IN THE OLD WEST 



to get a sight on these darned Mormonites, I 

 would. They're no account, I guess ; and it's the 

 meanest kind of action to haul their women crit- 

 ters and their young 'uns to sech a starving coun- 

 try as the Californys." 



" They are not all Mormons in the crowd," said 

 the strange hunter ; " and there's one family 

 amongst them with some smartish boys and girls, 

 I tell you. Their name's Brand." 



La Bonte looked up from the lock of his rifle, 

 which he was cleaning but either didn't hear, 

 or, hearing, didn't heed, for he continued his work. 



" And they are going to part company," con- 

 tinued the stranger, " and put out alone for 

 Platte and the South Pass." 



"They'll lose their hair, I'm thinking," said 

 Killbuck, " if the Rapahos are out thar." 



" I hope not," continued the other, " for there's 

 a girl amongst them worth more than that." 



" Poor beaver ! " said La Bonte, looking up 

 from his work. " I'd hate to see any white gal 

 in the hands of Injuns, and of Rapahos worse than 

 all. Where does she come from, stranger? " 



" Down below St. Louis, from Tennessee, I've 

 heard them say." 



" Tennessee," cried La Bonte, " hurrah for 



the old state! What's her name, stran ' 



At this moment Killbuck's old mule pricked her 

 ears and snuffed the air, which action catching 

 La Bonte's eye, he rose abruptly, without waiting 



