LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 203 



And, shouldering their rifles, the two campaiieros returned to 

 the Ranch. More than one of the mountaineers had fulfilled the 

 object of their journej^ and had taken to themselves a partner 

 from among the belles of Taos, and now they were preparing for 

 their return to the m.ountains. Dick Wooton was the only un- 

 fortunate 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 I" he said, *' thar's the gal, and thar's the mount- 

 ains : 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, and she came to meet 

 him. Whispering one w^ord, she put her foot upon his, was ini 

 stantly seized round the waist, and placed upon the horn of his 

 saddle. He struck spurs into his horse, and in a minute was out 

 of sight, his three companions covering his retreat, and menacing 

 with their rifles the crowd which was soon drawn to the spot by 

 the cries of the girl's parents, who had been astonished spectators 

 of the daring rape. 



The trapper and his bride, however, escaped scatheless, and the 

 whole party effected a safe passage of the mountains, and reached 

 the Arkansas, Avhere the band was broken up — some proceeding to 

 Bent's Fort, and others to the Platte, among whom were Killbuck 

 and La Bonte, still in company. 



