolves come this 
 way they will feed upon their brother, not ours/ 
 
28 SHENAiq-DOAH ; OR, THE HOEIZON'S BAR. 
 
 " We returned to camp. Morning was dawning, 
 and yet no signs of the hunters who had started 
 for the Fort. There lay the trains, without a hoof 
 to move them on their way. 
 
 ** Soon, far off on the prairie, a little speck was 
 seen ; larger it grew. It was the hunters returning, 
 and with them a company of cavalry. They 
 reached the camp. A hurried consultation. The of- 
 ficer who commanded them divided his force. The 
 body, consisting of forty cavalrymen and all the 
 hunters, should cross the river and scour along the 
 northern shore. I was with this part}^ and it was 
 commanded by a lieutenant named Stokes." 
 
 " Who was that, Harry ?" inquired many voices 
 of the Stokes who lay at the camp-fire. 
 
 " My brother Percy, who was stationed out here 
 some years ago," replied Harry Stokes. 
 
 *' He was a brave fellow, any way ; I can say that 
 for him. The other party, of about the same num- 
 ber, were to move along the southern bank, under 
 command of the captain ; I do not remember his 
 name. We crossed the river, for the Platte was 
 very low, and rode on for about five miles. We 
 began to think we should not find a trail, when 
 suddenly we came upon a camp-fire still smokmg. 
 We rode down to the river and saw tracks of 
 oxen. They had crossed the river just below. The 
 lieutenant ordered us forward on a brisk trot, the 
 trail growing fresher. 
 
 " * There they are, just entering the bluffs,* said a 
 hunter. 
 
 " On we rode with a hurrah after them. They 
 were disposed to show fight. 
 
SHENAKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 29 
 
 " * Charge !' said the lieutenant. 
 
 " In we went, pell-mell. With true Indian cun- 
 ning, while they were showing fight to us a small 
 body was quietly driving away the stolen stock. 
 But the lieutenant flanked them. 
 
 " ' Go for them, hunters,' he said to the detach- 
 ment from the train. 
 
 " Just that minute a loud hurrah was heard. The 
 party under the captain had found the crossing- 
 place, and were fording the river. The hunters on 
 their fleet steeds headed off the party with the 
 mules and oxen, and poured a volley from their 
 revolvers into the red-skins that made them tumble 
 upon all sides. Indians were now flying over the 
 river, into the bluffs, and scattering in every direc- 
 tion. It was a great victory for us. We had re- 
 captured our stolen stock as well as twenty Indian 
 ponies. We counted thirteen savages lying dead 
 on the field, and we must have wounded many 
 more. We got back to camp that night. Next 
 morning the trains started on their way, and so 
 ends my story. I am afraid I have drawn largely 
 
 upon your stock of patience," said the wagon- 
 master. 
 
 An hour later all the camp had retired to rest — 
 all except Vincent; within his breast was the 
 spirit of unrest. The past, with its memories, 
 haunted him as he sat in the darkness alone. The 
 voice and face of the wagon-master linked past and 
 present ; brought thoughts he would forget, but 
 could not ; and with bowed head he waited the 
 morning's preparation to dispel the phantoms of the 
 night. 
 
80 SHEKANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOJ^'S BAR. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 " bull-whackers" and " PRAIRIE-SCHOONERS. 
 
 The morning star shone brightly in the east. 
 
 Vincent sat by the smouldering fire, his military 
 cloak about him, and again, as in days past, he was 
 in deep reverie. 
 
 The wagon-master rolled from his hammock and 
 crossed the camp to arouse the slumbering gold- 
 seekers ; a low moan fell on his ear. 
 
 He turned and beheld the bowed figure. He 
 touched Vincent on the shoulder. The cloak fell 
 and revealed in the uncertain light a face as white 
 as marble and as cold and hard. 
 
 " Are you in pain, young man ?" his voice soft as 
 a woman's. 
 
 '' Yes, in my soul. Who are you?" 
 
 A step away, and Fairleigh, shivering, yawning, 
 and half asleep, approached and stretched out his 
 hands over the fire. In the darkness he failed to 
 notice the scene, but turning, said : 
 
 " What, ho ! here is Captain Dumps. The war is 
 over, Vincent, and you should leave your blues, as 
 your legacy, to the Lost Cause," 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 31 
 
 The camp was soon astir. 
 
 Muleteers were harnessing their teams. 
 
 Fairleigh kindly urged his friend to his feet, and 
 vfien, with feeble, tottering steps, the captain sought 
 his horse. 
 
 A drowsy and hasty breakfast, and the train was 
 soon in motion. 
 
 The horsemen in twos and threes rode in ad- 
 vance or by the side of the train. 
 
 Vincent and Fairleigh walked their horses, and 
 so soon fell in the rear. 
 
 The captain had evidently plunged so deeply in 
 the recesses of his own past, that Fairleigh almost 
 abandoned the hope of raising his spirits. 
 
 A sudden thought seized the lieutenant. " Come, 
 Captain, let's ride up to the w^agon-master ; he is 
 always interesting." 
 
 Far ahead of the train, his sombrero shading his 
 eyes, rode the wagon-master. The reins had fallen 
 on the neck of his mule, who snapped at tufts of 
 grass here and there along the dusty road. The 
 old man sat erect, with folded arms, but caught up 
 the reins hurriedly as they checked their horses at 
 his side, and looked about him with startled air; 
 then smiled, and said : 
 
 " You skeered me ; it ain't often I fall a dream 
 ins: in the dav-timel" 
 
 " When do we meet buffalo?" inquired Fairleigh, 
 panting from his gallop. 
 
 " Beyond Fort Kearney." 
 
 *' Where are we now ?" 
 
 "Nearing the Big Sandy River." 
 
 An ox-train was seen as they came to the top of 
 
32 SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON^S BAR. 
 
 a hill, wending its slow way along the dusty road, 
 the oxen swaying to and fro with their noses near 
 the ground. 
 
 " How jaded the poor beasts seem," said Fair- 
 leigh. 
 
 "And if turned into camp, tired as they seem, 
 they would stampede at the slightest provocation, 
 and run miles before you could stop them," added 
 Hallett. 
 
 The wagons had almost passed, when the Avagon- 
 master remarked, " I think 1 know the boss of that 
 outfit," observing a man on a dark chestnut horse 
 in the rear of the train. 
 
 Hallett touched his mule lightly with the spur, 
 and was soon at his side. The stranger turned in 
 his saddle, greeted the old man cordially, and then 
 both wagon-masters rode in the rear of the ox-team 
 some distance. 
 
 A few minutes later Fairleigh and Vincent, who 
 still rode at the head of their train, was rejoined by 
 the wagon-master. 
 
 "Duncan, the superintendent of that train, tells 
 me that the Sioux are on the war-path. They cor- 
 ralled him thirty miles west of Marysville and 
 fought him close to Fort Kearney, and that there 
 is not a ranche left standing between Marysville 
 and the Fort." 
 
 " Will the troops at the Fort be able to subdue 
 them ?" asked Fairleigh. 
 
 " Subdue ! The soldiers know as little of Indian 
 fighting as I do of book-keeping," answered Hal- 
 lett, sharply ; and then, in tones half-apologetic : 
 " My friend, the deviltry is over before the soldier 
 gets his boots blacked and his spurs polishedt" 
 
SHEN"AKI)OAH ; Oil, THE HOKIZON^S BAH. S3 
 
 *' They move too slowly ?" suggested Fairleigh. 
 
 The old man grew nervous, spurred his mule, 
 then held her back, and seemed anxious to get for- 
 ward at once to Indian country, and thus chafed at 
 the delay. 
 
 " Bad news, gentlemen," he continued. " The 
 Little Blue River country is full of hills and hiding- 
 away places; the Sioux, too, the bravest, and best 
 disciplined Indians of the plains." 
 
 Meredith and Churchill here rode up, and Fair- 
 leigh communicated to them the unwelcome news. 
 
 " And that's not the worst of it," said Hallett. 
 
 Every eye was fixed on the wagon-master. 
 
 " Duncan says that the red wretches had rifles 
 and obeyed a bugle-call like so many cavalrymen ; 
 some white devils in this raid." 
 
 " We camp here to-night," said the w^agon-master 
 suddenly ; then riding into a green oasis and throw- 
 ing himself from his animal, unloosing the girth, he 
 threw off the saddle, and slipping the bridle over 
 the neck and slapping her flank, said : " Away, Bet !" 
 
 The freed beast with a snort and toss of her head 
 bounded away for a short distance, and then took 
 a refreshing roll in the grass. 
 
 Henry and Rollin were " pitching" their tent for 
 the night, after supper had passed, and many of the 
 members were gathered about the fire. The wag- 
 on-master, lashing his hammock under a wagon near 
 them, said: 
 
 " You military gentlemen may have a chance to 
 show your training with different foe ; you will not 
 like the Sioux." 
 
S4 SHEKAKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOJf^S BAE. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 "THE GENTLE SAVAGE." 
 
 At noon the next day the train crossed the Big 
 Sandy River; and reaching a point just beyond it 
 two roads met, and the wagon-master led the way 
 by the left, the '' cut-off," as it w^as then known, be- 
 ing the shortest road to Fort Kearney. A few 
 hours afterward the foremost wagon rolled into the 
 city of Marysville, Kansas. This city, with its mag- 
 nificent edifices, — two outfitting stores, a law office, a 
 barber's shop, two saloons, blacksmith's forge, — was 
 not visible five minutes before the train entered the 
 main street of the frontier town, so thoroughly was 
 it hidden in the swells of the rolling prairie. The 
 drivers led their teams to the blacksmith's shop to be 
 reshod. The young men went through the stores, 
 and many visited the saloons, while a few of the 
 dandy members of the party sought the barber, who 
 on this gray edge of civilization proudly planted his 
 striped pole, braving the rude blast of the prairie to 
 throw it down, and deiying the rascally Sioux to 
 pull it up. 
 
 The story of the wagon-master of the ox-train as to 
 the Sioux raid was corroborated. The settlers were 
 arming, and the farmers and ranchmen living near 
 were moving in with their families and stock. 
 
 Intense excitement prevailed ; the price of fire- 
 arms in the stores advanced ; and, to add to the gen- 
 eral alarm, the teamsters of the trains, who had 
 
SHEN-ANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 35 
 
 heretofore taken turns at guarding at night, de- 
 manded that a skilled herder be engaged. To 
 this the company agreed at a meeting held in the 
 corral, to allay the teamster's fears until a herder 
 could be provided. The animals were to feed nearer 
 the train at night than before, and the guard was to 
 be redoubled about the train. 
 
 The day wore along, the evening came ; Churchill, 
 Adderly, and Meredith patronized the billiard-room, 
 and Churchill returned to the train early in the 
 mofning somewhat the worse for liquor, and leaning 
 heavily on his companions. 
 
 It was past noon the next day when the train was 
 in motion. The young men rode near the train 
 with their rifles slung across their shoulders, their 
 revolvers in their holsters fastened on their saddle. 
 
 At night the camp-fire was put out immediately 
 after supper. The members in the darkness gath- 
 ered in knots and discussed the situation. Days of 
 danger passed in the wars had hardened many of 
 them as to the possible chances of bloodshed on 
 the morrow, but the foe they were perhaps soon to 
 meet conjured up a dread they had never felt on 
 other fields. 
 
 The moon rose early, and showed clear and bright 
 on the wagons, tents, and cattle feeding in the near 
 distance. 
 
 The wagon-master, pipe in hand, seated on Fair- 
 leigh's mess-chest, smoked thoughtfully. Vincent, 
 stretched full length on a buffalo-skin, looked in- 
 tently in the old man's face. 
 
 Fairleigh with measured strokes drove the stakes 
 in to hold the tent cords. 
 
56 SHEITAKDOAH ; OK, THE HORIZON^S BAR. 
 
 " I will move the train night and day while this 
 bright moon lasts; I want to get out of this region 
 and put Fort Kearney behind me," he said, quietly, 
 drawing at his pipe. 
 
 " This is the dangerous ground ?" remarked Dakin 
 inquiringly. 
 
 *'It is the region of the 'Little Blue,* and just 
 now the most dangerous part of our journey. 
 
 "This is the news 
 To bring the Little Blues." 
 
 " As I am a poet," said Eaton ; " yet it is a very 
 romantic country that here lays out-a-doors. The 
 sand of this bottom is as white as snow, and the 
 wooded hillocks you meet at every turn remind you 
 of so many green islands in a sea of alabaster. 
 Romantic! Look back of it in the moonlight," and 
 Eaton gazed admiringly at a portion of the territory 
 recently passed by the train. 
 
 One by one the members gave themselves to 
 sleep, and in a few moments nothing was heard but 
 the measured trade of Dakin and Murray, who were 
 on guard. 
 
 The train rolled westward early in the morning. 
 The wind had changed during the night, and the 
 morning was gray and the air chilly. 
 
 In advance of the train Fairleigh, Vincent, and 
 Hallett rode abreast. " Captain Vincent," said Hal- 
 lett, "will you be good enough to ride back and 
 caution the members to have their weapons ready ?" 
 
 An hour passed in silence. Fairleigh was about 
 to speak, when he suddenly checked up his horse 
 and exclaimed : 
 
SHEJ^TAKDOAH ; OE, THE HOEIZOK'S BAE. 37 
 
 -Hark! What's that?" 
 
 A low rumbling sound was heard behind them, 
 and breaking the haze of the morning came the mail- 
 coach with horses at full galop. Four cavalry men 
 with carbines slung across their shoulders, mounted 
 on foaming horses, brought up in the rear. They 
 were soon lost in the depths of the mist of the^morn- 
 ing, and once again the train moved on in a silence 
 broken only b}^ the occasional crack of the muleteer's 
 whip lash. 
 
 *' Dangerous times and dangerous ground," re- 
 marked Hallet, quietly. And then he added earn- 
 estly, " I am glad our friends have their weapons at 
 hand. I wish you would remember well what I say 
 to you. Always keep a last load in your revolvers. 
 If taken alive by the savages, and you should see no 
 hope of escape or chance of recapture, place the 
 muzzle to your heart, ask the Lord to forgive you 
 for your sins, and fire. Alive and in their hands, 
 you would suffer pangs of death an hundred times 
 before they kill you. 
 
 Tongue can hardly tell their fiendish cruelty. If 
 you show the " white feather," they turn you over 
 to the tender mercies of the squaws, who either 
 cause you to "run the gauntlet" through a line of 
 tomahawks, or you are pinned to a tree and burned 
 to death while the young Indians shoot at you with 
 heated arrows. If you fight well, and if after you 
 are captured you still show fight, there is hope that 
 you will not be tortured, for they have respect for 
 brave men. Now, when I was captured down on 
 the North Fork of the Republican last summer, I 
 managed to escape by — " 
 
38 SHEKAlTDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 A faint cry like the howling of wolves feirupon 
 their ears. 
 
 All paused and listened, and the eyes of the young 
 men were first fixed in the direction whence the 
 sound proceeded, and then sought the anxious face 
 of Hallett. 
 
 " It sounded like the yelping of wolves," said 
 Fairleigh. 
 
 " Nay, nay, young man ; I cannot be deceived as 
 to the war-whoops of the Indians. They have 
 attacked the stage. Heaven help whoever they are 
 attacking!" 
 
 " Amen," said Vincent slowly ; and he added, 
 " let us go on and see if we cannot help the at- 
 tacked." 
 
 ** No, no," said Hallett, laying his hand on Vin- 
 cent's arm. " Stand fast and wait until the train 
 comes up ; then at once corral — you would ride 
 perhaps to your death. ^' 
 
 The old man held the captain firmly. The latter 
 show^ed every sign of impatience and a determination 
 to break away, notwithstanding the earnest, sup- 
 plicating look of the wagon-master. 
 
 Now came the rattle of fire-arms. 
 
 Vincent hurriedly drew away his arm, touched 
 his horse with his spurs, and in an instant was fly- 
 ing over the prairie, followed closely by Fairleigh, 
 with Hallett a few paces in the rear. 
 
 *'Onl Captain, on!" called Fairleigh, rising in his 
 stirrups. 
 
 " If he will go," said the wagon-master between 
 his teeth, " I'll go with him." 
 
 Away they bounded over the prairie. Foam lay 
 
SHEKAl^DOAtt ; OR, THE HORIZON^S BAR. 39 
 
 in streaks on the steaming flanks of the animals, and 
 yet they drew not in on their bridle-reins. 
 
 Soon hoofs were heard as they dashed over a 
 flinty path, and the cavalrymen, their faces blanched 
 with terror, spurred past, crying, " Indians ! In- 
 dians ! They have attacked the coach !" 
 
 In vain Vincent tried to make them turn back to 
 the rescue. They were panic-stricken and terrified, 
 and continued to urge their jaded steeds. 
 
 Our trio hastened on. They gained a rising piece 
 of ground and all checked simultaneously, for they 
 beheld the enemy. 
 
 It was growing rapidly light, and the Indians saw 
 our party as they reached an eminence, and at once 
 the wily foe, evidently suspecting the presence of a 
 larger force, sprang upon their ponies and dashed 
 into the bluffs at the right of the road. An instant 
 only the white men paused, and again urging their 
 animals on, thev drew rein in front of the sta^re. 
 
 The horses of the coach were nowhere to be seen 
 and were evidently with the Indians, and the pas- 
 sengers, if any, either killed or prisoners. 
 
 Fifty yards up the road lay the bodies of two 
 cavalrymen, stripped of clothing and scalped, their 
 tongues cut out, and other portions of their persons 
 mutilated. The driver of the coach lay under the 
 front wheels, where he had crawled in the last 
 agonies of death ; his head had been crushed by a 
 blow from a tomahawk. But no passengers were to 
 be seen. 
 
 " I surely saw people inside the coach when it 
 passed," said Fairleigh. 
 
 "Ha! look there!" quickly ejaculated Hallett, 
 
40 SHEKAKDOAH ; Oil, THE HORlZON^S BAH. 
 
 pointing at the same time to the top of the bluffs on 
 their right. 
 
 It was the Indians. 
 
 *' Hasten to the train. These red devils have seen 
 how powerless we are to contend with them, and 
 have returned to take us," Hallett continued. 
 
 " Fly ! fly ! ere it is too late," said Fairleigh, put- 
 ting the words at once into effect by darting into 
 the road and spurring his horse, closely followed by 
 Vincent and Hallett. 
 
 Not more than fortj rods they rode with the speed 
 of the wind, and then all three checked up their 
 animals so suddenly, that, horseman as he was, 
 Fairleigh was hurled from his saddle into the road, 
 but instantly remounted. 
 
 " As i live they have cut off our retreat !" 
 
 Twenty warriors were descending into the road 
 about half a mile below them. 
 
 "Back! back to the coach; dismount and hold 
 your horses !" shouted the wagon-master. 
 
 In a second the little party were behind the stage, 
 each with a rifle in hand and a bridle-rein over his 
 arm, and his animal behind him. 
 
 '' Do you think we will be able to keep them off 
 until the train comes?" asked Fairleigh of the 
 wagon-master. 
 
 " I have but one fear, and that is, the train hearing 
 our shots may corral at once. They will meet the 
 runaway dragoons, the number of the foe will be 
 exaggerated, and our friends remain behind for pru- 
 dential reasons." 
 
 " Never ! In that train are brave hearts and true 
 men ; old soldiers will not desert their comrades." 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 41 
 
 This was a sunbeam, but Hallett smiled scorn- 
 fully and said : " Noble hearts may be restrained 
 by less unselfish men in that train." 
 
 Vincent eyed the old man narrowly, but his eyes 
 were fixed upon the foe, who evidently were wait- 
 ing for the attack to begin, by the party descending 
 the hill. 
 
 *' Rollin," said Harry, who was peering under 
 the coach, " I think I see a woman. They are on 
 the hills just there ; they must have taken her from 
 the coach. 
 
 *' It may be some squaw decked out in stolen 
 finery," returned Hallett. 
 
 " Let me have your field-glasses, Captain," said 
 Fairleigh. 
 
 *' 'Tis a white woman." 
 
 " Heaven help her! a worse fate than death aw^aits 
 her," said Hallett, solemnly. Again Fairleigh 
 raised the glasses. 
 
 *' There is another white woman ; she is on a bay 
 pony. To think we know their doom and cannot 
 save them !" 
 
 The Indians who had cut off the retreat were now 
 in the road. They halted as if in consultation. 
 
 " They will not come down upon us in a body ; 
 they are afraid to do that : for although certain of 
 overpowering us, they would run a risk which an 
 Indian will not take — that of losing his own life. 
 They will dash past us in single file, half hid by their 
 ponies, and fire at us from under their necks. Aim 
 at their ponies' heads and you may hit an Indian. 
 Shield yourself as well as you can by the coach." 
 
 The parley was oyer. Twentj^ Sioux warriors 
 
42 SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 painted and feathered were about to dash down 
 upon three men who stood resolutely behind the 
 barricade, determined to die bravely, if at all. 
 
 Hallet drew Vincent apace from his friend, and in 
 a voice entirely free from Western patois^ and in a 
 whisper, said: 
 
 '-'■ If I fall and yoii survive, y oil will find in my chest \ 
 a letter with your name upon it'' 
 
 Then seizing his rifle in his left hand, he forced 
 the lock back, examined the cap, and as he bowed 
 his head Vincent saw a tear upon the barrel. With 
 a loud whoop the Sioux dashed down the road, 
 and in single file, as the wagon-master had predicted. 
 When within good rifle range the chief of the party 
 suddenly swung around from his saddle, and clasp- 
 ing his pony around the neck with his left hand, 
 holding a bow in it at the same time, urged his 
 pony on to almost winged speed by repeated kicks 
 with the left heel, which pounded the flanks of the 
 animial. 
 
 As the savage rode past, his head appeared for an 
 instant under the pony's neck, and a feathered shaft 
 was adjusted, aimed, and hurled from the bow-string 
 with that dexterity and strength for which the 
 North American Indian bears the palm. 
 
 The arrow struck the wagon-wheel of the coach 
 near Fairleigh, and qujvered like a reed in a storm. 
 Hallett, who had fastened the animals to one of the 
 wheels of the coach, had taken aim at the savage,' 
 and simultaneously with the " twang" of the bow- 
 string came the crack of a rifle. The pony stum- 
 bled and went down in the dusty road, the wily 
 savage still managing to make his wounded animal 
 
SHElTAlirDOAH ; OB, THE HORIZON'S BAB. 43 
 
 a barricade. In an instant the remainder of the 
 band, who had followed close behind, discharged 
 their arms as they rode, each warrior yelping as he 
 shot. 
 
 In the rush and excitement the unhorsed Indian 
 escaped. Twenty arrows were in and about the 
 coach, and Fairleigh alone had been wounded. An 
 arrow had penetrated his right arm. Vincent bound 
 the wound with a handkerchief — Hallett reloaded 
 his rifle. 
 
 The savages again held consultation in the road, 
 about as far removed from the coach on the left 
 hand as they had been before the charge on the 
 right. 
 
 There seemed to be an animated discussion in 
 progress among the attacking party ; some talked 
 and gestured incessantly, seemingly in an angry 
 manner. Others, evidently young braves, pranced 
 and curvetted their ponies in short circles at full 
 speed, practising the art of shooting under their 
 necks, and all shouting and gesticulating. 
 
 Suddenly the noise and confusion ceased. Each 
 Avarriorsat erect in the saddle, and the Indian whose 
 dead pony lay in the road was seen to ascend the 
 bluffs rapidly by means of bushes that gave him 
 both hand and foot-hold, and to push his way rapidly 
 toward the larger body upon the bluffs. Vincent 
 and Fairleigh glanced anxiously down the road, but 
 not a sound or sign of relief was to be heard or seen. 
 
 The Indian debate now seemed carried from the 
 road to the bluffs, and it was terminated when about 
 fifty warriors from above filed to the right and 
 leisurely descended the same canvon that had been 
 
44 sheka:n"doah ; or^ the horizok's bar. 
 
 traversed by the attacking party a few minutes 
 before. 
 
 " What can they mean ?" broke forth Fairleigh, 
 anxiously. 
 
 ** They are afraid they may lose some of their 
 number if they pursue the same tactics as before, 
 and they are going to flank us and attack us in the 
 rear. 
 
 Leisurely the Indians descended the hill into the 
 canyon. Just then a wild whoop was heard upon 
 the bluff; they had discovered the wagon-team 
 making its slow way through the sands, and had 
 caught sight of a party of horsemen riding far in 
 advance. In a few moments they had swept up in 
 a cloud of dust, while the savages with sharp yelps 
 and cries turned into the bluffs, disappearing from 
 view. 
 
 ** Hurrah ! We are saved," cried Harry, who ran 
 out to meet them. 
 
 Hurried exclamations of joy and interrogations 
 followed. 
 
 " Gentlemen,*' said Vincent, who had mounted his 
 horse and ridden into the road, '* Comrades," he 
 said, with inspiring tone and manner, " with those 
 fiends are white captives — women too. Shall we 
 leave them to perish ?" 
 
 " No, no !" came from the brave fellows. Let us 
 ^n and rescue them." 
 
SHEKAN^DOAH ; OR^ THE HORIZON'S BAR. 45 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 " Ask me not what maiden feels 
 Left in that dreadful hour alone ; 
 Perchance her reason stoops or reels ; 
 Perchance a courage not her own 
 Braces her mind to desperate tone." — Scott. 
 
 The blooded animals of Vincent and Fairleigh 
 strained in the lead, and old Bet sprang like a huge 
 goat along the sandy bluff-side, urged by the wagon- 
 master. 
 
 The summit was gained at last, and the riders 
 drew rein and surveyed the broken country before 
 them. 
 
 Far as the eye could reach was a succession of 
 bluffs, canyons, and ravines ; behind the hills or in 
 the passes were the Indians with their captives. 
 
 No living thing was to be seen in front of them. 
 
 Each canyon — and a dozen of them opened from 
 the second line of bluffs a quarter of a mile away — 
 seemed untenanted. 
 
 The trail was perfect, and following closely in the 
 foot-prints on the sand the tired steeds descended 
 the hill and struggled through the sandy bed of the 
 bottom. 
 
 Ere they had gained the valley beyond, Fairleigh, 
 who was far in advance, rose in his stirrups and, 
 swinging his cap, sang out. " Hurrah ! there they 
 are." 
 
 The Indians had paused at the third line of bluffs, 
 
46 SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 and were resting before they made the ascent, for 
 their ponies were blown and panting. 
 
 They evidently believed that the pursuit had 
 been abandoned. 
 
 The valley, extending to the foot of the bluffs, 
 had a hard, dry, alkaline bottom, and over its level 
 crust the iron hoofs of the cavalrymen were speed- 
 ing. 
 
 Foam streaked the sides of the panting animals, 
 which felt the bit only w^hen the bluffs towered 
 above them. 
 
 The Indian ponies were well nigh exhausted. 
 
 They stumbled often as they toiled up the hill, 
 and each warrior had dismounted and urged his 
 tired animal on. 
 
 When they saw the avengers close behind them, 
 the savages at once, by voice, lash, and spear-point, 
 forced their tough little ponies up the sandy path. 
 
 The captives were bound and in the advance. 
 The pursuing horsemen sprang from their saddles 
 when they reached the bluffs, and resorted to the 
 devices of the pursued. The burdened ponies were 
 disappearing from the edge of the cliff when the 
 pursuers were half way up the hill. 
 
 What lay beyond that summit, the horsemen 
 knew not. 
 
 If another line of bluffs were close at hand, the 
 chase would have to be abandoned ; for the wiry lit- 
 tle ponies were more than a match for the horses 
 in climbing the miniature mountain-sides. 
 
 A long stretch of level country, on the other hand, 
 would certainly give the horsemen a victory, for 
 on the level ground the horses had the advantage. 
 
shenaxdoah; or, the horizon's bar. 47 
 
 r 
 
 The hiL was gained at last, and before them was 
 a level plateau fully three miles wide,- 
 
 The prospect cheered the rescuers, from whose 
 lips a shout of pleasure came. 
 
 Only a half mile now lay between pursuer and 
 pursued. 
 
 The jaded Indian ponies stumbled on ; their sides 
 were marked with dirt and blood, and they smarted 
 under lash and spear-point. 
 
 The *' soldier boys " were down upon them in a 
 twinkling, and the foemen turned with a yell of rage 
 to meet the attack. 
 
 A close hand-to-hand fight ensued, in which pis- 
 tol, knife, and tomahawk played rapid and frequent 
 part. 
 
 Vincent had engaged a warrior across whose sad- 
 dle lay the fainting form of a female captive. 
 
 The first shot of his revolver had missed its mark, 
 and a tomahawk handle struck the captain in the 
 breast with such stunning force that it unhorsed 
 him. 
 
 Ere be could recover and again take aim, Vin- 
 cent saw that the wily savage had raised in his 
 arms the unconscious form of his captive, and was 
 holding the pale-faced girl before him as his shield. 
 
 Behind him Vincent heard a low cry of pain, and 
 Fairleigh and an Indian were in a death struggle 
 on the ground. 
 
 Vincent was spell-bound. * 
 
 To leave his antagonist was almost certain death 
 to him, and not to aid his friend flashed across his 
 mind as a crime, while all about him a terrible fight 
 was raging. 
 
48 SHEN'AKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOJ^f'S BAR. 
 
 Just then came the sharp crack of a pistol, and 
 Indian and captive fell from the saddle together, as 
 Hallett rode up on his mule, his pistol still smoking 
 in his hand. 
 
 Vincent sprang from his horse and strode to- 
 ward his friend. 
 
 Scattered over the plain were the dead and dy- 
 ing, and many savages were still retreating, followed 
 the victorious horsemen. 
 
 Vincent reached the spot where lay his friend in 
 the strong embrace of the savage, who was beneath 
 him. 
 
 They had locked arms as foemen, and the warrior 
 had gone down, the soldier faUing upon him. 
 
 Fairleio^h had entered the fray with an arm 
 wounded early in the struggle, but in the death 
 grapple its pain was forgotten, and he lay within 
 the arms of the foe breathless but unharmed. 
 
 His knife was in the side of the savage, and on 
 the blade, and out upon the ground, a crimson tide 
 was flowing. 
 
 Vincent assisted his friend to a recumbent posi- 
 tion, placed his canteen to his lips, then dashed 
 some of its contents in his face. 
 
 The draught seemed to restore the bewildered 
 man, and he opened his eyes and said : 
 
 " Nellie, Nellie, I saw her." 
 
 Eaton now slowly advanced bearing in his arms 
 a lovely but unconscious form. 
 
 Behind them came the young men, leading their 
 animals, as well as a number of ponies captured in 
 the fray. 
 
SHEKi-KBOAH ; OH, THE HOEIZOK^S BAR. 49 
 
 Fairleigh at once saw the face of his sister, and 
 springing lightly to his feet, was at her side. 
 
 Eaton gently laid his fair burden on a couch 
 made hurriedly of saddles and buffalo robes found 
 upon the Indian ponies. 
 
 " Nellie, Nellie ! don't j^ou know me?" cried Fair- 
 leigh, chafing the cold hands wuthin his own. 
 
 Her eyelids opened, and with a scream of de- 
 light she folded her arms about her brother's neck. 
 
 Hallett turned to Meredith, who stood near, to 
 say something, but choked and coughed, and found 
 positive relief in fastening Bet's saddle-girths so 
 tiofht that the animal snorted, reared and kicked a 
 pony behind her. 
 
 Eaton, who had stood intently watching the scene, 
 put on his eye-glasses, stroked his whiskers, bit his 
 lip, and murmured, 
 
 " Romantic — positively — " 
 
 '' Where is Kate?" cried Miss Fairleigh, suddenly 
 remembering that her cousin was not of the number 
 who were prese^it — '* Here is some one coming this 
 way 1" cried Meredith looking forward toward the 
 bluffs. 
 
 All eyes were turned in the direction indicated, 
 and three gentlemen leading their horses approached 
 the group. All were interested in holding securely 
 upon the back of a pony, a young lady, who ap- 
 peared to be in a high state of excitement, 
 
 Eaton, Churchill, and Dunscombe, who had res- 
 cued Miss Kate Ferris from the savages, seemed 
 deeply interested in their prize j the three assisted 
 the young lady to dismount. 
 
 To ihrow herself into her cousin's arms was the 
 
50 SHEKANDOAH ; OR, THE HOKIZON^S BAH. 
 
 very womanly thing to do, and the heartless 
 monsters, the men, stood round gazing on the 
 emotions of two lovely young women, without even 
 offering to walk away. 
 
 Some one now proposed to return to camp. 
 
 Ere the return march began, Fairleigh introduced 
 his sister and cousin to their rescuers. 
 
 When he presented Hallett he said : 
 
 '' Nellie, this is the gentleman to whom you owe 
 your life. 
 
 The young lady possessed beautiful blue eyes. 
 She opened them very wide and reached forth a 
 pretty hand to the wagon-master, who touched it 
 very lightly, as if he might break it if by chance 
 he should hold it within his own, saying: 
 
 " No, no Miss, I cannot claim that honor. It was 
 Captain Vincent here, who settled your captor, and 
 who would have rescued you without my aid." 
 
 "The honor belongs to Mr. Hallett, Miss Fair- 
 leigh," said Vincent, " I was powerless to do you 
 good, when he rode up." 
 
 " Well, we won't quarrel about it," returned the 
 wagon-master. 
 
 " Only you forgot what I told you early in the 
 day." 
 
 "And that was?" 
 
 " Ahvays brin^ down the pony when the Indian is 
 hid by it.'' 
 
 " I will remember next time," was the reply. 
 
 The return to camp now began. Miss Fairleigh 
 was mounted on a pony led by her brother, while 
 to Miss Ferris. was given an impromptu palanquin 
 on Hallett's mule, and attended by her three de- 
 
^ SHEKANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 5l 
 
 voted slaves. *' Don't be afraid of her. Miss,", said 
 the wagon-master, '* she is as gentle as a kitten, and 
 as sure-footed as a goat, that mule." 
 
 Miss Ferris received the attention of her captives, 
 Eaton, Churchill, and Dunscombe. Hallett, who 
 led the animal, never venturing to join in the con- 
 versation, but hearing, with ears long unused, the 
 polite gallantry of the town. 
 
 The appearance of the young ladies worked a 
 great change in the camp. 
 
 At a stage station on the road where the supplies 
 were of variety pattern, the proprietor found ready 
 sale for the commonest bar soaps and perfumes, and 
 there was a spirited bidding over a comb whose 
 teeth were like the verbs " regular, irregular, and 
 defective." 
 
 A table-cloth was made into towelling ; and many 
 ■of the members made picturesque and elaborate 
 toilettes in the morning, and even the teamsters 
 washed their faces now and then. 
 
 From his sister, Harry Fairleigh learned that 
 their father desiring to settle an old claim at Fort 
 Kearney with the settler, stationed there and believ- 
 ing in effecting this he might possibly be detained 
 two or three days, and discerning that the ladies 
 would prefer remaining that time in Atchison, 
 Kansas, where the stage coach started at which 
 point they had relatives with whom they were 
 visiting, rather than accept the plainer fare of the 
 frontier town near the fort, he had proceeded in 
 advance of his daughter and niece, with the under- 
 standing that they should follow him after two 
 days. 
 
52 shenaKdoah; or, the horizon^s bar. 
 
 No rumors of Indian troubles had reached Atchi- 
 son. 
 
 The road from that point was believed to be per- 
 fectly safe for travellers, and the agent thus assuring 
 Mr. Fairleigh, and adding that the ladies would be 
 in charge of one of the most faithful drivers, Mr. 
 Fairleigh, not without misgivings, bade them adieu. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 ON THE WAR-PATH. 
 
 The Indian raids in the summer of 1865 were 
 everywhere disastrous to the whites. The Arapa- 
 hoes, Comanches, Cheyennes, Kiowas, and that 
 powerful tribe, the Sioux, who had heretofore 
 warred only against each other, banded together in 
 amitv, buried the tomahawk as agamst each other, 
 and with impressive ceremony uplifted their hands 
 to the Great Spirit, vowed to be at peace with each 
 other, and drive the paleface from the prairie. 
 
 The Sioux braves at once started on a raid. With 
 fifteen hundred warriors they left the Black Hills, 
 where the compact had been made, and moving 
 southward, crossed the main lines of travel. Their 
 ponies were fresh and strong, and the braves the 
 fiercest of their tribe. They crossed the Platte at 
 Beaver Creek, attacked a long tram encamped near 
 the river, and so fierce was the onset and complete 
 the surprise, that the people of the train had barely 
 escaped general slaughter. They were driven from 
 
SHEXAKDOAn; OR, THE HORIZOIT's BAR. 53 
 
 behind their wagons to a ruined ranch near at hand, 
 where for two days they held the savages in 
 check. 
 
 On the afternoon of the second day the raiders re- 
 tired, laden with the plunder taken from the wagon- 
 train, and driving before them over one hundred 
 horses and mules. Prior to retiring, with a deter- 
 mination to make their attack complete and ruinous, 
 they drew the wagons together, applied a torch to 
 them, and sat upon their ponies and watched the con- 
 flagration with great glee. 
 
 Again moving in a southerly direction, they en- 
 tered the region of the Little Blue River. Two hun- 
 dred and fifty warriors raided toward Marysville, 
 burning and destroying every ranch on their way. 
 The other force continued the southerly course 
 toward the new line of passenger travel by the way 
 of Smoky Hills. 
 
 The Army of the Plains was scattered over a wide 
 territory, and both bands of Indians rode on un- 
 checked by the handful of regular soldiery upon the 
 plains. 
 
 General Patrick Connor, an old frontiersman, was 
 moving in a northwesterly direction with a large 
 force at his command, among whom was a company 
 of Pawnee Indians, mustered in as United States 
 cavalrymen, who were to act as scouts or frontiers- 
 men under Major North. 
 
 Near Powder River the column came upon an In- 
 dian village, and here a fierce battle took place in 
 which the savages were badly Avorsted, and they re- 
 tired, leaving over two hundred dead and wounded 
 upon the prairie. 
 
54 SHENANDOAH ; OK, THE HOKIZON^S BAR. 
 
 The soldiers captured more than four hundred 
 ponies, and retired from the scene in the glare of 
 blazing wigwams. 
 
 Winter set in before the column began its retiring 
 march, and many soldiers perished from exposure. 
 The experiment did not pay. Detachments of 
 Minnesota volunteer cavalry regiments guarded 
 posts along the South Platte, and the Fifth United 
 States Infantry held the road running from the 
 Smoky Hills on the south to Cottonwood Springs 
 on the north. This was probably the only road run- 
 ning north and south that was open for travel dur- 
 ing the summer. 
 
 By a w^ise order of the general commanding the 
 department, dangerous roads were closed, and even 
 upon lines guarded by soldiery, wagon-trains were 
 halted until a force of one hundred men was ob- 
 tained ; and these, if well armed, w^ere allow^ed to 
 pass on. 
 
 The Sioux advanced eastward and to the very 
 edge of civilization. They came upon Marysville, 
 killing and scalping all who chanced in the way. 
 Behind them were blackened ranches and the ruins 
 of wagon-trains. 
 
 One ranch alone, that of I. Silk, near Marysville, 
 remained untouched ; and why this particular place 
 was spared no one could tell. A detachment of 
 soldiers on their way to Fort Kearney from Leaven- 
 worth was attacked by the Indians at Lone Tree, and 
 night alone saved them, so resistless was the at- 
 tack. 
 
 Telegraph lines lay in the dust. Wagon-trains 
 corralled in terror. Confusion and fear from exag- 
 
SHENANDOAS ; OR, THE HORIZOK^S BAR. 55 
 
 gerated reports and rumors almost paralyzed the 
 whites upon the frontier. The soldiers encamped 
 under the guns of Fort Sedgwick at Jnlesburg had 
 been driven in the stockade, such was the daring 
 and skill of the connected movement of the summer 
 of 1865. 
 
 The wagon-master moved his train with great 
 caution. The horses were picketed at night near 
 the wagons. Saddles and bridles were close at 
 hand. The camp guard was doubled, and three 
 drivers went out each night with the herd. 
 
 During the day the wagons were driven two 
 abreast, so that in the event of an attack a barricade 
 would be ready by swinging in the animals to the 
 centre. The members, with rifles slung, were under 
 the immediate command of the wagon-master. 
 By his orders they acted as scouts and flankers. 
 The drivers were ordered to have their arms ready 
 and to wheel their animals to the centre at the ap- 
 pearance of the enemy, thus forming a barricade 
 as heretofore stated. An inspection of arms took 
 place immediately after breakfast every day ; Eaton 
 and Meredith, acting as inspectors, carefully ex- 
 amined every fire-arm in the train. 
 
 For three days they moved on, nothing to be seen 
 save ruined ranches. At that of I. Silk, before men- 
 tioned, a halt was made and corn bought for the 
 animals. 
 
 The proprietor seemed very voluble in regard to 
 Indian news, and Hallett said significantly, within 
 the hearing of the proprietor, *' If it wasn't for 
 d — d white scoundrels that were with them there 
 wouldn't be so much Injun deviltry." 
 
5(j SHEKAKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 An important bit of news was obtained at the 
 ranch, however. " Important if true" as the news- 
 papers have it. 
 
 '' A large body of cavalrymen were on their way 
 from Leavenworth to Fort Kearney." How the 
 proprietor obtained this intelligence, he did not state. 
 The members aired their opinions when once more in 
 the saddle. The next day they corralled towards 
 evening beyond the road. Later on, when night 
 came, Chandler, who was one of the guard, awoke 
 the wagon-master hurriedly, saying that he "saw 
 something." 
 
 The old man rolled from his hammock, seized his 
 rifle, and followed the guard to the road-side. 
 
 " Now watch the bluffs," said Chandler, pointing 
 to the black ridge a mile away, visible even in the 
 darkness of the night. 
 
 It was midnight and quite dark, but even in the 
 gloom the red, sandy side of the bluffs could be dis- 
 cerned. A long time they waited in silence. 
 
 Hallett was about to return to his hammock. 
 *' Aha ! there it is again," said Chandler. 
 
 A light upon the bluffs appeared. It seemed as if 
 a bundle of straw had been held in the hand lighted, 
 and then, while blazing, tossed in the air. 
 
 " It is a signal," said the wagon-master in a 
 hoarse whisper. 
 
 A step — it was Churchill, also on guard. 
 
 "Did you see that light?" 
 
 " Yes ; watch the other line of bluffs." 
 
 They faced the bluffs on the right of the road, and, 
 as they turned, saw the same signal given from that 
 side. 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 5T 
 
 ** We are surrounded," said Hallett, hurrying back 
 to the corrall. 
 
 ** What shall we do ? " inquired Churchill anx- 
 iously. 
 
 *' One thing is certain, we will not be attacked 
 while it is dark. I wonder if the herders have seen 
 those lights ? " 
 
 Without waiting for a reply, the old man walked 
 briskly toward the herd. When within two hun- 
 dred feet of the nearest mule he gave a low and pe- 
 culiar whistle, the notes of a mother-bird calling 
 the young quail. The whistle or call was answered. 
 
 " Mr. Hallett," said a voice from the grass. 
 
 ** I am all right," returned the wagon-master. 
 
 " What's up ? " 
 
 " I think you had better bring in the herd." 
 
 ** O. K.; you seed the signal lights ? Deviltry as 
 big as a woodchuck is on hand." 
 
 The old man strode hurriedly back to camp, and 
 prepared for the enemy. Each member was at his 
 post. 
 
 The signal lights appeared again upon the bluffs, 
 and then all was dark. 
 
 A long, unbroken silence. A faint, grayish streak 
 in the east. Day was breaking. 
 
 " This is the dangerous hour," said Hallett to 
 Fairleigh. '* It is the Indian's favorite time." 
 
 9 
 
58 8HENAXD0AH ; CE^ THE HORIZON'S BAR, 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THY NAME AND PURPOSE SAXON. STAND ! 
 
 It was very dark. 
 
 The horses and mules were safe in the corral, and 
 quietly fed at the wagon troughs, or rested their 
 tired limbs on the ground. 
 
 Vincent, Fairleigh, and Hallett stood near the 
 last wagon of the corral, anxiously waiting day- 
 break, and each with a rifle in his hand. 
 
 A low rumbling sound far down the road, toward 
 the eastern gray streak in the horizon, and then was 
 plainly heard the trampling of iron hoofs; nearer 
 and nearer came the sounds — a halt — and then on 
 the still air the clear swelling notes of a bugle. 
 
 " A cavalry call ; they must be friends," said 
 Harry. 
 
 "Softly, softly," returned the wagon - master. 
 " Last year, when the red skins attacked the stage 
 stations at Alkali, they charged, and retreated at 
 the sound of a bugle, do not let us be thrown off 
 our guard." 
 
 In the haze of the morning shadowy forms ap- 
 pear. 
 
 •* Halt!" challenges Chandler in the road. 
 
 *' Friends and white men wid divil a countersign," 
 replied a clear voice, at once recognized with tu- 
 multuous beatings of hearts by ever}^ soldier mem- 
 ber of the train. 
 
 ** Then dismount friends and whites, Terry 
 
SHEXANDOAH ; OK, THE HORIZOi^'S BAE. 59 
 
 McCann and give an account of yourself, dragoon- 
 ing around this time o' night widout the counter- 
 sign." 
 
 "It is Terry McCann," shouted Eaton, as he 
 rushed to the dragoon's side, followed by a throno- 
 who fairly lifted McCann from his saddle, and bore 
 him on their shoulder to the centre of the corral. 
 
 The danger of an Indian attack was over now ; 
 joy beamed on every feature. The lieutenant was 
 en route to Fort Kearney, and learning at Marys- 
 ville that the mining company was but a few miles 
 ahead of him, he had pushed on to join them. 
 
 Morning dawned; and it was resolved to wait 
 until nine o'clock to give the cavalry horses time 
 to feed and rest. 
 
 A jolly breakfast. 
 
 The lieutenant was introduced to the young 
 ladies, who gladly hailed him as their '' second pre- 
 server." 
 
 " I heard of you," said the dragoon. " The mail 
 agent at Marysville informed me that there were 
 two young ladies in the last coach, he was afraid 
 that you would be attacked so we rode by night to 
 catch up with you." 
 
 "Nine o'clock," said the wagon-master. 
 
 " Sound the bugle, orderly." 
 
 The young men of the mining company acted as 
 scouts, and moved in advance of the train. The 
 cavalry men flanked the train and brought up in 
 the rear. Placing his command in charge of a 
 sergeant, McCann touched his horse with the spur 
 and was soon at Vincent's side. 
 
 They had now passed the region of forest and 
 
60 SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIUON'S BAR. 
 
 bluff, and were once more on the wide prairie. 
 Full of life and vigor they dashed over the waving 
 
 grass. 
 
 The night had passed, joy came with the morn- 
 ing, and as their horses bounded along light hearts 
 were above them. 
 
 A short halt at noon, and at night they encamped 
 beside a stream which ran northerly and emptied 
 into the La Platte. The horses of the dragoons, as 
 well as those of the members were picketed near 
 the wagons. A roaring blazing camp fire ; and the 
 young ladies graced the circle with their presence, 
 and song and'story filled up the evening hours. 
 
 Many stories of army life were then related, and 
 at a late hour the camp was deserted. 
 
 That night the people of the train slept peace- 
 fully and securely, for ere their eyes closed they 
 heard the pleasant sound of the cavalryman's 
 scabbard as it trailed on the ground when he 
 moved about the wagons while on guard. 
 
 *' Do you see that faint yellowish streak that lies 
 far ahead of us, resembling a cloud in the sky ?" 
 said Hallett, as the train moved onward the next 
 morning. 
 
 "Yes," replied Vincent, " It is a cloud, is it not?" 
 
 " No ; it is the sand hills of the Platte river. It 
 does not look as if it was more than two or three 
 miles distant, but we will hardly reach the hills 
 before night. I think we will camp two or three 
 miles this side of the river, the grass is good and 
 
 high." 
 
 *' I should think the sand hills would make good 
 hiding places for the Indians." 
 
SHEl^AKDOAH ; OE, THE HOEIZON^S BAR. 61 
 
 ^' True, but they are too near Fort Kearney. Its 
 not very dangerous travelling here." 
 
 " The hills seem very near." 
 
 " Distance is very deceiving upon the plains," 
 continued the old man. " When you first see the 
 B-Ocky Mountains you are full two hundred miles 
 away, almost to Beaver Creek, and on fine days they 
 seem within a da3^'s ride yet it takes you weeks to 
 get to them with a train; it is hard wheeling in 
 the sand hills. If we have good fortune I will show 
 you the trees on the north side of the Platte to- 
 morrow evening. 
 
 Our hero had tried in vain to find an opportunity 
 to speak to the wagon-master upon questions neai- 
 his heart. That he knew more in regard to livja. 
 than he seemed to show by his manner Vince^^.t 
 felt certain. 
 
 The young men were racing across the praine, 
 and Vincent and the wagon-master were alovc ne-^r 
 the train. '' Now," said Vincent to himself, " is the 
 time to speak." 
 
 Evidently the old man was thinking of Ch'^ '^^^me 
 thing, for he turned in his saddle and said, 
 
 '' When all is quiet in the camp to-nighl I wish 
 to see 3^ou — alone." 
 
 About sundown they corralled near the hfl?s, and 
 when the evening meal was over they giithered 
 near the camp fire. " Rollin," said Ha.rry, as the 
 former lit his pipe by the fire, " let us go over to 
 the girls' wagon and invite them to join the biv- 
 ouac." 
 
 " Agreed," 
 
62 SHEl^AN'DOAH ; OR^ THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 LOVE RULES THE CAMP, THE COURT, THE GROVE. 
 
 The young ladies had managed to arrange their 
 " drawing-room car/' as they styled their convey- 
 ance, with some degree of comfort. It was the 
 largest wagon in the train, and with blankets, buffalo 
 robes, and shawls they made it look quite cosy. A 
 lantern belonging to the company had been loaned 
 them, and it hung by a cord from the centre wagon- 
 bow and cast a cheerful glare upon the two maidens, 
 who sat sewing as our friends came up. 
 
 *' Helloa! Kate and Nell, make room for us," said 
 Harry. 
 
 Miss Fairleigh blushed as she returned Vincent's 
 "good evening." 
 
 But Kate was ready. " Plenty of room inside, 
 gentlemen," mimicking the Broadway stage drivers. 
 
 *' Let us return," whispered Vincent, who feared 
 that the young ladies might dislike at such a time 
 and place the presence of a stranger, for he felt that 
 he was one. 
 
 " No, do not go, Mr. Vincent," said Nellie, rally- 
 ing, " I am sure we are very lonesome and you will 
 excuse our poor quarters. 
 
 " Certainly ; the war and chase give little thought 
 of resting-place." 
 
 " There," said Kate, " I have folded a blanket 
 ypon my trunk, and Cousin Mustache you can git 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON S BAR. 63 
 
 ye down upon it. Captain Vincent will sit beside 
 you." 
 
 The young men took the proffered seat. 
 
 '* I have fine work for you, Harry," cried Kate. 
 
 '^ What is it?" 
 
 '' Oh, hold some worsted for me." 
 
 *' I went to the war to get rid of you, and now 
 you carry the war not into Africa but away out 
 upon the plains ; you are the same old bother." 
 
 " You haven't changed a great deal, Harry." 
 
 '' Don't quarrel," from Miss Fairleigh. 
 
 '' Well, I won't ; but here is Vincent idle ; muster 
 him in, he is both strong and able-bodied." 
 
 " Strong enough to hold some worsted for me as 
 I wind it ? " asked Nellie. 
 
 " Yes, and willing too," said Vincent. 
 
 There were the daughters of affluence far out upon 
 the plains in the heavy freight- wagon of the *' plain- 
 er." Fairleigh sat upon the side of the trunk, hold- 
 ing on his hands the worsted and facing his cousin, 
 while RoUin also made a reel of his fingers for Miss 
 Fairleigh. 
 
 "You haven't asked after your pony. Miss Fair- 
 leigh," said Rollin. 
 
 ''My little Indian; is he well? what do you do 
 with him?" 
 
 " I have tied him to one of the wagons while we 
 are on the march." 
 
 " Hold up your hands, stupid Harry, I shall 
 have to box your ears." 
 
 '' Kathei-ine, I shall kiss thee if thou dost." 
 
 " The wagon-master says we will reach Fort 
 Kearney day after to-morrow," said Rollin, 
 
64 SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON^S BAR. 
 
 " I am very glad ; father must be alarmed about 
 us; I suppose he is there now." 
 
 You don't know whether you will go to Denver 
 now or not, do you, Nell ? " said Harry. 
 
 " I shall do as father wishes in regard to that ; I 
 am not afraid to go on." Vincent looked at her as 
 she spoke, and came to the conclusion she was a 
 brave little maiden. 
 
 " If we only had a side-saddle now for your pony, 
 Nell, you could relieve the monotony by taking 
 a ride to-morrow," said her brother. 
 
 "Why the way Mr. Hallett fixed the saddle was 
 very good." 
 
 " I will bring the pony up to-morrow morning 
 after breakfast and improvise a saddle for 3'ou. 
 Won't we, RoUin ? " 
 
 " I think Miss Fairleigh would prefer to ride, and 
 the pony is sure-footed." 
 
 The evening passed pleasantly away inside the 
 wagon, and the camp was silent when the young 
 men started for their tent. 
 
 As they crossed through the corral, the wagon of 
 the young ladies being drawn near the mouth of 
 the park or corral, a dark figure crossed before them. 
 
 " Who goes there ? " said Vincent, quickly. 
 
 " The wagon-master," rephed Hallett, advancing. 
 
 " Anything stirring ?"' inquired Fairleigh, as the 
 old man came up. 
 
 " Nothing but ourselves ; I sleep but little during 
 the night. I am going out to the herd now." 
 
 *' I do not feel like sleeping for an hour to come, 
 Harry. Let us go to the herd with him," saicj 
 Vincent, 
 
go. 
 
 
 SSi!NAi5"i)0Afi: ; OR, I^HE HORIZOi^^S BAR. 65 
 
 I am both sleepy and tired, Captain, yet I will 
 
 '^ No," said the wagon-master, " let Mr. Vin- 
 cent come alone." 
 
 " All right; I won't be jealous," remarked Harry, 
 as he turned toward his tent. 
 
 The old man and our hero passed beyond the 
 wagons. In the darkness of the night the herd was 
 nowhere to be seen, yet plainly could be heard the 
 stamping of the feet and the occasional snort, which 
 told that the animals were not far away. 
 
 ** I am glad your friend did not come, though he 
 is a noble fellow and I like to have him near me ; 
 yet to-night I wanted to talk with you alone." They 
 reached a little mound and both sat down. 
 
 *' This mound is a soldier's grave," said the old 
 man, slowly. '' Three years ago a band of Sioux 
 attacked a party of soldiers and drove them into 
 Fort Kearney. As usual they scalped the slain and 
 left them naked upon the field. The next day a 
 large body of soldiers sallied out from the Fort, 
 came as far down as this point, and buried the dead ; 
 rough head-boards were raised, but they have been 
 taken down and split up by some shivering 'pil- 
 grims ' of the plains. We call emigrants going 
 west, pilgrims. What I wanted to say to you was 
 this : I know your sorrow, young mah ; I knew you 
 when you lay young and helpless in your mother's 
 lap. When we were attacked a few days ago I 
 told you I had a letter for you, in case I was slain 
 and you should survive ; seek not to know its con- 
 tents now, but wait patiently." 
 
 " Tell me, I implore you," said Rollin. 
 
66 SHEKANDOAH ; OH, THE HORIZOX^S BAR. 
 
 " No, not now — it is not time ; your sorrow will 
 be turned into joy. By the glare of last night's 
 camp-fire I saw your future. On this journey great 
 events will transpire. Trouble for many da3^s, 
 sharp trouble, sorrow such as you never before 
 have felt. In the curling smoke I saw^ you rise 
 triumphant over your enemies, — for enemies you 
 have, herein this very camp, snakes who lie in the 
 grass ready to put their fangs into you when the 
 season shall be ripe. Fear not when the hour of 
 trouble comes, for it will come, and I shall be with 
 you. 
 
 No more would the strange old man say upon 
 the subject so dear to Vincent; in vain did he ques- 
 tion. 
 
 The wagon-master led the way to the herd, sig- 
 nals were exchanged between him and the herder. 
 All was quiet, and they returned to camp. 
 
 Next morning early the train was in motion. 
 Taking the black pony to the " ladies' car," he was 
 soon saddled and bridled ready for his fair freight. 
 Miss Fairleigh had found a riding-skirt in her trunk, 
 and as the train was ready to start she appeared in 
 front of the wagon ready for her brother to place 
 her in the saddle. Kate looked out from under the 
 canvas cover of the wagon, and declared that " Nell 
 looked like a squaw." 
 
 " Never mind, Kate, it's your turn to-morrow. 
 Let us ride behind the wagons, Harry," said his 
 sister ; *' I am afraid of this little beast, and I don't 
 want the young men to see what a poor equestrienne 
 I am." It was hard riding among the sand-hills. 
 
SHEKAKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOX^S BAR. 67 
 
 *' I am going to leave Nell in your care for a time, 
 Rollin, as Kate must be quite lonely in her car," 
 said Harry, touching his gray with his spur and 
 riding forward to overtake the wagon. They rode 
 on in silence for some minutes, when Vincent re- 
 marked : 
 
 " Are you tired, Miss Fairleigh ?" 
 
 " Oh, no ; I am only tired of the wagon." 
 
 *' The wagon-master said he would show us the 
 Platte River this evening ; if so, we are only ten 
 miles then from Fort Kearney, and your tedious 
 journey will be over, for you can take the stage 
 there." 
 
 " I will be glad to see my father, yet riding in the 
 stage is very unpleasant. Notwithstanding our 
 fright, both Kate and myself think our health is im- 
 proved. 
 
 ** I was afraid it would be to the contrary." He 
 was stroking his horse's neck, while the lady cast a 
 sidelong glance and said, '* I am sure both Kate 
 and I will never forget that to you, Captain Vin- 
 cent, we probably owe our lives." 
 
 " No, no, I think not ; say rather Mr. Hallett." 
 
 " To you both, then. I have heard of you very 
 often. Harry's letters during the war were full of 
 you, and I felt that I knew you long ago, for you 
 were so kind to him when he was wounded. Moth- 
 er and I longed to thank you." 
 
 The little maiden had said more than she had 
 intended ; she wished the little Indian pony would 
 fly right into the wagon with her and hide her. 
 
 Rollin patted his horse ; he was moved. With 
 brightened eyes, he answered ; 
 
68 SHEKAITDOAS ; OB, THE HORIZOi^'s BAR. 
 
 " I am more than paid for the little care your 
 brother received at my hands. I have often heard 
 Harry speak of his /ztt/e sister, and had imagined 
 you a wee girl." 
 
 In the sand the horses toiled and silence came 
 again. 
 
 " We shall miss Harry very much now. We 
 thought when the war was over he would surely 
 stay at home with us." 
 
 '* Do you think he will stay away two years ?" 
 
 "I cannot tell, Miss Fairleigh ; I believe Harry 
 will not remain away long; I think — 1 feel sure 
 that when the excitement of the journey is over, and 
 the quiet life at the mines begins, he will soon tire 
 of the monotony and wish to return to his home." 
 
 ** Oh, that is very good news. Do make him dis- 
 contented and urge him to return. Do you think 
 you will like it at Arizona?" 
 
 When Vincent prophesied in regard to his friend's 
 return, he unconsciously revealed the state of his 
 own mind ; for surely when the excitement of the 
 journey would be over, no one would desire to re- 
 turn sooner than himself. So in answering her 
 question, he said : '' I cannot tell ; I love to be among 
 my friends. Yet the poor," he smiled here, ** cannot 
 always do as they wish." 
 
 The train had halted for dinner among the sand- 
 hills. Miss Fairleigh and her escort erode to her 
 wagon, and our hero assisted the lady to dismount. 
 
 " How did you like your ride ?" said Kate. 
 
 " The pony behaved very nicely." 
 
 " The halt for dinner is to be a short one," said 
 Harry, who just then came up to the wagon. *'Mr. 
 
8HEXJLXD0AH ; OR, THE HOElZOK^S BAE. 6§ 
 
 Hallett says we must push on to reach the Platte. 
 There is not a blade of grass within twenty miles of 
 us ; we are feeding the horses and mules corn from 
 the wagon-boxes ; so I do not think I would unsad- 
 dle the pony if you intend riding this afternoon." 
 
 This was for Nellie, and she answered : " I love 
 dearly to ride, but I think Cousin Kate would like 
 * to relieve the monotony ' this afternoon herself." 
 
 '' No, Nellie, it will be my turn to ride to-mor- 
 row." 
 
 " Well, I will ride, then," said Miss Fairleigh. 
 
 Lunch over, the train was again in motion. 
 Tedious, dreary sand-hills, grand hiding-places for 
 the Indians among the swells of a rolling country. 
 Then that pest, the buffalo-fly, is found in great 
 clouds along this part of the plains, a little fly about 
 the size of the wicked flea, but oh ! how they sting! 
 A mosquito is an honest vampire ; it gives you its 
 note of warning, and then it does not sting you with 
 half the vengeance of the buffalo-fly. In the thin 
 cuticle behind the ear they light and sting you until 
 you are almost crazed. Miss Fairleigh had made a 
 veil to fit closely round her cap, and to fall upon her 
 shoulders ; this kept the enemy at ba3\ Kate had 
 made one for Harry, and as Nellie, Rollin, and Fair- 
 leio^h were about ridino;- awav from the wasfon, she 
 handed it to him, and he removed the handkerchief 
 that he had tied around his head, and thanked her 
 as he took it in his hand. 
 
 *' What is poor RoUin to do?" said the generous 
 Harry. 
 
 Miss Fairleigh put her little white hand in her 
 pocket and handed Vincent a veil that she had made 
 
70 SHENAKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 for him. A pink tinge spread over her handsome 
 face as she reached out her hand with the veil in it. 
 RoUin took it with a bow, and in a low voice said : " I 
 thank you." 
 
 "So that's all right/' said Harry with delight. 
 " Now we can defy old buffalo himself and all his 
 flies ; adios, Kate." 
 
 It was a pleasant ride in the afternoon, the sand 
 was not so deep as in the morning, and later, about 
 five o'clock, a silver stream was seen in the dis- 
 tance. 
 
 ** The wagon-master has been true to his prom- 
 ise," remarked Vincent, " for there is a river. It 
 must be the Platte." 
 
 That night the wagons corralled by the side of 
 the rapid flowing stream. The water of the Platte 
 River is very pure, the bed is sandy and shifting, 
 and in the warmest day the water is very cool ; ani- 
 mals love to drink it, and it seems equally beneficial 
 to the human race. It starts away up in the Rocky 
 Mountains, not far from Denver City, Colorado ; 
 formed of the melted snow of the mountains, the 
 Platte River is a blessing to the traveller on the 
 plains. 
 
 Another jolly camp-fire. A tree by the river 
 bank was cut down, and a roaring, blazing fire 
 warmed and cheered the tired boys, for it was 
 weary work travelling through the sand-hills. 
 
 Early in the evening Vincent and Fairleigh re- 
 tired from the circle around the fire, and visiting 
 the "car" of the young ladies, proposed to them, 
 as the night was clear and the moon was bright, to 
 walk down to the river. They passed down by the 
 
§HEK"AXDOAS ; OH, THE tlORTZON-^S BAH. 11 
 
 bank. Harry offered his. arm with mock gallantry 
 to his cousin, asking her if she would like to step 
 into Delmonico's, and led the way, followed by Rol- 
 lin and Nellie. 
 
 " To-morrow> Nellie, we will see father at Fort 
 Kearney." 
 
 " And then," added Rollin, " we must say adieu 
 to our lady friends." 
 
 Seated under the trees by the river bank, the 
 young people enjoyed the hour. The ladies sang 
 for the gentlemen, and the}^ entertained them with 
 stories of the war. Adding to the beauty of the 
 scene and hour, the moonlit stream rolled rapidly 
 on its way. Thoughts and talks of home and 
 friends, of the novelty and romance of the scene, 
 beguiled the hour away, and all was quiet when 
 they returned. 
 
 When Rollin laid down upon his blanket that 
 night, he thought of the little maiden with the blue 
 eyes and the golden hair, his companion of the day. 
 To-morrow they were to part. 
 
 " Blessings brighten as they take their flight," 
 and a feeling of sadness came creeping over him as 
 he thought of saying " good-bye " to her. When he 
 fell into a short sleep it was to dream of her. Yes, 
 Rollin Vincent loved Nellie Fairleigh. 
 
75i SHEKANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOi^^S BAll. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 " The coast is clear, Barnstable." 
 
 The Pilot. 
 
 Nellie Fairleigh had just passed her eighteenth 
 birthday, and as yet without suffering one pang of 
 of heartache. She was not a giddy, trifling girl, but 
 a thoughtful, reflective woman. She possessed 
 largely of that rare gift, good sense. During the 
 war she had often heard of RoUin Vincent ; every 
 letter from her brother contained something in our 
 hero's praise. When the sad missive came from 
 the hospital, telling how kind and attentive the cap- 
 tain had been to the sufferer during the long days 
 of pain and anguish, uniting as he did to heroism 
 and true worth, the additional qualities of a kind 
 and sympathetic heart, she felt that she loved the 
 man. 
 
 Her parents' love for their only daughter 
 amounted almost to idolatry, and when the subject 
 of her marriage would be mentioned they would 
 say: *' Nellie may marry the man who best pleased 
 her," feeling assured that she could not set her love 
 upon an unworthy object. If then, Rollin Vincent 
 pleased her best, he could be her husband. 
 
 " I love her," sighed our hero, " yet I dare not 
 think of asking her to become my wife ; the only 
 daughter of wealthy parents, the world would think 
 me mercenary if she accepted me. Perhaps she 
 loves already ? If she should refuse me ? No, no, 
 I will not even think of it." 
 
SHE]!5"AND0AH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 73 
 
 A very lame and impotent conclusion, Master 
 RoUin. He could not help thinking of her for she 
 was ever in his mind. So in the summing up of 
 the whole case we might say, ^' That Vincent loves 
 her, I do well believe it ; that she loves him 'tis apt 
 and of great credit." 
 
 It was near nine o'clock before the train moved 
 off the grass to the road. Rollin mounted his faith- 
 ful horse, and speaking to her in animated tones 
 darted out upon the road. On he rode until the 
 train seemed behind the " horizon's bar." 
 
 He loved to be alone at times. He wanted to 
 work out love's problem and speculate, just as you, 
 my reader, perhaps have done, whether " my love 
 loves me or no." It was useless to argue the mat- 
 ter ; the same result to every mental combat. " No, 
 no, I must not think of her," and then he would ride 
 on quickly, trying hard to forget by constantly 
 thinking how much he loved her. 
 
 The hoofs of a steed in hot haste pounded the 
 road behind him. He turned. It was Harry 
 mounted on his gray. 
 
 '' You are a nice fellow to run away from us. I 
 think you must want to be gobbled up by some 
 prowling band of red skins," ejaculated Fairleigh, 
 almost out of breath from his hurried ride. 
 
 " The ground seenis hard after the rain ; I was 
 on the wing before I knew it." 
 
 " Rollin, I have noticed that you have seemed 
 worried of late — less like yourself. I am afraid you 
 repent consenting to join me in this enterprise, the 
 compact of the Shenandoah." 
 
 ** Why, it's nothing of the kind, Harry, I am 
 
74 SHENAXDOAH ; OE, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 far from being sorry. You know I always was a 
 queer lellow, and often loved to be alone." 
 
 " Yes, I know ; I only feared that you were wea- 
 ried with the journey, for to tell you the truth I 
 am." 
 
 They were walking their horses now. Rollin 
 turned and smiled. '' My wayward, spoiled Harry, ^^ 
 tired so soon ! No, let us finish our work. Our 
 hands are at the plough, don't let us look back." 
 
 *' Well, I will say no more, but try to be content." 
 
 A long pause. The horses throwing down their 
 heads and nibbling the grass along the edge of the 
 roadside ; then the}^ came to a full stop ; then turned 
 to walk out upon the prairie to make a meal of it. 
 Their riders seemed busy thinking and let their 
 horses wander. 
 
 '* Rollin—" suddenly. 
 
 " Well, Harry,—" 
 
 ^' I know what would make you happy. Let me 
 draw you the picture : A law office ; a splendid lib- 
 rary of valuable legal works ; busy clerks about you 
 — this your office. Now, your home : A cheerful 
 one ; a bright fire in the grate ; a warni supper ; and 
 best of all, a charming little wife. Dost thou like 
 the picture?" 
 
 *' You draw the scene nicely ; perhaps that would 
 make me happy, but," bitterly, " happiness, we are 
 informed, is not to be possessed by mortals ; and as 
 I lack all of the various essentials to make up youn 
 picture, kindly as it has been drawn, I fear that it 
 will never be realized — remain always the ideal." 
 
 '* Yes, it can be." 
 
 *' Now, Harry, quit. For the sake of argument, 
 
SHENAls'DOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOK'S BAR. 75 
 
 perhaps, all the other parts might be arranged. How- 
 will you manage in regard to the ' charming little 
 wife ' ?" 
 
 *' Oh, that is the easiest part of it. If you will let 
 me select one for you — " 
 
 " No ; I must be allowed to do that part myself. 
 However," he was laughing now, *'any suggestions 
 on the part of my friend Harry would be received 
 and deliberated upon with due gratitude." 
 
 ** I am afraid you would not think I was a good 
 judge." 
 
 " Yes, I would ; give me an example." 
 
 " Of course you would not marry any one unless 
 you loved." 
 
 '^ I am sure of that." 
 
 " Well, then, if you loved Nellie, my sister, why 
 1 would like to have you as a brother-in-law my- 
 self," exclaimed Harry, and his honest eyes were 
 turned toward his friend. His plans and purposes 
 were as clear as sunlight. He loved Rollin deeply, 
 but he could be no mercenary match-maker. He felt 
 that his friend loved his sister, and that because ot 
 his poverty he would not dare ask for her \ and he 
 was right, for Vincent, pale as a statue, turned and 
 met his earnest gaze. 
 
 " Harry, I do love your sister. 1 have tried to 
 think it was wrong in me to even think of her. 
 
 " Wrong ! — let's get off our horses and lay down 
 on the grass just as we used to do in the old valley 
 of the Shenandoah where we fought, until the train 
 comes up ; just unloose your lariat and let them feed 
 — wrong ! of course it isn't. Do you love Nellie ?" 
 
 " Yes, I do," answ^ered Rollin, firmly. 
 
76 SHEN'AIsrDOAH ; OR^ THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 "Then all I have to say is 'fol de rol de ri do,' " 
 and the happy fellow began to roll over and over 
 upon the grass. His horse started back, wonder- 
 ing what was the matter, and with his ears pointed 
 gave a loud snort. '' Just see, it makes my horse 
 laugh," he continued. Then seriously, " If you 
 love her RoUin, old fellow, and she loves 3'^ou, why 
 it's all right. I am not her father, but it is all right ; 
 I give my consent." 
 
 " Think, I am poor." 
 
 " What of that, you are young and have talent. I 
 know you will not suffer, anyway." 
 
 RoUin taking Harry's hand, looks him in the face. 
 The bright sunshiny face is lit up with joy, and 
 happiness dances in his eyes ; not so with Vincent, 
 the clouds still hung upon, and drawing nearer to 
 his friend, he said : 
 
 *' Harry, I will tell you why I should not marry 
 your sister; why I should not ask any one to become 
 my wife." 
 
 "Tell me then, RoUin." 
 
 " I see the train far in the distance, and will 
 hasten with my sad story ere they reach us. I do 
 not know who I am.'* Harry glanced at Vincent in 
 wonder. *' 1 never remember much of my father. I 
 know this from what others have said, that he had 
 been a long time in business and had amassed con- 
 siderable wealth. I have a very dim uncertain re- 
 membrance of him ; of some one that I used to run 
 and greet at evening. I am sure the person must 
 have been my father. I know of a time, it seems 
 like a dream now, of going to sleep in my mother's 
 lap waiting for him. I remember the last time I 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OK, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 77 
 
 saw him, I was roused up in the night and saw my 
 father and mother standing- by my bed. He was 
 very pale, and his eyes gleamed wildly as if m ter- 
 ror. He took me in his arms and then both wept 
 as if in agony. I did not then know the cause, but 
 I learned it years after. I never saw my father 
 again ; my mother took me to my aunt's house ; we 
 lived there ever after I often used to ask m3> 
 mother in a childish way when my father would 
 return, and she would always answer me with 
 tears. She did not live long after we left our own 
 home, she died — '' 
 
 Harry looked up for his friend had paused in his 
 story, and drawing nearer he placed his hand with- 
 in Rollins, yet he did not speak a word. 
 
 " She died. I was an orphan ; and at an early age 
 I was sent away in the country to a school. I made 
 but little progress. I was half-starved all the time, 
 and when I came to my aunt's during vacation, I 
 looked so pale and thin that she took pity on me 
 and I was sent to school in the city. I had a friend, 
 a schoolmate. He was a light-hearted boy, like you, 
 Harry, full of life ; and I gradually threw off a 
 quiet, reserved nature and was light and gay like 
 other boys of my own age. I used to go to my 
 companion's home often. He had a sister near his 
 own age, and a boyish attachment drew me to her. 
 One day, waiting in the parlor for my friend, I 
 heard the mother and sister talking in the library. 
 I was about to rise from my seat and go to them, 
 for in that house I was a privileged person, when I 
 heard his sister ask : 
 
78 SHEN"AN-DOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 "'What was it papa said Rollin's father did, 
 mamma?* 
 
 " ' He was once a very rich man,' was the answer, 
 * and respected, your father said ; but an associate, 
 a bad man, led him astray. He, with a friend, be- 
 came involved in a quarrel one night with the 
 keeper of a gambling saloon. The lights were ex- 
 tinguished, shots were fired. When the police came 
 the dead body of the gambler lay upon the floor, 
 and the money that had lain upon the table was 
 missing. RoUin's father and his partner in guilt 
 left the country,'at least they have never been heard 
 of since. His mother, a lovely girl, I knew her 
 well, died of a broken heart' " 
 
 I well remember what an effect this had upon mc. 
 I caught hold of an arm-chair and wnth my head 
 bent, listened. It seemed when she had finished as 
 if my very life was suspended ; my head seemed 
 bound with an iron vice and my knees were smote 
 as if by a club. I could not move when my friend 
 came into the parlor, he found me stretched ap- 
 parently lifeless on the floor ; I soon rallied, and was 
 carried to my aunt's. The first moment we wxre 
 left alone, I asked her if the story I had heard was 
 true. From her, for I would not let her leave my 
 side, I learned it all. 
 
 The man that had led my father astray, was a 
 man in whom he had all confidence. He visited 
 our house ; my father had befriended him. By him 
 my father was led to visit a fashionable hell out of 
 mere curiosity; and the man who had once been 
 held up as a model, for he was generous, kind and 
 good to all, fell into the snare and was lost forever. 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOK'S BAR. 79 
 
 He neglected his business. A friend, an old 
 and valued one, his partner in his mercantile pur- 
 suits, also became fascinated with the game, and 
 both won and lost at first until they, were well in 
 the toils of the devourer. A series of losses ruined 
 them. Their store was burned to the ground one 
 night : it was believed to be the work of an in- 
 cendiary, yet it never was proved. The amount of 
 the insurance was paid over to my father and was 
 lost at the table the night of the murder. After 
 my father's flight, my mother never smiled. Day 
 by day she faded away until she sank into the 
 grave. To add insult to injury the villain that had 
 done his work so well, came in the hour of deep 
 distress and endeavored to console my mother. 
 He said that he was wealthy now ; a rich relative 
 had died (he did not know that my mother knew 
 the depth of his villainy), and that he would pro- 
 vide a home for us. I well remember the scorn 
 with which his offer was repelled by my mother, 
 though I did not then know all the circumstances 
 attending it. I remember the look of rage with 
 which he seized his hat and hurried from the room. 
 Harry, after my aunt had told me all, I worried 
 m3^self into a brain fever ; I recovered after a time 
 my health but never my joyous, boyish spirits. I 
 became, as you have often seen me, at times subject 
 to fits of melancholy that made me think life a 
 heavy burden. This is the reason why I should 
 not marr}' — " 
 
 " Indeed it's the very reason why you should " 
 said his friend earnestly ; " you want just such a girl 
 as Nellie to make you forget all this trouble, and 
 
80 SHENAJf DOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 what need you care, RoUin, what have you done, 
 that you should sigh ? Let the dead past take care 
 of itself. Live in the present. I tell you what, 
 Rollin, that old to-morrow cheats us out of half out 
 pleasures. Say you will marry Nellie, and I'l* 
 warrant you will have something to feel melaa 
 choly over in earnest." 
 
 '' Oh, Harry, was there ever such a friend ! Hom 
 do you know that your sister will have me?" 
 
 *' Well, upon my word, I don't know, bat I thinl , 
 you have the best chance," replied he, laughingly ; 
 then with a serious air : " You have iitver heard Of 
 3'^our father since you mother died ?" 
 
 "No." 
 
 " Or the villain who so wronged you ?" 
 
 " Yes, he lives. I have tried, I have forgiven 
 him ; yet he knows it not. It has been a heavy 
 cross, Harr}^ ;" this was sadly uttered. 
 
 The train was now near then ; the young men 
 vaulted into their saddles, their horses moved slowly 
 along. Harry leaned a little in his seat and said in 
 a low tone : 
 
 " Rollin, promise me that you will try to shake off 
 the sad feeling when it comes ; think you are not to 
 blame for what others have done. Perhaps your 
 father was more sinned against than sinning ; beside 
 my dear fellow, ' there's a skeleton in every house,' 
 you know, and yours is not as grim as many. 
 Now no more fits of melancholy." 
 
 '^ I'll try." 
 
 They halted a moment to let the train pass them. 
 
shekakboah; or, the horizok^s bar. 81 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 FORT KEARNEY. 
 
 At two o'clock in the afternoon the young men 
 riding in the advance caught a glimpse of the stars 
 and stripes floating from the flag-staff at head- 
 quarters, Fort Kearney. 
 
 The little piece of bunting caused a glad hurrah 
 to burst from the lips of the horsemen, and putting 
 their spurs in play they made a wild race to the 
 gates of the Fort. 
 
 The garrison at the Fort were actively engaged 
 in preparations for an Indian campaign, and the 
 quiet of camp life was rudely disturbed. 
 
 The successful raids of the Indians upon trains 
 and ranches, the unlooked-for daring displayed in 
 their battles with the soldiers, and above all the 
 exaggerated rumors in regard to their numbers, 
 and the shocking cruelties inflicted upon their 
 captives, that poured in with every train from the 
 West, checked for a time the commerce of the 
 plains. 
 
 A series of attacks, evidently in concert, upon all 
 the military posts along the route gave credibility 
 to the story so often told that the Indians held the 
 road to the mountains. 
 
 By the very judicious order of the general com- 
 manding the department of the plains, no trains 
 were allowed to pass Fort Kearney going west, or 
 
8^ SHENANDOAS ; OR, fUt HOEtZON^S BAH. 
 
 Camp Wardwell coming east, that did not muster 
 at least one hundred well armed men. The same 
 order also directed that trains not well armed or 
 sufficiently large in point of numbers should be 
 delayed until othertrains arriving gave the requisite 
 strength. That with every train suitable persons 
 should be appointed from among their own number 
 for the positions of captain and lieutenant whose 
 orders as far as they related to the government of 
 the train were to be obeyed. 
 
 To the captain thus appointed a semi-official 
 commission from the post commandant was given, 
 empowering him to take charge of the train and 
 direct its movements, to report at the nearest mili- 
 tary post upon the route any misconduct of the 
 persons under his command, and the person or 
 persons offending should be held, tried by court- 
 martial, and if guilty punished. 
 
 One would naturall}^ think that such an order 
 for self-preservation was hardly necessary ; that the 
 people connected with the trains would see the 
 necessity of banding together, electing their own 
 officers, and obeying them. Such, however, as a 
 general rule, was not the case — and hence the 
 military order. 
 
 The people who travel across the plains are prin- 
 cipally reckless adventurers bound for the gold 
 regions who cannot brook restraint. Anything that 
 seems like government, even temporarily for the 
 purpose of mutual protection against a common 
 danger, becomes a yoke ; it is burdensome, they be- 
 come restless under it. Even in a train where they 
 
§HEKAKi)OAH ; OR, THE HORIZON^S BAR. 83 
 
 have elected their own captain thej^ are careless in 
 regard to their duties and oftentimes mutinous. 
 
 The captain, according- to their idea, either 
 causes the train to go too fast or else too slow. If 
 the grass happens to be poor where they are obliged 
 to stop at night, it is the captain's fault. If a guard 
 is wanted, excuses are as plenty as the leaves in 
 summer. Some freighters sitting by the fire will 
 explain: "Now, what's the use of a guard; the 
 Injins have all gone north after the buffalo, or have 
 all gone south to winter quarters." 
 
 So perhaps the captain, tired of coaxing and 
 threatening, yields the point; there is no guard 
 placed over the train, and the Indians, ever on the 
 watch, though often unseen, sweep down upon them 
 generally at daybreak when they are sleeping the 
 soundest, and with their wild yells throw them into 
 confusion, and then kill and scalp without mercy. 
 
 Then again some of the people who do not think 
 the train moves fast enough to suit their ideas will 
 give vent to something like the following: 
 
 *' What's the use of pokin' along twenty miles a 
 day. My team kin make twenty-five without puttin' 
 a wet streak on 'em, and there's plenty in the train 
 kin do it too." 
 
 A half a dozen teams some morning leave the 
 train earlier than the rest and ''go it alone." 
 To finish the quotation, in nine cases out of ten 
 they get " euchred." If they are not stopped at 
 the first military post and held until the main 
 body comes up, they meet with a worse fate, 
 though perhaps deserving it, when they fall ii>to 
 
H SHEl^ANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOi^^^S BAfi. 
 
 the hands of the savages who are waiting for just 
 such chances along the road. 
 
 A great deal of blame is attached to the mili- 
 tary on the lines of travel because so many whites 
 are annually killed. In many cases, the unfor- 
 tunates contribute to the disaster by their own 
 carelessness and disobedience of positive orders 
 laid down for their protection by the officers in 
 command. 
 
 Upon the plains engaged in freighting are a great 
 many energetic and honest men ; but, as a general 
 rule, a more disorderly, unwilling-to-be-governed 
 set of beings to be found in America are the people 
 who crossed the plains from '''49 " to 1865. 
 
 At the Fort, when the train of the American 
 Mining Company arrived, all was bustle and con- 
 fusion — scouts had arrived from up the road, and 
 declared that the Indians had crossed the Platte, 
 and had gone south to the Smoky Hill, and that 
 the road was now clear. Trains that had been cor- 
 ralled now began to ''pull-out" on their journey, 
 and the whips of the bull-whackers were cracking 
 in the air, mingled with oaths, and the tedious 
 " whoa-haw ; " — mules were braying and the dust 
 
 flying when the train reached the Fort. 
 
 * * * -s?- * * * 
 
 When the young men dashed up to the parade- 
 ground, and in front of the building that was known 
 as Headquarters, an elderly gentleman stepped 
 upon the balcony. 
 
 *' Father," said Harry Fairleigh— then dismount- 
 ing, and almost flying up the steps. 
 
 *' My son, my son, where is he?" 
 
SHEJS-AXDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOi^^'s BAR. 85 
 
 ^ r^ellie and Kate are safe, and will be here in 
 less than twenty minutes." 
 
 '' Thank God," said the old man ; his voice was 
 thick with emotion. Throwing his arms around his 
 son's neck, they went into Headquarters together. 
 
 The members had looked on with moistened 
 eyes, for there was many a brave and sympathetic 
 heart among them. 
 
 By Mr. Fairleigh, senior, they w^ere introduced 
 to the officers of the Fort. When RoUin was intro- 
 duced by Harry to Mr. Fairleigh, the old gentle- 
 man held his hand long, and remarked that " He 
 was very glad to meet him for his kindness to 
 Harry while in the service." 
 
 '' You will have something else to thank him for 
 when I tell you." 
 
 Vincent looked appealingly at his friend— who 
 had mercy on him— and did not continue. The 
 officers of the Fort gladly participated in the re- 
 union. Harry took pains to tell them what a 
 splendid fellow Terry McCann was, and what an 
 addition he would be to their mess. 
 
 Lieutenant McCann had remained behind with 
 his company guarding the train. 
 
 " I am informed another officer is ordered here of 
 the same regiment as the lieutenant's, Adjutant 
 Dumfries, I think," said an officer, that had been 
 introduced to the members as Captain Spear. 
 
 "That is your friend, Rollin," said Harry. 
 
 " Yes, it must be ; when is he to arrive ?" to the 
 officer. 
 
 "We look for him every day. He left Fort 
 
B6 SHEN"A>TDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOK*S BAfi. 
 
 Leavenworth with a strong detachment, and I 
 think he has not been disturbed." 
 
 The members were very hospitably entertained 
 by the officers, and had the freedom of the Fort. 
 Mr. Fairleigh and Harry walked out to the parade, 
 ground, while the latter related the story of Nellie 
 and Kate's adventures upon the Little Blue. 
 
 " Is it possible !" exclaimed Mr. Fairleigh, when 
 Harry had finished. '' The rescue from the savages 
 was almost a miracle. Mr. Vincent is doubly dear 
 to us now ; and this Mr. Hallett, I must thank him, 
 and do it in a substantial manner." 
 
 " Do not think of offering money, father." 
 
 " Well, I will not ; yet I thought, being as you 
 say, a wagon-master, he might not take offence if 
 what I give was given to him quietly." 
 
 Mr. Fairleigh saw Harry objected, and he did 
 not allude to the subject again. 
 
 The train came in sight, and they walked down 
 to meet it. As they wended their way down the 
 road, Mr. Fairleigh observed : 
 
 " Harry, I am sure you must have seen enough 
 of these horrid plains by this time. Let me beg of 
 you to return home. The war is over, and we have 
 waited now so long to have you with us again." 
 
 Harry was not stubborn. He had wished himself 
 at home a dozen times since he left Leavenworth, 
 not from fear, but the days were growing monoto- 
 nous. 
 
 ''No, father; I have promised to go at least as 
 far as Arizona. Perhaps when we have been there 
 a little while, I will get RoUin to return with me." 
 
 The generous-hearted fellow could form no plans 
 
SHEKAKDOAH; or, the HORIZOi^^S BAR. 87 
 
 for the future unless Rollin was in them. If Vincent 
 had proposed returning then and there, he would 
 willingl}^ have concurred, but he would not propose 
 such a thing. 
 
 " What is to be done with the girls?" referring to 
 Nellie and Kate. 
 
 " I am of the opinion that it is better to go on 
 than to return just now. The scouts who came to- 
 day report the road clear of Indians between here 
 and Denver, if so, the trouble lies behind us." 
 
 " But the northern route via Omaha is open."' 
 
 ^' Yes, but the officers think the Sioux who made 
 the raid upon the Little Blue will raid northward 
 into the Pawnee country that lies north of and along 
 the Omaha road, so both roads seem, to be danger- 
 ous, for we have no guarantee that they have left 
 the Little Blue, or that they are not on the northern 
 road." 
 
 " So you think that you will accompany us to 
 Denver." 
 
 " Yes, I think it safer to go with you than with 
 the stage. Do the girls complain?" 
 
 " No, sir ; I think they have enjoyed it rather for 
 the past two or three days. 
 
 The foremost wagon was now abreast, and when 
 the "car" came along they were inside almost be- 
 fore the occupants knew the wheels had ceased to 
 revolve. We will draw the canvas covering tighter 
 around the wagon-bow; and as Jim, the driver, did 
 not look in to disturb the joy, or listen to catch the 
 words of parental love and thankfulness from within, 
 we will not. 
 
 The train corralled near the Fort. At evening, 
 
SS SHENANDOAH ; OH, THE HORIZOK^S BAE. 
 
 Mr. Fairleigh, Nellie, and Kate stood near the camp- 
 fire which had been started by all save the ones at 
 the Fort. The young men had been invited up to 
 Headquarters, and the camp was silent. 
 
 Mr. Fairleigh was a fine looking old gentleman. 
 His face was of that ruddy, close-shaven look we 
 find in pictures of " gentlemen of the old school." 
 He was very erect in carriage. His e3'e was clear 
 and bright. His hair of that snowy whiteness that 
 adds nobility to one advanced in years. 
 
 "Ah, Nellie, my bonny girl, thy bright hair would 
 have looked grandly in a warriors' belt. It would 
 have been a prize worth battling for. Katie, did 
 you faint?" 
 
 '' No, sir ; what was the use in fainting ? Nobody 
 to catch you that you cared for." 
 
 The sound of hoots was heard, and as they turned 
 around two men rode into the centre of the corral. 
 
 It was too dark to distinguish who they were. 
 
 " What is your name ? " said a voice that Nellie 
 recognized as the wagon-master's. 
 
 " Pedro — Pedro Mexicano. But I gets called 
 Pedro the most," answered the other. 
 
 " Well, Pedro, I will hire you to tend our stock 
 for us. Come out with me. I will show you where 
 the animals are, and you can relieve the driver that 
 is out now." 
 
 '' Si," said the Mexican, and their forms were lost 
 in the darkness. 
 
 ''That must be the new herder. I understood 
 from Harry that one was to be hired so as to relieve 
 the drivers," remarked Nellie. 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 80 
 
 " And the other was the wagon-master? Was it 
 not?" inquired Kate. 
 
 Yes. He rode up to the wagon the other day 
 when you were sleeping away, and said that he 
 thought when the train arrived at Fort Kearney a 
 great trouble would be off his mind, for he then 
 would be able to hire a herder and the driver would 
 cease grumbling." 
 
 Voices heard in the distance ; it was the wagon- 
 master returning with the driver that had been 
 relieved from stock tending by the new man. 
 
 As they came near the group at the fire, the 
 wagon-master checked up his mule and the driver 
 passed on to his wagon. " Good evening ladies. 
 It's a dark night and you not afraid ?" in a kind tone. 
 
 " Oh no. Let me introduce you to my father." 
 
 The wagon-master was out of his saddle in a 
 twinkling ; passing his arm through his bridle-rein 
 he advanced toward the fire. 
 
 " Father let me introduce you to Mr. Hallett, and 
 as he won't'let me say all that is due to him, I will 
 say, — who helped to rescue us from the Indians." 
 
 The wagon-master stood by the camp-fire. A 
 bright little blaze shot out from the log in the ashes, 
 and it revealed his sun-burnt face ; he had removed 
 his sombrero, and his forehead was as white as 
 a woman's. 
 
 Mr. Fairleigh stretched forth his hand and raised 
 his eyes ; they met the steady gaze of the wagon- 
 master. With a start the outstretched hand was 
 drawn back and fell to his side. 
 
 ^' fjay ward ! Is it possible ! }" 
 
90 SHENANDOAH ; OE, THE HOKIZON'S BAR. 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 " BENNY HAVENS O !" 
 
 The members of the Mining Company were 
 having a jolly time within the officers' quarters at 
 the Fort. 
 
 Terry McCann had just finished one of his rattling 
 stories, amid roars of laughter. "What next?" 
 asked a smooth-faced Lieutenantc 
 
 '* A song, a song," cried several voices.' *' Come 
 Meredith," said Eaton, " give us your ' Drink from 
 the Fountain of Life.' " 
 
 The former, bowing to the company, sang in a 
 clear, tenor voice. 
 
 When Memory lifts the curtain 
 
 And Hope lights up the waste, 
 'Tis glorious as 'tis certain 
 
 That we again can taste 
 The cup of sweets, not empty; 
 
 New joys will kindle where 
 The seeds of peace and plenty 
 
 A golden harvest bear. 
 
 The flowers of rarest perfume 
 
 Oft blossom upon the hearth. ^ 
 
 The roughest shell and covering 
 
 Hides a precious pearl beneath. 
 Many a princely heart doth beat 
 
 Behind the rudest guise, 
 And only tells its story 
 
 Jn the language of the eyes, 
 
SHEKAKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAE. 91 
 
 The conversation soon became general. Old army 
 stories were told, old battles fought again. " Now" 
 said Fairleigh, " as a good-bye, let's have, to remem- 
 ber old times, ' Benny Havens.' " 
 
 In a clear ringing voice Meredith sang the well- 
 known army song, and the chorus — at the chorus — 
 made the windows rattle. 
 
 Come fill up your glasses, fellows, and stand up in a row, 
 To singing sentimentally we are going for to go, 
 In the army there's, sobriety; promotion 's very slow, 
 So we'll sing the reminiscences of Benny Havens, O ! — 
 O ! Benny Havens, O ! O ! Benny Havens, O ! 
 So we'll sing the reminiscences, of Benny Havens, O. 
 
 CHAPTER Xn. 
 
 It was a silent, impressive moment at the camp- 
 fire. 
 
 The young ladies looked at each other in speech- 
 less amazement. 
 
 The eyes of the guide were fixed upon Mr. Fair- 
 leigh, and in them seemed a shade of misery. A 
 look of sadness came over the bronzed features. 
 The outstretched hand fell at his side : he turned 
 to go, walked towards a wagon a few steps distant, 
 leaned against the wheel for a second with his hand 
 upon the tire, then feebly tottered out into the dark- 
 ness of the night. 
 
 Mr. Fairleigh followed him. 
 
 The ladies did not speak. They gazed long and 
 earnestly into the ashes of the fire, as if there they 
 could find the key of the mystery. 
 
92 SHENAN"DOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOi^'s BAR. 
 
 " It is very strange," said Miss Fairleigh, break- 
 ing the silence. They waited long, but Mr. Fair- 
 leigh came not. 
 
 The camp was very still, all save the watchers 
 were asleep. The train was so near the fort, a 
 guard was dispensed with. They could see the 
 lights in the windows at headquarters, and hear the 
 shouts of merriment. 
 
 A step — and Mr. Fairleigh came. His face wore 
 an anxious look, yet it was lit up with a benevolent 
 expression so kind and forgiving that both ladies 
 remarked it. 
 
 " It is chilly, this night wind. Retire, young 
 ladies ; I did not mean to be away so long." 
 
 He led them to ** the car" in silence, assisted them 
 to mount to their quarters, kissed them both good- 
 night, and then Avalked hurriedly away to the 
 wagon-master, who sat where he had left him, on a 
 mess-chest on the outer edge of the corral. 
 
 * -x- * * * * 
 
 The young men marched down from the fort 
 arm-in-arm, singing the well-known song of the 
 brigade, to which many had been marched, " Roll- 
 ing Home." 
 
 At day-break the next morning the camp was 
 aroused by the tramping of animals near them, and 
 mingled with snorts and shouts was a series of 
 sharp, wolfish yells, that caused many of the mem- 
 bers to seize their fire-arms, and rush from their 
 tents half attired. 
 
 The singular cries were made by the new herder 
 Pedro, who was bringing up the stock in true Mex- 
 ican style, The animals seemed to understand that 
 
SHEITAN-DOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOK's BAR. 93 
 
 there was a new order of things. Previous to this 
 morning, driving in the stock had been attended 
 with great difficulty. Some of the mules, as they 
 w^ere about to enter the coral, would dash off sud- 
 denly to the right or left, leading a small party of 
 rebels with them. An exciting chase w^ould then 
 ensue. The members w^ould mount horses and 
 hurry after the flying mules, and assist the drivers 
 to bring in the refractory animals. One mule was 
 certainly possessed of a devil. A large, gray fel- 
 low. The drivers called him Stonewall. His habit 
 was to trot demurely up with the herd, as gently 
 as a kitten, until he came within a few feet of the 
 mouth of the corral, and then with a proud toss of 
 the head, and turning his big eyes back to see how 
 the coast lay behind him, he would wheel suddenly, 
 and away h@ would bound over the prairie, often 
 alone, but oftener with a dozen of his kindred at 
 his heels. The mule's name was a misnomer ; they 
 called him Stonewall because of his color. 
 
 This morning a firm hand held the whip ; the 
 gentle creatures seemed to understand that their 
 master was behind them, and they came up in good 
 style. 
 
 Stonewall was disposed to rebel at the very out- 
 set. He made a little feint at the right, and the 
 lash came down so quick and hot on his flank that 
 he squealed with rage and pain. Another effort to 
 break away, another swinging of the whip in the 
 air, a second stroke on the flank, and then Jubal 
 took warning, dropped his ears, and trotted into 
 the corral, a picture of injured innocence. 
 
 Pedro Mexicana sat upon his pony guarding the 
 
94 SHENANDOAH; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 mouth of the corral. A pleasant fellow to look at, 
 despite his bronzed features and his thick black 
 hair, which hung to his shoulders from beneath his 
 broad sombrero. The wagon-master had found 
 him in Kearney City. He was then waiting a 
 chance to get to New Mexico. The wagon-master 
 made him an offer which was at once closed, and ^ 
 he began his duties in an hour. 
 
 His pony was thoroughly accustomed to the 
 work of his master, and eyed his presence with the 
 air of a shepherd dog. A thin-limbed mustang, 
 strong in the neck and flank. The herder rarely 
 ever touched the bridle-rein. If a mule strayed the 
 pony was after him ; the whip and yell did all the 
 rest. 
 
 It is singular the effect produced upon animals 
 by the wolfish yell of the herder. Heavy wagons 
 have been mired or " stalled," as the freighters 
 term it, in the road. Team after team would be 
 detached and added to aid the stalled team. The 
 inexperienced drivers would pull and whip and 
 swear, but all in vain. The animals would not pull 
 together. They would jump at intervals, pull 
 against each other, become entangled in the har- 
 ness, and then confusion would reign supreme, 
 when along would come the professional driver. 
 Taking the reins in his hands he would say : 
 
 " Up now, gee boys, on, on, on, on." With a sin- 
 gle bend, the animals would strain together and out 
 of the mire would roll the wheels. The cries evi- 
 dently had something to do with success. 
 
 At sea a party of sailors are toiling hard to " weigh 
 the anchor." It comes up heavily, slowlj\ " Sing, 
 
SHE>^AITDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 95 
 
 you lubbers!" growls the mate. The sailors strike 
 up a lively tune and the anchor comes up quickly. 
 
 The mules were harnessed and the train was again 
 rolling on. The members have said their adieux to 
 the officers of the fort. 
 
 Terry McCann, loth to leave them, mounted his 
 horse and rode in their midst to Adobetown. Here 
 the gallant fellow shook hands with all the members. 
 As he rode away, Tom Eaton sang out : 
 
 *' Three cheers for Terry McCann ! " 
 
 They were given with a will and sounded pleas- 
 antly in his ears as he rode back alone to his quar- 
 ters. 
 
 Kate Ferris on the black pony took an invigorat- 
 ing canter with her cousin Harry. They took to 
 the prairie as the road was here thronged w^ith 
 w^agons. 
 
 People living in the eastern states had very little 
 idea of the amount of freight that at this time was 
 yearly borne across the plains. In 1865, for instance, 
 in two weeks' time more than six thousand wagons 
 passed Fort Kearney, rolling westward. 
 
 The air of the prairies is decidedly medicinal.' 
 Chandler had the rheumatism, he had to be assisted 
 to mount his horse. He was now full}^ recovered, 
 and could walk as well as any of the members. Ned 
 Meredith was almost a skeleton, the result of the 
 '' Chickahominy fever." The first whiff of the clear 
 air gave him a ravenous appetite and he was daily 
 growing stronger. The road on the plains is the 
 best in the world, as dry and level as the Paseo Coral 
 at Aspinwall. 
 . The following letter to the Ncav York Tribune, 
 
96 SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAH. 
 
 dated May 29, 1 866, is inserted as more fully describ- 
 ing the region through which the train was pass- 
 ing : 
 
 " The Plains afford the most natural roads in the 
 world. Many years ago, F. X. Aubrey galloped 
 from Santa Fe, New-Mexico, to Independence, Mis- 
 souri, more than seven hundred miles, in less than 
 seven days. He changed horses three or four times, 
 and won his wager of $1,000; but at the end of the 
 journey he was so stiff that he had to be lifted from 
 the saddle. Last year Ben HoUaday, proprietor of 
 the Overland Line, rode in a coach from Folsom to 
 Atchison, 2,030 miles, in twelve days and two hours. 
 That was a trip worth the making ! In view of it 
 the locomotive hides its diminished head, Arion and 
 the dolphin, Aristo and the hippogriff, became pleas- 
 ant possibilities. The thought of it takes away 
 one's breath Across the Sierra Nevadas, whirling 
 through snow-drifts of the caflons, with overhanging 
 rocks 2,000 feet above your heads, spinning along 
 the perilous edge of many a dizzy precipice, ghding 
 through the great basin with its endless alkaline 
 wastes, rattling up and down the frowning cliffs of 
 the Rocky Mountains, shooting through the sands 
 of the measureless desert, in all-enveloping clouds 
 of dust, rolling merrily over the gentle swells of the 
 flower-spangled prairie ! Night and day, through 
 storm and sunshine, shivering in frost, panting in 
 tropical heat, shrinking under pelting hail, cowering 
 in the lightning's fiery track, across the continent, 
 from the serene ocean to the turbid river ! 
 
 *.* Mr. HoUaday accomplished one route of 14 miles 
 in 45 minutes, During our own trip we frequently 
 
&HMAKDOAH ; OR, THE HORlZOK^S BAR. St 
 
 exceeded lo miles an hour, and once we came ii 
 miles in 55 minutes. We arrived here at noon on 
 Saturday, four days and twenty-two hours from 
 Atchison, though we made extra delays of lo hours 
 on the wsLj. The distance is 642 miles ; the regular 
 stage time five days and four hours." 
 
 Before leaving the commandant had proposed to 
 the members that it would be well to elect some 
 one of their number as captain of the train. Some 
 person to command in event of trouble with the In- 
 dians. 
 
 " Will not the wagon-master be the proper per- 
 son," suggested a member. 
 
 '* I think not," was the reply. *' He is very well 
 posted as to the Indian style of warfare, and will 
 be of great assistance to the person in command, 
 but his principal duty is the running of the train, to 
 find proper places for encampments where grass 
 and water may be found, the condition of the ani- 
 mals, and other matters of that sort. The duties of 
 a captain are to select the guard each night, to 
 inspect your arms, and to assign places in the event 
 of an attack. I have not detained you to make one 
 hundred because in my opinion it was not necessary. 
 You are more than well armed, each man, I under- 
 stand, can fire twenty-six shots without reloading; 
 each man I am informed has a rifle and a pair ot 
 revolvers. You have all been officers in the army. 
 It would take a large force of Indians to capture 
 you, and your only fear is a surprise. Yet you 
 should have a captain to take military supervision of 
 the train." 
 
98 SHEi^AKDOAH ; on, THE HOniZOys BAR. 
 
 The advice of the colonel was acted upon, for 
 when they halted for dinner Brooks cried out: 
 
 " Let's elect a captain." 
 
 " All right, by acclamation," said a dozen. 
 
 *' No, by ballot," said Churchill. 
 
 *' Let's go into convention and make nominations," 
 put in Chandler, laughing. Bits of paper were dis- 
 tributed among the members. The wagon-master 
 was invited to vote and excused himself. Chandler 
 passed the hat around and Brooks announced the 
 result. 
 
 *' Harry Fairleigh !" 
 
 "You voted for yourself, Harry," said Meredith. 
 
 Two votes for Adderley, twenty-two for Roliin 
 Vincent. Mr. Vincent rose and thanked the mem- 
 bers, and relieved Harry Fairleigh by declaring he 
 had voted for him. 
 
 " Speech, speech ! " cried several of the members. 
 
 " Excuse me," said the captain, " the banquet 
 waits." 
 
 "Yes," said Eaton, "coffee without milk, and 
 pork by the yard." 
 
 CHAPTER XHL 
 
 PLUM CREEK. 
 
 The new captain had no orders to give. He 
 merely asked that the members have their fire- 
 arms loaded and ready for use. He rode gayly 
 with Fairleigh the rest of the day, with a smile and 
 
SHEXAKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON 6 BAR. 99 
 
 pleasant word for everybody, while Harry and Kate 
 were galloping over the prairie. That night they 
 camped twenty miles west of Fort Kearney. As 
 they sat by the camp-fire Harry whispered to 
 Rollin : '' Let us call on the young ladies." 
 
 The young ladies were " at home," and the even- 
 ing passed pleasantly. Miss Fairleigh congratu- 
 lated Rollin upon his election, and our hero blushed 
 like a school-boy and bowed his acknowledgments. 
 Kate remarked that she was glad Harry was not 
 elected, for if he had been there would have been 
 war at once, for she would not mind or obey his 
 orders. 
 
 *' Never mind," said Harry, '* I shall insist on your 
 both honoring and obejdng me one of these days; 
 I never expect to get you to love me, but you must 
 do the other part of the contract, honor and obey." 
 
 ** Indeed I won't." 
 
 " Indeed you will. If you say any more I wil{ 
 kiss you right before Rollin." 
 
 *' Any more." 
 
 A small fight. Harry kissed her. 
 
 " What is the matter, Kate ? " said a strange voice. 
 
 It was Mr. Fairleigh who stood looking in at the 
 front of the wagon. 
 
 " Nothing, uncle. Harry is misbehaving himself." 
 
 " Will you want your Indian to-morrow, Miss 
 Fairleigh ?" 
 
 ** The pony ? Yes, if you are not ashamed of so 
 poor an equestrienne." 
 
 " Not at all, I think you are improving wonder- 
 fully." 
 
100 SHEifANDOAB: ; OR, THU HOHIZON^S BAR. 
 
 Another step, Master Rollin was before her father. 
 
 He wished he had not said it. 
 
 " Yes, do ride, Nellie, I wish to see how you look 
 on horseback," said her father. 
 
 The next morning early the little black pony, sad- 
 dled, was led up to the *'car," the wagon halted a 
 moment and Nellie made her appearance. 
 
 Rollin assisted the lady to mount. Harry rode 
 up and the trio took to the side of the road to avoid 
 the dust. 
 
 " Your duties are not very onerous, captain," said 
 the lady. 
 
 " No, indeed, I hardly see the need of a captain 
 when we have so competent a wagon-master." 
 
 The strange scene at the camp-fire flashed through 
 Nellie's mind. She had asked her father in regard 
 to it, but he evaded her questions and when she 
 pressed the matter he answered : 
 
 '' Not now, my child. It's a long story. I will 
 tell you sometime." 
 
 ''Do you know him? — this strange wagon-master 
 — is he a good man ? " 
 
 ** Yes — yes, I believe — I know he is." 
 
 When Rollin spoke thus in regard to Mr. Hallett 
 it made " assurance doubly sure," and she said : 
 
 *' Kate and I have great faith in him.'* 
 
 Harry remarked as he touched his horse with the 
 spur: 
 
 " Good-bye, folks, you go too slow for me. I am 
 going to ride ahead with the boys." 
 
 They were alone now. 
 
 A sharp bark like that of a young dog was heard 
 on their right. 
 
SHEKAKDOAH ; OR, THE HOEIZON's BAH, 101 
 
 ** See there, MissFairleigli — that must be a prairie- 
 dog city." 
 
 Covering about five acres were numerous little 
 hills of sand, prairie dog-houses. At nearly every 
 mound was a little animal that sat upon its hind 
 legs watching the train. Many of the little fellows 
 becoming frightened would utter a squeak or bark 
 and plunge head foremost down the hole, or door 
 of their house. It is a difficult matter to get them 
 after they are shot, for if anywhere near a hole they 
 will manage to dive down it, and they are only 
 *' unearthed" by pickaxe and shovel. It is said 
 that the prairie dog only " keeps house " for other 
 parties, the prairie owl and rattlesnake, and I have 
 read that the three form a happy family on a small 
 scale. 
 
 Such, however, is not the case. 
 
 Owls are sometimes found in a prairie dog-house. 
 As a visitor, rarely if ever, a rattlesnake. If one 
 does blunder in, it is a dog-house or owl-house no 
 longer. It is safe to say that if there are any prairie 
 dog or owl undertakers in that prairie dog cit}^ 
 their services are needed at once at that house 
 where the tail of the rattlesnake was seen to dis- 
 appear through the front-door. 
 
 RoUin dismounted, raised his rifle to his shoulder 
 and blazed away ; running quickly to the animal 
 he aimed at, he managed to reach it before it 
 *' plunged below." 
 
 Upon examination it proved to be a good-sized 
 prairie dog. It was about the size of a dock-rat 
 and seemed to be a cross between a pup and a rat. 
 Some people eat prairie dogs, others find pleasure 
 
102 SHEITAXDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON^S BAR. 
 
 in tickling their palates with the steak of a horse, so 
 at least we are informed by Paris advices. 
 
 " We have yet a long journey before us, Miss 
 Fairleigh ?" 
 
 " Yes ; and notwithstanding the fatigue, I think I 
 feel that I am growing stronger." 
 
 '' Then the object of your journey will be accom- 
 plished if you find yourself entirely well when you 
 reach the mountains." 
 
 " I feel well now. But I presume it will be many 
 years before we see Harry again when we part this 
 time. You will be so very lonely." 
 
 Who was she thinking about? Two words for 
 Rollin, one for Harry evidently. 
 
 *' Yes, indeed, I dread to think of it." 
 
 A long pause. 
 
 " Try to keep Harry back. I know that he will 
 not go if you remain behind." 
 
 " If I thought so, I would. I think I would almost 
 not stay long." 
 
 Just then Harry rode up and said : " Rollin, the 
 wagon-master asks your presence front for a few 
 minutes; nothing special." 
 
 Vincent spoke to his horse, and bowing to Miss 
 Fairleigh, rode forward. 
 
 '' You seemed to be enjoying yourselves," said 
 Harry, with a smile. 
 
 " Oh ! we were," answered the little maiden, tan- 
 talizingly. 
 
 " What was he saying to you ?" 
 
 " Why such a question. He was telling my some- 
 thing I well know." 
 
 "What was that?" 
 
&HEKAi;DOAH ; Oil, THE flORIZON^S BAH. l03 
 
 "That you were a stupid, good-for-nothing, 
 splendid old brother." 
 
 "I don't believe it. Suppose now he were to 
 ask you for that little hand ?" 
 
 She blushed only a little, then said : '' I would tell 
 him it could not go without my heart." 
 
 " Suppose he asked for both heart and hand, 
 then what?" persisted the torment. 
 
 *' Why, then I suppose I would refer him to you, 
 as you seem to have so much to say about it." 
 
 " Do you know what I would say ?" 
 
 " No, nor I don't care." 
 
 ''You do; you know you do." 
 
 *' Well, then, to get rid of you, what would you 
 
 say?" 
 
 '' I'd say this : ' Old fel, I have known you for 
 going on four years, and I don't know a better, 
 truer man among my acquaintances ; take her, make 
 her behave herself, and then you'll be happy.' " 
 
 " Now, that would be a nice thing to say, ' make 
 her behave herself,' indeed, the very first thing I 
 would ask him, if he was my husband, would be 
 to make you behave yourself, and I know he would 
 
 do it, too." 
 
 " But now, seriously, Nellie ; now like a good 
 girl, would you mary RoUin Vincent ?" 
 
 " He has not asked me yet. How could I tell?" 
 
 *' Well, suppose he should ?" 
 
 " 1 will tell you what I would say." 
 
 Harry waited, — then said, ''What?" 
 
 " I will tell you what I would say some time 
 after I had made an answer to him." 
 
 That was all the satisfaction Harry could get. 
 
104 SHEiTA:J^DOAH ; OR, TSE IIORIZO>^*S BAR. 
 
 When Rollin rode up to the side of the wagon- 
 master, the old man said, ** I think we will run 
 across buffalo to-morrow ; what do 3^ou say to lay 
 over a day and have a hunt. It would do the stock 
 good to have a day's rest ; the grass is high near 
 Plum Creek, and we encamp ten miles beyond it to- 
 night." 
 
 " I am in favor of it ; I should think the rest of 
 the members would be. We can find out to-night." 
 
 They reached Plum Creek at noon. Within the 
 past few years this little dried-up stream has wit- 
 nessed many a scene of slaughter, and in every in- 
 stance the whites have suffered. The train crossed 
 th-e well-worn bridge, then halted upon the other 
 side. The Platte River is easily forded here bv the 
 Indians, who steal cautiously up the dried-up bed 
 of the ravine, then fall upon the unwary trains at 
 nigrht or earlv in the mornins^, and success at the 
 time has made them bold. A ranche stood near 
 the creek at the time the train halted. But 
 it is there no longer. The broken charred mass 
 marks the spot now. The place was a fearful one 
 in reputation before the ranche was built. Wh}' a 
 man would dare the prowling redskins to kill and 
 scalp him for the few dollars he might earn in a 
 season of travel, is beyond comprehension. 
 
 It was all quiet when our train passed. Two or 
 three of the drivers went in to get a drink of the 
 poisonous whiskey, then jumping into the saddle, 
 when they came out of the dark door of the hut, 
 they smacked their lips while the hellish fluid 
 gnawed and burned their vitals. They corralled 
 that night on the banks of the Platte, and when the 
 
SHENAIfDOAH; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 105 
 
 proposition was made to lay over the next day and 
 hunt the buffalo, it met with an unanimous " Aye." 
 
 Nearly every man that can ride a horse thinks he 
 can hunt the buffalo, and without any previous ex- 
 perience. Nearly every member was anxious to 
 join in the proposed hunt. 
 
 After considerable time had been in expended 
 "talks" as to who should remain and take charge 
 of camp, the matter was decided by ballot, that 
 but ten members should go upon the buffalo hunt, 
 and they were. Nelson, Dakin, Eaton, Howard, 
 Brooks, Chandlar, Fairleigh, Meredith, Stokes, and 
 Dunscombe. 
 
 By invitation, Mr. Hallett, the wagon-master, as- 
 sumed command of the party that were to hunt the 
 buffalo. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 " Did you see my black-faced antelope ?" 
 
 " No; who did your black-faced aunt elope with ?" 
 
 Next morning the hunting party started for the 
 
 bluffs. 
 
 The following gentlemen composed the party, 
 they had been selected at the camp-fire ; Adderly, 
 Churchill, Dumfries, Eaton, Fairleigh, Hallett, 
 Smith, Sanders, Stokes and Vincent. 
 
 All were fullv armed with rifles, revolvers, and' 
 
 knives. 
 
 They made an early start ; finished their breakfast 
 just as the sun rose, mounted their steeds, and 
 
106 SHE]S"AN"DOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOJs^^S BAR. 
 
 started upon the hunt. They reached the bluffs, 
 entered a canon, the sand was deep, and walked 
 their horses, x^lniost through the bluffs a wide 
 plain, a valley before them, and another line of 
 bluffs beyond. 
 
 '' Halt ! gentlemen — " 
 
 The wagon-master dismounted and led his mule'^ 
 by the bridle to where Vincent sat upon his horse. 
 
 " I am going up on the bluffs to see if I can find 
 anything, without wasting powder. Mr. Vincent, 
 will you hold Bet ?" 
 
 Hallett was soon upon the summit of the hill, 
 looked around down the valley, caught sight of 
 something evidently, for he started. A look of 
 pleasure came upon his sunburnt face and then he 
 descended the bluffs on the run. 
 
 ''Aha, gentlemen ! I see three antelope feeding 
 only about about a quarter of a mile away in the 
 valley in this direction," pointing with his finger. 
 Now I '11 tell you how we will arrange it, some gen- 
 tleman will have to volunteer to hold four horses 
 here while their riders crawl with me over the 
 bluffs and shoot from this way, while the remaining 
 five gentlemen will go outside these bluffs again 
 into the plain, take another canon about halt a mile 
 above, and go through the valley. You '11 want 
 your horses, for its a good long stretch, and drive 
 your game down; we will lay hid until the other 
 party begin firing, that will be our signal to knowi 
 that they have arrived upon the ground, if the other 
 party don't get them, we will ; are you agreed ?" 
 
 '' Certainly — yes; that's the best way." 
 
 <* Who are the merry-go-rounders?" asked Eaton. 
 
SHE:N'i.N'DOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOIf^S BAR. 107 
 
 *' First let me see who will be willing to hold four 
 horses and his own beside?" 
 
 " I will," said Sanders. " I am a poor shot, any- 
 way." 
 
 ''Thank you. Gentlemen, shall I divide you?" 
 
 " Cut us in two, Mr. Hallett? you are growing 
 blood-thirsty," said Stokes. 
 
 " I mean the body collective," replied the wagon- 
 master, with a smile. 
 
 " Certainly — yes ; you are the doctor, proceed 
 with the amputation." 
 
 " Messrs Dumfries, Vincent, Fairleigh, Stokes and 
 Adderly are the merry-go-rounders, as Mr. Eaton 
 calls them." 
 
 The gentlemen thus named turned their horses* 
 heads about, and were riding back up the canon. 
 
 " You understand your part, gentlemen." 
 
 *' Yes sir," from Dumfries. 
 
 ^' Au revotr, my fair lady, Harri et de Go- 
 Around," said Eaton, kissing his hand to Harry 
 Fairleigh." 
 
 " Adios, my noble lord. Sir Thomas de Telegram, 
 Knight of Malta and Count of Buffalo," replied the 
 other, laughingly. 
 
 " Confound him," said Tom, who joined in with 
 the others in the roar of laughter, " he always gets 
 best of me." 
 
 " Let us dismount, gentlemen, and work our way 
 over the hills ; we have the short cut, it is true, but 
 it is a tedious one, we will not be long waiting for 
 our friends." 
 
 All had dismounted, and Sanders had charge of 
 the horses. 
 
108 SHENANDOAH : OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 They began to ascend the bluffs. If anj^thing 
 occurs and you wish our presence, fire olfiF your re- 
 volver and we will return," said the guide, looking 
 back at Sanders. 
 
 " All right, sir." 
 
 They were toiling along in the sand, suddenly 
 Hallett stopped, caught Smith by the arm, who was 
 walking a trifle in advance, and said in a whisper. 
 
 *' Look down, right there/' pointing below. Not 
 more than fifty yards away at the foot of the bluffs, 
 were two antelopes feeding ; they had been hid 
 from view by the hollow of the hills. 
 
 " This is glorious," said the guide; " we can get 
 these fellows now before our friends arrive if we 
 work right, and then take the others also. Mr. 
 Eaton, as you are the best shot, suppose you go 
 down by this ravine with Mr. Smith to the foot of 
 the bluffs, keep the side of the ravine between you 
 and the antelope until you get in range. Mr. 
 Chandler and myself will fire from here at the same 
 time." 
 
 Eaton had been considered the best shot among 
 the members. He made the " bull's-eye " ring every 
 time in the pistol gallery at Leavenworth; but shoot- 
 ing at a placid target with a " bull's-eye" without a 
 wink to it is one thing, and drawing a bead on live 
 game on the plain quite another. 
 
 Upon their hands and knees Eaton and Smith 
 crawled along the gulch, they reached the foot of 
 the hills. 
 
 " I think, Eaton, you had better take first shot," 
 whispered Smith. 
 
 They now began to crawl up the ravine. Tom 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 109 
 
 cocked his rifle and was read}- to fire as soon as 
 they came in sight of the antelopes. 
 
 They reached the top of the ravine and faced 
 their game. 
 
 An antelope is a beautiful animal ; and to see it 
 bounding across the plain it seems the very embodi- 
 ment of graceful motion. When once captured, they 
 become very tame ; the large, liquid black eyes seem 
 full of affection, and they will come at your call. 
 
 Tom raised his rifle ; the buck that was nearest to 
 him raised its head and looked him full in the face, 
 never offering to run, but gazed at him as much as 
 to say : 
 
 ". Who are you, sir? and what do you wish?" 
 
 Tom glanced his eye along the barrel. The great 
 black e3^es of the antelope were fixed on the hunter ; 
 and as he said afterward : 
 
 " Ton my word, it was deuced romantic, but it 
 seemed like murder to shoot. I felt as if I was 
 drawing a bead on a human being." 
 
 The doe also raised its head with the buck and 
 both watched the hunter. 
 
 " Why don't you fire?" asked Smith. 
 
 This seemed to arouse Tom to the fact that he 
 was hunting antelope, and he tried to take aim, but 
 his nerves were all unstrung. The rifle shook like 
 a reed shaken by the wind, in his hand. He tried 
 to stead)' himself a little, then fired. He saw the 
 ball strike in the sand full thirty yards beyond the 
 antelope. The buck never moved, but stood still 
 looking at him as if in surprise. Eaton's rifle was a 
 breech-loader, he threw out the old burr, put in a 
 
110 SHENAN'DOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 fresh cartridge, and brought the piece again to his 
 shoulder. 
 
 This time the buck wheeled around and, followed 
 by the doe, started on a run out into the valley. 
 
 Tom pulled the trigger and again the ball went 
 wide of the mark. 
 
 It struck somewhere out in the middle or the 
 valley. 
 
 Crack, went the report of a rifle from the hill- 
 top. 
 
 The buck jumped up in the air and fell back upon 
 its side, dead. The doe ran over into the bluffs 
 upon the opposite side of the valley. 
 
 ''Come up, gentlemen; we will let the buck lay 
 until we come back, I don't think the wolves will 
 scent him right away.'' 
 
 Eaton and Smith ascended the hill. The wagon- 
 master smiled at Tom as he came up. 
 
 " Ton my word now that's romantic to miss a 
 shot in that way ; mischief take it, I don't know 
 know what was the matter with me. He looked at 
 me, the great black eyes seemed full of wonder and 
 my hand shook like a leaf. Plague take it." 
 
 " Why, it was the buck fever, Mr. Eaton ; don't 
 blame yourself, everybody has a time of it. Just 
 nurse up your nerves a little, you will probably hit 
 the next one if you have anything of a chance. 
 Every hunter has to have the buck fever. But 
 hasten on gentlemen, our friends will soon be in the 
 valley. 
 
 They travelled on for some minutes in silence, 
 then the guide approached the edge of the bluffs 
 and looked into the valley. 
 
SHENAIN'DOAH ; OE, THE HORIZOK's BAR. Ill 
 
 " Hold, gentleman ! We are near the three we saw 
 at first, let us now crawl down near them, conceal 
 ourselves and wait for the other party." 
 
 As they were crawling down they heard shots 
 fired, they raised their heads and saw Dumfries and 
 the others riding down the valley coming toward 
 them with two antelopes about fifty yards in front 
 galloping, the white tufts of the animals tails seemed 
 like snowy plumes. 
 
 '* Fire when they get opposite to us ; take good 
 
 aim." 
 
 Down they came and when they were right in 
 front, the wagon-master said : " Rise and fire." 
 
 They did so; both antelope fell within a few feet 
 of each other. 
 
 The hunters now met in the middle of the valley ; 
 Fairleigh, who was a little in the rear of the horse- 
 men, came up with a fine doe laj^ing across the sad- 
 dle in front of him. 
 
 The wagon-master looked at the two last killed, 
 and they proved to be two fine does, quite young 
 ones. 
 
 They were laid across the horses of Vincent and 
 Dumfries, and the party proceeded down the valley. 
 
 '' Halloa," said Fairleigh, " there goes a wolf." 
 
 Sure enough, a wolf had discovered the carcass 
 of the antelope first slain, and was making toward 
 it. 
 
 He turned around as he saw the party coming 
 down and ran toward the bluffs to the left. 
 
 Fairleigh raised his rifle and taking aim, fired. 
 The wolf gave a yelp and ran up the bluffs minus 
 his tail. 
 
112 SHENAIS'DOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 " Cruelty to animals,'* said Stokes. 
 
 The wolf had evidently lost his head by having 
 his tail shot away, for he ran round and round yell- 
 ing: exactly like a wolt with his tail off. 
 
 '' I will put him out of his misery," said the wagon- 
 master. " Whoa, Bet." 
 
 Crack, went the rifle, and the wolf ceased his 
 yelping. 
 
 The buck killed by the wagon-master was a large 
 one and it was thrown across Bet in front of the 
 wagon-master. Sanders had walked up leading the 
 horses to the spot where the buck lay. All were 
 mounted now, and they concluded to start for 
 camp. It was hardly ten o'clock and they could 
 reach the wagons within an hour. 
 
 '' Let us go and take a look at the wolf," said 
 Churchill. 
 
 The wolf had fallen on the side of the hill near 
 the mouth of the canon, where the hunters had en- 
 tered, and as it was only a little out of their way, 
 they all rode toward the spot. 
 
 It was the ordinary grey prairie wolf. The mem- 
 bers took a good look at it. 
 
 *' Shall I skin it ?" said Stokes to the wagon-mas- 
 ter. 
 
 " No, I think not ; it would not pay you for your 
 trouble," was the answer. 
 
 Churchill had walked out upon a kind of table 
 land. He had dismounted and with his field glasses 
 to his eyes was looking up and down the valley. 
 
 " Oh, bo3's ! dismount, and come here, just see 
 the buffalo," all dismounted; the wagon-master 
 advanced out near Churchill. . 
 
SHEiTAKBOAH : OR, THE flOBIZON*S BAR. Il8 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 " And to avoid the foes pursuit, 
 With spurring put their cattle to't. 
 And till all four were out of wind 
 And danger too, ne'er looked behind." 
 
 Hudibras, 
 
 '' Buffalo ! where ? Let me have the glass. Ah, 
 \%6 a herd of ponies, Indians must be near, I thought 
 aO. Down into the cafion and make for the camp ; 
 they see us." 
 
 A party of Comanches had halted to allow their 
 ponies to graze in the fertile valley, and as it is their 
 custom to place lookouts upon the bluffs when near 
 them, the hunters were soon discovered. In a 
 twinkling each pony had a rider upon its back, for 
 the Indians lay concealed near their animals in the 
 tall grass, and now shouting and hallowing they 
 came at full speed up the valley. 
 
 Churchill had dismounted, and allow^ed his horse 
 to feed near him ; the animal was very gentle, and 
 would usually come at his call. The other mem- 
 bers had held their horses ; they were mounted now, 
 and were rapidly descending the hillside. He 
 sprang toward his horse, who, alarmed at his man- 
 ner, wheeled, tossed down his head, and before he 
 catch at the bridle-rein the frightened horse w^as 
 galloping over the bluffs. 
 
 The Indians have many advantages over the 
 whites in their battles with them. These Bedouins 
 of the plains are undoubtedly the finest horsemen 
 
114 SHEJ^AKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON^S BAR. 
 
 in the world, they are at home upon any part of 
 their animals. Their little tough ponies carry them 
 without slipping up the steep sides of the bluff and 
 over the mountains, while mounted upon the heavy 
 horses of the cavalry-service, soldiers in pursuit 
 are obliged to draw rein and watch the red man 
 upon his mountain-goat (for the Indian pony is 
 almost as sure-footed) carry their riders out of dan- 
 ger. They know the lay of the country ; every 
 ravine, cafton, and sheep-path in the mountains, 
 where the river can be forded, or where it is dan- 
 gerous to cross. 
 
 While the hunting party were struggling in the 
 deep sands of one canon the pursuers were dash- 
 ing through the hard-bottomed bed of another, for 
 the wily savages well knew that the white men 
 were making for the plains. The savages also, as a 
 general thing, dash down upon their enemy with 
 their plans carefully matured ; each man knows 
 what his duty is, and the best person is selected for 
 that duty. Many think they rush in pell-mell with 
 a wild helter-skelter, no order or previous under- 
 standing as to what shall be done. 'Tis true, they 
 rush down upon you madly, but then there is 
 method in their wild onslaught. The attacking 
 party is under the command of one chief (captain), 
 if he falls another chief (if the party is sufihciently 
 large to warrant the presence of more than one) 
 takes command. If he is also placed hors du combat^ 
 one of the braves (lieutenants) commands the war- 
 riors (privates) in the battle. 
 
 Churchill started to run after his horse. The 
 sand was deep in the ravine, and he made but poor 
 
SllEl^ANDOAfi ; OU, THE HORtZON^S BAH. 115 
 
 progress, stumbled and fell, rose again only to fall, 
 and when Tom Eaton turned in his saddle he was 
 kneeling with his head in his breast in utter de- 
 spondency. 
 
 " Self-preservation is the first law of nature." 
 The hunters in their flight to save their own lives 
 spurred their animals through the sand. 
 
 *' My God !" exclaimed the wagon-master, as he 
 turned a sharp bend in the caiion and saw the 
 riderless horse, with stirrups swinging, at full speed 
 ahead of him'. 
 
 " My God ! where is the man who was on that 
 horse?" 
 
 " Churchill, his horse broke away from him on 
 the bluffs. Poor fellow, we wnll have to leave him," 
 said Adderley with a sigh, at the same time driving 
 the spurs deep into his horse's side. 
 
 "No, I'll be d — d if we will leave him!" broke 
 out Tom Eaton. He checked up, looked back, and 
 there was Churchill kneeling in the sands. To 
 'wheel round and dash down to him was with Eaton 
 the work of a moment. 
 
 As the brave iron-gray jumped through the sand, 
 the foam-wreaths lay like crested Avaves along the 
 panting sides, the red nostrils extended, and the 
 eye was full and bright. 
 
 The Indians were almost abreast of them in the 
 next cafton. Their yells and shouts sounded fear- 
 fully in their ears. They would evidently be cut 
 off. 
 
 Churchill heard a^well-known^voice and he raised 
 his eyes. 
 
 " Quick ! Mount behind me !" ' 
 
116 SHEl^ANDOAH ; Oil, THE HORIZOK^S BA£. 
 
 He obeyed ; and now the noble steed with its dou- 
 ble freight turns again down the ravine or canon. 
 
 " On ! on ! good iron-gray. This race is to the 
 swift alone." 
 
 Now a heavy slough. The tired animal is almost 
 up to his knees in mire. He struggles. Both 
 young men dismount and urge him on. They do 
 not mount for some time, as the sand is deep. They 
 run along by the side of the horse. They seem to 
 go faster this way. 
 
 Harder ground now. They catch a glimpse of 
 their friends just turning a bend in the canon. 
 On they run by the side of the reeking iron-gray^ 
 each has a hand upon a bridle-rein, while in the 
 other is a cocked revolver. 
 
 A shout. The party in advance have gained the 
 plains. 
 
 Hark ! a lull ; now a rattle of small arms. 
 
 The Indians had gained on the hunters. They 
 had reached the plains before them, and now began 
 the ride for life. Turning in their saddles, the 
 whites discharged their revolvers at the foremost 
 foemen. 
 
 Two or three fall from their ponies. There is a 
 moment's confusion, and the iron-gray with his 
 heavy load (for the young men had mounted after 
 the hard ground was reached) dashed upon the 
 plains out of the canon. 
 
 " Speed ! iron-gray, speed !" 
 
 Camp is in sight. It is nearer the hunters than 
 it is to the savages by only an eighth of a mile. 
 
 The noble horse is nearing a little stream about 
 three feet wide with tall grass and willows. The 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. Il7 
 
 water is clear. If the steed stops to drink they are 
 lost. 
 
 Whizz ! an arrow goes by them They can dodge 
 the feathered shaft at their distance. They reach 
 the stream. The rein is tightened. 
 
 " Over, lad, over." 
 
 He clears the stream and the bushes ; seems to 
 fiy by them. 
 
 The other hunters are but one hundred yards in 
 advance. 
 
 Yet the savages are gaining on them. 
 
 They will follow them to the very mouth of the 
 corral. 
 
 They see Pedro driving up the stock. At the 
 camp they are preparing for an attack. 
 
 The wagons are drawn closer together. The 
 mules and horses of the members Avho have re- 
 mained at camp are safe within the corral now. 
 
 Pedro and others are drawing a rope across the 
 mouth of the corral to keep the animals in. 
 
 Adderley, who is far in advance of the others, 
 rides in. 
 
 An arrow glances over Eaton's shoulder. Nearer, 
 nearer they come, )^et the hunters dare not look 
 behind. The foremost party have reached the 
 mouth of the corral. The rope is withdrawn, and 
 in they dash. Whizz, an arrow strikes Churchill 
 in the back. He shrieks with pain, and his arms 
 clasp Eaton tightly around the bod}^ The jaded 
 beast is ready to drop. Mem^bers standing upon 
 wagon-tongues with their rifles read}^ wait a chance 
 to fire, and wave them on. The young men have 
 
118 SHEiTAN"DOAH ; OR, THE HOKIZO]!^*S BAR. 
 
 reached the road. The Indians abandon the chase^, 
 check up suddenly, and let fly a cloud of arrows. 
 
 Both young men are hit, yet do not fall from the 
 spcddle. 
 
 The faithful steed reaches the corral. The rope 
 is lowered. He stumbles in, and as the young men 
 leap to the ground, the poor tired gray falls quiver- 
 ing in the centre of the corral. 
 
 " Fire !" shouted Meredith, who was in command. 
 A loud report just as they entered. The animals in 
 the corral plunged madly around, brayed, neighed, 
 kicked and stamped. They essayed to rush out, but 
 the whip of Pedro was worse music to their ears 
 than the discharge of fire-arms. 
 
 Meredith was the first to discover the approach 
 of the Indians. For the savages had emerged from 
 their canon before the hunters came from the sandy 
 one that seemed their unfortunate choice. Their 
 salvation lay in the fact that the cafion of the 
 Indians lay full an eighth of a mile farther away 
 from camp, as well as that the Indians had some- 
 thing of a start. Meredith awoke the sleeping 
 drivers, who lay under their wagons; members 
 were hurried out of tents, and word was taken to 
 Pedro by Pritchard, Jr. 
 
 All were armed and placed behind the wagons, 
 waiting only for the hunters to arrive. 
 
 " Fire !" shouted Meredith, as Eaton and Churchill 
 rode into camp. There was some confusion in the 
 ranks of the savages. As the Indians were tied in 
 their saddles, the whites were not likely to know 
 the number of killed and wounded. The Indians 
 withdrew a little way just beyond rifle reach ancj 
 
^ SHEi^ANDOAS: ; on, 5:he HORIZON^S BAit. Il9 
 
 seemed to be holding a council of war. They have 
 resolved upon some plan, for they ride off in pairs 
 slowly, and as they ride they circle in so as to sur- 
 round camp, and yet be at equal distances out of 
 rifle range. 
 
 They ride faster now and their arms are on the 
 bow-strings. 
 
 They are evidently looking for a weak point to 
 attack. 
 
 Nearer and nearer they draw the lines of the 
 circle, and arrows fall against the wooden sides of 
 the wagons, or pass through, and through the canvass 
 covers and fall inside the corral. The wagon-master 
 now advises the members to fire whenever a good 
 chance offered. 
 
 One or two shots have been fired from camp. 
 The balls have fallen within the circle. " Aim 
 higher," said the wagon-master. Eaton raises his 
 rifle and takes good aim at an Indian — he fires — a 
 redskin is seen to throw up his arms and fall back 
 on his pony who wheels out of the ring and trots 
 oft to where a little knot of Indians are standing. 
 
 " A good shot, Mr. Eaton, and on the wing. You 
 are recovering rapidly from the buck fever," re- 
 marked the wagon-master, kindly. 
 
 The circle is made larger. The Indians still con- 
 tinue to ride around, firing arrows at intervals. 
 Three cavalrymen are saddling the horses of the 
 soldiers in the corral. 
 
 " I'll dash out if we put them ort the fly," said 
 Dumfries to RoUin. 
 
 A mule had been struck with an arrow, and was 
 shrieking and plunging among the other animals. 
 
120 SHEis ANDOAH * OR, THE lIORIZOK^S . BAR. 
 
 Pedro was busy with whip and voice when an 
 arrow struck him in the breast, and he fell off his 
 his pony. A couple of drivers drag the wounded 
 man out of the lire. 
 
 The Indians had found a weak spot. It was 
 the mouth of the corral, and they let fly a cloud of 
 arrows in among the stock, who jump around madly 
 as the shafts strike them. 
 
 Jubal had made a plunge and was half way be- 
 tween two freight wagons when a driver knocked 
 him back with the end of his rifle ; then the mule 
 was bent on breaking out and darted for the mouth 
 of the corral. He was about to spring over the rope 
 when out dashed a man from one of the wagons 
 with a stick in his hand. 
 
 "Tan back dar, Jewball. I'll lam you ober de 
 head wid dis rail." 
 
 A vigorous whack over the head, and the king of 
 the stampedoes trotted back to where the other 
 animals were braying and plunging. At a signal 
 the savages all rode off again out of rifle range. 
 Another council of war ; it was soon determined 
 whatever may be the plan, for they massed at a point 
 opposite the mouth of the corral. 
 
 " They are preparing to rush in upon us en masse 
 through the mouth of the corral." 
 
 '' Can we not close up the gap in any way," asks 
 Dumfries of Rollin Vincent. 
 
 " I fear not." 
 
 " Who commands here?" asks Maguire, who stands 
 with a rusty musket in his hand near the party. 
 
 " Captain Vincent," said the wagon-master. 
 
 " Well thin, captain, I have a plan. My wagon 
 
SHEN'ANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 121 
 
 lays outside of the corral on the right side. Give 
 me three or four min well armed ; we'll run out 
 and draw it across the mouth." 
 
 " A good plan and it shall be done." 
 
 The wagon of the ex-corporal was smaller than 
 the freight wagons of the mining company, and 
 Maguire never formed in the corral, but always 
 drew up to right or left of one of the sides as it 
 might happen. 
 
 ** Who will volunteer, gentlemen ? You hear the 
 plan," said Rollin. 
 
 Meredith, Pollard, Brookes, and Stokes were 
 ready. They crawled under the wagons on the 
 right side of the corral and had seized hold of the 
 emigrants' wagon, Meredith and Stokes at the pole, 
 the others with their shoulders to the wheels. 
 
 " Gentlemen, this way all of you," said Rollin, 
 who stood at the mouth of the corral. 
 
 All started at the order save the party who were 
 at the emigrants' wagon. 
 
 " Ready !" 
 
 Every rifle was raised. 
 
 *' Aim ! — wait for the word." 
 
 The emigrants' wagon was just rounding the end 
 when the Indians started forward on the run. 
 
 The wagons was half way across the gap. 
 
 *' In the corral with you, every man." 
 
 Down came the savages, their arrows upon a 
 string. 
 
 Now a whoop ! 
 
 '' Fire !" 
 
 The Indians were thrown into confusion, A 
 
123 SHEN'ANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 3-o. 
 
 feathered brave mounted on a large white horse 
 rallied them. 
 
 Now like the wind they ride around the camp, 
 the arrows rattle against the sides of the wagons or 
 tear through the canvas covers. 
 
 Eaton looked at his horse who still lay panting 
 near the mouth of the corral ; with a sigh he turned 
 away and watched the foe. 
 
 At a signal from the Indian on the white horse a 
 group who have remained motionless on their 
 ponies while the others have been riding around 
 the wagons. They all rode slowly off in the direc- 
 tion of the bluff. 
 
 " They have given it upas a bad job, we will keep 
 the stock in the corral to-night. Boys (to the 
 drivers) feed the mules from your wagon boxes," 
 said the wagon-master. 
 
 As soon as convinced the enemy had retreated, 
 RoUin and Harry hastened to the " car" where they 
 found the young ladies sitting quietly upon their 
 trunks. Both were very pale, yet they made no 
 outward demonstration of fear. 
 
 " Hurrah ! the red devils have departed," shouted 
 Harry as he put his arms around Nellie and gave 
 her a kiss," and then turning to Kate he saluted her 
 also. His cousin made no resistance this time. 
 
 " Have they gone, Mr. Vincent ?" asked Nellie, 
 and in spite of herself, a tear rolled down her cheek. 
 
 '* Yes, Miss Fairleigh, you can see them by looking 
 out ; yes, there they go, into the bluffs." 
 
 *' Oh you had a very narrow escape," and the eyes 
 swam again, and she reached out her hands to 
 RoUin who held it fast within his own. 
 
SHEiTANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 123 
 
 " Think of poor Eaton and Churchill, Kate." 
 " What of them ?" asked the lady, in alarm. *' Are 
 they killed ?" 
 
 " No, they had a very narrow escape. Churchill 
 in some way or another lost his horse just as we 
 discovered the Indians in the valley. In the hurry 
 of the moment no one saw his misfortune save Ad- 
 derley, and he never said anything about it until we 
 saw the horse ahead of us when we turned a corner 
 in the caiion and Mr. Hallett asked whose horse 
 it was, and Adderly said it was Churchill's, and 
 added, it is a pity, but we must leave him, or some- 
 thing like that. Before we knew what to do we 
 could hear the Indians yelling in the next caiion, 
 and they seemed to be gaining on us. Tom Eaton 
 said, * I'll be hanged,' or something like it, ' if we 
 leave him,' and off he started back after Churchill. 
 We asked the wagon-master what we had best do, 
 to remain and wait for him or push on ? Mr. Hal- 
 lett said, we had better ride to the mouth of the 
 cafion,' and as it was in sight of camp, those who 
 had remained behind with the drivers and the cav- 
 alrymen would see us and come to our rescue ; then 
 he said to have our rifles ready and when we came 
 out of the corral to draw up and fire into them if 
 they were near, that this would check them a little, 
 and if Eaton and Churchill were close behind us it 
 would give them a better chance to escape. Any- 
 way, he said, we would certainly lose our lives if 
 we remained, and there was a chance of all escaping 
 if we followed his advice ; we all agreed with him 
 and we gained the plains just as the Indians came 
 out of their canon. They came after us yelling and 
 
124 SHEKAXDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZO]!^'S BAR. 
 
 shouting, and the wagon-master ordered us to halt 
 and fire, and we did so, all save Adderly, who was 
 so frightened that he spurred his horse harder than 
 ever and rode for camp." 
 
 " The contemptible coward," said Kate, her hand- 
 some lip curling with scorn. 
 
 All this time the little dimpled hand lay within 
 the warm grasp of our hero. The eyes of the maiden 
 were fixed on her brother, who seemed in the midst 
 of the fight again. 
 
 *' Just as we raised our rifles we saw Eaton and 
 Churchill mounted on Tom's gray Percy appear at 
 the mouth of the canon and make for us ; we waited 
 as long as we dared, then the wagon-master said 
 ' fire !' and we let fly at them. It gave them a check 
 at any rate, and when Eaton and Churchill were a 
 good distance in advance we struck out once more 
 for camp ; just as we dismounted, in came the horse 
 with his heav}^ load, the boys jumped off and poor 
 gray Percy fell down exhausted. 
 
 " The poor horse," said Nellie who was as sym- 
 pathetic as her brother. 
 
 The young men now left the *'car" to attend to 
 their horses. 
 
 As they crossed the corral, two drivers each with 
 a gunny bag in their hands were rubbing the dying 
 steed. 
 
 The guide stood near with his arms folded. 
 Cicero was kneeling near the horse's head sponging 
 the animal's mouth with brandy. 
 
 Churchill and Eaton, both of them pale from loss 
 of blood, with their wounds still undressed, were 
 leaning against a wagon near at hand. The dark 
 
SHEi?"AJ5^D0AH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 125 
 
 eye of the steed, once so brilliant and piercing, was 
 lustreless and heavy now. 
 
 " It's no use men. It's all over with the poor 
 beast." Eaton looked at the wagon-master as if he 
 hoped for a contradiction ; but the latter shook his 
 head, folded his arms and answered : 
 
 " I fear so." 
 
 The muscles along the neck and chest of the horse 
 were swollen with the agony of the late conflict, 
 and the w^hite foam lay in ridges along the flank. 
 The dying horse ever and anon would raise his 
 head and look about as if begging to be relieved 
 
 of pain. 
 
 ** Poor Percy," said Tom, his lip quivering ; " he 
 carried me safely through the war. Money could 
 not have bought him ; he was worth his weight in 
 gold. My sisters and brothers used to pet him, 
 and he would come at my mother's call. He did 
 nothing but roam the fields at home. The old fellow 
 that had heard cannons roar and muskets rattle 
 would let the youngsters climb upon his back by 
 seizing hold of his tail ; he was as gentle as a lamb 
 with them. Now to think that the brave old horse 
 — " Tom knelt down and took the sponge from 
 Cicero's hand. 
 
 " To think he must die, I can't stand it," and the 
 tears fell thick and fast. " Can't you get up Percy, 
 try old fellow; up lad, up!" 
 
 The horse essayed to obey the command, raised 
 his head, gathered his legs together; the little crowd 
 that had gathered around drew back, so as to give 
 room. 
 
 '' Up lad ! " 
 
126 SHEXANDOAH ; OK, THE HORIZON^S BAR. 
 
 The effort was made, yet the strength had de- 
 parted and with a groan the legs were stretched 
 out and the head was laid down upon the grass 
 again. 
 
 " He go soon ; see how he roll he eye," said Cicero, 
 solemnly. 
 
 " And thin look how pale he looks in the face av j 
 him," put in Maquire, earnestly. 
 
 The dying steed raised its head looked around, 
 as if for some one, and neighed faintly. 
 
 Tom advanced from the circle of members. The 
 horse seemed to know him, pointed his ears a little 
 then laid them back as if in play, The tears 
 streamed down the face of the man, and he knelt 
 on one knee and looked in the eye of the horse as 
 the head sank upon the grass again. The limbs 
 stiffened out, — a groan ; the head was extended out 
 so as to reach the knee of the master. Even to the 
 last gasp the poor beast seemed to know who it was 
 that was near. 
 
 A low groan. 
 
 The horse was dead. 
 
 " Poor Percy ; no wolf shall feed on your limbs, 
 or crows pick out your once bright eyes. Who'll 
 help me dig a grave?" 
 
 '' I," said Churchill, advancing. ** It's the last 
 thing I can do for the poor beast that served me 
 well in the hour of need." 
 
 A grave was dug a little way from camp. The 
 members helped to draw the dead animal to it, and 
 the good steed was buried and the party returned. 
 To keep the wolves from digging the poor horse 
 
SHEITAKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 127 
 
 up, Eaton built a rough fence around it during the 
 afternoon. 
 
 Churchill was busy in his tent. He borrowed a 
 saw and a jack-plane of the wagon-master, and from 
 the stores of the company he obtained paints and 
 brushes. When he came out at sunset it was with 
 a head-board, rudely made 'tis true, a white board 
 with a semi-circled top, with black letter. It was 
 placed over the grave. And to-day, on the level 
 plain, near the Platte River, on the right of the 
 road between Cottonwood and Jack Morrows* 
 ranch, is a mound inclosed within a fence, and a 
 board with the following inscription : 
 
 PERCY, 
 The Faithful Horse 
 
 of 
 
 Thos. Eaton, of New York. 
 
 Died Sept. ig, 1865, 
 Aged 10 Years. 
 
 And this head-board is still seen on the plains in 
 
 1868. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 THE STAMPEDE. 
 
 It had been unusually warm in the morning. At 
 noon the heat was so intense that the member of 
 the mining company were loathe to mount their 
 horses and they did not resume their journey until 
 late in the atternoon. The road was dusty for the 
 travel in and about Juiesburg was very great at 
 
128 she^-andoah; or, the horizon^'s bar. 
 
 this season and great clouds of dust rose from the 
 shuffling feet of the tired animals. Adderly found 
 refuge from the rays of the sun in a wagon where 
 both he and Churchill kept their effects. He was 
 little inclined to take upon himself anything like 
 exertion or fatigue. The faces of members and 
 drivers were begrimed with dust and they resem- 
 bled with their sunburnt faces the savages whose 
 fierce encounter they had recently passed. Here 
 and there along the road wagon trains were cor- 
 ralled and at every such resting place the mules of 
 our mining party, believing that they were unduly 
 persecuted, sent up piteous and far-resounding 
 brays. The wagon-master was desirous of pushing 
 on to a point where he said that he knew that the 
 grass was good and high and the water clear and 
 sparkling. Such place was soon after reached, and 
 with a loud hurrah the members saw the wagon- 
 master turn from the road upon a green plateau to 
 the right of it and slip his saddle and bridle off his 
 mule, which was the signal readily understood by 
 the members that this was the camping-ground for 
 the night. 
 
 Old Bet was too tired to strav to the river bank, 
 but took a refreshing roll in the dust of the road. 
 " This terrible heat surelv foretells a thunder- 
 storm," said Hallett to the members as they were 
 driving in the stakes of their tents. " Be sure and 
 drive them down well, because your houses may 
 be down on your heads before the night is over.'* 
 Dinner was hastily prepared and thoroughly en- 
 joyed by the tired gold seekers. The members 
 had lit their pipes and were sitting or reclining in 
 picturesque attitudes about the corral when ^ (ar» 
 
SfiDl^'ANDOAil ; OR, ME HOEtZOK^S BAR. 129 
 
 off rumbling sound was heard, and the members 
 looked up into each others faces inquiringly. '' I 
 thought so," quietly remarked the wagon-master, 
 *' this is the beginning of the storm." In less than 
 a quarter of an hour, the heavens grew black, the 
 trees along the river bank swayed to and fro, and 
 the tempest burst in fury upon the camp. Tents 
 were blown down, camp-kettles and cooking-uten- 
 sils were blown hither and thither, rain came down 
 in torrents, and the thunder was incessant. The 
 members good-humoredly gathered up their flying 
 camp equipage, and endeavored in the pelting rain- 
 storm to erect the tents which had been blown 
 down. The wagon-master had disappeared ; he re- 
 turned, however, in a few moments and said to 
 Brooks that he had given the herder additional 
 orders in reference to the stock for at such time the 
 animals were likely to stampede. The storm still 
 raged with great fury ; the thunder was terrific, and 
 after a peal which had caused the members to gaze 
 at each other in wonderment, there was a peculiar 
 sound which caused the wagon-master to jump up 
 from the box upon which he was sitting in Fair- 
 leigh's tent and exclaim, '' it is as I thought ; they 
 have stampeded." By the wise forethought of the 
 wagon-master a half dozen horses had been placed 
 within the corral ; these animals by some instinct 
 seemed to know that of the fiying herd, for either 
 that or the terrific war of the elements had made 
 them extremely restive. " Mount, mount," said the 
 wagon-master, " and after them." 
 
 To mount and saddle the horses was the work of 
 a I'ew moments. The wagon-master leaped in the 
 saddle of one of the horses and assuming command, 
 
130 SHEKAKDOAH ; OR, THE SORlZON^'s BAB. 
 
 led the way for Brooks, Meredith, Fairleigh, Vin- 
 cent and Dakin, and they hastened after the flying 
 animals. It was a mad chase with the young men 
 far in the rear. After an exciting race four or five 
 miles, the wild animals Avere overtaken. A hot 
 race ensued to reach the foremost or leading spirit of 
 the stampede. This proved to be — ignoble thought 
 — a mule. When the wagon-master, who had been in 
 the lead of the members had outstripped the stam- 
 peders, he turned in his saddle with extraordinary 
 quickness and swinging his long black whip about, 
 descended on the flank of the escaping rebel with 
 such force as to extract from him a snort of defeat 
 and surprise, for he threw himself back upon his 
 haunches and seemed to be willing to give his 
 parole for future good behavior. Their leader's 
 tactics, the balance of the herd soon followed, and 
 in a few moments they were trotting back to camp 
 as gentle as kittens. 
 
 "I wonder what caused them to run?" inquired 
 Vincent of the wagon-master as they rode abreast 
 to camp. *' I cannot tell. A trifle will stampede a 
 herd, a leaf blown by the wind, a little dog, a thunder- 
 storm," and then adding slowly, " a man. This time 
 I believe it was a man, a renegade, who well knows 
 the movements of the train." 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 "A STEED CAME AT NIGHT.*' 
 
 It was quite dark when the party returned to 
 the train, saddles and bridles slipped off, and the 
 members once more retired to rest. 
 
SHENAKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOJ^^S BAR. 131 
 
 Meredith, who was on guard, came to Vincent as 
 the latter entered his tent. " I hear an unusual 
 noise down by the river bank, and I have heard it 
 for some time; I wish you Avould come with me 
 and ascertain what it is." Together they crept 
 noiselessly down by the river bank. The calm sun 
 face of the water carried the sounds across like g 
 telephone. Strange voices, the unintelligible sound 
 of Indian gutturals ; then came a caution in English 
 *' Be quiet there !" This unusual occurrence was 
 reported to Hallett, Avho at once repaired to the 
 river bank. Ere he had reached it, the party was 
 surprised to see a small ball of fire rise in the air 
 from the bluffs facing them, then another and an- 
 other, as if they had been sent from a firework 
 known as a roman candle. '' It is either the troops 
 at Julesburg signalling some scouting party or else 
 it is Indian and half-breed deviltry ^s big as a 
 wood chuck. Captain Vincent you better redouble 
 the guard, and I will bring the herd in nearer to 
 the camp and in the corral if necessary." 
 
 The mysterious signals and the strange words of 
 the wagon-master as to the stampede puzzled Rol- 
 lin Vincent. Who was the renegade, and why was 
 it one who well knew the movements of the train ? 
 Constantly they recurred to his mind, and he fell 
 into a broken rest undisturbed bv dreams of alarms, 
 surprises, and cattle flying over the plains. 
 
 About midnight he was awakened by hearing in 
 the distance the sound of horses' hoofs ; the sound 
 came nearer, and throwing aside the flap of his tent 
 he saw a horseman dismount near the mouth of the 
 corral. The storm had cleared away. It was 
 
13S SHEKANCOAS ; OR, THE HORIZOlif^S BAR. 
 
 bright moonlight. Pritchard was on guard near 
 the centre of the camp, and at once with his rifle 
 across his shoulder advanced to where the stranger 
 was busily engaged in tightening his saddle-girth. 
 " Pardner," said the man, " I've jest bin up with 
 bo3^s at the ' burg * (Julesburg) an' hed a racket ; 
 got my tank filled fer a week; my outfit is jest 
 down the road a piece. Kinder lost my way, my 
 saddle began to slip and I stopped to fasten it up. 
 I got some Red Jacket Bitters ; here, take a little, 
 do 3^ou good, for the night is chilly." These broken 
 sentences were uttered between hiccoughs. Vin- 
 cent watched the proceedings anxiously. Nor was 
 he alone in this regard. Beneath a wagon, on 
 a rubber blanket with a saddle for his pillow, the 
 wagon-master observed the scene. The captain, 
 with no little surprise, saw Pritchard place the bot- 
 tle to his lips. *' I say, boss," continued the stran- 
 ger, " what kind of an outfit is this, anyway ?" 
 Some of it looks like a manufacturing town, steam- 
 engines and bilers, and you fellers look like soljers 
 in disguise (hie)." " It's a mining company," inno- 
 centl}^ replied Pritchard. *' Got much stock?" 
 
 *' Yes," was the response, " most every member has 
 his horse and every wagon six or eight mules." 
 
 *' Take another drink," said the stranger. " That's 
 the best stuff that you can git on the plain (hie). 
 " How far are you going ?" inquired the man. Hal- 
 lett here rose and started for the pair in the mouth 
 of the corral. As he did so, Vincent, who also 
 thought the conversation had proceeded far enough, 
 came out of his tent. " My friend, said Hallett 
 quietly to the stranger, *' the best thing that you 
 
SHEXANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON^S BAR. 133 
 
 can do is to mount your horse and go to your 
 train." '* I will go when I get damned good and 
 ready," answered the man, "and don't you forget 
 it." " Perhaps you will go before," said the wagon- 
 master quietly. 
 
 Heretofore the man had been busy fumbling 
 around the saddle-girths of his horse, tightening or 
 pretending to tighten the straps. Now he turned 
 around and for the first time Vincent and Hallett had 
 a good look at him. He was dressed in a red flannel 
 shirt open at the neck, around which was loosely 
 tied a silk handkerchief. His trousers of buckskin 
 were thrust in the top of his boots ; in a belt about 
 his waist was a navy revolver ; sharp black eyes 
 seemed to sparkle from under bushy eyebrows and 
 his face was hardly seen through an enormous 
 black beard. *' I command you," said the wagon- 
 master, " to quit this camp, and I give j^ou five min- 
 utes to do it in." The w^agon-master gave a 
 peculiar whistle ; the stranger put his hand upon 
 his pistol, drew it, and ere he could cock it a blow 
 from Vincent laid him at his feet. Enraged and 
 stunned from the effects of the blow, the man was 
 upon his feet again like a cat, but as he arose the 
 drivers who had answered the whistle of the 
 wagon-master had caught him from behind and 
 securely held him. " Bind him to a wagon-wheel," 
 was the wagon-master's next order. To force him 
 back to one of the wagons and securely pinion him, 
 was the work of but a few moments. " Search 
 him," was the next command. The stranger was 
 furious and fairly foamed with rage as he sought to 
 break loose from the cords which securely held 
 
134 SHEKAKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON^^S BAIl. 
 
 him to the wagon-wheels. " You white livered old 
 scoundrel," said he to Hallett. " I'll pay you for 
 this ; and you young feller (turning to Vincent), for 
 this blow, if I have to roast in hell for it." Every 
 sign of pretended drunkenness had disappeared. 
 " Surely I know that voice, said the wagon-rnaster, 
 and advancing closer to the stranger he gazed at 
 him narrowly. With a sudden movement he caught 
 hold of his beard, and with a quick jerk tore it off, 
 and stepping back with the disguise in his hand, 
 said, " Bent, the renegade, as I live." '' Yes, was 
 the response, and what are you going to do with 
 me ?" (boastingly). '' I have done nothing to you ; 
 you've got no charge agin me." *' Search him," 
 said the wagon-master, the search having been de- 
 layed by this incident. Two drivers commenced 
 the process. Nothing was discovered in his pockets 
 and further search was about to be abandoned, 
 when Vincent said '' search his boots." The driver 
 who attempted to pull off Bent's boot received a 
 kick in the face from the renegade, which laid the 
 man sprawling on the ground. " See here, Bent," 
 said the wagon-master, " if you attempt any further 
 nonsense I will give you no better chance for life, 
 than I would give a mad dog. I'll keep you to 
 that wagon-wheel and riddle you with bullets. 
 While I have no charge against you, I admit, I 
 would be justified in killing you as I would a 
 hyena." When one of his boots was pulled off, in 
 it was found a ronian candle, a long sheath knife 
 and a box of matches. " Where did you get that 
 Roman candle from ?" inquired the wagon-master. 
 " I got it at the Burg ; it was left over from 4th of 
 
SHEifAKDOAH ; On, THE ttORIZOX^S BAR. 135 
 
 July." '^ And 3^ou have kept it in your pocket 
 ever since." " Bent," continued the wagon-master 
 slowly, " I believe that you lie, and that its mate 
 was fired off by some of your Indian friends this 
 very night on the ether side of the river ; it is some 
 deviltry of yours." " I aint dealing with the Injuns 
 anymore, I'm doing a good square ranch business 
 doAvn on the Smoky Hill," was the reply. The 
 wagon-master shook his head. The other boot was 
 taken off the prisoner, and as it was being done, the 
 renegade protested vehemently, that there was 
 nothing in it ; that it was a hard boot to take on 
 and off ; but as it was held up aloft a piece of paper 
 dropped from it which was read by Vincent and 
 the wagon-master by the light of the lamp. It was 
 written in lead pencil, and contained these words : 
 
 " You ought to do it as soon as 3^ou can so as to 
 leave the impression that it was done by the In- 
 dians ; if you can run off the stock it will be an easy 
 matter to gobble the whole train. There is a good 
 deal of money in this party, and in the treasury of 
 it. Frank." 
 
 '' Where did you get this from," said the wagon- 
 master. " Why, that's a bisiness letter that I got 
 last fall down on the Smoky Hill. It's a square 
 deal ; I was goin* to buy an outfit out." The 
 wagon-master laughed scornfully. '' Bent," said 
 the wagon-master, I ought to turn you over to the 
 Garrison at Julesburg, to be dealt with, but as you 
 came from that direction, I don't know that there 
 is any charge against you there, and as I have none 
 to make against you, I will let you go, but with 
 this understanding. That if you ever make jour 
 
136 SHEi^-AKDOAH ; OR, THE HORlZOK^S BAR. 
 
 appearance in this camp again while its on the 
 plains, you never will come out of it alive. Unbind 
 him!" 
 
 " Give me back that letter, it doesn't concern 
 3^ou," said Bent. *' No," said the wagon-m»aster, 
 folding it and putting it in his breast; ''it is evi- 
 dence against the common enemy of mankind. 
 " This," said Hallett, turning to Vincent, and with 
 peculiar emphasis, "may be useful hereafter." 
 
 Bent at once mounted his horse. '' Look at his 
 pistol and see if it is loaded," said the wagon-mas- 
 ter to the driver, " before you hand it back to him." 
 
 The man discharged five shots into the air and then 
 handed the smoking pistol back to the man, who 
 mounted his horse and rode slowly out of the cor- 
 rall. " So you have euchered me this time," said 
 Bent, turning, and his face pale with rage. " When 
 you searched me why didn't you take these cart- 
 ridges from ray breast pocket." With the quick- 
 ness of thought he slipped a cartridge into his pis- 
 tol, wheeled in his saddle as he rode onward, and a 
 bullet whistled harmlessly by the ear of Hallett, 
 and then Bent, the renegade, was lost in the dark- 
 ness. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 DRIFTING ABOUT. 
 
 " Well, young gentleman," said Hallett, who as 
 usual, was riding in advance of the train, " I see 
 your scalps are still in your own keeping. 1 would 
 not advise riding so far away from the train. It 
 may be attended with ill-fortune some time." 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 137 
 
 *^ Do you think the Indians lurk around the road 
 still?" asked Harr3^ 
 
 " I have my own opinion. The scouts from Fort 
 Kearney said they had gone to the Smoky Hill 
 country. It's too soon for the buffalo to go south, 
 and where they muster you are pretty sure to find 
 Indians. Buffalo meat is about all they have to live 
 upon, and it keeps them busy about all the time to 
 get it." 
 
 '' There is antelope," remarked Harry. 
 
 " Yes, but buffalo is the main stay." 
 
 *' When will we find antelope?" inquired Rollin. 
 
 " We are in as good a place now as any I know 
 of on the road. I was thinking that if we pass Cot- 
 tonwood to-night we could afford to lay over one 
 day and have an antelope-hunt. It will give a day's 
 rest to the mules. In fact," added the guide, "it 
 will be good entertainment, and rest for man and 
 beast." 
 
 Harry asked the other members, who were riding 
 just behind them, if they agreed to halt one day, 
 and they were all in favor of " chasing the antelope 
 over the plain." 
 
 " Harry Fairleigh ?" said Tom Eaton. 
 
 " What is it, noble heart?" 
 
 ** It's deuced rom.antic to hunt, but for fear of 
 meeting larger game, have somebody go out and 
 drive up the antelopes near the wood so as not to 
 be out of sight of the telegraph poles. I have a 
 great interest in the Western Union Telegraph 
 Company, and hope their poles extend over our 
 entire journey, for when I see them I feel safe." 
 
 When the train halted for dinner, Rollin offered 
 
138 SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAE. 
 
 Mr. Fairleigh, senior, the use of his horse for the 
 afternoon. The gentleman accepted, and our hero, 
 whose heart was hghter than usual, walked along 
 b}^ the side of the road. 
 
 " Did you meet lieutenant-colonel Hoyt of the 
 i6th Kansas Cavalry while at Leavenworth ?" asked 
 Eaton of Meredith, as they rode along, puffing white '^ 
 rings out in the air. 
 
 " I did not." 
 
 *' Then you missed seeing one of the best fellows 
 that ever wore shoulder-straps. He came up to see 
 me when I was at the Fort recovering from my 
 wound. We formed quite a friendship. He is as 
 brave as a lion, and as true as he is brave. He was 
 the counsel of John Brown at Harper's Ferr3^ He 
 came west after the execution of the old man; and 
 when the w^ar broke out he was practising law in 
 Kansas. He left his office and enlisted as a private 
 in one of the first regiments, and worked his w-ay 
 up. He is very young, yet his men idolize him." 
 
 " Don't let me hear any more stories of that kind 
 about you in the future," said his wife, interrupting. 
 
 *' Well, as I was saying, we quaffed the flowing 
 bowl until the air grew balmy, and in high spirits 
 we came down to the citv. While passing through 
 the market we heard a couple of ' old clo ' dealers 
 talking. 
 
 *' ' Shacob,' said one, ' I did a big trade to-day. I 
 sold a nigger — * i 
 
 " The colonel did not wait to have him finish the 
 sentence. 
 
 " ' Sold a negro. Here in the streets of Leaven- 
 worth ! You scoundrel.* 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOK^S BAR. 139 
 
 '' The recollection of that brave old man whose 
 spirit still goes ' marching on ' flashed through his 
 mind. Before I could stop him, he was after the 
 * old clo ' man. * Sell a nigger in these days will 
 you?' he shouted, and then began the chase. 
 
 " ' No ; I didn't sell the nigger, but old pants — old 
 pants,' said the terrified man, as he dodged behind 
 stalls and over barrels, then into the street, when 
 the colonel gave up the pursuit. 
 
 "Just then the other 'old clo' 'feller* came up 
 and said : ' Dat man he only sell a nigger a pair of 
 pantaloons, dat's all.' The colonel looked at me, 
 then at the man, wiped his forehead with his hand- 
 kerchief, and broke out with : 
 
 " ' Great Jupiter, where can we get to out of 
 sight quickest?' and we availed ourselves of the 
 open door of the Planters' House in a hurry. He 
 told me a good story about poor Artemas Ward 
 when he lectured at Leavenworth. The colonel 
 was invited to preside and to introduce the lecturer 
 to the audience. Artemas, I believe, was born in 
 the same village with the colonel. They had played 
 together in boyhood, and were of course great 
 friends. Ward had just come off from the plains ; 
 and you remember, to give him a little notoriety, 
 some of the papers while he was away had said 
 that Artemas had been captured by the Indians, 
 and that while prisoner he let fly one of his * goaks * 
 in the presence of a chief who understood English, 
 and it is said the Indian roared with laughter, gave 
 him his freedom, furnished him wnth an escort to 
 the nearest military camp. When he bid the show- 
 man ' adoo,' the chief could not resist the temptation 
 
140 SHENAKDOAH ; OK, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 to take a lock of his hair to remember him by, so 
 he scalped the joker to obtain a souvenir. Of 
 course the story was ' all bosh,' yet it went the 
 rounds of the newspapers. 
 
 " Artemas arrived in Leavenworth. Now if there 
 was anything the humorist was proud of it was his 
 hair, and he really had a fine head of curly auburn 
 hair. The night of the lecture he had gotten himself 
 up regardless of expense, his hair had been curled 
 and oiled, and he looked as gay as the ' festive cuss ' 
 he used so often to speak of. 
 
 *' The hall was crowded with people. Colonel 
 Hoyt arrived with the lecturer, and both gentlemen 
 ascended the platform, took their seats, and after a 
 prelude of music, Colonel Hoyt said : 
 
 " ' Ladies and Gentlemen, — It is my pleasing dutv 
 to introduce to you the lecturer of the evening, 
 Artemas Ward — [great applause]. While Mr. Ward 
 was upon the plains, it was his misfortune to fall 
 into the hands of the merciless savage, who spared 
 his life but tore from his hgad the hyperion curls 
 that I had so often admired in the days of our boy- 
 hood. The wig that he has on this evening is kindly 
 furnisJied by tJie well-known barber of tJie Planters' 
 House, The piano used on the occasion is from the 
 warerooms of Messrs. Smith & Jones.' 
 
 '' There was one loud shout in that hall ; many 
 understood the joke. A great many, however, did 
 not appreciate it ; among the rest was Artemas, 
 who darted a fiery glance at the colonel, and began 
 his lecture. He would not foro:ive him for a lonsf 
 time ; but at last, as nobody could be angry with 
 
SHEITAN^DOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 141 
 
 the colonel long, it was all made up and they be- 
 came warmer friends than even" 
 
 '* Aha, captain dear — on foot to-day, are ye — will 
 ye take a seat beside the corporal? Yees, thin. 
 Whoa, Blossom, ye divil ! — are ye all right? go on 
 now, ye horses wid the long ears and two tails," 
 said Larry Maguire to Captain Vincent. 
 
 ** Well, corporal, how are your broken ribs?" 
 
 *' All right, nivir mind it. Many is the tumble an' 
 the kick a man gets in the cavalry ; Captain, what 
 foine days this day do be; do you feel the smell 
 of the flowers?" continued the blunderer. "An thin 
 aint it quare in the morning to hear the little invisi- 
 ble birds singin on the imperceptible trees — bedad 
 but its quare." 
 
 " Oh they sit in the grass." 
 
 " It's a quare country, anyway ; divil a stick of 
 timber as big as a match have I seen since we left 
 Fort Kearney, only the rotten bushes at Plum Creek. 
 What will they do with this country at all ? People 
 havin to make log cabins out of mud." 
 
 Just behind them was the first wagon of the min- 
 ing company. It was the " car " of Nellie and Kate. 
 
 '' Are the ladies at home, Jim ?" 
 
 " I will see, sir. Young ladies will you receive 
 Captain Vincent," said Jim, who was coachman, 
 footman, and maid-of-all-work. 
 
 *' Yes, James, show the gentleman up," replied 
 Kate with a merry laugh. 
 
 The wagon stopped and our hero entered the 
 
 " car." 
 
 The young ladies were reading, and they laid 
 aside their books. 
 
142 SHEXANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 " We are near Cottonwood, ladies, yonder is the 
 bridge," said Jim, pointing with his finger. 
 
 Cottonwood, a small frontier town is on the South 
 Fork of the Platte River, about one hundred miles 
 west of Fort Kearney. At this time it comprised 
 six or seven stores, two blacksmith shops, three sa- 
 loons, and a saddle and harness shop. Then there 
 were the government buildings within the stockade. 
 There is but one street, the road running east and 
 Avest through the town. The buildings were built 
 mainly of wood, with here and there a hut of sod. 
 The train halted for a few minutes, to allow mem- 
 bers to post letters, drivers to buy whips and lashes 
 at the well-stocked store where the post-office is 
 located. 
 
 "There is to be an antelope hunt to-morrow, 
 ladies," RoUin remarked when the train was once 
 more rolling on. 
 
 " Indeed I am glad ; there is a prospect then of 
 having something good to eat." 
 
 '' Kate," said Nellie, " I am ashamed of you." 
 
 " Why ? Because I like to eat good things?" 
 
 " Mr. Vincent are you to be one of the hunters ?" 
 
 RoUin said he did not know as yet. 
 
 *' I wonder if Mr. Eaton is going?'' asked Kate 
 with a smile, " if he does, I am sure that there will 
 be hunting — perhaps for a telegraph pole." 
 
 Tom Eaton belonged to the mess of which the 
 young ladies were members; at first, Jim used 
 to carr}^ their meals to their wagon or ''car," but 
 Kate said one day that she would not trouble 
 him, and the young ladies made their appearance 
 at the dinner table of '' our mess," and every day 
 
SHEIS^ANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOK^S BAR. 143 
 
 after that they graced the board, the top of the 
 mess-chest rather, with their presence. The young 
 gentlemen were delighted to have them, and the 
 only two china plates and cups (for all the rest of 
 the silverware was made of tin) was placed on the 
 table for them. Tom, who was very entertaining 
 and always in good spirits, and Miss Ferris began 
 to grow very well acquainted and the lady laughed 
 very heartily at him when he came, after the buffalo 
 hunt, and told the story of his misfortunes himself. 
 
 The train halted about four miles from Cotton- 
 wood and corralled on a beautiful plain within a 
 quarter of a mile from the river. 
 
 RoUin bid the ladies good-afternoon, and sprang 
 from the wagon just as Mr. Fairleigh, senior, 
 rode up with his horse. " I have had a splendid 
 ride, thanks be to you for it, Captain Vincent." 
 
 ** I am sorry I did not think of offering her to 
 you before — she is at your service whenever you 
 care to ride." 
 
 Mr. Fairleigh entered the " car." 
 
 "Aha, you did not see me on horseback?" 
 
 " Captain Vincent's horse rides as easy as a rock- 
 ing-horse ; and 'pon my word, but Hike the young 
 man the more I know of him." 
 
 Miss Fairleigh bent down her head and looked 
 over her work-basket for something she did not 
 seem to find. 
 
 " Nellie, don't bend your head down so low, it 
 makes 3^our face very red," said her father, as he 
 winked slyly at Kate. 
 
144 SHENANDOAH; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 "When thou shalt see a darksome man." — Scott. 
 
 Frank Adderly came among the members of 
 the mining company almost an entire stranger. 
 
 Churchill introduced and vouched for him. Ad- 
 derly purchased a share of the stock, entitled there- 
 fore under the rules to all the privileges of mem- 
 bership. He had not made many friends during 
 the journey. There was something forbidding in 
 his face, repelling you at first, yet a certain pleasing 
 manner at times that found favor with many, and 
 you were in doubt as to whether you liked him or 
 not. His easy address, good language, revealed 
 culture and the society of gentlemen. Fifty-five 
 years of age, but modern appliances in his skilled 
 hand fought well against the ravages of time and 
 dissipation. His eyes were small, close together 
 and loxy ; his nose straight, sharp and hawky, while 
 his form was tall, lean and rapier like. So very 
 thin, and so bloodless his face that he often de- 
 clared he made the trip more to improve his health 
 than to increase his revenue. One very noticeable 
 bad trait caused the men of the company to shun 
 him, — an entire lack of faith in anything good or 
 true. He did not think the company would prove 
 successful — " Thousands of money spent, and just 
 as you begin the game you strike the caprock anvil, 
 and away you go, — busted." 
 
 As he was as skeptical about everything, so was 
 
T^C 
 
 SHENAK'DOAS ; OR, THE IIORIZOX'S BAR. 145 
 
 he about everybody. No wonder the members 
 of the mining company gave him a " wide berth." 
 At first, however, remembering that '' stranger is a 
 holy name," they tried to make him feel at ease 
 among them. One evening as they sat around the 
 camp-fire before the train had reached the Little 
 Blue, Adderly proposed to Eaton and Stokes to 
 have a game of " euchre." 
 
 " I'll take Churchill for my partner, and you play 
 against us,'' said Adderl3\ Cards were produced, 
 a table was made of a mess-chest, and the game 
 began. 
 
 Stokes and Eaton were considered good players 
 yet they lost game after game. The good-natured 
 Tom endured defeat for a long time with patience 
 and pleasantly. At last he began to suspect " foul 
 play," and he watched Adderly closely. Suddenly 
 he laid down his cards, remarking, as he fixed his 
 eyes on Adderly and Churchill : '* Gentlemen, I 
 don't care to play any more," and rose from the 
 table. 
 
 He was not asked for an explanation, nor did he 
 offer any, though he evidently had good reasons for 
 his course. It was not from fear, for Eaton, though 
 something of a " lady's man," and a dandy, was a 
 plucky brave man withal, and one blow from his 
 strong arm would have laid Adderly at his feet. 
 Physically he was more than a match for both his 
 opponents combined. Best of all, he was a gentle- 
 man. He arose from the table and walked to the 
 camp-fire, followed by Stokes, and quietly sat down 
 on the trunk of a fallen tree. Adderly and Church- 
 ill played agamst each other in silence. That Ad- 
 
146 she:s-a:s-doah ; on, the nomzox^s bar. 
 
 derly was an expert at card playing- no one doubted. 
 The members who had gathered around to witness 
 the game moved away, making remarks in low 
 tones. The quickness with which Adderly shuffled 
 and dealt; the fan-like run with which he spread 
 his •' hand" out ; the rapid survey of the field before 
 him, showed them all that the game was not one 
 which " he did not understand." 
 
 From that night out many of the members passed 
 him in silence; no one would play with him, save 
 Churchill. The members of his mess would often 
 after supper vacate the tent and leave Adderly and 
 Churchill playing cards within by the light of a 
 lantern that swung from the ridge pole over their 
 heads. 
 
 There was something foxy in his face, and 
 snake-like in his movements that you felt something 
 of this feeling in regard to him. If you chanced to 
 make him your enem}^ that same day when you 
 were not prepared for him he would pounce down 
 upon you, no matter if you had right on your side, 
 ^nd the odds all in your favor, even then he would 
 triumph as the Indian triumphs who crawls up be- 
 hind you and tomahawks you unawares ; in short, 
 you were afraid of him. Then he never seemed to 
 make a noise with his feet when walking, but tripped 
 it in a dainty cat-like fashion. 
 
 Thus Adderly would glide up to the camp-fire, 
 when at evening the members would be laughing 
 and talking away. 
 
 No one would know he was near until they 
 chanced to turn around ; then they would ask them- 
 selves these questions ; 
 
gH'ElS'ANDOAH ; OR, THE H0IIIZ0]S^^S BAR. 14^ 
 
 " How long has he been standing there?'* 
 
 *' When did he come and how ? " 
 
 When jou looked around again — lo ! he was gone. 
 
 Upon the day of the ride for life when he came 
 flying into camp upon his horse, some of the mem- 
 bers who watched the dev^oted little band in their 
 efforts to save Eaton and Churchill were amazed 
 at the cowardice of the man, they felt like shooting 
 him down without asking any questions. Old Ser- 
 geant Hawkins of Dumfries' escort, who was a kind 
 of a chaplain among the men of his company, ex- 
 claimed : 
 
 "It is sinful to wish sudden death to smite down 
 those with whom we have been associated ; but Oh, 
 Lord, if a winged shaft should destroy yon fljing 
 sinner, thy servant would say : ' Thy will be done.' " 
 
 From that day the members seemed to shun him 
 more than ever. He made a lame kind of an ex- 
 planation, *' That he did not understand v/hat the 
 wagon-master said." 
 
 This was a lie. The members listened, but made 
 no remarks in regard to it. 
 
 The stars were shining when the train rolled out 
 of camp. 
 
 The members armed with revolvers in their belts 
 and rifles slung, were in advance. The wagons 
 moved two abreast ; in case of an attack a corral 
 could be made instantly. 
 
 The cavalrymen flanked the wagons. Pedro 
 laid upon blankets in one of the wagons least loaded ; 
 his wound was very painful, yet the herder bore it 
 bravely, and when it pained him most he would 
 shut his teeth, turn his head uneasily, and spit out 
 
148 SHEN^ANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOi^^^S BAR. 
 
 a little oath in Spanish and then shut his eyes 
 
 again. 
 
 Eaton rode the herder's pony. Churchill's wound 
 was evidently less painful, for he was in the saddle. 
 
 The train passed Jack Morrow's ranche about 
 daybreak. 
 
 Jack Morrow is a man well knowm to travellers 
 of the plains, and as the train is passing the spot a 
 hurried description of the ranche and its owner 
 will not be out of place. 
 
 Twelve miles west of Cottonwood, on the road, is 
 a good sized wooden storehouse, well stocked with 
 such articles as the trains are likely to need. Prob- 
 ably a larger and a greater variety of goods are to 
 be found here than in any other ranche on the 
 plains. When trade was carried on with the 
 Indians, this large store has been crowded with red 
 men bartering away buffalo and buckskin, furs and 
 feathers, for beads and sugar, brass chains and but- 
 tons. Morrow himself is a character, they say — 
 freighters say. He came there to the spot where his 
 ranche now stands a poor man — not many years ago 
 certainly, for he is still a young man, and if '^ they 
 say " speaks truly he is a rich man now. Certain are 
 we that no suffering human being ever made his 
 wants known at the door of Jack Morrow's ranche 
 without obtaining assistance, and in the rush, the on- 
 ward wave, which carried thousands to the region of 
 gold in " '57," and the return broken tide that flowed 
 back again — bearing the defeated and shipwrecked 
 adventurer to the shores of civilization again — many 
 a hungry man has blessed the owner of the ranche 
 twelve miles above Cottonwood. 'Tis true, Jack 
 
SHEiTANBOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOJ^t's BAR. l49 
 
 drives a sharp bargain, dealers do the same "on 
 'Change," in its caveat emptor (let the purchaser be- 
 ware) all over the world. In person the owner of 
 the ranche was rather tall and spare. Had a gray 
 eye, with a restless, pleasant expression when the 
 man is at pose, but it had a " business " glare when 
 excited. In the days when the Indians were at 
 peace with the whites, he would go off for weeks 
 at a time and hunt and fish with various tribes, and 
 he was a great favorite with them all, for he was a 
 good shot and was " hail-fellow-well-met " with 
 the *' big injuns." Personally he was as brave as a 
 lion, and numerous has been the reports, "Jack 
 Morrow has been killed and scalped." Half a dozen 
 times has this been said when accounts of Indian 
 troubles would reach the ranche by emigrants, or 
 pilgrims as they are called upon the plains, who 
 had become frightened perhaps at the screech of a 
 sand-hill crane or the waving of a bush, it would 
 not move the ranchman a jot. If he had business at 
 Kearney City or Omaha, he would jump in his top 
 buggy, lay in his rifle, draw the reins across his 
 span of bobtails, speak to them and away — Indians! 
 — devil take the hindermost. 
 
 The train rolled on. Nothing worthy of note 
 took place for many days. 
 
 Pedro is recovering. 
 
 Cicero herds the stock at night. 
 
 The mail coach is again on the road with a guard 
 of four cavalrymen, generally drunk. There must 
 be a laxity of discipline at Cottonwood. 
 
 O'Fallon's Bluffs have been passed ; a wild ro- 
 
150 SHEl^AKDOAH ; Oil, THE HORIZOK^S BAR. 
 
 mantic place, where the line of bluffs run along by 
 the river and the road descends into a wide ravine. 
 
 The train meets an ox caravan. 
 
 There is plenty of room in the bottom for the 
 trains to pass. 
 
 The wagon-masters ride up to each other and 
 shake hands. 
 
 " The train from Julesburg," so the wagon-master 
 says. 
 
 *' Meet any Indians?" asked Hallett. 
 
 *' No. Scouts say all quiet up to Denver. Been 
 troubled?" 
 
 " Yes ; started up a hornet's nest on an antelope 
 hunt, in the bluffs four miles this side Cottonwood. 
 Comanches on the warpath — going south. Co- 
 manches so far this way out of their course, I guess." 
 
 **A nybody unlucky ?" 
 
 *' Our herder is hurt pretty badly, one or two of 
 the folks scratched, that's all." 
 
 - Well, so 'long." 
 
 " Take care of yourself." 
 
 And the wagon-masters ride to their trains. 
 
 *' Get up boys, and git," from the mule drivers. 
 
 " Whoa, haw, glang, you " 
 
 " Haw now, will you," from the bull-whackers. 
 
 The scenery around O'Fallon's Bluffs is romantic 
 and picturesque. The sort of scenery as would be 
 appropriate for the music in the incantation scene 
 in Der Freischutz. Rugged cliff sides with blasted 
 trees, great roots protruding from darkened chasms, 
 a clump of leafless trees in the bottom, and a glimpse 
 of a clear river be3^ond. 
 
 Then islands — beautiful green islands in the Platte; 
 
SHE]SrAi?-DOAH ; 01^, THE HOKIZO:S-'s BAfi. l5l 
 
 SO at least thinks Nellie Fairleigh, for she stands up 
 in the wagon. Jim has thrown back the cover for 
 the young ladies, and they look out upon the scene. 
 
 "Are not those islands beautiful, Kate?" 
 
 " Yes ; see how green and wavy the grass is. It 
 seems much fresher there than along: the wood side. 
 I wish the little black pony could feed there to- 
 night. It would be a grand treat for him." 
 
 " I think the scenery just here, Nellie, resembles 
 the point where you first see the islands as 3^ou as- 
 cend the river in the Juniata," said her father, who 
 rode up mounted on RoUin's horse. 
 
 The members gather around the camp-fire that 
 night — a roaring fire, for the nights are grow- 
 ing chilly. Churchill, for a wonder, is stretched 
 upon his blanket smoking. He is lying near Eaton, 
 who sits upon a camp-stool ; one arm in a sling, the 
 other holding his pipe. He looks up at Eaton often, 
 gazes long at him, then with a sigh fixes his eyes 
 upon the fire. 
 
 Adderley is not there. There is a light burning 
 in his tent. He comes up near Churchill; stands 
 lDy him a few minutes, then the wounded man, for 
 his wound is not yet healed, rises, folds his blanket, 
 lays it over his arm, and they both retire into their 
 tent. ^ 
 
 ThWdrivers are asleep under their wagons. The 
 " dog-tents" of the cavalrymen are up ; the men 
 have built a fire and are lying around it, while Ser- 
 jeant Hawkins is singing a hymn by the light of 
 the fire. The wagon-master has just ridden in the 
 corral ; the grass was very poor where the train 
 encamped to-night, and he had crossed over the 
 
152 SHEN"AXI)OAH ; OR, THE HORIZOif's BAE. 
 
 river to the islands, the grass is good there, and he 
 orders Cicero to drive the stock over. 
 
 The mining company pay the negro two dollars 
 a night to herd for them while Pedro is unable to 
 take the field. 
 
 ** Look heah, Massa Hallett, dus you spec dis 
 chile am gwine ober on dat island fur tu stay all 
 night, and be killed by de Injuns, dats always ready 
 fur jis sich chances?" 
 
 *' You are in no more danger there than here, 
 Cicero, the guards around the corral can hear you 
 if you call. I would not let the stock go over if it 
 was dangerous. It's better over there than here, 
 for the bluffs are so near us on this side, and so far 
 from the other, that they are great hiding places for 
 the Indians. 
 
 '* Das a fac. I guess I go," and off he rode on 
 the herder's pony, singing to keep his spirits up 
 this hymn : 
 
 " De Lord he love good nigger well ; 
 He know de nigger by his smell. 
 And when his pickaninny cry, 
 De Lord he giv 'em possum-pie.'* 
 
 RoUin sat upon the mess-chest ; it had been car- 
 ried near the fire by Harry and himself for a seat. 
 
 *' Will you go over to the car, Rollin?" 
 
 " I think not just now, Harry." 
 
 The members one by one had left the camp-fire 
 to retire ; the fire was burning low. 
 
 " I am afraid you will get melancholy if I leave 
 you." 
 
 " No, I will not ; I want to think something out." 
 
 ** That means * I am going to open the door just 
 
SHEIfANDOAH ; OK, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 153 
 
 as melancholy comes along. I won't invife her to 
 come in and sit down, but I'll tempt her to do so by 
 getting- all ready to receive her.' " 
 
 Rollin smiled ; his friend was right. 
 
 '' Now, one of two things, Rollin Vincent, to the 
 tent or to the * car.' " 
 
 '' To the ' car,' then, if it's not too late." 
 
 " Early ; for the young ladies still keep city hours ; 
 and I know they are lonesome, for father retires 
 early." 
 
 The young men crossed to the wagon. 
 
 " Young females," said Harr}^ knocking on the 
 side of the " car." 
 
 '' Old gentlemen," replied Kate, from within, 
 ** what is wanted?" 
 
 *' Can Rollin and I come in?" 
 
 ''Yes, sir." 
 
 And they entered the parlor. 
 
 " Your wish has been granted. Miss Fairleigh," 
 said Rollin, gayly. 
 
 " What wish ? asked Nellie, coloring somewhat. 
 
 " Your father told me of a wish you made this 
 morning. Your little Indian is feeding in clover 
 and tall grass on one of the islands. The grass is 
 so poor on this side -of the river that Mr. Hallett 
 ordered Cicero to drive the stock across." 
 
 " How^ is Pedro, Harry?" asked Kate. 
 
 " Better. Why don't you ask about Mr. Eaton?" 
 
 '' Oh ! I'll ask him myself," replied the lady, with 
 a toss of the head. 
 
 The balance of the evening was passed in pleas- 
 fint tcilks of home and hopes for the future. 
 
154 SHEN'AXDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOX'S BAR. 
 
 Rollin seemed in excellent spirits, and caused 
 even Harry to wonder at him. 
 
 " Good-night, sweet love," said Harry in the 
 mock heroic style. 
 
 '' Oh ! hush your nonsense," answered Kate. 
 
 " Let me, prithee, kiss those rosy lips," continued 
 the torment in the same strain. 
 
 " Box his ears, Kate," said Nellie. 
 
 *' Nay, dearest, nay ! If thou wouldst — " 
 
 The lady gave him a slap upon the cheeks that 
 made them tingle. 
 
 " Catherine, for this I shall kiss thee." 
 
 Rollin waited to see the battle over; bid Nellie 
 good-night. 
 
 There was no need of hand-shaking, but he 
 reached out his, and it met the lady's. 
 
 " Good-night, Miss Fairleigh." 
 
 '' Good-night, Captain Vincent." 
 
 '' Good-night, sweet cousin Kate," from Harry. 
 
 " Good-night, you great, strong — I don't know 
 
 what." 
 
 The young men crossed to their tent. 
 
 They entered quietly for fear of disturbing the 
 sleepers. 
 
 They spread out their blankets, and laid them- 
 selves down to rest. 
 
 Harry was soon sound asleep, but Rollin laid 
 and thought of his plans for the future. Day after 
 day he had delayed asking Nellie Fairleigh if she 
 would be his wife. Each day he had determined, 
 yet he lacked the courage and put it off, waiting 
 for the inspired moment. I must ask her to-mor^ 
 
SHEKANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 155 
 
 row, he thought, as he closed his eyes. I can en- 
 dure the suspense no longer. 
 
 He had fallen asleep only to he roused at the 
 sound of fire-arms and the tramping of hoofs. 
 He rushed from his tent. The wagon-master 
 passed near. 
 
 *' It's nothing, gentlemen," said Mr. Hallett to 
 the members who came half-dressed from the tents. 
 '' Cicero became alarmed, that's all." 
 
 Some members sta3^ed up to inquire all about it, 
 but RoUin was used to- the old story heard so often 
 dui-ing the war — '' Pickets drove in captain" — that 
 he laid down in his tent and was soon with Harry 
 in dreamland. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 " What was the row last night ?" asked Harry and 
 Stokes, as the members of the mess sat at the break- 
 fast-table next morning. 
 
 " Call up the culled pusson and have him tell the 
 story in his own language," said Eaton. 
 
 "Cicero !" called out the adjutant. 
 
 " Yes, sah !" answered the negro, crawling out 
 from beneath a wagon and advancing. 
 
 " Tell us how it was that you came to alarm the 
 camp at the dead hour of night by discharging a 
 weapon called a pistol three several and distinct 
 times. The captain that commands the train desires 
 to know all the circumstances in regard to it," said 
 the adjutant, looking very stern, 
 
 " Well, den, Captain-Commander Vincent, ladies, 
 
 i 
 
156 she:n'AKdoah ; on, the horizon's bar. 
 
 and gemmen, dese am der facts, you see : I isn't 
 a regular born herder like de Mexicaner; I isn't 
 used to de tricks of managing dese yere mules no- 
 how. I impolates dese remarks jis for to show de 
 premises from which we hallucinate out to the 
 main queshun." 
 
 The ladies turned their faces aside. Eaton 
 dropped his fork and began to cough. 
 
 '* You see, den. Mister Commander, ladies, and 
 gemmen, I forthwith proceeded to sashey all de 
 mules and horses across de river under de previous 
 before existin' proclamations of the w^agon-master. 
 You see dat little clump ob trees dere, gemmen ? 
 Well, dats looks small from here, but I shure you 
 dat it am quite a thick piece of woods dere. Well, 
 I drive de mules and de bosses trew dis wood to de 
 thick grass jis de other side, and den de animals 
 commence de gasticating process of stowing aw^ay 
 der food. It was kindy dark las' night, gemmen, 
 and de feelin' of a sort of queerness come ober me 
 when I reckoflected dat de trees w^as between me 
 and de ribber. I see de light go in de camp, and 
 den dis feeling ob queerness began for to transmo- 
 grate and grow heavy. De skeeters dey jes come 
 down in clouds, and to git rid of 'em I jes rides a 
 little piece in de woods. I jes rode a little ways in 
 when — dis is de trufe, gemmen and Mister Com- 
 mander — ^I heard a groan dat jes raise de har on de 
 top of my head." 
 
 " Is it possible?" said Tom with a wank. 
 
 " Yes, sah, I heerd dis groan, and my blood almost 
 friz ; I grew as pale as a sheet" 
 
SHEJiTAiq-DOAH ; OE, THE HORIZOIS^'S BAR. 157 
 
 The ladies took out their handkerchiefs, and 
 seemed busy with them. Rollin bit his lip. 
 
 '' Is it possible ?" again from Tom with a wink. 
 
 " Yes, gemmen and ladies and Mister Captain- 
 Commander, neber in my life did I heer afore sich 
 a groan. I rode furder into de woods, and dere, 
 gemmen, I thought I must expostulate right down 
 on de spot, for I heerd the groan agin close behind 
 me, and the sound ob feet. I jes draw dis pistule, 
 Mister Commander, and started up de horse, and 
 den clus, right clus behind me come somethin* 
 a-groanin' and a-groanin'. I didn't stop to see 
 what it was, for de moon was veiled by some spo- 
 radic diffusion of de passin' cloud ; so I jes makes 
 for de ribber. I jes places dis head clus down to 
 de pony's neck ; I fires de pistule, Mister Com- 
 mander, three times in the air to aroust de camp, 
 an' in I goes into de ribber. I hears groanin' and 
 splashin' in de ribber behind me. I looks around — 
 the queen ob night — Cinthy I tink de poets call her 
 — comes sailin' out from de cloud, and dere I see, 
 gemmen and ladies. Mister Commander, a big gray 
 mule, some calls him Stonewall, and some Jew Ball. 
 De mule had de colic, and was groanin' wid it, and 
 followed me in to do sunthin' for him. Now, Mis- 
 ter Commander and gemmen and ladies, I am sorry 
 to have disturbed de trancitude ob de ebenin's 
 solicitatiou. Dese am de sole facs. I was 'larmed 
 at the queerousness of de sounds, and discharged 
 de weepon in de obsolete performance of my im- 
 posed duty." 
 
 '' It's all right, Cicero, you no doubt had just rea- 
 sons to fire off the pistol," said Rollin, for he coulcj 
 
158 SHEISTAI^DOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOi^'S BAR. 
 
 see that the negro feared that he had transgressed 
 some law. 
 
 Vincent was not the man to trifle with any one, 
 and he hastened to relieve an}^ doubt that might 
 exist in the man's mind. 
 
 Cicero in his way was a representative man. 
 He had been a slave ; was ignorant of the laws so 
 far, at least, as they related to w^hite men, and as 
 before the law they had been declared equal, he 
 did not know to Avhat extent the mere firing of a 
 pistol made him liable. 
 
 " Am I discharged, sah ?" 
 
 You never were in custody, Cicero ; you better 
 take your blanket and lie down under one of the 
 wagons and sleep. The wagon-master says we 
 won't roll out of camp until after dinner. The 
 stock are having a good time on the island." 
 
 " Tank you, sah ; good-day, ladies and gemmen." 
 
 The simple-hearted black was a faithful man. 
 He had a spelling-book, and he would spread it out 
 upon his knees, and by the light of the camp-fire 
 would learn his lesson. 
 
 Every one in camp was ready to help him along 
 in pursuit of knowledge. 
 
 " So it was Jubal who frightened Cicero, was it?" 
 asked Harry. 
 
 " Yes," replied Eaton. " Animals, when they are 
 sick or frightened, seek the protection of man. 
 Now, that mule Jubal is as ugly as Cain. Last 
 night he stood as quiet as a kitten while the wagon- 
 master gave him some medicine. After remaining 
 in camp until he felt better, he walked out, crossed 
 the river, and is now with the others." 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR^ THE HORIZON'S BAR. 159 
 
 *' We'll see. But that reminds me of a story. 
 When General Early made his celebrated raid, our 
 brigade was sent to check his advance. It was 
 Sunday morning. The general sent for the chap- 
 lain to have prayers at headquarters. He came ; 
 opened services with a hymn, and strange enough 
 it began : 
 
 " Early, my God, without delay, 
 I haste to seek thy face." 
 
 " The officers smiled, and when service was over, 
 we, ' without delay,' went to seek his face and hold 
 him in check until the main body came up, and I 
 have never seen his face since." 
 
 The ladies now rose from the table, and retiring, 
 breakfast was cleared away. The morning was 
 passed in writing letters, cleaning fire-arms, and 
 mending harness, and other small matters were at- 
 tended to that are apt to be neglected in the fatigue 
 of every-day journey. Dinner over, the train is 
 once more in motion. Five days [from O'Fallon's 
 Bluffs and they encamp at night within fifteen miles 
 of Julesburg. 
 
 Alkalie, a small military post, has been passed ; 
 a ranche, and one or two sod-huts for the soldiers, 
 and a barn for the horses of the overland mail com- 
 pany constitute the buildings of the town. West of 
 this point, about two miles the ground is covered 
 with saleratus (Alkali), it looks as if there had been 
 a light fall of snow. 
 
 Freighters are careful not to let their stock drink 
 of the springs and brooks near this point. Emi- 
 grants not aware of the danger, turn their aninial§ 
 
IGO shenai^doah; or^ the horizon^s bar. 
 
 loose. When warm they drink from some alkaloid 
 stream hid perhaps in the grass, and in a few hours 
 the poor beasts begin to suffer with pain. They 
 seek their drivers, who, as a general thing, lack the 
 proper remedies, and die after swelling up, almost 
 bursting in fact. All along the road dead animals 
 are strewn : here a carcass of a horse half devoured 
 by crows and wolves, there the horned head of a 
 steer bleaching in the snow. Beauvais Ranche — Old 
 California Crossing, lies behind them now. This 
 is a good sized ranche with a large assortment of 
 train stores. The ranche is built of logs, and there 
 is a little dwelling-house or wing to it inclosed 
 within a fence where the ranchman lives. Beauvais 
 is said to have a dark-haired daughter of the forest 
 for a wife. Judging from the name he is a French- 
 man. This place is also called Old California Cross- 
 ing — so at least says the sign board near the ranche. 
 In the days of the California gold fever trains used 
 to cross the Platte here and take the north fork of 
 the river up to Budges Post — then, Ho, for Cali- 
 fornia and Oregon ! The road is not much used of 
 late years ; few trains, save military ones with large 
 escorts, bound for the forts lying north, travel this 
 road now. And now the train lies corralled at sun- 
 set fifteen miles from Julesburg. Supper is over; 
 the stars are out. The camp-lire is burning brightly, 
 all the members are gathered around it save Ad- 
 derly and Churchill. The lantern burns in their 
 tent, a small camp-table is between them, and they 
 are playing cards. 
 
 Churchill's arrow wound has healed, but he looks 
 very pale to night. He is not the man he was whe« 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON S BAR. ICl 
 
 the journey began. There seems to be a deep in- 
 terest taken in the game, yet there is no money seen 
 on the table ; there are two little slips of paper near 
 the right elbow of each player, and the game lost 
 or won is marked down. 
 
 They do not seem to be playing for pleasure, for 
 they speak only the words used in the game. 
 Churcbill smiles at times ; it is a bitter kind of smile. 
 The game is over. Churchill passes his hand to his 
 forehead, as if to shut out unpleasant thought ; rises 
 from the stool, opens the tent door, throws back the 
 flap nervously, and with hurried steps walks toward 
 the river alone. 
 
 The soldiers have a little camp-fire near their 
 dog-tents, and Serjeant Hawkins is giving a lecture 
 upon the evils of drinking and swearing to attentive 
 listeners. 
 
 " Far be it from me, brethren, to dwell upon the 
 sins of those who have been placed over us as our 
 officers by the regular constituted authority. Yet 
 the mind cannot help dwelling upon the fact that 
 these men would be laying up treasures above if they 
 but lived better lives. There is, for instance, our 
 first lieutenant, Mr. McCann. Where can you find 
 a braver or more generous man ?" 
 
 " Yis, he give me a fine drink of whiskey the night 
 the pontoon bridge broke, and I fell into the river 
 at Fort Kearney," said a soldier named Kelly. 
 
 " Yes, private Kelly, he is generous ; but he gave 
 unto you liquid fire, but in the generosity of his 
 nature he deemed that a blessing." 
 
 " Thin, Serjeant dear, it was a ^blessing in dis- 
 guise." 
 
162 SHEl^'Ai^-DOAH ; OR, THE HORtZON^S BAR. 
 
 " Nay, Private Kelly, it's the liquid that gnaws 
 into the vitals ; thy red eyes show the too frequent 
 use of that drink, those rude, untaught children of 
 tlie forest — the Indians — justly call fire-water." 
 
 '' Nay, thin, Sergeant Hawkins, av ye plaze, it's 
 the want af it that makes me eyes to cry for it," said 
 the soldier, with a laugh. 
 
 *' Private Kelly, I fear thou art bound tor the 
 place of darkness." 
 
 '• Well, thin, I'll tell you a story. There w^as a 
 man in our company by the name of McManus, 
 Copier McManus." 
 
 " I remember him, Corporal McManus, of Com- 
 pany B. He was killed at the second battle of Bull 
 Run," said the sergeant. 
 
 " That same. Now, Copier McManus was the 
 stiddyest man for a rigular that ever you see. Divil 
 a taste of a liquor wint into his lips, or a nasty word 
 ever came out of 'em. Well, you know Gineral 
 Warren, ah, he was the boy for fightin', drinkin', 
 and swearin' ; wait now till I tell you what he did. 
 1 seed him one day, jist before the battle, sittin' on 
 his horse wid his field-glass in his hand, lookin' over 
 at some Johnnys that was firing away at our right 
 wid a big battery of guns ; well, the artillery min 
 seed the gineral and his staff so handy that they sint 
 a shell over to him." 
 
 " ' I'm a comin', Fm a comin',' sed the old shell, 
 as it whizzed through the air right for the gineral. 
 Not a bit did he move at all, but kept on looking 
 thru the glasses. The shell passed so clus to his 
 head that it knocked off his hat. One of his staff 
 picked it up and handed it to him. Thim staff fel- 
 
SHEXANDOAH ; OR, THE HOBIZOK^S BAR. lG3 
 
 lows wanted to get out of the way, but not a bit 
 did he move while the officers dodged the balls and 
 shells. Win he had seen what he wanted, he shut 
 up his glass and rode off as slowly as if he was goin* 
 to a funeral ; and thin to see thim staff fellows how 
 they looked behind them and over their shoulders 
 to see if there wasn't somethin' comin' fur thim." 
 '' Well, what about Corporal McManus?" 
 '' Well, thin, Copier McManus sez to me one day, 
 jist before we moved down into the fight, at the 
 second battle of Bull Run— and by the hookey ! that 
 was a fight, and no mistake; wasn't it, Sergeant Haw- 
 kins, dear?" 
 
 " Indeed it was a bloody conflict," answered the 
 
 other, reverentially. 
 
 " Well, thin, you know Gineral Warren used to 
 be say in' — " 
 
 " ' I want to see a few dead riglars to-day, boys, so 
 march in scales.' He used to call us scales on ac- 
 count of the brass shoulders we had. 
 
 " What about Corporal McManus?" asked one 
 of the soldiers. 
 
 '* Well, thin, Copier McManus sez to me : ' Jeems 
 Kelly, fwhat's the use of a man like you wastin' your 
 money playin' cards with the boys, for drinks and the 
 like ; doin' you no good.' Sez I, ' Copier McManus, 
 a drink has often saved a man's life.* ' Divel a onct,' 
 says he, ' but I am awful tired.' ' Take a drop,' sez 
 I, pullin' out me canteen, * there's a fine taste of old 
 mountain dew in here.' 
 
 " Well, thin, gintlemen, he had taken a step for- 
 ward to take a drink, but he smelt the liquor inside 
 and he laced about and made one step back, whin 
 
1G4 SHEKANDOAH ; OR, THE HOMZON^S BAR. 
 
 a rifle ball came along and took off the top of his 
 head. Now, d'ye see, if Copier McManus had 
 taken a swig from the canteen, he would have saved 
 his life. Now, d'3^e see, many a story could I relate 
 av how liquor has been the savin' and the makin' of 
 a man. Now when Gineral Warren — " 
 
 " Sound lights out, bugler," called out the adju- 
 tant, from his wagon. 
 
 The lights were extinguished in the camp of the 
 soldiers. The moon rose and silvered the sabres 
 of the sentries who moved round the corral. 
 
 Churchill, with a sigh, left his tent and reached 
 the bank of the river ; he staggered like a drunken 
 man. Sitting down under a tree he seemed buried in 
 thought. The moon's rays fell upon a face ghastly 
 pale. He raised both hands in agony. 
 
 " Why did I not fall upon the field of battle, then 
 I could leave an honored name. But now — " 
 
 And he wept. 
 
 At length he rose to his feet. 
 
 There was another look upon his face, that of 
 iolty determination, such as follows earnest prayer. 
 
 " I will be no party to this plot. I will save him 
 )^et, if I wreck myself in the attempt." 
 
 He walked back to camp ; he moved slowly but 
 the tread was firm. 
 
 " Who goes there ?" challenged the guard, a cav- 
 alryman, presenting sabre point. 
 
 " Friend with the countersign." 
 
 *' Advance, friend and give the countersign." 
 
 " Phil Kearney," whispered Churchill. 
 
 ** Countersign correct ; pass in." 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HOKIZON's BAB. 165 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 "Jockey of Norfolk, be not too bold." — Richard III, 
 
 Starlight and the train in motion, a short halt 
 at noon ; at two the^ag is seen floating from the 
 pole in the parade-ground of Fort Sedgwick or 
 
 Julesburg. 
 
 The members on their horses are galloping 
 over the prairie in the direction of the fort. As 
 they dash along they pass the stockade, a small sod 
 ranche upon the right hand, with rows of canned 
 fruit upon the shelves within, and corn in bags lay 
 in heaps on the floor; a small wooden building^ 
 with a porch in front, is the telegraph ofhce ; two 
 or three adobe buildings upon the left are a store 
 and blacksmith's shop (now a parade ground), a 
 very tall liberty pole in the centre, an iron howitzer 
 looks frowningly out on the world, a look-out sta- 
 tion upon the bluffs, a few straggling adobe huts 
 scattered round; 'this comprises the whole of Fort 
 Sedgwick, Julesburg, or rather did comprise it in 
 1865, probably not containing at that time, soldiers 
 and all, more than one thousand persons. Now it 
 is a station on the Union Pacific Railroad, and such 
 is the march, or rather rush of '* westward ho ! " 
 that it is a large city. Tom Eaton, on the lookout 
 for a saddle-horse to-day, sat on the same board 
 with Jim, the driver of the ''car," and as the train 
 rolled along they passed a corral of freighters, 
 where a man was cleaning a beautiful bright bay 
 
166 SHEKAi?"DOAH ; OR^ THE HORIZOK S BAH. 
 
 horse that was tied by the halter to a wagon-wheel. 
 " Isn't this horse a beauty ? ladies just look at him," 
 said Tom. 
 
 The ladies rose from their seats. Eaton pushed 
 aside the wagon cover. *' Hold up a minute, Jim. 
 The other wagons can go round you if they want 
 to. I say, — is that horse for sale ?" 
 
 The man who had his back to our party, and was 
 kneeling on one knee currying and brushing the 
 animal's fore legs, rose and turned around with — 
 ''You're mighty right, stranger; anj^thing I've got 
 is for sale. This hoss is, too, if you can ' ante ' up 
 the proper amount of stamps." 
 
 '' I think we can manage that if the horse suits 
 me." 
 
 The eyes of the man brightened. He had an 
 idea at first that Eaton only asked just for the sake 
 of " saying something" in the presence of ladies ; but 
 he assumed a deferential manner when he saw a 
 chance for business. 
 
 " Is he gentle ?" asked Tom, dismounting. "You 
 bet," was the answer in the time-honored vernacu- 
 lar of the plains ; a milder form of affirmation than 
 the other superlative expressions used in those 
 benighted times and regions, such as 3^ou " can bet 
 your bottom dollar," or ''you bet your hujer a 
 muck-a-muck" (the last is Indian talk, and means 
 last bit of bread), but " you bet" passes current 
 everywhere. In Nevada there is quite a large 
 town called " You Bet." In fact, as it expresses 
 assent so unqualifiedly, it forms the basis of con- 
 versation. 
 
 ^ A freighter, for instance, enters a ranche ; " Part- 
 
SMEKAKBOAH ; OH, THE HORlZON^S BAH. 167 
 
 ner, kin you give me a good square drink of 
 
 whiskey ?" 
 
 "You bet." Bottle and glass are placed on the 
 
 counter. 
 
 " Many trains passed here to-day ?" 
 *'You bet!" 
 "Got any corn?" 
 "You bet." 
 
 It is said that a minister of one of the churches in 
 Denver called upon one of the members of his 
 church, a lady, who but two days before had buried 
 her husband, a gentleman of considerable wealth 
 and standing. 
 
 "I presume," begins the minister, ''my dear 
 madam, that you are becoming more resigned, and 
 perhaps be led to see that after all what seems to be 
 deep trouble is a blessing in disguise." 
 
 " You bet." 
 
 The minister, taken aback, yet proceeds: 
 
 " You must feel the loss of so amiable a partner as 
 your late husband ?" 
 
 " You bet." 
 
 " I regret, madam, that pressing engagements 
 hasten me away. I trust soon to see you again— 
 beg you not to be cast down — you know on whom 
 to lean ?" 
 
 "You bet." 
 
 "Good day, madam. It's a lovely day." 
 
 " You bet." 
 
 Eaton stood by the horse and patted the animal 
 on the neck. 
 
 " Is he a good saddle-horse ?" 
 
168 SliEKA^s'-BOAH ; OR, THi: HORIZOX^S BAK. 
 
 " You bet ; you 're mighty right, he '11 just git up 
 and git all day on the keen lope (gallop)." 
 
 The train had begun to corral near at hand, so 
 Eaton said : 
 
 " I won't detain you Jim, drive on, wait a minute 
 though." 
 
 Kate and Nellie stood up in the wagon. Eaton 
 came up and said in a low tone, so that the man 
 could not hear: *' Do you think it's a pretty horse, 
 ladies?" 
 
 ''Very; that's my color, but I'm no judge of a 
 horse, Mr. Eaton," answered Kate. 
 
 *'A11 right, drive on, Jim; good day, ladies." 
 The," car" rolled on. 
 
 " You say he is gentle and a good saddle-horse ?" 
 
 " You bet; get on and try him." 
 
 *' How much do you ask for him?" 
 
 The man looked around for a stick. Whv is it 
 when people sell or trade horses they must com- 
 mence to cut a piece of wood. I have seen men chip 
 away a part of the side of a barn digging and gor- 
 ing away with their knives. Both men sat down 
 on a wagon box; a piece of wood was found; the 
 stranger's knife came out of his pocket, he crossed 
 his legs, lowered the brim of his hat, and began 
 whittling. " Well, that's the question, partner; my 
 wife Sal sot a heap on that hoss, but she is gone, 
 poor thing. I wouldn't sell him so cheap if it 
 wasn't for that. What do you say to three hundred 
 dollars ; hoss, saddle, and bridle ?" 
 
 Tom took out his knife and began to dig into the 
 wagon-box upon which he was sitting. I have good 
 saddle and bridle, so I will not need yours." 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 169 
 
 " Well, dog gone it — I '11 say two hundred and 
 eighty dollars — ^jis look at that back will yer, how 
 it shines, he's as sound as a dollar. My wife, Mary 
 Jane, used to say that )^ou could almost see your 
 lace in his neck when he was brushed up, but poor 
 thing sJies gone, and I'll never see her again." 
 
 " Poor man," thought Tom, " he has lost both 
 wives." 
 
 " Well, two hundred and eighty dollars is a good 
 price for a horse. I'll look around in Julesburg a 
 little, and see what I can buy. 
 
 " Partner, thar isn't a hoss this side of the Mis- 
 souri kin hold a candle to this one ; nother thing, I 
 aint a going to stay here over half an hour." 
 
 ''Why, the train is corralled, they probabl}^ wont 
 roll out before to-morrow." 
 
 Oh, I don't go by them. I don't belong here; I 
 jes jined in with 'em at Cottonwood. I'm going to 
 Central City ; look at them two white feet forard, 
 why, Phoebe Ann, used to sit — " 
 
 " That's your daughter?" 
 
 *' No, partner, my wife. Phoebe Ann used to sit 
 with a wash-bowl and wash his feet every night. I 
 believe that woman would cry her eyes out if she 
 thought I'd sell that hoss, but she never know in 
 this world." 
 
 " Three wives," thought Tom ; " poor man, what 
 he must have suffered." 
 
 " Why, partner, that hoss, when he gits used to 
 you, will follow ye round like a dog. Mehitibel came 
 to the fence as I drew awav in the wao:on with this 
 hoss follerin and she sez to me ; 
 
170 SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 "* Elder, take care of yourself; but oh, dear, take 
 care of that hoss.* 
 
 " Sez I, 'wife}^ I will.' Partner, I have, but I 
 must sell him now, for I need the stamps, but I will 
 never see her again, not in this world." 
 
 '^ Four waves, thought Eaton; "this is strange," 
 but he thought it w^ould be rather ungentlemanly to| 
 allude to it. 
 
 " I'll tell you what I will do. I'll give you two 
 hundred dollars for your horse." 
 
 *' Can't think of it. Sez Penelope Ann — " 
 
 " That is your daughter?" 
 
 " No, partner, she is my wife. Sez Penelope Ann 
 to me one night after my other wives had gone tip 
 stairs — " 
 
 Tom gazed at the man in surprise. 
 
 "'Elder,' sez she. ' Brigham has soured on you 
 and all the big apostles has gone back on yer ; 
 Brigham has /^^/^<^ you, but don't let him have that 
 bay hoss.' I had some trouble with the church and 
 I soured on Zion, and turned Gentile. ' No, Pene- 
 lope Ann,' sez I, ' I won't.' Why, partner, there 
 wasn't a man in Salt Lake City from Brigham 
 Young down to the meanest Gentile, that wouldn't 
 have stole that 'ere hoss if I didn't keep me eye 
 peeled. I couldn't think o' taken less than two 
 hundred and fifty, no how." 
 
 '' Well, good day, sir ; I'll look about a little." 
 
 ** I'll tell 3^ou now, partner, what we'll do; I'll go. 
 into Jake Storm's and play you ' fly loo ' to see 
 whether you pay me two hundred and twenty-five, 
 or two hundred and fifty." 
 
 ** I do not care to play." 
 
SHENANDOAH; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 171 
 
 '' Well then, what do you say to 'crack loo ;' any- 
 thing-, I don't care ?" 
 
 " I do not wish to play any game." 
 
 ''All right, partner, I'll toss np with yer, head and 
 
 tail.'* 
 
 " Never mind, I'll look around a little and let you 
 know, if I cannot do any better." 
 
 '' Say, look a here, will ye give two hundred and 
 twenty-five ?" 
 
 '' Yes." 
 
 '' Well the bargain's done." 
 
 "All right, come with me down to the train, and 
 I'll give you the money." 
 
 " Can't you bring it up jes as well ? Til wait here, 
 there's a feller I don't want to see down there." 
 
 '* Certainly." 
 
 Tom walked up the train, went to the wagon that 
 contained his trunk, opened it and took the sum re- 
 quired; crossing the corral he encountered the 
 wagon-master. 
 
 " I have bought a horse, Mr. Hallett." 
 
 "Ah, who of?" 
 
 "A man from Salt Lake, I guess he must have 
 been a Morman for he certainl}^ spoke of five wives 
 he had left behind him." 
 
 " Where is he ? I think you better let me go down 
 with you before you pay him." 
 
 " I'll be very much obliged to you if you will ; I 
 must own I am but a poor horse-jockey." 
 
 "It isn't that so much. I think you can tell a 
 good horse, Mr. Eaton, but perhaps not a good 
 man," 
 
172 SHEKAXDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOX'S BAR. 
 
 They reached the spot. The ex-Morman elder 
 was trotting the horse up and down by the halter. 
 
 ** Here he is partner, as gay as a peach." 
 
 " Ah, this is the horse is it, Mr. Eaton ; indeed it's 
 a fine one," said the wagon-master, stepping around 
 to look at the other side; but the man gave a jerk 
 at the halter, shifted his own position a little, and 
 the horse presented the same side to Mr. Hallett. 
 
 " Have you got your stamps, partner ? The liorse 
 is all right, squire." 
 
 The wagon-master adroitly caught the horse by 
 the halter, and passed around to the other side still 
 holding him with one hand, and with the other he 
 passed it over the foreshoulder, looked a minute, 
 then said: 
 
 " Wait a minute before you pay the man — there is 
 some mistake here ; this is a government horse, see 
 the U. S. brand." 
 
 "Of course. I bought the horse of Capt. Turn- 
 ley, the quartermaster at Denver." 
 
 " Ah ; where is the quartermaster's receipt for the 
 money ?" ' ^ 
 
 " Well, I swear, I believe I left it at Salt Lake ; 
 but it don't matter, he is a condemned horse." 
 
 *' Where is the I. C. (Inspected Condemned) 
 brand ?" 
 
 *' Well, now, what's the use in fifin' around. I tell 
 you it's all right. I bought the horse fair and square, 
 you kin take my word for it ; everybody knows me. 
 It's all right partner," to Eaton. 
 
 Tom had been in the service, and he felt that it 
 did 7iot look all right ; so he said : 
 
 *^ I think I dare not buy the horse ; of course I 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 ICO 
 
 iu 
 
 believe you bought him of the quartermaster, but 
 as you haven't the receipt— why if I bought him I 
 might perchance get myself in hot water if I could 
 not show how I came in possession of him if any 
 person asks me." 
 
 "Oh, I'll give you my affidavy." 
 
 " But that won't do," put in the wagon-master. 
 
 *' Say, look a heah, my aged friend, you shoot o^ 
 your mouth too much; me and my friend here 
 would have bin perfectly satisfied in this trade It 
 you hadn't come down." 
 
 ''Very Hkely; Mr. Eaton can do as he pleases/* 
 
 *' Of course he will. Now partner, it's all right * 
 
 "I think I won't purchase; come, Mr. Halba 
 we will return to camp." 
 
 ''The white-headed old meddler; I am a goo.d 
 notion to put a hole inter yer." 
 
 The wagon-master slipped his hand into hi?i 
 pocket for his pistol, but he had left it at the train. 
 The ruffian quick as thought passed his hand up to 
 his neck, drew out a long glittering bowie, and ad- 
 vanced a step and was about to spring upon the 
 old man, who was defenceless. 
 
 " Now I'll be hanged if this ain't growing roman- 
 tic," said Eaton, drawing his revolver and cocking 
 it. " My friend from Salt Lake, put up your knife ; 
 we don't need it just now." 
 
 The rufhan stepped back and gave a peculiar 
 whistle. In an instant three men who had been 
 laying under a wagon, sprang to their feet and hur- 
 ried to the scene. 
 
 "Now, you white-livered pup, FU show you a 
 trick worth two of that! I'm Roaring Jake, fresh 
 
174 SHENAKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 from Salt Lake ; and look a heah, giv me that money 
 3'e got in your claw and I'll let ye go — after we've 
 lit out — if yer don't, I'll blow the stuffin' out of both 
 of ye in the shakin' of a lamb's tail." 
 
 Behind them was heard the sound of hoofs, 
 Eaton turned ; a party of cavalrymen, eight in 
 number, were riding toward them on the gallop. 
 In a cloud of dust they came up to where the party 
 stood watching each other. 
 
 *' What's the matter here ?" said a corporal, who 
 seemed to be the only officer with the party. 
 
 " Nothing," answered the ruffian, hiding his 
 bowie. " Nothing, onl}^ these fellers were trying to 
 euchre me out of a hoss." 
 
 The corporal looked at the man sharpl}^ then 
 slipped out of his saddle and walked towards the 
 horse, who during the time had been cropping the 
 grass near them. 
 
 " Who owns this horse?"— catching at the bridle. 
 
 " I do, squire," answered Roaring Jake. 
 
 " Well, you are the man I want. Just had a tele- 
 gram at headquarters from Cottonwood. You stole 
 that horse from the quartermaster. You answer to 
 the description, and 1 think we will take you up to 
 the fort." 
 
 " This is romantic, my fresh Mormon friend ; the 
 government has sotired upon you." 
 
 The corporal led the horse up to one of his men, 
 who took the halter, then turned to the horse thief: 
 
 "■ Will you go quietly, or will we have to bind 
 you?" 
 
 " I'll go with you." 
 
 ** I think I will take these men along also," look- 
 
SHENAJTDOAH ; OE, THE HORIZOK S BAR. 175 
 
 ing at the party who had answered the whistle by 
 their presence. 
 
 '' What have we done ? " growled one of the num- 
 ber, moving away. 
 
 ** Halt ! Jones, stop that man. I guess you are all 
 implicated in the matter and I will take you up 
 to the provost-marshal — so about face, forward, 
 march." 
 
 The party moved off in the direction of Julesburg, 
 while the wagon-master and Eaton brought up the 
 rear. 
 
 " I owe you a great deal, Mr. Hallett.*' 
 
 *' Don't mention it. I wish I knew, where I have 
 seen that man before." 
 
 " If I can ever be of service to 3''ou, do not hesitate 
 to ask." 
 
 The soldiers with their prisoners moved on toward 
 the fort ; Tom and the wagon-master turned off the 
 road to go to the corral. As they walked along, 
 Eaton improvised : 
 
 Now Roaring Jake *^ 
 Fresh from Salt Lake 
 He cut up an antic. 
 He stole a horse. 
 Was caught, of course ; 
 Oh, isn't that romantic. 
 
ITG shena:n"doah ; or^ the hoeizon's bar. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 THE PROVOST-MARSHAL. ' 
 
 ^' Where is the new Percy, Tom?" asks Harry. 
 
 *' Ask me not, ' noble duke.' " 
 
 ''What's the matter?" 
 
 " Sit down, and I'll tell you all about it." 
 
 Eaton pushed a camp stool to Fairleigh and the 
 young men sat down, and just as Tom had finished 
 his story, the corporal who made the arrest of the 
 alleged horse thief rode into the corral. 
 
 ** Excuse me, sir," said the soldier to Eaton, ** the 
 provost-marshal requests your presence at the fort; 
 vou will not be detained long. The man arrested 
 turns out to be a notorious horse thief, and your 
 testimony is necessary to convict him." 
 
 *' Do you wish me now ? " 
 
 " Yes, sir," 
 
 *' All right, corporal." 
 
 *' Shall I go with you, Tom ? " said Harry. 
 
 *' No, I won't trouble 3'ou ; I will return soon." 
 
 Eaton, guided by the officer, soon reached the 
 parade ground ; and as they were crossing to head- 
 quarters, a soldier advanced from an adobe house 
 on the left of the ground, and said : 
 
 " The provost-marshal is in the guard tent." 
 
 The corporal then turned to the right and led the 
 way to an adobe building. A sentiy, with a drawn 
 sabre, stood at the door as they entered. 
 
 A young officer, wearing the straps of a first 
 
SHEKAKBOAH ; OH, THE HORlZON^S BAK. 1 77 
 
 lieutenant of cavalry, sat at a large round table cov- 
 ered with papers. The windows of the room were 
 grated, and in one corner, with his hands bound, 
 was the horse thief; two soldiers stood near him. 
 
 " Take a seat, sir," said the lieutenant. " Your 
 name, please? " taking a pen in his hand. 
 
 " Thomas Eaton." 
 
 -Whereof?" 
 
 " City of New York, late of the staff of General 
 Merritt, army of the Shenandoah." 
 
 *' Happy to meet you, sir," extending his hand. 
 '* Will you please tell me slowly and briefly, so that 
 I may take it down, all that occurred in regard to 
 the selling of a horse by this man." 
 
 " As our train passed," said Eaton, " I saw this 
 man cleaning a horse, and being in want of one and 
 rather liking his whole appearance, I asked the price, 
 and we finally agreed upon the sum of two hundred 
 and twenty-five dollars. I went up to my wagon, 
 took the money out of my trunk, and was going 
 down where I left the man and horse, when the 
 wagon-master, to whom I mentioned my intention, 
 said he would come with me. He came ; saw the 
 U. S. brand on the horse, and asked about it, the 
 man said he bought the horse of Captain, I forget 
 his name, the quartermaster at Denver — " 
 
 " Turnley." 
 
 " Yes, that was the name. The man could not 
 show^ a receipt, said he had lost it, and as we turned 
 to go away, drew a bowie knife upon the wagon- 
 master. I interfered ; when Roaring Jake, as he 
 calls himself, whistled, and three men came to his 
 assistance." 
 
ITS SHEKAKDOAH; or, the HORIZOi^^S BAR. 
 
 •' Where are those men, corporal?" 
 
 " In the old guard-house, sir." 
 
 " Proceed, Mr. Eaton." 
 
 " The man said if I would hand over the money, 
 he would let us go. Just then the corporal came 
 up with his men and rescued us." 
 
 '' That will do. There, I have it all down. Will 
 you sign your deposition, please? That's not a 
 good pen ; sign here. Take the hook. You 
 solemnly swear that the affidavit subscribed is true, 
 so help you God." 
 
 " Yes, sir ;" kissing the book. 
 
 " Corporal, remove the prisoner. Take him to one 
 of the new adobe huts ; put a guard over him. I will 
 see the colonel and agree upon the sentence this 
 afternoon." 
 
 The man was taken from the room, as he passed 
 out of the door he turned and muttered something ; 
 the guard hurried him off. 
 
 " Take a cigar, Mr. Eaton. Here is a match." 
 
 " Thank you. That fellow has an ugly look." 
 
 " Yes, he is a bad man, the leader of a gang of 
 horse thieves ; we haVe held him twice on suspicion, 
 but have never been able to fasten the thing on him 
 till now. You were with the eastern arm}^ Mr. 
 Eaton ?" 
 
 " Yes, sir; nearly all the members of our mining 
 company are ex-officers of that army." 
 
 " I belonged to the western army under Sher- 
 man. I would be glad to have you call at head- 
 quarters this evening ; I will try and make it pleas- 
 ant for you and your friends." 
 
 ** I will speak to them about it. We had an officer 
 
SHEI^AKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOX^S BAR. iT'O 
 
 of the — th with us from Fort Kearney, Adjutant 
 Dumfries." 
 
 " Yes, he relieves me ; he was in here just before 
 you came. I join my regiment at Camp Ward well, 
 one hundred miles west of this post." 
 
 '* Then I beg you to accept the hospitality of our 
 train and mess." 
 
 " Do it, heutenant," said Dumfries, who entered 
 the room. 
 
 '' I hope I can. I'll try, at any rate." 
 
 " Have you had any trouble with the Indians on 
 3'Our trip ?" 
 
 " We had a brush a week ago with three hundred 
 Comanches this side of Cottonwood ; no one killed. 
 Our herder was badly wounded." 
 
 " Scouts have come in, but their reports are very 
 contradictory. Some say the Indians are north of 
 the North Fork of the Platte, others that they are 
 farther south upon the Smoky Hill." 
 
 " Excuse me," said Dumfries, " have 3^ou gentle- 
 men been introduced ?" 
 
 *' I think not," replied the lieutenant. 
 
 '' Then allow me — Mr. Delahanty, of the — th, Mr. 
 Eaton late of the staff of General Merritt." 
 
 " What was I saying? oh, I remember; Colonel 
 Wynkoop, and he is probably the best authority, 
 thinks the main body has yet to go south, and here 
 we place great faith in what he says. He also says 
 that the Indians mean mischief ; they are getting 
 ready for the war-path. We cannot learn much from 
 the scouts ; indeed you cannot tell hardly w^iat to 
 think, we do pretty much as General Sherman 
 used to when we went to sea with him. Staff 
 
180 SHEXAKDOAH ; OK, THE HORIZOI^^S BAfi. 
 
 officers used to come out from various parts of the 
 field of battle Avith conflicting reports as to the 
 enemy's numbers and position ; — he used to close his 
 eyes and guess what to do. Of one thing we are 
 certain, wherever the Indians are they mean mis- 
 chief. They have buried the tomahawk as far as 
 their own internal feuds are concerned and have 
 united with a common purpose, ' war to the knife ' 
 with the whites." 
 
 " I do not wi§h to be inquisitive in regard to your 
 views in regard to the Indian question." 
 
 " Oh, I make no seci'et of them. I think there is 
 but one way. They won't work, its against their 
 nature ; all that will ever stop them is to extermi- 
 nate them. I did not think so before I came on 
 the plains. I had rather a sympathy for Fennimore 
 Cooper's red man. Gentlemen, Mr. ' Lo, the poor 
 Indian * is a fraud. Your feelings change when you 
 go among them and have them killing and scalping 
 around you." 
 
 " I suppose so. My friends tell me the worst 
 men out in this country are the whites and half- 
 breeds among the Indians. There is Bent, for in- 
 stance, the son of the man who built Bent's Fort, 
 down on the Arkansas. He is one of the worst men 
 in the present war, a perfect dare-devil ; often visits 
 the military posts in disguise, if he is taken he always 
 manages to escape in some way. General Connor 
 met him face to face one time at Fort Kearney ; the 
 general knew him very well and would have shot 
 him, or had him taken, but the fellow absolutely lied 
 to the general — who is one of the best Indian lighters 
 in the west and up to all their tricks. Bent de- 
 
SHENAKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON^S BAR. 181 
 
 clared that he was not the man at all ; that he was 
 an emigrant. No one" else at the fort knew the man, 
 and the general w^ould not keep him on his own 
 recollection and so let him go." 
 
 Just then the bugles sounded. 
 
 " Supper time, w-ont you stay and partake of 
 soldier's fare?" 
 
 " No, I thank you lieutenant ; we will return," 
 said Eaton. 
 
 " Come up this evening ; it's but ^step from your 
 camp, bring along as many as you please. We will 
 tr}^ and give you a good time at headquarters." 
 
 The young men assented to this and returned to 
 camp. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 A soldier's a man ; 
 A life's but a span ; 
 Why then, let a soldier drink ? — Shakspeare. 
 
 In the evening quite a party visited the head- 
 quarters ; were introduced to the ofiEcers by Lieu- 
 tenant Delahanty. Adjutant Dumfries came in, 
 and hours passed pleasantly away in story-telling. 
 The officers who had been on the frontier for many 
 years entertained them with accounts of hunts and 
 Indian fights. Delahanty, who was with Genera? 
 Sherman in his great march through Georgia, gave 
 many an interesting story of '' the march to the 
 sea." It was near ten o'clock when the members 
 rose to take their leave. 
 
.-^^ 
 
 182 SHEKAKDOAH ; OE, THE HOElZOis^'S BAB. 
 
 *' Stay ! stay ! — its early yet," said the Command- 
 ant-Colonel O'Neil, a handsome gray-haired, sol- 
 dierly-looking- man. 
 
 The young men again took their seats. 
 
 '' By jove !" said Eaton, ** it's raining." 
 
 Sure enough the rain pattered hard against the 
 window-panes. 
 
 The storm was raging without. 
 
 " You will have to take soldiers' fare for to-night, 
 gentlemen," said Delahanty. 
 
 ''Jackson!" said an officer to a sleepy negro, 
 " stir up the back log ! Throw on some more 
 wood ! and let us have a good time of it !" 
 
 The command was obe3^ed ; the fire began to 
 blaze, and the room looked bright and cheery. 
 
 A brown earthen pitcher, filled with clear water 
 from a spring, sat upon the table surrounded by 
 mugs and glasses. 
 
 " Few officers in our army of the Shenandoah," 
 said Colonel O'Neil, "but what were well ac- 
 quainted with Major Sam Wetherell, the nth 
 Penns3dvania Cavalry. His uniform kindness, his 
 gallantr}^, and gentlemanly conduct had made in 
 the army hosts of friends. When the regiment lay 
 at Portsmouth, Virginia, Major Wetherell was in- 
 vited everywhere, for he was excellent company. 
 
 One day he was division officer of the day. 
 During the morning he rode out to the picket-line. 
 After inspection he was returning to the cit}^ when 
 he spied an officer with a red sash on his shoulder 
 riding slowly down the hills in front of him. 
 "John," said the major to his orderly, " here 
 comes another officer of the day, what's up ? " 
 
SSEKAKDOAH ; OR, THE HOBIZOK^S BAR. 183 
 
 " I dunno, sir," said the man, " I sposes he comes 
 to relieve you for sunthen or other." 
 
 The officer now neared the major, and saluting, 
 handed him a paper. It was an order from Gener- 
 al Getty to Major Parsons, directing him to relieve 
 Major Wetherill, who was to join his regiment then 
 under marching orders. Major Parsons also handed 
 Major Wetherill a letter from the latter's colonel. 
 
 *' At Camp : 
 " Major. We move out to-morrow morning, 
 everything is in confusion here, your battalion will 
 remain until the afternoon, I know of nothing for 
 you to do. Better go down to Portsmouth and say 
 good-by. Spear." 
 
 The major gladly accepted the colonel's advice ; 
 he extended his ride to the city giving his horse to 
 his orderly, he said he would return to the camp 
 on foot. 
 
 Some time during the evening Wetherill visited 
 around ; everybody was glad to see him, and meet- 
 ing the major of the — th R. I., they made a visit 
 to the gunboats that lay in the stream. Captain 
 Wetmore of the Reliance turned out the marines 
 in honor of the visitors. Dinner was ordered, and 
 they sat long at the board ; perhaps they were a 
 little dazed as they went over the sides into the row- 
 boat after saying adieu to the gallant commander. 
 It was about nine o'clock when the major started 
 for camp. When about a mile away he passed the 
 headquarters of the Fourth Rhode Island ; it was 
 a large Southern mansion, and hearing singing and 
 laughter, he walked up the broad steps and looked 
 
184 SHEKAKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOX^S BAR. 
 
 in the window. A large party of officers of the 
 Fourth Rhode Island and the Eleventh Pennsylva- 
 nia were having a roaring time ; it was the break- 
 ing up of camp. He opened the door and walked 
 in the room. 
 
 '' Aha, Major, jes in time ; where's that ole bour- 
 bon ? " said an officer of the Fourth. 
 
 " There lies the whiskey bottle empty on the 
 shelf," sang out another. 
 
 '' Say, brothers will you meet us." Now followed 
 a drunken chorus; the officers of the various regi- 
 ments locked in each others arms and shouting 
 over each others shoulders as loud as they could. 
 
 " Where's that old bourbon?" asked Lieutenant 
 Williams. *' Here Tom Eaton," he said to me, you 
 can see to walk straight, go and see if Lieutenant 
 Baker has any in his tent." Then he roared : 
 
 " Oh we will all feel gay," etc., etc. 
 
 " Never mind me,'' said the major, '' I don't care 
 to drink." 
 
 " Yes, yes, you must," said one of the officers of 
 the Fourth Rhode Island, '' ain' we goin' away to- 
 morrer? How you know (hie) that you won't git 
 killed in the first battle?" 
 
 I went into Baker's tent ; I found that the lieuten- 
 ant and a friend, an officer of the Fourth, Avere 
 going it alone, but I secured a demijohn and re- 
 turned with it. 
 , " Major Wetherill, join us — join us." 
 
 "Certainly." 
 
 *' Here's a toast; health to our enemies and con- 
 fusion to our friends." 
 
 '* Oh, sit down Matthews ; you're drunk." 
 
SHENAI^DOAH ; OK, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 185 
 
 " Pull him down, Williams." 
 
 '' Well, now a song — a song — song!'* 
 
 ** Here's to our gallant m^jor — " 
 
 " For he's a jolly good fellow, 
 That nobody can deny." 
 
 The rafters of that old Virginia dwelling shook 
 with the loud chorus ; every now and then there 
 would be a fall, and somebody would drop on the 
 floor. The song grew fainter, until at last the ma- 
 jor sat at the table with no one sitting up but lieu- 
 tenant Charley G., who still in a very weak manner 
 continued the song. All around the floor in all 
 sorts of shapes, heads down and feet in chairs, full 
 length under the table, curled up in the corners, shut 
 up like a jack-knife with their heads at their feet. 
 Lieutenant Charley G. faced the major, his eyes 
 were half closed, a good-humored smile pla3^ed 
 across his face as with his hands braced on the table 
 to keep him from going over, he sang ^ry faintly : 
 
 " That nobody can (hie) deny, that nobody can — 
 keep it up lads, rise it, — deny, for he's a jolly good 
 fellow — " one arm' gave wa}^, and the lieutenant 
 rolled over on the floor. ' 
 
 The major rose, opened the door, a moonlight 
 night and one mile to camp ; he started along the 
 road, he stumbled a little, stopped and asked him- 
 self the question. 
 
 " Am I drunk ? of course not. I have been down 
 in the gunboat, having a good time, and at the 
 * break-up,' I can remember, my head is a clear as 
 a bell," He reached camp, he stumbled onge or 
 
186 SHENANDOAH ; OE, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 twice, and he doubted his own capacity to judge 
 of his condition. 
 
 *' I can tell how I can find out whether I am 
 drunk or not ; if I can put my thumb on the door- 
 latch without bracing myself up with the other 
 hand against the side of my cabin, I am all right." 
 
 The regiment had been in winter quarters, and 
 little comfortable log-cabins had been built. 
 
 The major tried the experiment. He tried and 
 tried in vain, first on one side of the latch then on 
 the other would the thumb descend. 
 
 Doctor Mason, the surgeon of the regiment, from 
 the window of his cabin was an amused spectator ; 
 he opened the door. 
 
 " What's the matter major?" 
 
 " Oh, nuthin' at all, nuthin'. I've been down -on 
 board the bun-goats, havin' a good time breakin' ale 
 up — good night." 
 
 Six months rolled by. The major thought the 
 affair had been forgotten. General Kantz had 
 taken comi#and of the division, and one day the 
 major sat in the general's tent. 
 
 Lieutenant G. rode up ; he was a little rocky on 
 his horse, and asked the m.ajor to give him a little 
 *' nux ;" that mysterious remedy for certain erratic 
 movements. 
 
 The major went to his tent, opened his medicine 
 chest, and gave the young man the dose, who 
 mounted his horse and rode off sober. 
 
 *' What was the matter with the young man, 
 major?" said the general, when he returned. 
 
 " Oh, a little bothered, that's all." 
 
 " I guess," said the general in his slow, dry way, 
 
she:n'axdoah ; oe, the horizok's bar. 187 
 
 ** I guess the young man must have been down on 
 board the bun-goats^ 
 
 The rain continued to pour down, and the party 
 were still joyous. 
 
 " I think," said the colonel, " that we will have 
 to find shelter for you here to-night, gentlemen." 
 
 The members agreed to this; blankets were 
 brought up and comfortable beds were made upon 
 the floor. 
 
 *' RoUin," said Harry, " 1 do not like to leave the 
 girls almost alone down at the camp, I am going 
 
 back." 
 
 " I was just thinking of that myself, and will go 
 
 with you." 
 The rain had ceased somewhat, and they rose to 
 
 go- 
 
 " Good night, all." 
 
 " Going?" from the members who were undress- 
 
 ing. 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 ** I will pass you out of the lines if you think you 
 must go," said Delahanty. 
 
 '' Do so, please ; I think it's our duty to return." 
 
 The lieutenant led the way across the parade 
 ground. It did not rain hard now. 
 
 " What a tall liberty-pole that is," said Harry, 
 looking at the staff as they passed beneath it. 
 
 " Yes, it was raised the fourth of July. A singu- 
 lar circumstance occurred; just as the flag was run 
 up, a large eagle came flying along and perched on 
 the very top." 
 
 *' That was singular." 
 
 ^' §ome men began to fire at our national bird, the 
 
188 SHEl^AlfDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOJ^'S BAR. 
 
 colonel was ver_y angry and said he would punish 
 severely any one that harmed it, but some mean- 
 spirited wretch, when the soldiers were not watch- 
 ing it, shot the bird." 
 
 They had now reached the lines. The sentry 
 halted them. 
 
 The countersign was given the soldier by the 
 lieutenant, and shaking hands, Rollin and Harry 
 walked hurriedly towards camp. 
 
 It was a very dark night, and they moved along 
 the road cautiously ; a light is just ahead of them in 
 a ranche window, they pass it and can just make 
 out the white covers of the wagons. 
 
 It rains hard again, and now it pours down. 
 
 "Let us seek shelter somewhere," 
 
 "Ah, here is a deserted ranche just off to the 
 left, I noticed it as we came up this evening. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 *' If by the blaze I mark aright," — Scott. 
 
 They gained the ranche. The road here ran 
 near the river, and it seemed upon the very bank. 
 It had been torn down in front, and in the darkness 
 the young men stumbled over cakes of sod and 
 fallen rafters ; they reached a part where the 
 roof seemed whole, and they sat down upon an 
 empty cask and wiped the perspiration and rain 
 from their faces. 
 
 " This is a gloomy place ; look at the bats floating 
 around." 
 
SHEN^ANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOK^S BAR. 189 
 
 The rain continued to pour down in torrents. 
 Now a heavy peal of thunder that seemed to shake 
 the sides of the ruined ranche, then a vivid flash of 
 lightning- reveals the broken walls and the rubbish 
 scattered on the floor. Broken bottles, a table minus 
 one leg, rusty iron hoops, a tin kettle without a 
 spout, a shattered bedstead stood in the corner, 
 and other articles of furniture more or less maimed 
 and deformed. 
 
 ** I wonder who lived here, Rollin ? '* 
 '* I am sure I cannot tell you. How it storms." 
 His thoughts were upon the maiden at the camp. 
 He hoped she would not feel afraid. 
 *' Hark ! Harr3% what was that noise?'* 
 " There is some one in here beside ourselves." 
 ** Hush — softly ; have you any matches ? " 
 *'Yes." 
 
 " Give me three or four ; I am sure I heard some 
 one speak." 
 
 Rollin struck the match, and by its light they 
 looked around ; nothing was to be seen save the 
 ruins within and without. 
 
 '' Light another, Rollin ; I think I saw a kind "of a 
 door off in that corner to the left." 
 
 The match was burning in Vincent's hand ; he 
 caught up a piece of paper, made a kind of a torch 
 of it, and the young men started to explore the 
 ruins. They passed through an archway that had 
 probably served as a door, turned to the left down 
 a narrow hallway, there was a wall in front of 
 them made of sod ; the paper had burned out and 
 they were in the dark. 
 
190 SHEXAN"DOAH ; OR, THE IIORIZOK'S BAR. 
 
 "Can we find our way out?" asks Harry in a 
 whisper. 
 
 *' Yes, follow me — what's that?" 
 
 A small narrow streak of light fell across the floor ; 
 it came from a room at the end of the ruined ranche. 
 
 It was a large room, briUiantly Hghted, and at a 
 large table in the centre sat four men ; they were 
 playing cards. At the end of the room, facing the 
 crevice where Rollin and Harry were peering, was 
 a door that evidently opened out upon the Platte 
 River, for the ranche was near the river bank. 
 
 From their position the young men could only 
 see the faces of three of the men at the table, the 
 other man sat with his back to them. 
 
 Rollin drew out his knife, and silently cut a hole 
 in the soft material that formed the wall ; in this 
 way they could both hear and see what was going 
 on inside now. 
 
 The men were gambling for a number of bank 
 notes laid in the centre of the table. 
 
 " Well, Frank, I never expected to see you again 
 since that night in ' Frisco,' " said the ma^ at the 
 table who faced Rollin and Harry. 
 
 He was a tall, broad-shouldered man ; his face 
 was closely shaven, and he would have been called 
 good-looking, had it not been for an ugly scar run- 
 ning across his forehead, over the nose, and down 
 his cheek. He was dressed rather roughly like the 
 others, who seemed to be — judging from their cos- 
 tumes — wagon drivers. 
 
 " Yes, Jack," said the man who sat opposite to 
 him, " that was a tough nighty that night in S^in 
 p'rangisco/' 
 
shexandoah; or, the hobizon's bar. 191 
 
 The young' men started. 
 
 It was Adderly's voice. 
 
 They could not see his face, yet they were sure it 
 was the man ; they drew very near the wall, and 
 listened. 
 
 ''A good haul," said the man with the scar on 
 his face, drawing the money on the table towards 
 him. '' Here, partner, is your slice," handing a 
 roll of bills to Adderly, for it was he who counted 
 them, rolled them up, and placed them in his 
 pocket, 
 
 *' Haven't you got anything to drink in this 
 place?" said the man who sat on Adderly's left. 
 
 " Here, Cyrus — Cyrus ! " said the man with the 
 scarred face. 
 
 The door opened, and a little negro about fifteen 
 years old put his head in. 
 
 " Git down in the cellar, and bring up that demi- 
 john that sets near the lowest step ; make haste." 
 
 The negro soon made his appearance with the 
 demijohn. Glasses were produced from a cupboard 
 in the corner, and soon filled. 
 
 " Go now, Cyrus, and keep a sharp lookout ; if 
 anybody comes let us know — you hear?" 
 
 '' Yes, sah." 
 
 " You haven't seen the man I expected, have 
 you?" asked Adderly. 
 
 " No, sah, haven't seen any mans at all." 
 
 " I guess he won't come, Frank," said Jack. 
 
 '' May be not." 
 
 " Goin' to play agin fellows?" asked Jack, look- 
 ing at the men upon his ri^ht and left? 
 
192 sheitain^doah ; oe, the horizoj^'s bar. 
 
 " I don't care if I do. I kindy want revenge on 
 *em, don't you, Boston?" 
 
 " Yes, we'll go twenty up — now mind, no skull- 
 duggery or I'll let moonlight into some of yar," 
 replied the other. 
 
 The game now began. 
 
 There was a noise heard without and the negro 
 opened the door. 
 
 "What's the matter?" said Jack, starting up in 
 surprise, with his right hand ready to knock over 
 the lamp and holding in his left a revolver. 
 
 *' Here's dat man you said was a comin'." 
 
 " Oh, it's only him is it? Let him come in," said 
 the man, resuming his seat. 
 
 The door opened and in stepped Churchill. He 
 was wet with rain, and as* he sat down upon the 
 keg that was offered to him by the negro boy, 
 Harry remarked " How pale and thin he looks." 
 
 " Yes, I fear that he is in the toils of the serpent," 
 replied Rollin, in a whisper. 
 
 " Stormy might, stranger," said Jack. 
 
 " Yes, very," replied Churchill. 
 
 Both Adderly and Churchill had been invited to 
 join the reunion at the fort, at least he asked 
 Churchill, requesting him to ask his friend, but 
 neither of them came. 
 
 *' What made you so late ?" said Adderly. 
 
 " I waited till all was quiet in camp." 
 
 " Shall we go on with the game?" asks Jack." 
 
 " Yes. All ready—" 
 
 *' Don't light your segar stranger, whar you're 
 sittin'. It's a powder-keg you're on, and the head 
 isn't fast, its just sot in. Ye may turn over by acQJ- 
 
dent, and blow us all up, sit down on the bed there 
 in the corner." 
 
 Churchill rose and sat down on a rough bed or 
 bunk in the corner of the room, and watched the 
 game. 
 
 " I think we had better return now," whispered 
 Harry. 
 
 " Wait a few minutes." 
 
 " If you ain't won agin," said one of the men. 
 
 "Ain't the}^ lucky cusses; les' fill up agin." 
 
 The glasses were again filled with liquor. 
 
 " Shall we try 'em agin, Boston ?" 
 
 " Yes, once more ; ante up twenty dollars." 
 
 The game began. 
 
 Rollin was about to turn away when Harry 
 caught him by the arm, " See how excited they are 
 growing. I think we will have a fight shortly." 
 
 Rollin again peered through the crevice. The 
 liquor was beginning to work, to arouse their 
 worse passions, to inflame their natures. 
 
 " I said you cheated, and you know it." 
 
 "You lie." 
 
 " Take that." 
 
 A pistol shot. Then the table was thrown over 
 and the lamp fell to the floor ; all was dark. They 
 could hear scuffling taking place within, and seiz- 
 ing Harry's hand Rollin led the way out of the 
 ruined ranche and hurried along the road. They 
 did not speak for a few moments, but walked on 
 in silence. A loud explosion caused them to turn 
 around. The ranche had been blown up. 
 
 They reached camp ; as they were entering their 
 tent the wagon-master came up, and asked, 
 
194 SHEKAlSfDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON S BAR. 
 
 " What was that noise ?" 
 
 " It sounded like an explosion," said Harry, evad- 
 ing a direct answer. 
 
 " I did not know but what you might know." 
 
 " It's been an awful night," said Rollin, trying to 
 change the subject. 
 
 " Yes, the ground is so wet that it will be hard 
 pulling. I have given orders to the herder not to 
 bring up the stock in the morning. I think we 
 won't roll out until the grouiui gets hard and dry. 
 Good-night, gentlemen." 
 
 " Good-night. Stay, Mr. Hallett, the members 
 were provided with accommodations at the fort 
 to-night, and will not return to camp until morn- 
 ing. I tell you this lest you might think some- 
 thing had happened them." 
 
 " Thank you. I saw Mr. Churchill pass out of 
 camp about an hour ago, did you meet him in the 
 road ?" 
 
 *' Yes — no — that is I met him in Julesburg," an- 
 swered Harry. 
 
 " I wonder what should take him out so stormy a 
 night, and at such an hour. I suppose he has gone 
 to find Mr. Adderly. Good-night, again." 
 
 "Good-night." 
 
 It was near morning when the young men fell 
 asleep, for they dwelt long upon the events of the 
 evening. Approaching footsteps awoke them, and 
 looking out of their tent they saw Adderly and 
 Churchill enter, Adderly seemed to walk with dif- 
 ficulty, and his right arm was is a sling." 
 
 The young men again sought their blankets and 
 and once more wooed the drowsy god. 
 
iSHEXAXDOAH ; OIlj THE HOElZON^S BAR. 105 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 The train started late in the morning. The 
 breakfast was eaten in silence. The members wore 
 their great coats, and that meal over there was 
 little inclination among the teamsters to "harness 
 up," as the roads were muddy from the rain. It 
 was ten o'clock before the order was given to start, 
 and the cavalcade moved on a disheartened band. 
 
 At noon there was no disposition to halt, and it 
 was late in the afternoon when the train corralled 
 for the night near the river. The sun had shown 
 faint signs of piercing the clouds during the morn- 
 ing, but it now came forth in glory, reviving the 
 drooping spirits of the gold hunters. 
 
 Dinner and supper were served together. The 
 members were scattered about the camp in pictur- 
 esque groups, smoking and chatting, when Mere- 
 dith came from his tent with a tin box in his hand, 
 and looking very much disturbed said : 
 g4'' Gentlemen, if this is a joke, I beg of you not to 
 carry it any further, but relieve me at once of this 
 anxiety." 
 
 *' What's the matter?" said a dozen voices at once. 
 
 " Why the cash-box has been robbed, and all the 
 company's money is gone.'* 
 
 *' There is surely some mistake, no one could 
 have access to the tent but members, and they of 
 course would not." And at once a hundred reas- 
 suring^suggestions were made. 
 
 ** That is all very well, gentlemen, but here is the 
 
196 SHE1?"AKD0AS ; 0% Tfi£ EORIZOIh'S BAH. 
 
 box in the middle of my tent, broken open and the 
 money gone. It could not go without hands. 
 Whose hands?" 
 
 " There is only one way to find it," said Adderly, 
 w^ho stood with averted face leaning against a wag- 
 on-wheel. 
 
 '' How's that?" asked Meredith, quickly. 
 
 ** Why look for it," sneered he. 
 
 *' Yes, let us search the tents," said Churchill. 
 
 " I do not like this," said Fairleigh. " No man 
 shall search my tent." 
 
 ** An innocent man need not be afraid," said Ad- 
 derly. 
 
 "Is that what makes you so willing?" retorted 
 Fairleigh. *' I am glad I know it." A long silence, 
 and at length Eaton remarked that after all it would 
 be best to have the search made, as it would un- 
 doubtedly prove that no member had stolen the 
 funds, and that it was undoubtedly some thief from 
 Julesburg, or perhaps one of the teamsters. 
 
 A committee was appointed, consisting of Eaton, 
 Dakin, accompanied by Meredith to make the 
 search, the members remaining meanwhile in the 
 centre of the corral. Tent after tent was visited, 
 when all faces were turned in one direction at the 
 sound of Eaton's voice, who had just entered a tent 
 w^ith his companions, exclaiming: 
 
 *' My God, it is Vincent's coat !" 
 
 The two emerged from the tent. 
 
 "Whose coat is this?" said Meredith, holding it 
 up. 
 
 "It is mine," said Rollin Vincent, advancing to 
 more closely inspect it. 
 
SHENA2s"D0AH ; OB, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 19 ;= 
 
 " Gentlemen," said Eaton, " the money is found, 
 
 and found in this coat pocket. ' 
 
 * * -x- * * -X- -Sf 
 
 Every eye was turned upon Vincent. He was 
 deathly pale, he stood like one transfixed. He was 
 speechless, he essayed to speak but could not. At 
 last with a faint voice he said : 
 
 " Gentleman, this is the work of some personal 
 enemy. I cannot tell you whom for I am not sure. 
 I am as innocent of this crime as any one of you. 
 This is all I can say." 
 
 " Speak out, old man, it you know who did it. I 
 know you are innocent," exclaimed Fairleigh, his 
 eyes flashing with a strange fire. 
 
 *' No, I will not accuse any man. I do not know 
 who did it, I cannot prove who did it." Foam 
 came to his lips, he tried to speak, further, but 
 caught at his heart, and fell prostrate to the earth. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 " How much the heart may suffer 
 
 Yet not break ; 
 How much the flesh may suffer, 
 
 Yet not die ; 
 I question much if any pain or ache 
 
 Of soul or body 
 Brings the end more nigh." 
 
 *' What is to be done, gentlemen?" asked Mr. 
 Pritchard, when the party who had carried Rollin 
 to his tent returned to the centre of the corral. 
 
 " I have this to say," said Harrj^ Fairleigh, " be- 
 
^o 
 
 198 SHE2TAXD0AH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 fore you proceed to any length}^ discussion of the 
 subject, that never — upon the evidence offered thus 
 far — can I be made to believe that Captain Vin- 
 cent is guilty ; he could not steal. There is not a 
 drop of fraud in his nature. No ! he is the vic- 
 tim of some hellish conspiracy. I know it — I am 
 sure of it.'* 
 
 " Who are the conspirators, Mr. Fairleigh," said 
 Mr. Pritchard, kindl}^ *' Some one is guilty of 
 theft; I am sorry that it is so. Now, who is it?" 
 
 *' 1 could lay my hand upon the men, Mr. Pritch- 
 ard ; they stand in this circle. I know I cannot fas- 
 ten it upon them, I have no proof ; yet if there is 
 such a thing as justice in heaven it will yet smite 
 these men," answered Harry. 
 
 " Yet, Mr. Fairleigh, this is but allegation ; it is 
 not proof." 
 
 " Gentlemen — members — my heart almost breaks, 
 for I cannot speak the names of these men. In your 
 minds he may be guilt}^, but in mine he is as inno- 
 cent as the sunlight." 
 
 " We hope so ; / hope so, at least. Advise mC; 
 gentlemen ; what shall we do ?" 
 
 *' I am sure," said Stokes, '*no one is as loth to 
 believe that Mr. Vincent is guilty as I am. I had 
 hoped all along that something would turn up ; I 
 cannot hardly believe it now. Let nothing harsh, 
 at any rate, be done." 
 
 *' I agree with you, Stokes," remarked Howard. 
 
 The majorit}^ seemed inchned to think the same 
 way. 
 
 " But yet what is to be done with him ?" asked 
 Mr. Pritchard. 
 
&1IEXAN"D0AS: ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. l90 
 
 " Of course," said Eaton, *' Captain Vincent will 
 tender his resignation ; he is too much the gentle- 
 man to remain. Wh}^ need we do anything in re- 
 gard to the matter. I am far from being convinced 
 that he is the man. I can sep that otheis are of the 
 same opinion. Remember the many obligations we 
 are under to him ; let nothing harsh be done is my 
 advice." 
 
 ** But no one wants a thief among us," said Ad- 
 derly. 
 
 He thought he was beyond Fairleigh's reach this 
 time, but he was mistaken ; he sprang forward to- 
 wards him, and before he could cock the pistol that 
 he drew from his breast pocket, one blow from 
 Harry's fist laid him prostrate on tlie ground. He 
 lay there quivering, with the blood flowing from 
 his temple. No one seemed sorry, but common 
 humanity caused Stokes to kneel down by him and 
 wipe his forehead with his handkerchief, dipped in 
 the water brought by Eaton for Vincent when he 
 had fainted. 
 
 Mr. Fairleigh, senior, now took his son by the arm 
 and led him towards his tent Harry did not at- 
 tempt further violence, and suffered himself to be 
 led away, just as Adderly raised himself to his feet. 
 
 They reached Rollin's tent. Our hero seemed 
 much better. Father and son sat down near him. 
 
 *' Captain Vincent, it may be some satisfaction for 
 you to kuQw that I am far from being convinced in 
 this matter." 
 
 Rollin raised his head. 
 
 " Say, father, just as I do, that you believe him 
 
^00 gHEKA:NTOAH ; OR, THE IIORlJ^Ois^^S BAR. 
 
 innocent. What did he want of the money ? Oh, 
 father, you do not know him." 
 
 " Well my son, I will try and think so. Captain, 
 here is my hand ; I am not unmindful of the past, 
 and I hope you may yet be proved innocent." 
 
 Just then Stokes came up to the door and asked 
 for Harry who came outside the tent. 
 
 Both gentlemen now walked away slowly. '* I 
 called you, Harry, to tell you the conclusion we have 
 arrived at. We have, by a large vote all voted in the 
 affirmative save Adderly and Churchill, decided 
 that nothing legal or harsh shall be done in the 
 matter. Many are in doubt about it, and they say 
 that under the circumstances Captain Vincent had 
 better leave the train at the junction. I believe we 
 reach there to-morrow." 
 
 Harry said nothing, but looked at the speaker as 
 if he expected him to continue. 
 
 *'Of course you know, Harry, that the proof is 
 strong against him ?" 
 
 Yes, I know it is so," answ^ered the other, sadly. 
 
 During this time the drivers had been harnessing 
 the stock, and were now ready to start out, for it 
 was quite late. 
 
 *' See," said Stokes, ''the members are catching 
 their horses ; " you must ' strike ' your tent and be 
 off." 
 
 RoUin arose and helped lower the tent. It was 
 placed in the wagon. Harry caught his friend's 
 horse as well as his own, saddled them and came 
 up to where our hero was starting alone. 
 
 *' Here is your horse, Rollin." 
 
 Mechanically Vincent mounted and rode behind 
 
SHEN'ANDOAH ; OE, THE HORIZOX'S BAR. 201 
 
 the train with Hariy ; his chin rested upon his 
 breast, and he seemed ahiiost crushed. A short 
 halt for dinner, yet he did not come to the table. 
 Harry could not induce him to eat anything-. In 
 the afternoon Harry tried to rouse him, but he did 
 not seem inclined to answer ; so they rode on as 
 they did in the morning. The sky became over- 
 cast, and the wind blew coldly. It was going to 
 storm. 
 
 When they encamped at night the tent was 
 raised. Harry took the saddle and bridle off both 
 horses and turned them out with the herd, then 
 spread out the blankets, and taking RoUin by the 
 hand who seemed in a kind of stupor, led him to 
 the tent where he laid down as if to rest. 
 
 Harry Fairleigh's mind was full of trouble. How 
 could he tell Rollin of the decision of the members. 
 What was to become of him when he left the train? 
 Where would he go? He could give him money 
 enough to pay his fare to N^w York, but would he 
 accept it if he was without the means himself ? 
 Who should speak to Nellie ? Could he tell her 
 who he thought were the guilty ones? 
 
 Supper — yet Rollin came not. The ladies were 
 also absent. Tom Eaton seemed almost broken- 
 hearted, and the wagon-master and Mr. Fairleigh 
 did not utter a word. It began to rain — not heavily 
 but an unpleasant drizzle. The night was cold, and 
 there were but few members at the camp-fire. 
 Harry felt that he must not dela}^ any longer, so he 
 braced himself up and entered the tent. 
 
 " Won't you eat something, Rollin ?'* 
 
 '*'No ; I don't feel hungry." 
 
202 SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 *' I am afraid 3'ou will be sick." 
 
 *' No ; but never mind." 
 
 " Oh Rollin, let me tell you I never can believe 
 3'ou guilt}^ I know that Adderly and Churchill in 
 revenge for the way you baulked them with Bent 
 have done this. I am sure of it, and I will tell Nel- 
 lie so. God is good, captain, and I know you willj 
 yet triumph ; but — " 
 
 " What ? Say it, lieutenant, I command." 
 
 " The members were unanimous in saj'ing — of 
 course those two hell-hounds excepted — that noth- 
 ing should be done ; many W' ere in doubt. Eaton 
 will not believe it ; but they felt that under the cir- 
 cumstances they thought it would be better for you 
 to leave the train." 
 
 He paused and looked toward Vincent, whose 
 features did not seem to show surprise. 
 
 " Yes, I think that is right." This \vas all. 
 
 "Oh Rollin, where will 3'ou go?" said Harry, 
 kneeling down by him. " Will I never see you 
 again? — tell me. Go to your home; write to me 
 when you get to the Missouri River; here is some 
 money — enough to take you home." 
 
 "No, Harry, I cannot take it. To-morrow I will 
 Start out on foot and alone." 
 
 " No, you shall not ; I will go with you first. 
 Stay — perhaps I can go back with 3-ou ; I will do 
 it." 
 
 " Harry, let me go alone, I beg of you. I shalli 
 never look for happiness again. I was a dreamer 
 to think of it." I must live, bearing this w^eight of 
 shame my whole lifetime. How glad I would be 
 if this were the last hour of my wretched existence. 
 
SHEIn'AN'DOAH ; OK, THE nORIZOiN^'S BAR. 203 
 
 Do not speak to me more ; let me sleep if I can, for 
 I do not think then." 
 
 Both young men laid down upon their blankets. 
 Harry watched until he was satisfied his companion 
 was asleep, then closed his own eyes and sank to 
 rest. Rollin's sleep was broken, and, as if some 
 thought had suddenly made him frantic, he arose 
 from the blankets and rushed out of the tent. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVn. 
 
 " Why, let the strucken deer go weep. 
 The heart ungalled play : 
 For some must watch while others weep • 
 Thus runs the world away." — Shakspeare. 
 
 Rollin's heart was crushed, he staggered rather 
 than walked from the camp, and stumbled out into 
 the rain and darkness. 
 
 " Where should he go?" 
 
 On, on, anywhere. He must notremain^ — should 
 he fly? Harry would think him guilty. He 
 quickened his steps, then ran headlong, reaching 
 the river bank he sat down with his hands to his 
 face, then rose and walked to and fro. Long he 
 remained in the rain that October night, chilled to 
 the bone. A deep fog hung on the mountain. The 
 trees by the banks hung heavy with the rain, and 
 swayed in the breeze. 
 
 A step behind him. 
 
 " Sh — h ! Captain Vincent." 
 
 He turned and saw Churchill. 
 
204 SHENAN'DOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 " Vincent," he said in hollow tones, " I could — It 
 is I who have wronged you. I am in Adderly's 
 power. He made me do it. I am lost ; forgive me. 
 Oh, God !" and then he sank on his knees in the 
 grass. 
 
 "You?" 
 
 " Yes. Adderly made me." 
 
 " How have I ever wronged 3'ou ?" 
 
 " You never have. I owed my last promotion to 
 your influence ; but stand by me, do not go and 
 leave me to the mercy of that man. Have you 
 not Avarned me? I can make it right; wait — " 
 
 Vincent rose and caught him by the throat, and 
 forcing him back on the grass, said hoarsety, 
 
 '' Edgar Churchill, jou know I am a guiltless 
 man, proclaim me so. If you do not promise me, I 
 will kill you here as I would a snake." 
 
 " I will, I will," said the prostrate man. 
 
 Vincent relaxed his grasp, and Churchill rose to 
 his feet. 
 
 "When?" 
 
 " Give me but one week. I am ruined if you do 
 not. I beg, I implore you, and as I live ; as I hope 
 for mercy hereafter, I will proclaim and prove you 
 an innocent man fi-om the centre of the corral." 
 
 " But, why not now ?" 
 
 " Do not ask, do not ask me. It will be done. 
 Oh trust me—" and ere Vincent could answer he 
 had disappeared in the darkness. 
 
 Vincent paused. His first impulse was to rush 
 after the man and drag him into the camp. He 
 could hear the sentry's measured tread about the 
 wagons. 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 205 
 
 ^' Far better a soldier's honorable death than this 
 disgrace," and again resuming his seat by the river 
 bank, pondered over the strange experience of the 
 hour and wondered if Churchill would keep his 
 word. 
 
 "Is dat you, Captain?" said a voice near him. 
 *' Don't shoot, don't shoot. It's me, Cicero, wid 
 sumthin' for you." 
 
 *' What is it?" In a voice so sepulchral that the 
 faithful black started. 
 
 " Here it am, note from de Missy, all wet." 
 
 Vincent opened it. He could not see to read it. 
 
 " You see I was layin' under de wagon and hear 
 some body say Cicero ; I know de missy's voice, 
 and she sez, sez she, Captain Vincent hab just left 
 his tent — and dar I seed she was cryin'. She sez I 
 am gwine to send him this. I am afraid he's gwine 
 to kill hisself ; go and find him ; bring him back, 
 bring him back." 
 
 With quick steps they returned to the camp. 
 The members had retired. The fire was smoul- 
 dering. Starting the embers into a blaze, and on 
 his knees, devouring every word, he read, 
 
 " Do not be cast down. I know you are innocent ; 
 wait. Have faith. Nellie." 
 
 He went to his tent, took his saddle for a pillow, 
 drew over his wet garments his army blanket, and 
 Avas soon far away from the scenes of his sufferings 
 and triumphs — far away in the mysterious region 
 of dreams. 
 
206 SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 *' Missy, missy ! Oh, missy !" said the faithful 
 black, tapping at the side of the wagon, " it's me ! I 
 seed de captain." 
 
 . A pale, anxious face appeared at the opening of 
 the canvas. 
 
 " Is he alive ? Did vou see him ?" 
 
 " Yes missy, he is alive.' I giv him de pistle, an 
 he read it and said, ' Thank you.* 
 
 *' Yes, yes ; what else ?" 
 
 " Dat's all ; he is in his tent now laying down. I 
 know he's innercent, missy ; I knows it." 
 
 Sobs came from within the wagon, and the negro 
 turning hastily away, crawled nea^* the wagon say- 
 ing : '•' I know he's innercent ; I knows it for shu'." 
 
 A troubled night in the car — a restless, feverish 
 night. 
 
 At daybreak the camp was startled by a series of 
 wild yells, interrupted b}^ a trampling of hoofs and 
 the snorting of animals. 
 
 '* The stock has been stampeded ! Turn out ! 
 turn out ! turn out, everybodv !" shouted the wagon- 
 master, as he run through the corral. He contin- 
 ued : " There they go !" as sharp against the gray 
 streak in the east the dark forms of the fljnng stock 
 could be discerned. 
 
 "Arm yourselves! arm, everybody!" excitedly 
 exclaimed Hallett, as the members and drivers ap- 
 peared on the scene. 
 
 Into the river the flying animals were driven, 
 
SHEi^ANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 207 
 
 while behind, urging them on with yell and spear- 
 point were at least a score of Indians. 
 
 *' See how slowly they go, now that they are be- 
 3^ond rifle-shot,'' said Eaton, strapping his revolver 
 to his waist." 
 
 " Yes ; but look at the bank the other side — it 
 fairly swarms with Indians." 
 
 " Will they cross do you think ?" said Adderly, 
 his face white with terror. 
 
 " I think so," returned the wagon-master, coolly ; 
 ** but don't be afraid." 
 
 Every eye was fixed on Adderly, and he turned 
 away. 
 
 " Aha ! here they come ! x\rapahoes, I should 
 judge by their lances. They don't fight unless 
 they think they have a sure thing." 
 
 " Who will command.^" asked Churchill. 
 
 " I resign my office," said Vincent in clear tones. 
 
 " No," no !" cried a dozen voices. 
 
 ** I insist," continued our hero. 
 
 '' Let's elect Eaton," said Brooks. 
 
 " Agreed ! agreed !" 
 
 " Run the wagons close together," said the new 
 commander. 
 
 The order was hurriedly executed. 
 
 " Let the ladies be aroused." Mr. Fairleigh and 
 Harry escorted the families to a place secure fi-om 
 the shafts of the foe behind a barricade of wagons 
 in the centre of the corral. 
 
 Vincent caught a glimpse of the pale face of Miss 
 Fairleigh, and as she passed with a deep sigh he 
 turned away, and within a foot of a wagon-tongue 
 watched the advancing foe. 
 
208 SHENAKDOAH ; OR, THE-HORIZON^S BAR. 
 
 They had crossed the river and halted on the 
 bank. 
 
 *' Every man to his post !" ordered Eaton. 
 
 A moment's confusion as the members and driv- 
 ers assumed their position, and then all was still. 
 
 With a wild yell which caused terror to the brav- 
 est heart, the savages dashed down on the train, 
 dischargnig as they rode in a semi-circle around the 
 train a volley of bullets. 
 
 *' I did not expect that," said the wagon-master, 
 as a ball struck a wagon's side near him. 
 
 '' Fire !" said Eaton, in a ringing voice. 
 
 A quick volley, then another and another. 
 
 " Cease firing !" came from the commander. 
 
 The smoke cleared away and the Indians broken 
 by the volley were ridmg out of range in good or- 
 der. 
 
 " Anybody hurt ?" said Eaton, advancing to a 
 little group who were bearing a prostrate man. 
 
 " Only my arm," groaned Brooks between his 
 teeth, " don't carry me. I am all right," said the 
 brave fellow, putting his feet on the ground. He 
 had fallen, and been picked up by some of the mem- 
 bers. 
 
 *' Come out of here you damned scoundrel — out 
 you dog," fairly shrieked Churchill, as he proceeded 
 to draw a prostrate figure from one of the wagons. 
 " Here, gentlemen ! Here, all ! Do you see this 
 man ?" said Churchill, pointing at Adderly, who 
 lay bleeding from a wound in the neck. " Do you 
 see this coward ? He hid his precious self away in 
 a wagon to save himself, and he has been hit. Now 
 own the truth ; clear your soul before you die of at 
 
SHEKAKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOi^^S BAR. ' 209 
 
 \€'^\i^t one lie. Who put the money in Captain Vin- 
 cent's pocket?" 
 
 *'You!" gasped the man; "you don't mean to 
 say I did it ?" 
 
 " Yes ; but who made me?" 
 
 '* How do I know ?" growled Adderly, rolling on 
 his side. 
 
 " Don't die with a lie on your lips. Listen Rollin 
 Vincent, I was in the power of this man. At play 
 he had cheated me out of every dollar I had in the 
 world. My own loss was nothing ; I lost trust 
 funds put sacredly in my hands. I would have 
 been ruined — disgraced ; and when I prayed and 
 be2:2:ed him to return what was not mine, he told 
 me if I would ruin Rollin Vincent that he would 
 protect me. Gentlemen, I put that money in that 
 man's pocket ; 1 was crazy with despair. Rollin, I 
 told you to wait a week, and why? This man killed 
 a gambler at Julesburg ; I know it. I wanted only 
 to reach Denver. Then I meant Avith this knowl- 
 edge in my possession to make him disgorge and 
 then to clear you. Guilty, I know I have been ; 
 weak and wrong — " 
 
 " A glass of water," said Adderly in a faint voice. 
 
 Churchill knelt and placed the dying man's head 
 on his knees. Brooks handed him his canteen and 
 Churchill placed it to the lips which w^ere blue and 
 trembling. " What he has said is true, forgive me ; 
 Churchill — all forgive me." Tears fell from all 
 who were near. " Vincent, you too. I wronged 
 your father years ago ; the money was taken by me. 
 It was lost — lost at play. Here is the proof that I 
 plan — Vincent, Hay ward, I am — forgive — " A 
 
210 SHEIs^ANDOAH ; 0% THE nOllIZOIs^^S BAfl. 
 
 struggle, and the man had gone to that '' mysterious 
 bourne from whence no traveller returns." 
 
 A blanket was thrown over him. 
 
 " Did I not tell 3'ou so," shouted Harr}^ as he 
 hugged Vincent a dozen times. " Gentlemen I re- 
 sign my office," said Eaton. 
 
 '' No, fight it out ; the battle is not over, Tom," 
 said Vincent, smiling. 
 
 " No, my boy, it's yours by every right." 
 
 " Three cheers for Captain Vincent " cried the 
 impulsive Meredith. 
 
 They were given with a will. 
 
 The Indians on the bank heard them and tossed 
 their lances aloft, ere they plunged into the stream. 
 
 With rapid steps RoUin made his way to the 
 barricade of boxes and wagon-boards, over them he 
 leaped, followed by Eaton. 
 
 Vincent caught the pale and trembling girl within 
 his arms and kissing her, told her hurriedly of his 
 vindication. Turning around suddenly he beheld 
 Eaton with a fair hand upon his shoulder and look- 
 ing beyond he saw the members and drivers gazing 
 with interest on the scene. 
 
 " Let's form a ring around the fort," shouted 
 Harry as the members clasped hands. 
 
 " Put Brooks on the high box ; he can't use his 
 arm," said another. 
 
 Brooks took the assigned seat. 
 
 " Now all hands around the barricade and let's 
 have a war dance." 
 
 The members w^ere gleefully employed when a 
 driver on the lookout reported that an Indian was 
 crossing with a white flag on his lance. 
 
SHENAIs^DOAH ; OR^ THE HORIZOX^S BAR. 2ll 
 
 " They have learned the modern mode of warfare 
 — a flag of truce. I wonder what's up ?" said Eaton. 
 
 " There are two of them, see that other fellow 
 behind the rock — I wonder what they want," re- 
 marked Meredith. The two Indians continued to 
 advance. 
 
 " Look out for tricks," said the wagon-master. 
 
 " Let us send out two to meet them " suggested a 
 member. 
 
 " No let them ride up. It Avill only show more 
 conclusively how strong we are," said Hallett. 
 
 ''Don't fire at them," ordered Rollin in a voice 
 intended for the two to hear. - 
 
 *' They can't understand 3'ou," said Brooks. 
 
 " Oh yes they do," replied Hallett. ** You bet 
 they can," 
 
 The messenger came up within tv/enty feet. 
 Both were well mounted on ponies, one Avas a 
 tall savage, well ornamented with feathers, huge 
 rings from his ears and nose, and his face painted 
 hideously with dashes of black and red under his 
 eyes. The other was not so gaily attired, wore a 
 buckskin suit, but his face was painted and he wore 
 a single plume in his hair. 
 
 "Where is Sam Hallett?" said the caller, in a 
 voice recognized instantly as that of Bent. He 
 was mounted on a strong black pony. In his right 
 hand he held a rifie and he dexterously guided his 
 pony with the left. 
 
 *' Where is Sam Hallett ?" 
 
 " Here," said the w^agon-master, stepping forward. 
 
 " We came to have a talk with you. This chief is 
 Roman Nose, chief of the Arrapahoes. We do not 
 
212 SHElTAKDOAH; OR, THE HORIZOIT^S BAH. 
 
 want to war with you, we could swallow, you for the 
 hills are black with our warriors and braves. Now 
 we attacked you before they came up, but see they 
 are now with us, we are as thick as grasshoppers." 
 The members saw that large reinforcements had 
 evidently arrived and were arriving, for not only 
 the hills but the plains beyond the river was thick 
 with savages. 
 
 " What do you want?" broke in Vincent. 
 
 ''•The provisions in your train. You will not 
 suffer ; you have money and can buy all you want 
 in the road. We will sell you your stock we have 
 with us for a fair price. 
 
 Some of the members whispered that they had 
 better take Bent's offer. 
 
 " What do you want for them ?" said Hallett. 
 
 "Two thousand dollars" said the half-breed, but 
 that's not all we want ; the chief wants the two 
 women in your train." 
 
 " Squaw no good, no make bread — lazy — " broke 
 in Roman Nose. 
 
 '' Now listen Bent, this is our reply : we will give 
 3^ou two thousand dollars for our animals ; but as 
 for our women take this message back, our rifles 
 are long they speak many times and their eyes are 
 clear, many an Arrapahoe will fall before they get 
 as to near to us as you, for we will die before we 
 give them up," returned the wagon-master. 
 
 " This then is your answer." 
 
 '' It is." 
 
 The messengers Avheeled and were soon with 
 their dusky friends on the other side of the Platte. 
 
 *' Now gentlemen," said Vincent, " load every bar- 
 
SHE>tAN"DOAIi; OR, THE HORIZOi^^S BAR. "^ 213 
 
 rel, and if they return give them volley after volley ; 
 reserve your revolvers for close quarters, and don't 
 fire till you get the word." 
 
 '' What do you think they will do, Mr. Hallett?" 
 inquired Brooks. 
 
 " Bent is avaricious, loves and spends money reck- 
 lessly, he may control them but I have my doubts. 
 They may if they are hungry, sweep down and try 
 to overpower us with their numbers. I think we 
 can keep them off if we are cool and fire surely. 
 Indeed I don't know what they will do." 
 
 " What's that down the road ?" cried Eaton, anx- 
 iously at the same time crossing and leaping up on 
 the barricade and straining his eyes beneath his 
 hand. 
 
 " See that cloud of dust." 
 
 " We are surrounded, they have flanked us," cried 
 several of the members. 
 
 " Lost, lost !" said others. 
 
 " No^-no !" cried Eaton, still shading his eyes 
 and looking eagerly. 
 
 *• By heavens, I see the flash of sabres ! It's Dela- 
 hanty and his escort." 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 *' In the ranks of death you will find him. 
 
 The sunlight played upon the polished sabres of 
 the dragoons. It was evident from the manner in 
 which they advanced that they were aware of the 
 presence of the foe. 
 
214 SHEXAKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAIl. 
 
 They trotted their horses, keeping in close col- 
 umn and with drawn sabres, ready for a charge. 
 
 Two* officers were riding in advance. In one of 
 them Vincent fancied he recognized the tall form of 
 Terry McCann as one of the leaders. The Indians 
 upon the river bank were huddled together, and, 
 judging from their excited manner, an animated 
 discussion was taking place. The debate was 
 ended, for a warrior leaves the band, turns his 
 horse's head toward the river, and hastily crosses 
 the stream; gains the other shore, and dashes 
 across the level plain and is lost to sight in the bluffs 
 just as Lieutenant McCann and Delahant}^ with 
 fifty cavalrymen, ride up to the corral. Maguire's 
 waofon that had been run across the horseshoe was 
 drawn back, and the dragoons ride mto the ring. 
 Cheer after cheer rang out on the air as the mem- 
 bers gathered around the officers. 
 
 The council of war was over, 3"et the savages 
 seemed to be waiting for something ; for braves 
 would leave the band, I'ide across the river, and 
 then along the opposite bank, eagerly watch the 
 bluffs, and then return slowly to the other side. 
 
 *' Look !" said Delahant}^ pointing with his 
 sword, *'see, they have been reinforced.'* 
 
 From out a canon in the bluff rode fully one hun- 
 dred Indians on their war ponies. They crossed 
 the river and swelled the ranks of the dusky foe. 
 An attack was determined upon. 
 
 " What's best to be done?" asked Harry. 
 
 " I think I will dismount my men, and use the 
 carbine first. Have the horses all ready to mount, 
 and if our fire routs them will sally out after them. 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON^S BAR. 215 
 
 I think that your animals are not beyond the bluffs,** 
 said McCann. 
 
 '' That's my opinion. I wish we could recover 
 the slock. The red devils have not left us a single 
 hoof," remarked the wagon-master. 
 
 At the command the men dismounted, and un- 
 slung their carbines. Every fifth soldier held the 
 horses of the others who took their positions as 
 directed by Lieutenant McCann. 
 
 With a wild whoop the Indians charged. 
 
 " Fire !" was the command from the train. A 
 rattling discharge was the reply, and the savages 
 broke and fled. 
 
 " Prepare to mount," was the next order. When 
 the smoke cleared away and revealed the damage 
 made by the fire, '' Mount !" 
 
 Every trooper was in his saddle, and McCann 
 and Delahanty at their head, with a loud hurrah, 
 swept out of the corral. They dashed across the 
 prairie. The savages were crossing the river, car- 
 rying their dead and wounded with them. The 
 soldiers pressed them hard ; they were in the cen- 
 tre of the stream before the Indians had gained the 
 opposite bank. Now they are all over the river, 
 and the race for the bluffs begins. The horses of 
 the soldiers are fresh and strong. The ponies are 
 fatigued with the war-path, and now the cavalry- 
 men are upon them. With sabre and revolver they 
 cut them down right and left. 
 
 Many of the members rush down, with rifles in 
 their hands, to watch the fight. The Indians are 
 flying in all directions. Routed squads enter the 
 various canons, hotly pursued by the soldiers. The 
 
216 SflEif AKBOAH ; 0% THE llORlZOl^-^S BAB. 
 
 sound of fire-arms and the cheers of the dragoons 
 were heard long after the combatants had disap- 
 peared in the bluffs. Riderless ponies are snorting 
 and frying over the prairie, with here and there a 
 cavalry horse with an empty saddle. 
 
 *' Let us cross ; the water here is hardly knee 
 deep," said Harrj^ starting forward and leaping 
 into the stream. 
 
 " No, Mr. Fairleigh, wait ; we cannot tell the re- 
 sult yet. Our friends may run into an ambuscade. 
 We must stand by the train till the danger is past." 
 
 '* You are right, Mr. Hallett," answered Fairleigh, 
 returning to the bank. 
 
 The sounds of strife grew fainter and fainter, un- 
 til at last they died entirely away. Yet the mem- 
 bers waited at the river ; many tired laid them- 
 selves down upon the grass. Vincent and Fair- 
 leigh were about to return to camp, and relate to 
 those who remained the story of the rout of the 
 foe. Howard had been buried by the members 
 who had remained at the wagons. 
 
 " Let us look for Pedro. I am afraid they have 
 killed him ; 3'et, he may be wounded only. The 
 stock were just beyond the road to the left when 
 the Indians stampeded them, and we may find him 
 there," said the wagon-master. 
 
 " We will look for him at any rate," remarked 
 Harry, and the three left the bank to search for 
 the herder. They passed the camp, crossed the 
 road, and began to look in the tall grass for the 
 man. Rollin, who walked a little in advance, 
 reached a little ravine, where, at the bed, a small 
 stream not over a foot wide ran down into the 
 
SHENANDOAH; OR, THE HORIZONS BAR. 217 
 
 river. He started back; called out: "Harry, here 
 he is I" then leaped down into the ravine. 
 
 When Hallett and Fairleigh came up they found 
 Vincent washing the blood from the herder's face. 
 He was bleeding freely from many wounds. He 
 had been scalped, and an arrow that he had not 
 been able to remove was fast in his right breast. 
 He revived; murmured "Indians" with a weak 
 voice. RoUin gave him a drink from his canteen. 
 
 "I think he will live," said the wagon-master, " let 
 us carry him back to camp. They raised him from 
 the ravine, and sat him upon the bank. The wagon- 
 master stooping down caught hold of the arrow 
 that protruded from his breast, gave it a quick jerk 
 and drew it out followed by a little stream of blood; 
 the herder fainted and fell back upon the grass. 
 The man's coat was taken off, his shirt opened. Tak- 
 ing the quid of tobacco that was in his mouth, the 
 wagon-master placed it in the wound; then he cut 
 up his handkerchief making lint of it, this he placed 
 over the tobacco and bound the wound with Harry's 
 handkerchief. 
 
 Vincent sprinkled a few drops of water upon the 
 herder's face ; again he revived, and they raised him 
 to carry him to camp. As they were proceeding, 
 Hayward's quick eye saw a movement on the oppo- 
 site shore, mules and horses came dashing out of 
 the bluffs followed by the soldiers who urged them 
 on. 
 
 " Aha, hurrah !" cried the impetuous Harry, 
 "this is indeed a victory." 
 
 "Softly, softly, my young friend, ' don't holloa 
 till you are out of the woods,' is an old rnaxim, wait ; 
 
218 SHENAXDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 I wonder what makes the soldier in such haste. If 
 it was all right they would not run the stock 
 so." 
 
 The soldiers hurried the animals into the stream 
 and as they drew near the members saw ever and 
 anon the men look behind them in alarm while they 
 spurred on ; the wagon was withdrawn from the 
 mouth of the corral, and the herd, with the cavalry- 
 men behind them, dashed in. 
 
 ** Hurrah, boys ! here we are," cried Terry. ^' Aha, 
 we have had a glorious time of it, Eaton, my boy. 
 Did you see how the lads cut right and left, and how 
 they made the feathered tribe take French leave ? 
 You should have been with us, Harry, such a rattling 
 time." 
 
 '* Where did you find the horses and mules, Ter- 
 ry ?" asked Fairleigh, who had joined the members 
 in the con-al after helping the wounded herder to 
 be placed within one of the wagons. 
 
 " Just over in the canon there, they were guarded 
 by a dozen or so red skins; we saw them and before 
 they could escape the brave lads were on them and 
 not many lived to tell the story. But, oh man, man !" 
 said the rattling Irishman, "3'e should have seen 
 the hornets' nest we ran into. Corporal Wj^lliams 
 and a couple of boj^s were far ahead of us driving 
 the red blackguards before them; we had your stock, 
 and I had the bugler sound the call but they did 
 not hear it, and they were surrounded by Indians 
 that sprang up from the grass all around them like 
 grasshoppers. The hills were black with them in an 
 instant, we had nothing to do but to abandon the 
 lt)rave lads to their fate, upon my word," — here the 
 
SHEXAXDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOX'S BAR. 219 
 
 gallant fellow burst into tears, — " it seemed like tear- 
 ing the heart out of me to leave them but it was no 
 use, they outnumbered us fifty to one. Sargent 
 Hawkins here forgot he was a parson and swore like 
 a trooper ought to do." 
 
 " Yes, lieutenant, and for that sin may I be for- 
 given," said Hawkins in a solemn voice. 
 
 '' Do you think they will return in force ?" asks 
 Vincent. 
 
 " I can't say. Captain. It looks like it;— an' by the 
 holy poker, there they are." 
 
 Every eye was fixed upon the bluffs, and out from 
 the canons came hosts of warriors wdth shield and 
 lance, feathered and painted for war. 
 
 " I think we will have to abandon this position, 
 gentlemen," said the wagon-master. 
 
 *' Why, how ? " cried Delahanty, in surprise. 
 '- Just beyond that little hill not over a quarter of a 
 mile away on the road is a ranche, an adobe ranche, 
 it has a sod stable capable of holding all our animals 
 and a hundred more. We can make a better fight 
 there than here for I now think they will attempt to 
 fire the train." 
 
 ''That's the words of truth and soberness," an- 
 swered McCann, " if we are to fight behind breast- 
 work let us have the best." 
 
 The preparations for change of base were made in 
 great haste. 
 
 " Take all your ammunition, men," said Rollin to 
 the members. 
 
 *' Put the harness on the mules," cried Hallett to 
 the drivers. 
 
 The horses of the members were saddled and 
 
220 SHEKAKDOAH ; OE, THE HORIZON'S BAR. • 
 
 bridled, the mules were harnessed and all were 
 ready to leave the wagons just as the Indians com- 
 menced to cross the river. 
 
 The ladies preferred to walk rather than to ride 
 so the retreat began, the wagon-master leading the 
 way. Nellie and Kate walking with Mr. Fairleigh, 
 senior, and Tom Eaton, RoUin, and Harry mounted, 
 were just behind them ; then came the members 
 also mounted, the cavalrymen brought up in the 
 rear. 
 
 *' Make way, make way," cried a well-known 
 voice, and the rumble of wheels was heard. It was 
 Maguire; he had harnessed up Barney and Blossom, 
 and now hurried by with Norah sitting by his side, 
 — " Hurry up, gentlemen ; won't you git in, ladies ? 
 No ; will thin ye are welcome ; — g'lang Blossom ye 
 divil aisy over the rough spots fur 3'er jounce the 
 life out 'ave the man that is almost dead. How do 
 you feel, Paydrew, man ?" 
 
 " Better," said the herder. 
 
 ** Thrue for you, I wouldn't lave ye to be killed 
 again, so I tuk ye out of the wagon they had laid ye 
 in and put ye in mine ; I remember the night I got 
 you into a scrape, an' now, bedad, I have made it all 
 right by takin' ye out 'ave one ; hooray, Barne}', ye 
 scoundrel." 
 
 The wagon rolled on and reached the ranche be- 
 fore the main body came up. 
 
 The ranch was a long, low adobe hut, with a 
 corral or yard made of sod for live stock. When 
 Rollin and Harry rode up, Maguire stood at the 
 door with an elderly person, who seemed to be the 
 proprietor. 
 
SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAB. 221 
 
 " Walk in, ladies, there is a fine little room for yez 
 in beyant. Miss Maguire is there, and don't fear," 
 
 said Larry. 
 
 "You are welcome, friends," said the ranchman 
 quietly, and walking hurriedly along the side of the 
 building, he opened a wide door, and the horsemen 
 rode into the large yard or corral. 
 
 The ranchman had built his house with a view 
 to just such an emergency. The walls had been 
 pierced with lookouts and musket holes. It w^as a 
 
 little fort. 
 
 The whites entered the ranch just as the savages 
 reached the deserted camp. They halted by the 
 wagons only for a moment, and through their field- 
 glasses the members could see that, though the ma- 
 jority wished to stop and plunder the train, others 
 in authority drove them away, and pointed with 
 their lances to the ranch. There seemed to be up- 
 wards of five hundred warriors and braves, and they 
 rode towards the ranch upon the galop. 
 
 The cavalry under McCann and Delehanty were 
 stationed in the stock-yard, while the members and 
 drivers guarded the doors and windows of the 
 dwelling portion of the ranch. 
 
 " I can't fight in here," said McCann, gloomily. 
 " Give me a clear field and no favor. I haven't room 
 enough to swmg a sabre without stickin* it into a 
 horse or one of my own men. Come, Delahanty, 
 let's ride out, and give 'em a bout." 
 
 " I'll tell you what we will do, wait until we have 
 given them a dose or two, and then sally out after 
 them as we did before, 
 
 " Good," 
 
222 SHE^^AXDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOX S BAR. 
 
 Hallett seemed to know the ranchman. They 
 shook hands warmly when they met, and they con- 
 versed together long in whispers. What the wag- 
 on-master said must have startled the ranchman 
 for he burst forth with 
 
 *' Thank God, where is he ?" , 
 
 '' Wait until this fight is over — " | 
 
 " Do not stop me, I must see him." 
 
 The latter part of this speech was lost in the wild 
 whoop that was sounded near. 
 
 Around and around the building the warriors 
 dashed, and the whites kept up a disastrous fire. 
 
 In a little bedroom off the store or ranch sat 
 Nellie, Kate, and Norah Maguire. The room was 
 darkened, and they sat there in silence. 
 
 *' Cheer up, girls," said Harry, who stood near 
 them. " I have taken a peep at the enemy, and 
 they seem to be retiring. There is Bent on his 
 black pony, he seems to be the head devil of them." 
 
 The wagon-master hurried from the ranchman's 
 side when the war whoop sounded. The latter 
 stood for a moment as if lost in wonder, then took 
 down a long rifle that rested upon a pair of antlers 
 over the door that opened into the bedroom, then 
 mounting a ladder, took his station with Pollard and 
 Churchill at a window in the loft. 
 
 In the section of the country where this ranch 
 stands or rather stood, wood was very scarce. The 
 roof of this sod or adobe hut was made of beams of 
 Cottonwood, with hay and bushes spread over the 
 top. 
 
 The Indians were aw^are of their advantages. 
 They could fire the roof with burning arrows ; one 
 
SHENAKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON^S BAR. 223 
 
 by one they dropped upon the inflammable material 
 forming the roof, and now it was fairly ablaze. 
 
 ''Mount, mount, everybody !" shouted McCann, 
 as he led his charger through the smoke. " Quick, 
 quick, before it is too late !" 
 
 The order was obeyed with alacrity. As there was 
 no roof to the yard or corral, the only danger was 
 from the burning roof of the ranch. Soldiers and 
 members were in the saddle — and out they sallied. 
 
 The Indians were drawn up in line ready to re- 
 ceive the chargeS; then there was a discharge of 
 arrows, and two soldiers fell to the ground. 
 
 "Avenge them, lads !" shouted McCann. 
 
 '' On, on." 
 
 The long cavalry sword waved them on to the 
 fight 
 
 The Indian line was broken, but they halted just 
 beyond the ravine, wheeled around, and again dis- 
 charged their arrows. McCann, who was riding in 
 advance, fell from his horse — an arrow had gone di- 
 rectly through his heart. The savage had aimed 
 well. 
 
 Eaton and Churchill, who were riding near, dis- 
 mouted and carried him out of the fight. At the 
 ranch Vincent, Harry, the wagon-master, and the 
 drivers remaining, endeavored to battle with the 
 flames — the smoke, and the intense heat drove them 
 from the building. With difficulty the young ladies 
 were rescued, and carried half fainting from the 
 ruins. 
 
 Vincent ran around to save his horse. He 
 reached the stockyard, and blinding his horse with 
 bivS handkerchief led him safely out The mule be^ 
 
224 SHENAXDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOl^'S BAR. ' 
 
 longing to Hallett alone remained, and the fright- 
 ened animal kicked and plunged in terror. 
 
 RoUin was about to mount his horse when the 
 wagon-master turned the corner of the ranch. 
 
 " Have you seen the ranchman?" 
 
 " No." 
 
 " Then he is lost." 
 
 ^'How?" 
 
 *' He has perished in the flames." 
 
 ** It may not be too late to save him." 
 
 RoUin entered the side door of the ranch, and 
 made his way amid burning beams and smoke ; 
 crawling upon his hands and knees he entered the 
 bedroom. 
 
 A groan near him, he turns. It is the ranchman 
 laying upon his face on the floor. Bits of charred 
 wood and pieces of sod had fallen upon him. With 
 difficulty Vincent draws him from under the debris, 
 raising him in his arms — with his foot he kicked 
 open the barred window. 
 
 It is but a step to the ground, and our>hero, with 
 the lifeless form of the ranchman in his arms 
 springs to the ground, and lays the half-suffocated 
 man down. The wagon-master emerges from the 
 yard, leading his mule. He stops, a smile of satisfac- 
 tion illumines his face. Advancing he said, pointing 
 to the prostrate man, " RoUin Vincent, behold your 
 father," 
 
SHEi^AKDOAH ; OR, Tfi^ SO'UlZOK^S BAR. 225 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 "And memory guards 
 With solemn round 
 The bivouac of the dead." 
 
 Eaton and Churchill carried the dying McCann 
 to a retired spot — a clump of cottonwood trees 
 near the river bank — and there they laid him on the 
 grass. A scowl rested on the frank, handsome face ; 
 the long sabre was firmly clasped in his right hand. 
 
 The eyes were half closed. He was hurt past 
 all surgery, and his life blood ebbed away, dyeing 
 the plumage of the gray eagle which feathered the 
 shaft that killed him. 
 
 ** We have no time for tears, Ned. We must hurry 
 back. See, see, the half-breed has rallied his war- 
 riors. Heavens ! Delahanty is unhorsed, No, no, 
 he is up again. We must not stay here." 
 
 *' Do you think the w^olves will find the body ?** 
 
 " We will return, Ned. See, Hawkins waves to 
 us to get our horses. What do you think of cav- 
 alry now, my man?" said Eaton exultingly, as the 
 troopers began to rout the Indians. '' Aha, that's 
 it — give it 'em right, Molineaux — on, on, my brave 
 boys, till I have a hack at them." 
 
 Again the Indians rallied, and once more the 
 whites retreated back to the ranche, Eaton and 
 Churchill barely reaching their friends in safet}^, 
 and the arrows whizzing about them as they ran. 
 
 The Indians displayed unlooked-for gallantry, 
 
^26 SHENAKDOAH ; OR, THE HOUIZON^^S BAR. 
 
 riding up within ten yard^ of the ranche, and dis- 
 charging their rifles and arrows. 
 
 The cavalry men once more in the ranche used 
 their carbines Avith telling effect. '^Once more, 
 lads," cried Delahanty ; *' once more for Terry 
 McCann." 
 
 " Hurrah !" shouted the troopers, as they filed 
 out on the plain. The members were mounted 
 also, and brought up the rear. The rout this time 
 was complete. Down to the river bank the sav- 
 ages retreated. 
 
 A brief stand at the river, and then horse and 
 rider plunged into the stream. The members 
 picked the warriors off from the bank ; feathered 
 heads fell into the Platte, and the deadly fire from 
 the shore was kept up without ceasing. The oppo- 
 site shore was reached, and the tired ponies of the 
 Indians dashed into the canons just as the bugler 
 sounded the retreat. 
 
 The cavalry men retired slowly, bringing with 
 them their dead and wounded. At sunset, with 
 pick and shovel, they repaired to the spot where 
 the brave lieutenant was laid, and many a tear 
 streamed down bronzed cheeks as the dead were 
 placed m their narrow beds. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 "If thou didst ever thy dear father love." — Shakspeare. 
 
 RoLLiN started back with surprise at the words 
 of the wagon-master, and gazing first at the pros- 
 trate man, then at the guide, he seemed unable to 
 
SHEKAKDOAH ; OU, THE HORIZOX's BAH. 227 
 
 utter a word. Hallett,^ with one arm through the 
 bridle rein of his mule, watched the young man's 
 countenance closely. 
 
 " Yes— your father. Should you doubt me, I 
 will prove it to you. But first let us help him to 
 reach camp. It is safe to do so now. The Indians 
 are driven across the river." 
 
 RoUin Vincent seemed bereft of life or motion. 
 He stood as if chained to the spot. The ranch- 
 man raised his head and stared about him. 
 
 '' My son ! my son ! Where is he ?" 
 
 Rollin knelt down and supported the man's head. 
 
 At that moment Mr. Fairleigh, senior, with Nellie 
 and Kate, turned the corner of the ranche. During 
 the last of the fight they had found shelter in the 
 wagon of the emigrant. They were now on their 
 way to camp. They paused as they noticed the 
 group near the window. 
 
 " Walter Fairleigh, do you know this man ?" said 
 the wagon-master, pointing to the ranchman. 
 
 Mr. Fairleigh advanced a step or tw^o. '* It is 
 Arthur Vincent as I live." 
 
 Mr. Fairleigh and Rollin assisted him to rise. 
 Hallett spoke with animation. "You have nothing 
 to fear now. Adderly is dead, and with his dying 
 breath confessed his guilt and proclaimed us inno- 
 cent for the crime for which we so long have suf- 
 fered." 
 
 " Thank God !" said the ranchman earnestly. 
 Vincent hardly knew how to act. He took his 
 father's hand, and then the two walked slowly 
 toward the camp, followed by Hayward and Mr. 
 Fairleigh. 
 
228 SHEiq-ANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON^S BAH. 
 
 " My boy," cried the old man — his locks were as 
 white as snow, and his step was feeble — " do not 
 reproach me that I so long have neglected you. I 
 was told that you were dead. That villain. Ad. 
 derly, I believed to be my friend even to the last. 
 He helped Hayward and myself in our flight. He 
 counselled us to go. We had lost heavily, and sus- 
 picion fell upon us. I received a letter when we 
 reached the West. It was from Adderly ; it con- 
 tained the notice of your mother's death, and the 
 same letter also stated that vou had died. I felt 
 that I had nothing to return for. I had a little 
 money. I built this ranche. Fortune smiled ; for 
 I have made riches here. Hayward, or Mr. Hal- 
 lett as he is called, remained with me five years. 
 Then he wished to roam, and he left me; but he 
 shall never want while I live, for he has helped to 
 make me rich ; and you, my son, 3^ou shall have it 
 all. Forgive me ; oh, forgive me !" 
 
 Tears streamed down the cheeks of both. Rollin 
 placed his father's arm around him in token of 
 affection, and with light hearts they reached camp. 
 
 The soldiers and members returned to camp, and 
 were hailed as victors. 
 
 " I think Bent is killed," said Delahanty. " Ser- 
 geant Hawkins said he saw him fall, and we have 
 captured his black pony." 
 
 During the afternoon graves were made in the 
 Cottonwood Grove near, and the dead were buried 
 with appropriate ceremonies. Headboards were 
 hurriedly made and nailed to the trees. 
 
 Many a tear was shed for Howard and the gal- 
 lant McCann. 
 
SHEN-AKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOX^S BAR. 2^9 
 
 The excitement of the day had been intense ; 
 their perils had been great. The missing faces of 
 those who had just been laid to rest cast a deep 
 gloom over them, yet all felt the Lord had been 
 with them, and Sergeant Hawkins held a prayer- 
 meeting in the evening. Every member of the 
 train attended. 
 
 The man was no canting hypocrite, but an earn- 
 est, humble worker. His company was the bravest 
 and best of any in the regiment, and he did a great 
 deal of good. He helped to reform drunkards ; he 
 cared for the sick, and by the force of example, 
 and the purity of his conduct, was respected by his 
 superiors and beloved by his men. 
 
 Rollin escorted the fair Nellie, and Eaton fol- 
 lowed with Kate. When the prayers were over, 
 they all united in singing the glorious " Old 
 Hundred." The drivers, unused to such scenes, 
 rendered thanks and swelled the grand old hymn. 
 
 Night came down, and the live stock were fed 
 from the wagon boxes, and remained in the corral 
 during the night. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXII. • 
 
 Reveille was sounded early next morning. 
 Breakfast cleared away, tents were struck, and the 
 train moved toward the burned ranche. Goods 
 which were not damaged by water or fire were 
 placed in the wagons, and then the train rolled on. 
 
 Pedro had recovered so far as to sit up. He left 
 
230 SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON^S BAR. 
 
 Maguire's wagon, and rode with one of the drivers, 
 with whom he was friendly. At noon a short halt 
 at the ranche of Beaver Creek, and at night the 
 wagons corralled on the plateau near the river. 
 
 The w^eather had been hazy for two or three 
 days. 
 
 *' If it is clear in the morning we will have a sight 
 of the mountains." 
 
 Next morning, when the sun rose bright and 
 clear, the fog of the night had melted away, and 
 far in the distance, with purple sides and snowy 
 crests, were the Rocky Mountains. Away to the 
 north, its peak sparkling in the sunlight, was 
 Laramie. Almost facing the train was golden 
 round-topped Pike, and far to the south could be 
 traced the dim outlines of Long's Peak. That night 
 the wagons rolled into camp, within sight of Fort 
 Wardwell. Upon the hill-side to the left of the 
 road were the white tents of the soldiers. Near 
 the river was an adobe ranche. Beyond a wide 
 plateau was a train of government wagons cor- 
 ralled, the drivers playing cards, or enjoying a siesta 
 'neath their wagons. 
 
 Upon the summit of the hill were a dozen adobe 
 buildings, officers' quarters, a sutler's canvas store 
 tent in the centre of the parade ground. Soldiers 
 were lounging about it ; some upon boxes and bar- 
 rels, or leaning up against the counter. Within 
 broad-shouldered dragoons were investing five and 
 ten cent stamps in candy or raisins, or filberts, 
 w^hich they cracked with their teeth. Officers' ser- 
 vants were buying potatoes or onions by the pound, 
 and an officer taking a *' bourbon straight" " upon 
 
.# 
 
 SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 231 
 
 the sly," looks about anxiously, for he has a horror 
 of "general orders," and skulks away with the 
 western vulture gnawing at his vitals. 
 
 The members of the mining company were sur- 
 prised at the laxity of discipline among officers and 
 soldiers upon the plains. Frequent cases of insub- 
 ordination had fallen under their notice, and now 
 around the ranche, at the foot of the hill, was gath- 
 ered a crowd of noisy, drunken, brawling soldiers. 
 A driver of a government wagon had a quarrel 
 with a soldier in front of the bar. A knock down, 
 drivers and soldiers become entangled in a general 
 melee, doors were closed, windows barred, and a 
 fierce battle took place within. When the guard 
 arrived the doors were broken in by the soldiers, 
 and the fight arrested. Three men were killed 
 outright, and fully a dozen wounded. 
 
 The volunteer cavalry regiments upon the plains 
 were about to be mustered out, and the soldiers 
 resolved to make the most of their time, and the 
 live stock of emigrant and freighters suffered in 
 consequence. Many a private when he returns to 
 his home a citizen, has horses and mules enough 
 to work a good-sized farm, which had been '' pre- 
 sented" to him. 
 
 The road forks at this point. The main path 
 leads to Denver by the way of Fremont's Orchard 
 and the Platte. The narrow road to the left is the 
 " cut-off," the stage route and the short cut to 
 Denver. This latter path the train pursues. No 
 event of marked importance occurred. Mr. Hay- 
 ward, Mr. Fairleigh, senior, and Rollin's father 
 were often noticed walking together along the 
 
2B2 SHElTANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOIT^S BAR. 
 
 prairie while the wagons rolled toward the moun- 
 tains. 
 
 Nellie and Kate frequently called in the services 
 of the black pony, and both Rollin and Tom were 
 happy as their escort. 
 
 On the fifth day after leaving Camp Wardwell 
 the train rolled into Denver City, Colorado. This 
 city, as many of our readers are aware, is upon 
 Cherry Creek, fifteen miles from the base of the 
 mountains. It is the largest city of Colorado, con- 
 taining a population, in 1865, of upwards of twenty 
 thousand inhabitants. 
 
 Gambling is going on with open doors, and a 
 band of music in the end of the saloon kept up 
 the excitement that liquor exaggerates. Singularly 
 enough, the name of the largest gambling den was 
 the " Progressive." 
 
 The train moves through the main street, turning 
 to the right. The wagon-master leads the way, 
 and the cavalcade enter the city stables or corral. 
 
 The members, leaving their horses with the 
 stable men, adjourned to the Planter's House, 
 where they secured rooms, as it was the intention 
 of the company to examine certain mining property 
 in the mountains near Denver, ere they proceeded 
 to Arizona. Nellie thought the change from " the 
 car" to the hotel a desirable one. 
 
 Mr. Fairleigh endeavored to persuade Rollin and 
 Harry to return home with him, saying, with a 
 smile, to Vincent '* that he hoped he did not need 
 much coaxing." 
 
 The young men had determined to proceed with 
 
SHEiq"ANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 233 
 
 the train to the journey's end. The young ladies 
 reluctantly yielded their wishes. 
 
 The Indian raids were over. The stages were 
 making their daily trips. Eaton seemed the ac- 
 cepted suitor of Kate Ferris, and both RoUin and 
 Harry rejoiced greatly thereat, for they loved Tom 
 as a brother. 
 
 Harry pretended to feel very sad, heaved enor- 
 mous sighs when in the presence of the lovers; 
 often declared to Kate that "she had jilted him." 
 Yet she well knew that Harry was joking, though 
 he used to call her his little wife when he w^ore 
 roundabouts. She knew very well there was a 
 dearer one still and a* nearer one yet in the person 
 of Miss Maynard of Washington, who, when the 
 lieutenant was down with typhoid in the hospital, 
 often relieved Captain Vincent during the long 
 hours of anxiety and watchfulness, and smoothed 
 the pillow of the sufferer. Of course, it was very 
 natural that Harry should love her, for she w^as 
 as beautiful as she was good. It had all been ar- 
 ranged before Harry left, yet the young man was 
 silent in regard to the matter. The truth was the 
 young lady was poor, and the young man wished 
 to marry her when his mining investment proved 
 a success. He was proud, and wished to make 
 a fortune independent of his father. A committee 
 of the members visited the mines near the moun- 
 tains; they reported adversely to the resolution 
 " to remain and develop the mines in Colorado," 
 and it was unanimously agreed that the train should 
 move on to Arizona. 
 
 As the committee were riding home they stopped 
 
334 SHEiq'ANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZOK'S BAR. 
 
 to water their horses at a new ranche near the base 
 of the mountains, a well-known voice hailed them 
 from the doorway. 
 
 ** Arrah, Mishter Pritchard, it's yerself I see." 
 
 It was Corporal Maguire, hammer in hand. He 
 had been engaged in putting up a kitchen to his 
 dwelling. 
 
 *' Come in, gentlemen. Norah, drive the pigs out 
 of the parlor. The hin has laid an Ggg. Don't you 
 hear it splitten its throat from the top av the bed- 
 stead.** 
 
 Lands are cheap in Colorado. Maguire was in- 
 dustrious, and to-day he is a well-to-do farmer in 
 Arapahoe county. 
 
 Cicero, with a white apron, is " captain of the 
 waiters " at the Planters' House. 
 
 The week at Denver passed away very pleas- 
 antly. The lovers enjoyed themselves. Frequent 
 excursions were made to the mountains, and moon- 
 light promenades were indulged in without fear of 
 " ye prowling savage." 
 
 CHAPTER XXXni. 
 
 OVER THE MOUNTAINS. 
 
 A LOVELY morning, and the train is ready to 
 start. The wagon-master gave the word, and the 
 wagons were once more in motion. The members 
 in the saddle were riding in advance. Down the 
 main street the party moved. Horses, mules, har- 
 
SHENANDOAH J OH, THE HOKIZON'S BAE. 235 
 
 ness, and wagons have been cleaned, and the caval- 
 cade looks bravely in the clear air. The drivers 
 merrily crack their whips, and the animals prance 
 gaily. 
 
 The Planters* House is reached, the ladies are 
 upon the balcony, and as the members ride by they 
 raise their hats in true cavalier style. Vincent 
 Fairleigh and Eaton v/heel out of line, and tying 
 their horses to the posts in frpnt of the hotel, are 
 soon b}^ the side of Nellie and Kate. The party 
 upon the balcony wave their handkerchiefs to the 
 retreating horsemen, and watch the train until it 
 passes the limits of the town; then nothing is seen 
 but the white wagon covers crawling through the 
 grass. 
 
 "Remember, RoUin," said Nellie, "in three 
 months you are to bring Harry to our home." 
 
 " In less time, I hope, dear Nellie, We will return 
 from the mines just as soon as we can be spared." 
 
 Eaton and Miss Ferris evidently had " arrived at 
 an understanding," for they seemed engaged in 
 earnest conversation in a retired nook of the parlor. 
 
 Mr. Fairleigh and Harry — believing that their 
 presence was needless, and as matters seemed to 
 progress very well without them — retired to the 
 reading-room below. 
 
 " I think we will have to ride hard, father, to catch 
 the train. I think I will disturb the eagles in the 
 dove-cote above." 
 
 Mr. Fairleigh smiled. " I think so, too, Harry.'* 
 
 The young man ascended the staircase, and rap- 
 ping on the parlor door, called out — " time !" 
 
 " Come in," said Eaton. 
 
236 SHENANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 Harry entered the room. Both young ladies had 
 evidently been weeping. Come, Tom. Rollin, we 
 will have to make good time to reach the train. 
 
 " Then good-by, Kate,' said Eaton, kissing her. 
 
 Rollin was loth to leave Nellie, but as they alone 
 waited for him, he kissed the lady and hurried 
 from the room, not daring to look back. 
 
 " Hasten home, my sons," said Mr. Fairleigh, 
 when they were mounting their horses. '' Hasten 
 to return, for you are all my boys." 
 
 The young men shook his hand, and now they 
 were in the saddle. Nellie and Kate were upon the 
 balcony. 
 
 " Good-by, Nellie. Good-by all," said Rollin, 
 touching his steed with the spur. They soon left 
 the town behind them. Fifteen miles to the moun- 
 tains, they came in sight of the train, and soon 
 after were riding slowly along with the members. 
 
 The rest of the story of the journey to the gold 
 mines of Arizona is soon told. The train were 
 eight days in the mountains, struggling through 
 the caftons, toiling over the rocky roads, and de- 
 scending into the narrow passes. At last the range, 
 with its snowy peaks, is left behind them. Once 
 more upon the plains game is abundant. The grass 
 is high, the water-brooks are fresh with the melting 
 snows of the mountains, cold and pure — no hostile 
 savages to harass their march or disturb their rest. 
 
 The Utes — a friendly tribe of the mountains — 
 often visit their camp, ready to " swap" deer skins, 
 goat's milk and fish, for bits of brass chain or 
 **tobac." Old Friday, the chief, went into ecstasies 
 over an old black silk vest that Mr. Pritchard 
 
SHENANDOAH; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 237 
 
 senior, gave him. The numberless pockets of the 
 old-fashioned garment pleased him amazingly, and 
 soon every pocket was crammed with fish hooks, 
 beads, and pieces of red ribbon. 
 
 It was astonishing to notice the red man's love for 
 anything red. Pollard chanced to wear one day an 
 old red worsted '* comforter " (tippet of the school 
 boy), and at least fifteen Indians were ready to beg, 
 steal, or ** swap" for it. Had Pollard been disposed 
 to drive a sharp bargain, he could have had buck- 
 skin enough to have made at least two hunting- 
 suits ; but, after teazing them for a time, he gave it 
 to " The young man who walks with the moon" — evi- 
 dently a love-sick brave — for a mess of fish. 
 
 The Utes, as well as other friendly tribes, are 
 great beggars. At night the members would be 
 gathered around the camp-fire, and a rude, un- 
 taught child of nature would ride into the ring from 
 somewhere out of the darkness. They came upon 
 you so unexpectedly ; Adderly must have been of 
 Indian blood. Dismounting, the red man advanced 
 to the fire. 
 
 " How ?" — their only salutation. 
 
 Some of the members responded. 
 
 "Heap tired — much hunt; no eat since last sleep." 
 
 One of the members gave him a biscuit, another 
 a drink of coffee, and the brave would sit near, 
 quietly eating, rising with — 
 
 *' Give me chew tobac." 
 
 It IS given then to the next man. 
 
 " Give me chew tobac," and so around the entire 
 fire. After having ** swung around the circle" with 
 that plaint, he would begin at the first man again. 
 
238 SHEXANDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 ** Give chew for squaw." 
 
 Many good-natured members responded to this 
 call, but it was a little too much for even the gen- 
 erous, when, with belt filled with the weed, he went 
 " round again." 
 
 *' Give a chew for papoose." 
 
 ** Get out — leave — vamoose !" from the members. 
 
 The wagon-master laughed heartily. " You 
 won't get rid of that fellow," said he, '' until some- 
 body takes off his coat as if he was going to thrash 
 him, and swears pretty loud ; then he will leave. I 
 know them of old." 
 
 Eaton — ever ready for sport, and probably think- 
 ing of the story of Sheridan's — leaped from his 
 seat and throwing off his coat, sang out: 
 
 "You confounded paradox! You infernal prolix 
 old diatribe, leave the camp !" 
 
 The Indian looked astonished, yet did not offer to 
 move. 
 
 *' Throw in a swear — a damn or two — with a 
 *git' at the end," said the guide, laughing with the 
 rest. 
 
 "You d — n quadrilateral adjective, go — git!" 
 
 The Indian folded his blanket about him, with- 
 out uttering a word, and, with severe and offended 
 dignity, strode away, mounted his pony, and rode 
 off into the darkness. 
 
 By the glare of the camp-fire the members had 
 observed that the bridle of the pony was covered 
 with bits of solid silver. Some one spoke of it. 
 
 "Yes," said Mr. Hallett, "where they get their 
 gold and silver from no one can tell; they never 
 
SHENAl^DOAH ; OK, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 239 
 
 will. I am satisfied that they know where untold-of 
 riches could be found. 
 
 They soon reached the Colorado River. The 
 grass was higher and fresher along the stream than 
 upon the slopes of the mountain. The live stock 
 are rapidly improving in condition. Again the 
 bright camp-fire blazes in the darkness, and story 
 telling is the order of the evening. 
 
 Two weeks from the day they left the mountains 
 the train halted at the mines, ten miles from the city 
 of Tuscon, Arizona. 
 
 Board huts for the members and drivers were 
 erected, and quite a httle village sprang up in the 
 desert. Pollard, who was an architect, drew the plan 
 of the proposed mill. Churchill's services were in- 
 valuable as a superintendent in the "setting up" of 
 machinery. He had been a railroad engineer before 
 the war, and well understood the duties of the posi- 
 tion. The day the members — forgetting the past — 
 elected him to the position, he threw away the wine 
 
 cup. 
 
 Stone for the new mill was carried from the 
 mountains, and the members worked hard to erect 
 the building before the snow came. The founda- 
 tions had been laid, and then Rolhn and Harry 
 thought of their promise. Nor were they slow to 
 act, for our hero's heart yearned to be with her who 
 seemed and was all the world to him. 
 
 The day of their departure came at last, and Rol- 
 lin and Harry turned their horses' heads home- 
 w^ards. They were all friends now. It was grow- 
 ing late in the season, and the young men feared 
 to delay longer their proposed journey. 
 
240 SHEKAKDOAH ; OR, THE HORIZON'S BAR. 
 
 They said **good-by" reluctantly. The members 
 appointed an escort of honor of ten of their number 
 to see them safe to the Colorado line, and on the 
 day of the departure they rode out of the little set- 
 tlement amid the cheers of their old comrades. 
 They were well supplied with provisions, and 
 loaded down with letters and messages. 
 
 Mr. Hayward told RoUin that he should proba- 
 bly remain through the winter with the miners, and 
 return with Eaton to New York when he came. 
 
 At the ranche on the boundary line of Colorado 
 and Arizona, the young men bid farewell to their 
 escort. 
 
 " Tell Kate, for me," said Tom Eaton, aside to 
 Rollin, "that I will try to return within the time 
 she has said. If, however, old fellow, Nellie and 
 you decide to step off, send me word, and Kate and 
 I will follow suit." 
 
 Hand-shaking now followed, and along the level 
 road the horsemen pursued their way. 
 
 " Good-by" was borne to them faint and far away. 
 
 Rollin and Harry halted, and answered the call; 
 then pursued their journey. 
 Two scenes and then ring down the curtain. 
 
 Scene I. 
 
 Sunrise. 
 
 Plains of Alkoli. 
 
 A mail coach hurrying eastward. 
 Two occupants, old friends, tried in battle. 
 Comrades in war. 
 Brothers in peace. 
 
 They had kept the compact made on the hills of the Shen- 
 andoah, 
 
SSDltAKDOAH ; OR, THE SORIZON^S BAB. 24l 
 
 Happy faces looking out of the windows. 
 Looking beyond the Alkali and Sage. 
 
 Scene IL 
 
 St. Paul's Church, New York, eager faces. 
 
 The swelling organ. 
 
 Floating orange blossoms. 
 
 The robed minister. 
 
 The service toned to music. 
 
 "I, Rollin, take thee, Nellie." 
 
 " I, Thomas, take thee, Kate." 
 
 "Yet, but the America Mining Company?" 
 
 " Look at the quotations." 
 
 *' Ay, yes, the tape." 
 
 "Think of the dividends.' 
 
 f* 
 
Mrs. Alexander. 
 Talma^e. 
 Dora Thome. 
 
 List ot Books in Tll^ FAVOftlTS: JSOlTlO^. 
 ^v^itb tills Book. Sold by all Dealers. 
 
 No. 
 
 1, At War with Herself . Dora Thome. 
 
 2. Allan Quartermain. Haggard. 
 8. Ac Bay. Alexander. [Albums. 
 
 4. Album Verses for Autograph 
 
 5. Adventures of an Old Maid. Greene. 
 
 6. Adventures of a Bashful Irishman. 
 T. As in a Looking-Glass. Philips. 
 
 8. Bound by a Spell, Conway, 
 
 9. By Woman's Wit. Mrs. Alexander. 
 
 10. Beaton's Bargain. 
 
 11. Battle for Bread. 
 
 12. Broken Heart, A. 
 
 13. Bad Boy at Home, The. Gray. 
 
 14. Bad Boy Abroad, The. Gray. 
 
 15. Bad Boy and his Sister, 
 
 16. Buffalo Bill. Ned Buntline. 
 
 17. Brother against Brother. Musick. 
 
 18. Beyond Pardon. Dora Thome, 
 
 19. Bright Wedding Day . Dora Thome. 
 
 20. Broken Wedding Ring, 
 
 21. Crimson Stain. Bradshaw. 
 
 22. Bede's Charity. Stretton. 
 
 23. Called Back, Conway. 
 
 24. Circumstantial Evidence. Conway. 
 
 25. Cardinal Sin, A, Conway. 
 
 26. Cobv.'ebs and Cables. Stretton. 
 
 27. Dark Days. Conway. 
 
 28. Dawn, Haggard. 
 
 29. Duchess, The. '• The Duchess." 
 
 30. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. 
 
 31. Detective Trio, The. Taylor. 
 33. Dark Marriage Morn, A. 
 33. Dora Thome. Brame. 
 84. Drops of Blood. Curry. 
 
 35. Donald Dyke, the Detective. 
 
 36. Dangerous Marriage, A. FotherglU. 
 
 87. Eureka Recitations. 1st Series. 
 
 88. Eureka Recitations, 2d Series. 
 
 89. EastLynne, Wood, 
 
 40. Ed. Sommers, the Detective. 
 
 41. False Vow, The. Dora Thome. 
 
 42. File No, 115. A Detective Story. 
 
 43. From Out the Gloom, 
 44 Fatal Wedding, A. Dora Thome. 
 
 45. Fallen Idol, A. Anstey. 
 
 46. Family Affair, A, Conway. 
 
 47. Fun for All, Greenway. 
 
 48. Good News, By Jones and Small. 
 
 49. Gipsy Blair, the Detective, 
 
 50. Garfield, Life and Death of J. A. 
 
 51. Guilty River, A. Collins, 
 
 52. Hilda's Lover. Dora Thome. 
 
 53. House Party. "Ouida," 
 
 54. Harry Pinkerton, the Detective. 
 
 55. Her Martyrdom. Dura Thome, 
 
 56. Her Marriage Vow. Dora Thome. 
 
 57. Her Second Love. Dora Thome, 
 
 58. Haunted Chamber. "The Duchess," 
 
 59. History of the U. S. Childs. 
 
 60. Hand-Book of Information. 
 fJl. In Thraldom. Mead. 
 62. In Prison and Out, Stretton, 
 €3. Joyfiil Tidings. Jones and Small. 
 M. Jesg. ^^^ira,rd. 
 
 No 
 
 65, 
 66. 
 67, 
 68. 
 69. 
 70. 
 71. 
 72. 
 73. 
 74. 
 75, 
 76, 
 77, 
 78, 
 79. 
 80. 
 81, 
 82. 
 
 83, 
 84, 
 85. 
 86, 
 87. 
 88, 
 
 89. 
 
 90, 
 
 91. 
 
 92. 
 
 93. 
 
 94, 
 
 95. 
 
 96, 
 
 97, 
 
 98, 
 
 99. 
 
 100, 
 
 101. 
 
 102, 
 
 103. 
 
 104. 
 
 105. 
 
 106, 
 
 107. 
 
 108. 
 
 109. 
 
 110, 
 
 111, 
 
 112. 
 
 113, 
 
 114, 
 
 115. 
 
 116. 
 117. 
 118. 
 119, 
 120, 
 121, 
 122, 
 123. 
 124. 
 1^ 
 
 Vnlforuk 
 
 Janet's Repentance, Eliot. 
 King Solomon's Mines. Haggaaxl. 
 Lady Valworth's Diamonds, 
 Lost and Found. Elmore. . 
 Love's Conflict. Dora Thorn*. 
 Luke Darby, the Detective. 
 Lord's Purse-Bearer, The. 
 Living or Dead. Conway. 
 Mental Struggle, A. 
 Mrs. Hopkins on Her Travels. 
 Mohaw ks , Braddon. 
 Miss Jones' Quilting. 
 Merry Men, The. Stevenson. 
 Me; A companion to "She, 
 Missing Will, The, Conway, 
 Married in Haste, Dora Thome. 
 Midnight Marriage. Holmes. 
 Macon Moore, the Southern 
 
 Detective, 
 Modern Circe, A, "The Duchess." 
 Mrs, Rasher's Curtain Lectures. 
 Not Forsaken. Giberne. 
 Nellie, the Clockmaker 's Daughter 
 Nancy Hartshorn at Chautauqua. 
 Ned Bachman, the New Orleans 
 
 Detective. 
 Ogilvie's Popular Recitations. 
 Only a Woman's Heart. Young. 
 One against Many. Dora Thorne. 
 Ostler Joe and other Recitations. 
 One Thousand Popular Quotations 
 Phil Scott, the Detective. 
 Pomfret Mystery, The 
 People's Etiquette Book. The. 
 People's Cook Book, The. 
 Paradise Almost Lost. Shaw. 
 Perdita. Ella Wheeler "Wilcox. 
 Repented at Leisure. 
 Slings and Arrows. Conway. 
 Story of a Sculptor. Conway. 
 Secrets of Success, Donovan. 
 "She." Haggard, 
 Sunshine and Roses, 
 Seven Days in a Pullman Car. 
 Sheer Off, A, L. O. E. 
 Sketches from "Texas Siftings." 
 Shadowed by a Detective. 
 Ten Days with D, L. Moody, 
 Tale of Three Lions, A. Haggara, 
 Thorns and Oraiige Blossoms. 
 Two Thousand Funny Things. 
 Twelve Complete Stories, 
 Three TTiousand Things Worth 
 
 Knowing. [Reading-. 
 
 Two Hundred Recitations ai>1 
 Vice "Versa. Anstey, 
 Witch's Head, The, Haggard. 
 Wedding Ring, The. Ta Image. 
 Wife's Honor, A. Young. 
 Woman ' s Ven geance , A . Hoiro** 
 Woman Against Woman- *" 
 Wedded and Parted. 
 Wife in Name Only. 
 Wo^-sb's Temptation, A. 
 
FAVORITE EDITION-Continned. 
 
 No. 
 
 126. 
 
 127. 
 
 128. 
 130. 
 131. 
 133. 
 i:58. 
 134. 
 135. 
 136. 
 137. 
 138. 
 139. 
 140. 
 141. 
 143. 
 
 144. 
 145. 
 146. 
 147. 
 148. 
 149. 
 150. 
 151. 
 152. 
 
 153. 
 
 154. 
 155. 
 156. 
 157. 
 158. 
 159. 
 160. 
 161. 
 162. 
 163. 
 164. 
 
 No. 
 
 Woman: Her Power and Privi- 
 
 165. 
 
 leges. 
 
 166. 
 
 Natural Law in the Spiritual 
 
 167. 
 
 World. 
 
 168. 
 
 David Copperfield. 
 
 169. 
 
 Mona's Choice. 
 
 170. 
 
 Cell 13. 
 
 172. 
 
 A Life Interest. 
 
 174. 
 
 For His Brother's Sake. 
 
 175. 
 
 A Woman's Face. 
 
 176. 
 
 A Young Vagabond. 
 
 177. 
 
 Mr. Meesou's Will. 
 
 178. 
 
 The Lamplighter. 
 
 179. 
 
 Uii der-Currents. 
 
 180. 
 
 Miss Bretherton. 
 
 181. 
 
 The World of Cant. 
 
 186. 
 
 Doctor Glennie's Daughter. 
 
 193. 
 
 Tom Brown's School Days at 
 
 196. 
 
 Rugby. 
 
 182. 
 
 Grimm's Fairy Tales. 
 
 184. 
 
 Tour of the World in 80 Days. 
 
 188. 
 
 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. 
 
 185. 
 
 Gulliver's Travels. 
 
 183. 
 
 Pilgrim's Progress, Illustrated. 
 
 187. 
 
 The Swiss Family Robinson. 
 
 1H9. 
 
 Robioson Crusoe. 
 
 190. 
 
 ^sop's Fables, 100 Illustrations. 
 
 191. 
 
 Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales, 150 
 
 192. 
 
 Illustrations. 
 
 194. 
 
 The Arabian Nights' Entertain- 
 
 195. 
 
 ments. 
 
 197. 
 
 Thrown on the World. 
 
 198. 
 
 Two Fair Women. 
 
 199. 
 
 The Shattered Idol. 
 
 200. 
 
 The Duke's Secret. 
 
 201. 
 
 One Hundred Prize Dinners. 
 
 202. 
 
 Adventures of Miss Volney. 
 
 204. 
 
 A Close Call. 
 
 206. 
 
 A Double Love. 
 
 207. 
 
 Mystery of a Hansom CAb. 
 
 208. 
 
 Playing with Fire. 
 
 209. 
 
 Mr. Perkins of New J<icsey. 
 
 210. 
 
 Madame Midas. 
 
 A Millionaire's Folly. 
 
 The Trail of the Barrow. 
 
 Fifteen Detective Stories. 
 
 Ivanhoe 
 
 Robert Elsmere. 
 
 The Story of an African Farm. 
 
 From Farm Boy to Senator. 
 
 Cleopatra. 
 
 Child's History of England. 
 
 Last Days of Pompeii. 
 
 A Crooked Path. 
 
 Thaddeus of Warsaw. 
 
 From the Earth to the Moon. 
 
 One False Step. 
 
 The Council of Ten. 
 
 A Strange Secret. 
 
 Ivan the Serf. 
 
 A Life's Remorse. 
 
 Allan's Wife. 
 
 Beatrice. 
 
 The Master of Ballantrae. 
 
 Topsy Turvy. 
 
 A Hardy Norseman. 
 
 A Babe in Bohemia. 
 
 The Unpardonable Sin. 
 
 The Tents of Shem. 
 
 Marked for a Victim. 
 
 Patience Pettigrew's Perplexities. 
 
 Blind Love. 
 
 Izma. 
 
 A Missing Husband. 
 
 Hoyle's Games. 
 
 Stanley: His Rehef of Erain Pasha, 
 
 Donovan. 
 
 We Two. 
 
 A Knight of Faith. 
 
 One of the Forty. 
 
 Shenandoah. 
 
 The Pleasures of Life. 
 
 Black Beauty. 
 
 Col. Quaritcii. 
 
 / 
 
RARE BOOK 
 COLLECTION 
 
 THE LIBRARY OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 AT 
 
 CHAPEL HILL 
 
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 484 
 
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