Bob Hampton of Placer

its first school. This was not entirely on account of the deep interest manifested in the cause of higher education by the resident

All appeared so different from that established life to which she had grown accustomed,-the people, the country, the picturesque language,-while her brain so teemed with lurid pictures of border experiences and heroes as to reveal romantic possibilities everywhere. The vast, mysterious West, with its seemingly boundless prairies, grand, solemn mountains, and frankly spoken men peculiarly attired and everywhere bearing the inevitable "gun," was to her a newly discovered world. She could scarcely comprehend its real

ate valley of the Bear Water. Her cheeks were flushed, her wide-open eyes filled with questioning, her pale fluffy hair frolicking with the breeze, as pretty a picture of young womanhood as any one coul

n the Territory. For two hours he had been exercising his talent to the full, and merely paused now in search of some fresh inspiration, holding in supreme and silent contempt the rather feeble imitations of his less-gifted companion. It is also just to add that Mr. Moffat personally formed an ideal accompaniment to his vivid narrations of adventure, and he was fully aware of the fact that Miss Spencer's appreciative e

shful in the presence of a lady. But he caught the eye,-a slenderly built, reckless fellow, smoothly shaven, with a strong chin and bright laughing eyes,-and as he lolled carelessly back in his bearskin "chaps" and wide-brimmed sombrero, occasionally throwing in some cool, insinuating comment regarding Moffat's recitals, the latter experienced a strong inclination to heave hi

o different from the East; heroism seems to be in the very air of this coun

lly solemn. "Why-eh-yes, miss-you might-eh-say that. He," with a fli

" eagerly scenting a new story. "Pl

when I was a boy

th an exclamation nearly profane, yet bef

surely do not intend to question t

remained calmly impassive. "My-eh-reference," he explained, gravel

O

ste out here to-eh-doubt a

im, but McNeil was gazing into the lady's fair f

of your own adventures, Mr. McNeil. I am very sure y

sed foreman shook his

them. Now, that scar just under your hair-really it is not at all unb

the back of his hand. "Hoof of a damn pack-mule," he expla

tened up quickly, the amazed girl joined happily in

anch," he said, doubtfully, "except do

I chanced to be left all alone in camp, I did n't dare fall asleep and leave everything unguarded, as the Indians were all around as thick as leaves on a tree. So I decided to sit up in front of the tent on watch. Along about midnight, I suppose, I dropped off into a doze, for the first thing I heard was the hee-haw of a mule right in my ear. It sounded l

thoughtfully, "fried with plenty of-eh

half rose t

u d

himed in Miss Spencer. "Please do go on, Mr

an awful heavy gun, carrying a slug of lead near as big as your fist. Had it fixed up specially fer grizzlies. The fellow creepin' along next me was a tremendous big buck; he looked like a plum giant in that moonlight, a

ead from fright?" aske

vagely, his lips moving

ner, her flushed cheeks betraying her interes

ush toward where I was standing. They was exactly in a line, and I let drive at that first buck, and blame me if that slug didn't go plum through three of 'em, and knock down the fourth. You can roast me al

e, during which McNeil spat m

f their hair?" he qu

t that!" interrupted Miss Spencer, nerv

-eh-didn't just know what M

w once more, in an apparent determination to ignore all s

gh of an opportunity to change the topic of conversation. "That's th

glad I am to be h

church?" asked McNeil with evident admira

apidly down the valley, the mules now lashed into a wil

, with a sudden swing, all came to a sharp stand,

the Jehu, leaning down from his seat to pee

s regarding her luggage. Then the two gentlemen emerged, Moffat bearing a grip-case, a bandbox, and a basket, while McNeil supported a shawl-strap and a small trunk. T

get along before next week. Oh, this seems too nice to see you again; al

elightful trip." She glanced around smilingly upon her perspiring cavaliers. "Oh, put those things do

u two gents are aimin' to go down town with this outfit, you

y to discover that individual quietly seated

he called out spitefully. "I reckon i

ne to the other, her eyes fairly dancing, as the

eet my friends, Mr. Moffat and Mr. McNeil. They have been so thoughtful and entertaining a

m, both hands extended, the bright gl

st like a stranger here myself, but I do hope you will both of you call. I shall be so v

oat, but Moffat succeeded in expressing

me, and go in with Aunt Lydia. I know I must be getting horribly burne

fat gazed intently at the distant hills. Just beyond the gate, and without so much as glancing toward his companion,

eh-goin' on

Take a look at

p that-eh-gully," he volunteered, soberly, "the-eh

shot in the back. "You blathering, mutt

already nearly