While they thus anxiously awaited the return of their soldiers, we kept watch of the cow-path by which we had reached the Fort; for Elitha had told us that we might “pretty soon see the relief coming.”  She did not say, “with father and mother”; but we did, and she replied, “I hope so.”

We were very proud of the new clothes she had made us; but the first time she washed and hung them out to dry, they were stolen, and we were again destitute.  Sister Elitha thought perhaps strange Indians took them.

In May, the Fallon party arrived with horses laden with many packs of goods, but their only refugee was Lewis Keseberg, from the cabin near the lake.

It was evening, and some one came to our door, spoke to Elitha and Leanna in low tones and went away.  My sisters turned, put their arms about us and wept bitterly.  Then, gently, compassionately, the cruel, desolating truth was told.  Ah, how could we believe it?  No anxious watching, no weary waiting would ever bring father and mother to us again!

[Footnote 13:  Thornton.]

CHAPTER XVII

ORPHANS—­KESEBERG AND HIS ACCUSERS—­SENSATIONAL ACCOUNTS OF THE TRAGEDY AT DONNER LAKE—­PROPERTY SOLD AND GUARDIAN APPOINTED—­KINDLY INDIANS—­“GRANDPA”—­MARRIAGE OF ELITHA.

The report of our affliction spread rapidly, and the well-meaning, tender-hearted women at the Fort came to condole and weep with us, and made their children weep also by urging, “Now, do say something comforting to these poor little girls, who were frozen and starved up in the mountains, and are now orphans in a strange land, without any home or any one to care for them.”

Such ordeals were too overwhelming.  I would rush off alone among the wild flowers to get away from the torturing sympathy.  Even there, I met those who would look at me with great serious eyes, shake their heads, and mournfully say, “You poor little mite, how much better it would be if you had died in the mountains with your dear mother, instead of being left alone to struggle in this wicked world!”

This would but increase my distress, for I did not want to be dead and buried up there under the cold, deep snow, and I knew that mother did not want me to be there either.  Had she not sent me away to save me, and asked God, our Heavenly Father, to take care of me?

Intense excitement and indignation prevailed at the Fort after Captain Fallon and other members of his party gave their account of the conditions found at the mountain camps, and of interviews had with Keseberg, whom they now called, “cannibal, robber, and murderer.”  The wretched man was accused by this party, not only of having needlessly partaken of human flesh, and of having appropriated coin and other property which should have come to us orphaned children, but also of having wantonly taken the life of Mrs. Murphy and of my mother.