328 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 



