till; and must have reached the spot he occupied but the moment
before--when my eyes for an instant had been turned away. The Herculean
frame, and great rufous beard hanging over his breast, proclaimed to my
eyes the identity of the Tennessean squatter; and the costume confirmed
it. It was precisely the same worn by him on that eventful morning--
when standing before me with his long rifle raised against my life. The
ample surtout of greenish blanket-cloth, a little further faded--the red
skirt underneath--the coarse horse-skin boots rising to his thighs--the
crimson kerchief turbaned around his head, its loose flap falling down
over his shaggy eyebrows--were all identical with the portrait remaining
in my memory. I watched him with eager eye. Was it his intention to
step nearer and examine us? Or had he come forth upon some other
business? He was looking grave, and sad, I thought; but in the distance
I could scarce note the expression upon his countenance. It did not
appear to betoken curiosity. Once only he glanced towards us, and then
turned his eyes in an opposite direction. This did not shew that he
cared much for our presence, or was in anywise interested in it. In all
likelihood, he shared not the childish curiosity of his travelling
companions--to whom he in other respects bore but little resemblance.
As he stood in their midst, he looked like some grim but majestic lion,
surrounded by jackals. His behaviour suggested a further similitude to
the great forest monarch. He seemed to hold no converse with those
around him; but stood apart and for the moment motionless as a statue.
Once only I noticed that he yawned--stretching out his colossal arms, as
if to aid in the involuntary action. For this purpose, and this alone,
did he appear to have come forth: since, shortly after its
accomplishment, he turned back into the avenue, and disappeared behind
the barricade of the waggons!

CHAPTER NINETY EIGHT.

BEAUTY EMBROWNED.

The apparition--for it had something of the character of one--restored
my equanimity. Holt was with the Mormon train; and of course Lilian
also. It may seem strange that this knowledge should have given me
satisfaction--that a belief, but yesterday grieving me, should to-day
bring gladness!

The apparent anomaly is easily explained. It was the consequence of a
change in the situation. My confidence in the success of our scheme had
now become strengthened--almost to a certai