On the mother's side the strain was equally militant, but the Meades had sought the sea.

The old soldier had told her much more, of which she understood little; told her of the young man's sister, who had come all the way from Kentucky to see her brother off when he sailed from San Francisco; told her of the Lieutenant's many friends in Washington, and of his family name and honor.

Meade Burrell was undoubtedly a fine young fellow in his corporal's eyes, and destined to reach great heights, as the other Burrells had before him.

The old soldier, furthermore, had looked at her keenly and added that the Burrells were known as "divils among the weemen." Resting thus on the steps of Old Man Gale's store, the two talked on till they were disturbed by the sound of shrill voices approaching, at which the man looked up.

Coming down the trail from the town was a squaw and two children.