Part 6 (1/2)
”That I will do right gladly,” said the stranger.
When I told him how I was engaged, he immediately sent some of his men, and they at once set to work and dug a deep grave. Our poor father having then been placed in it, they raised over it a pile of heavy logs.
”I wish we could have done better for him,” said the stranger; ”but many a fine fellow sleeps under such a monument as that.”
I need not dwell upon our grief as we watched these proceedings. I was sure that the sooner Clarice was away from the spot the better it would be for her; so, as the leader of the emigrant train did not wish to delay longer than was necessary, I a.s.sisted in harnessing the animals to our waggon, and we at once moved on.
I was walking beside our new friend, when he asked me my name.
”Ralph Middlemore,” I replied; ”and my sister is called Clarice.”
”Ralph!” repeated the stranger; ”that was my father's name.”
”I was called after my grandfather,” I observed,--”Ralph Crockett.”
I do not know how I came to say that. My companion started, and gazing at me attentively, asked,--”What was your mother's name?”
”Mary.”
”Where is she now?” he inquired eagerly.
”She died after we began this sad journey,” I said.
The stranger was silent, stifling some deep emotion.
”Your sister is like her,--very like what she was at the same age. You have heard of Jeff Crockett, boy? I am your Uncle Jeff; and though I have much to mourn for, I thank Heaven I was sent to rescue Mary's children in their distress. And Clarice! she has been to me as an angel of light. You remember that she gave me a book. I took it to please her, not intending to read it; but I did read it, and it showed me what I was--a wretched, lost sinner. I learned that I was like the prodigal son; and as I heard that my earthly father was no more, I determined to go to my Heavenly Father, knowing that he would receive me. He has done so, and I can now say honestly that I am a Christian, and fit to take charge of Mary's children.”
I need say very little more than that from this time Uncle Jeff const.i.tuted himself our guardian, and that we thankfully accompanied him to the new location he was forming at Roaring Water.
And now I shall resume my narrative at the point at which I interrupted it to give the reader a bit of my family history.
CHAPTER FOUR.
AS THE LIEUTENANT AND I ARE STARTING, WE HEAR THAT KLITZ AND BARNEY HAVE GONE OFF WITH A WHEEL-BARROW FOR CALIFORNIA--A PLEASANT BIVOUAC--AT LAST WE CATCH SIGHT OF THE DESERTERS--THE LIEUTENANT IS ABOUT TO RIDE AFTER THEM, WHEN A PARTY OF INDIANS APPEAR--THE INDIANS TAKE TO FLIGHT, AND WE LOSE SIGHT OF THE RUNAWAYS--FORM OUR CAMP--DISCOVER THAT WE ARE WATCHED--FOLLOW THE SPY, WHO PROVES TO BE MAYSOTTA--FIND THE DESERTERS TAKING THEIR EASE--WE CAPTURE THEM, AND, GUIDED BY MAYSOTTA, TAKE THEM TO THE INDIAN CAMP--RESOLVE TO RETURN TO THE FARM.
The lieutenant and I had arranged to start at daybreak, on horseback, with a couple of baggage-mules carrying provisions and camp utensils.
Clarice was up to give us our breakfast, and I heard the lieutenant tell her how much he hoped to meet her again.
”Not very likely, in this wild region,” she answered with perfect composure, although a slight blush came to her cheek as she spoke.
The lieutenant having given directions to Pat to remain and do his duty,--charging him not to get drunk again, and to come on with the sergeant as soon as he was able to travel,--we were on the point of mounting our horses, when Bartle came up.
”I thought that I should get something out of our fellows,” he said.
”Of all the strange things I have ever heard of people doing, the strangest is what your two troopers are attempting. It seems that the Dutchman and the Irish chap have taken possession of one of our wheelbarrows and a couple of pick-axes and spades, with such other things as they had a fancy for, and have gone off, expecting to make their way to California, where, it is said, gold can be had to any amount by digging for it.”
”The rascals!” exclaimed the lieutenant; ”they will not get there in a hurry, and we shall probably come up with them before long.”
”They have had a good many days' start of you,” observed Bartle, ”and if they have kept on going, they must be some distance on their road by this time.”