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Updated: June 22, 2025
The Corporal had spoken garrulously of his officer's family; of their pride, and of their love for his profession; had dwelt enthusiastically upon the Lieutenant's future and the length he was sure to go, and finally drifted into the same story he had told Necia.
Moreover, he knew that Necia was coveted by half of them, and if he spent a night in the woods alone with her it would stir them up a bit, he fancied. By Heaven! That would make them sit up and notice him! But then it might work a wrong upon her; and yet, would it? He was not so sure that it would.
"We will send Necia down to the Mission to-night, and let Father Barnum keep her there till this man goes," said the squaw, after some deliberation. "No, she must stay here," Gale replied, with decision. "The man has come here to live, so it won't do any good to send her away, and, after all, what is to be will be.
"Dat's damn lie!" said the Frenchman. "No, it isn't. He's under indictment for it back in California. He shot her down in cold blood, then ran off with my kid. That's her he calls Necia. She's mine. Ain't I right, Lieutenant?" At this final desperate effort to fix the crime upon his rival, Burrell turned on him with loathing. "It's no use, Stark. We heard you say she killed herself.
Lieutenant Burrell had come with the others, for the arrival of a steamboat called for the presence of every soul in camp, and, spying Necia in the outskirts of the crowd, he took his place beside her. He felt constrained, after what had happened on the previous evening, but she seemed to have forgotten the episode, and greeted him with her usual frankness.
It was late, and the hush of a summer midnight lay upon the distant hills. Burrell had almost passed her when he was startled by the sound of his name breathed softly; then, to his amazement, he saw her come forth like a spirit into the silver sheen. "Necia!" he cried, "what are you doing here at this hour?"
So that, all in all, the youth felt he had good reason to be in the dumps this afternoon. There was nothing desirable in this place everything undesirable except Necia.
Burrell seized the little man by the hand. "If I had known more law you needn't have given me this hint." "I must go now to this Stark," said the Father; "he may need me. But first I shall talk with Necia. Poor child, she is in a difficult position, standing between the love of John Gale and the loyalty she owes her father.
Dammit, you jest ought to see them clothes!" And by very force of his vociferations he succeeded in exacting the promise of a brief stay in the proceedings before he bolted out, the rags of his yellow mackinaw flapping excitedly. The priest returned to Necia, leaving the trader and Poleon alone. "I s'pose it's best," said the former. "Yes!"
"Why, that's the day after to-morrow!" cried Necia. "Oh, won't I be glad to see him!" "You don' get dem kin' of mans on de beeg cities," said Poleon. "I ain' never care for preachin' much, an' dese feller w'at all de tam' pray an' sing t'rough de nose, dey mak' me seeck. But Fader Barnum Ba Gar! She's the swell man." "Do you know," said Necia, wistfully, "I've always wanted him to marry me."
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