nation are for Reconstruction to a man, and that Klamath will poll
a heavy Republican vote in the fall."

And folding his blanket more tightly around him, Muck-a-Muck
withdrew.


CHAPTER III.


Genevra Tompkins stood at the door of the log-cabin, looking after
the retreating Overland Mail stage which conveyed her father to
Virginia City. "He may never return again," sighed the young girl
as she glanced at the frightfully rolling vehicle and wildly
careering horses,--"at least, with unbroken bones. Should he meet
with an accident! I mind me now a fearful legend, familiar to my
childhood. Can it be that the drivers on this line are privately
instructed to despatch all passengers maimed by accident, to
prevent tedious litigation? No, no. But why this weight upon my
heart?"

She seated herself at the piano and lightly passed her hand over
the keys. Then, in a clear mezzo-soprano voice, she sang the first
verse of one of the most popular Irish ballads:--


"O Arrah, ma dheelish, the distant dudheen
Lies soft in the moonlight, ma bouchal vourneen:
The springing gossoons on the heather are still,
And the caubeens and colleens are heard on the hills."