n profound darkness. The lieutenant decided to start a
fire, and, with much difficulty, gathered a sufficiency of dried
branches. They were fortunate enough to find a partial cavern, so open
in front that it would have given slight shelter in the event of a
storm. When the blaze threw out its cheerful light, it served to
dissipate the gloom which in spite of themselves had oppressed them
with the coming of night.

They partook of food and the lieutenant's spirits rose, for he saw
nothing to prevent the full success of the dream which had inspired
and thrilled him so long. His buoyancy was infectious, and he brought
a smile to the beauteous countenance by his merry sallies, and his
picture of the happy future that was close at hand.

"Your father will be angry at first," he said; "it would be strange if
he were not, but he loves you and I think has a pretty fair opinion of
me. When he gains time to think over the matter, he will admit the
wisdom of what we have done and we shall receive his blessing."

It was this assurance, more than all else, that served to lift the
gloom from her. Deep as was her love for the one at her side, it would
not have sufficed to draw her from her adored parent, had she believed
that his resentment against her would last. As it was, she grieved
that even for a brief time, as she thought would be the case, he
should hold harsh feelings toward her.

No chivalrous knight of the Crusades could have been more scrupulously
considerate of lady intrusted to his charge than Lieutenant Russell.
He would have died before offending Nellie Dawson by act, word or
presumptuous thought. When, as the night advanced, the bright eyes
began to grow drowsy, he arranged a couch for her, saw that she was
well provided with blankets and then turned to the immense dog, who
had never left them and who looked as if he understood everything.

"Now, Timon, you are to stay right here," he said, bending over and
impressively shaking his finger at the animal; "you are not to
venture a dozen feet from your mistress without permission. Do you
understand?"

A whine and wagging of the tail left no doubt that the wishes of his
late master were clear to him.

"You have your gun at your side," he added, turning to Nellie; "I do
not think you will have any call to use it. We have not met any
Indians and your father cannot overtake us before morning. Timon will
be sure to give you warning of the approach of danger, and, if y