LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 247 



the trail to old Missoura, whar white and Christian gals 

 are to be had for axing. Wagh ! " 



La Bont6 rose to his feet. The mention of Mary 

 Brand's name decided him ; and he said 



" Darn the Spaniard ! she can't shine with me. Come, 

 old hos ! let's move." 



And, shouldering their rifles, the two campaneros 

 returned to the Ronch. More than one of the moun- 

 taineers had fulfilled the object of their journey, and 

 had taken to themselves a partner from amongst the 

 belles of Taos, and now they were preparing for their 

 return to the mountains. Dick Wooton was the only 

 unfortunate one. He had wooed a damsel whose 

 parents peremptorily forbade their daughter to wed 

 the hunter, and he therefore made ready for his 

 departure with considerable regret. 



The day came, however. The band of mountaineers 

 were already mounted, and those with wives in charge 

 were some hours on the road, leaving the remainder 

 quaffing many a stirrup-cup before they left. Dick 

 Wooton was as melancholy as a buffalo bull in spring ; 

 and as he rode down the village, and approached the 

 house of his lady-love, who stood wrapped in reboso, 

 and cigarito in mouth, on the sill of the door, he turned 

 away his head as if dreading to say adios. La Bonte 

 rode beside him, and a thought struck him. 



" Ho, Dick ! " he said, " thar's the gal, and thar's the 

 mountains : shoot sharp's the word." 



Dick instantly understood him, and was " himself 

 again." He rode up to the girl as if to bid her adieu, 



