re turning in, so I was
unable to ascertain more about the young lady he had so unexpectedly
met. The rest of the family were very nice and pretty girls, their
manners much superior to what I had reasonably supposed would be found
in the "Far West."

Soon after breakfast the next morning, I saw Armitage and Miss Hargrave
walking out together, he having asked her to show him a beautiful view
she had spoken of at the other end of the estate. The rest of the young
ladies being occupied, Story and I lit our pipes, and were sitting
smoking them in the verandah, when we were joined by Mr Praeger.

"Your companion appears to be an old friend of my young relative," he
observed, as if apparently wishing to learn something about Armitage.

I replied that he was well known to Lieutenant Buntin, who spoke highly
of him; and that he was evidently a man of some means, as we judged from
his outfit and the number of his attendants, while we had found him a
most excellent fellow in every respect.

"I'm glad to hear it, for the sake of my wife's young cousin Ellen," he
answered. "She came out to us a few months ago, having lost her
parents, and having no relatives for whom she cared in England. She
had, however, very little idea of the rough style of life we are
compelled to lead; but she at once got into our ways, though I observed
what I could not account for, that she was often more melancholy than
was consistent with her disposition. Now, however, I suspect the
cause."

I fully agreed with our out-spoken host. I soon found that we were not
likely to learn anything of the interesting subject from Armitage
himself, for he was remarkably reticent, and I saw that it would not do
to banter him, or allude in any way to it.

I must pass over several days, during which the doctor as well as the
ladies of the family were unremitting in their attentions to the wounded
men. The captain was soon himself again, though still too weak to
travel; but Charley's wound took much longer to heal, and Mark was not
likely to be on foot again for three or four weeks at soonest. In the
meantime, Story and I, with our constant companion, Peter, rode over to
the settlement to obtain the stores we required for our journey, as well
as to replace our baggage mules.

While thus engaged, we found an old trapper also making purchases at the
stores. He was tall and gaunt, his countenance weather beaten and
sunburnt, of a ruddy brown hue, his hair--wh