companion, "we may go together. The guide has
proclaimed us sister and brother--prophetic words, I hope. Believing in
that relationship, these people will not see anything extraordinary in
our taking a stroll together. _Outside_ the camp, we may find the
opportunity we are in search of?"

Marian offered no objection; and, issuing together from the tent, we
proceeded in the direction of the corralled waggons.

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED ONE.

A CARAVAN BALL.

As if to favour our design, the night descended dusk as the wing of a
vulture. The summits of San Juan were no longer visible--their outlines
becoming blended with the dark background of sky; while the more sombre
slopes of the Sierra Mojada had long since faded from the view. Even
light-coloured objects could be but dimly traced through the profound
obscurity--such as the white covers of the waggons, our own
weather-bleached buffalo-tents, the metallic sheen of the stream, and
the speckled oxen browsing along its banks. Between these objects the
atmosphere was filled with a uniform and amorphous darkness; and dusky
forms like ours could be seen only under the light of the blazing fires.
A few of these had been kindled outside the enclosure--near the avenue
entrance; but most were inside, surrounded by groups of emigrants--the
flames casting their ruddy light upon the bright cheerful faces of women
and children, or on the ruder and more careworn countenances of the men.
Underneath the waggon-bodies, the red light, broken by the radiating
spokes of the wheels, gleamed outward in a thousand jets; and men
walking outside, flung gigantic shadows over the plain. Nearer to the
line of barricade, only the shadows of their limbs were projected, the
upper part of their persons being shrouded from the glare by the tilts
and boxing of the waggons. Under this friendly cover we were enabled to
approach close up to the vehicles, without much risk of attracting
observation. But few persons were straying outside--only the
cattle-guards and other routine-officers of the caravan, all equally
negligent of their duties. They knew they were in Utah territory, and
had no enemy to fear.

It was, moreover, the hour of most interest in the daily routine of a
travelling-train: when forms cluster around the bivouac fire, and bright
faces shine cheerfully in the blaze; when the song succeeds the supper,
the tale is told, and the merry laugh rings on the air; when the pipe
sends u