“Waal, I reckon it will be a long time onless you find some better place to camp in than these desolate mountings. Here, Star,” and he whistled his faithful horse to his side.
Star came up ready for action. When Waltermyer had drawn the girths tighter and arranged both bridle and saddle to his liking, he lifted the light form of Waupee from the earth before she had the slightest intimation of his intention, and swung her upon the back of the horse with as little difficulty as if she had been but a feather’s weight. The hot blood welled up into cheek, brow, and neck of the woman, and shone ruddy even through her bronzed skin at the action. But the calm face of Waltermyer satisfied her that all with him was perfect kindness and good faith, before even his words had reached her ear.
“Thar now, you’ll ride like a princess—though I don’t well know what they may be. Onyhow, you’re not a-goin’ to walk, while I own a horse. I know the braves, as they call themselves in your tribe, make you go on foot while they strut off on thar horses all fiery-fired to death. But I don’t and won’t! Thar’s no use a-talkin’, it’s just what Kirk Waltermyer would do for any woman.”
“When the pale-face tires, Waupee will walk.”
“Tires? Waal, ef that isn’t about the richest thing I ever heard. When I tire!”
“But the horse will grow weary. The trail has been a long one and the night stormy.”
“My horse grow a-weary? Waal, that’s equil to the other! When he gits tired I’ll take you in my arms, for not a single step shall a woman walk on such a trail as this, while Kirk Waltermyer draws breath;” and he laid his strong hand on the rein and led the way down the mountain.
CHAPTER XV.
REVOLT—ALONE ON THE HEIGHTS—TRIAL.
Bitter crimination followed the Mormon leader after his engagement with the Indians, but fortunately for him, no lives had been lost, else, in the passion of the hour, even his supposed sacred character would scarcely have preserved him from punishment at the hands of his followers.
“It ain’t no use, Thomas,” (he had dropped the “Elder,”) “in talking any more about it. I shan’t for one go poking about in these hills after a girl that none of us care about.”