than
would be supposed, every man in New Constantinople knew of the arrival
of the couple and had given them right royal welcome. It was the most
joyous incident in the history of the little mining settlement. Every
one knew of the corroding grief of Nellie Dawson, and there was not a
heart that did not go out in sympathy to her. All were gathered around
and within the crowded quarters of the Heavenly Bower, where the two
men and Nellie ate their happy evening meal. Then the pipes were
lighted, and with the girl perched upon her father's knee, the rest
listened to his story, which he summarized, leaving the particulars
for a more convenient occasion.

"I am sorry my long silence caused misgiving," said he looking round
in the faces of his friends, "but it could not be very well helped.
You have noticed that whereas I left New Constantinople with two arms,
I am now one short. As I told Nellie, that happened in the very last
days of the war. It was quite a loss, but you have little idea of how
soon a man can become accustomed to it. The fact is," added the
soldier, with a grim smile, "things are moving so well with me that I
wouldn't give much to have the old limb back again. I have no doubt
General Howard feels the same way."

"The pruned oak is the strongest," observed Parson Brush.

"Provided it isn't pruned too much. With my wound came an attack of
fever, which brought me nearer death than I ever was in battle, but I
came out of it all and here we are."

"What route did you take, captain?" asked Wade Ruggles.

"By steamer to the Isthmus, then up the coast to San Francisco.
There the lieutenant and I joined a party to Sacramento and each
bought a good strong horse. He had brought his dog Timon all the
way from Virginia, where he was given to him by an old friend who wore
the gray. We were hopeful of meeting Vose Adams in Sacramento, but
he had not been there for weeks. Instead of him, whom should we come
across but Ike Hoe, who was also getting ready to start for this
place. We three set out nearly ten days ago, but Ike is still in the
mountains."

This was said with so grave a face that all knew what it meant.

"I never heard of the Indians being so troublesome. For three days and
nights it was little else than fighting. In the darkness we would
steal off and hunt for some new way through the mountains, but it
mattered not where we went, for we were sure to run against some of
them."

"How was it that Hoe m