"No; not at that particular fort. We have never been quite so far as that yet. It is a new fort--an outpost really on the extreme southwestern frontier, as I understand. We shall have to cross what used to be called the Great American Desert to reach it. We go first to Leavenworth, and, of course, the journey to Leavenworth is easy enough.
But from Leavenworth the long, tedious traveling by army wagons over the plains and through the wilderness to the southwestern forts will try your endurance, my dear."
"Come, come!" said the captain, heartily; "it is not all unmitigated dreadfulness. To be sure we have no railroads through the wilderness, no fine city hotels to stay at; but, then, there are some few forts along the line of travel, where we can stop a day or two to rest, and have good sport. And when we have no fort at the end of a day"s journey, it is not very awful to bivouac under the shelter of some friendly rock or in the thicket of some forest. The wagons by day make good couches by night; and as for the bill of fare, a haunch of venison from a deer shot by some soldier on the road, and cooked on a fire in the open air, has a very particularly fine flavor. All civilized condiments we carry with us. As for amus.e.m.e.nts, though we have no theaters or concerts, yet there is always sure to be some fellow along who can sing a good song, and some other fellow who can tell a good story. I rather think you will enjoy the trip as a novelty, Mrs. Rothsay. I observe that most young people do."
"I really think I shall enjoy it," a.s.sented Corona.
"I hope that you will be able to endure it, my dear," added Mrs.
Neville.
"You see the journey is no novelty to my wife, Mrs. Rothsay. She has spent all her married life on the frontier. Thirty years ago, my dear lady, I received my first commission as second lieutenant in the Third Infantry, and was ordered to Okononak, Oregon. I married my sweetheart here, and took her with me, and she has been with me ever since; for we both agreed that anything was better than separation. We have raised children, and they have married and left us, and we have never been parted for a week. We have lived on the frontier, and know every fort from the confines of Canada to those of Mexico. We have lived among soldiers, savages, pioneers, scouts, border ruffians, wild beasts, and venomous reptiles all the days of our married life. What do you think of us?"
"I think it is unjust that some military officers have to vegetate all their days in those wilds of the West, while others live for all that life is worth in the Eastern centers of civilization."
"Bless you, my dear, we don"t vegetate. If nothing else should rouse our souls the Indians would, and make it lively for us, too! It is not an unpleasant life, upon the whole, Mrs. Rothsay; but you see we are growing old, and my wife is tired of it, that is all."
"How soon shall we leave for the West?" inquired Corona.
"How soon can you be ready, my dear young lady?"
"I am quite ready now."
"Then on Monday, I think. What do you say, Mrs. Neville?" inquired the captain.
"Monday will do," replied the wife.
"Now here are some people coming in to interrupt us," said the captain in a vexed tone.
Corona looked up and said:
"They are Chief Justice and Mrs. Pendletime, come to call on their late ward, Mrs. Fabian Rockharrt. You know them?"
"Not a bit of it. So if you please, my dear, we will retire at once and leave you to receive them, especially as we are both engaged to dine at the a.r.s.enal this afternoon," said the captain; and he arose, and with his wife withdrew from the parlor.
Cora went forward to receive the new visitors. They both greeted her very warmly, and then expressed the deepest sympathy with her in her sorrow at the loss of her grandfather, and made many inquiries for the particulars of his illness.
When Corona had answered all their questions, and they had again expressed their sympathy, she inquired:
"Have you sent for Violet? Does she know you are here? If not, I will go and call her."
"Oh, yes; the servant took up our card. And here she comes! And the baby in her arms, by all that is beautiful!" said Mrs. Pendletime, as she arose to meet her favorite, and took the infant from the fond mother and covered both with caresses.
"To think of my child coming to a hotel instead of directly to my house!" said the elder lady, reproachfully.
"But I wished to stay a day or two with Corona before she leaves for the West. And after I meant to go to you and stay as long as you would let me," Violet replied.
"Mrs. Rothsay going West!" exclaimed the old lady.
"Yes; she is," said Violet, emphatically and impatiently. And then there ensued more explanations, and exclamations, and remonstrances.
And finally Mrs. Pendletime inquired:
"And when do you leave on this fearful expedition, my dear?"
"On Monday next I go, with Captain and Mrs. Neville," replied Corona.
"Well, I am truly sorry for it; but, of course, I cannot help it. On Monday, therefore, after your friend has taken leave of you, you will remove to my house, Violet?"
"Oh, yes; the thought of going to you is the only comfort I have in parting from Corona," replied Mrs. Fabian Rockharrt.
CHAPTER x.x.xIII.
CORONA"S DEPARTURE.
On the Sunday following her arrival in Washington, the last day of her sojourn in the capital, the day before her departure for the frontier, Corona Rothsay rose early in the morning, and soon as she was dressed went down to the ladies" parlor. Neither her uncle nor his young wife had yet left their rooms. In fact, so early was it that none of the ladies staying in the house had yet come down to the parlor. The place was vacant.
Corona went up the long room and sat down by one of the front windows, to look down on the pa.s.sing life of the avenue below.
While she sat looking out of the window she heard a movement at the lower end of the room. Some one entered and sat down to wait. And some one else went out again. Corona never turned round to see who was there.
She continued to look through the window. She was not interested in the comers and goers into and out of the hotel.
Presently some one came in again and said:
"Mrs. Rothsay is not in her room, sir."
"Then I will wait here until she can be found," replied the new comer in a familiar voice.
But then Corona started up and rushed down the length of the room, crying eagerly:
"Uncle Clarence! Oh, Uncle Clarence! Is this you? Is this indeed you? I am so glad to see you once more before I go! I had thought never to see you again! Or, at least, not for many years! And here you are!"
He caught the hands she held out as she reached him, drew her to his bosom and kissed her as he answered:
"Yes, my dear, it is I, your old bachelor uncle, who was not satisfied with the leave taking on last Thursday, but longed to see you again before your departure."
"You dear Uncle Clarence!"
"So yesterday afternoon I telegraphed to Fabian to ask him when you were to start for the West. He telegraphed back that you expected to leave Washington on Monday morning. I got this answer about five o"clock in the afternoon. And, as it was Sat.u.r.day night and I had a clear day, the blessed Sabbath, before me, I only waited to close the works at six o"clock, as usual, and then I hurried away, packed a carpet bag and caught, by half a minute, the six-thirty express for Baltimore and Washington, and came straight through! It was a twelve hours" journey, my dear, without stopping except to change cars, which connected promptly, and so you see I have lost no time! I have just arrived, and did not have to wait five minutes even to see you, for you were here to receive me! And now that I am here, my dear, I shall stay to see you off with the Nevilles. You go to-morrow, as I understand? There has been no change in the programme?"
"We go to-morrow, Uncle Clarence," replied Corona, in a grave, sorrowful tone, for she was sympathizing with him.
"By what train, my child?"
"The eight-thirty express, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad."