, 1875-08-15

Little Phil was lost to him. Ho went back to the
ranch to question the st8tion-Eeaper before &c.
| ceptinR finally the dlsagresAbla fact that the
blonde bearded, blue-eyed SKI footer was neither
| more nor less than horse-thlef, and q very
mean rascal to boot.
"Why, stranger asked the Ian 1ord, '.what's
the matter Yer amt been tuck bad or hurt,
hev YER"
| Frank Was as pale ~ ghost. Indeed it seemed
to him at that moment that he had as little back-
bone a. the airlest ghost that ever sneaked bsck
into the elimpses of the moon. "Where is my
horse !" he asked.
In the stable, spose," answered the sta-
hon-Reeper.
No" said Frank. shaking his hoad wistsully.
"What:" said tue stahon-keepsr. Stranger,
yon must be crazy"
He went to the stable md looked in, "What
the devil do you mean," cried he 'Your horse
u there. all right" Then he added IN 4 lower
! tone. II wonder If the da1ned fools loony?'
his head
'Not your horee7 TIL take my oath on the
bigseat>Bible ever was got up saw you rids him
to the stable"
"Did you see that long,bsardsd seoundrsl
who came in With me, leave2"
Il did"
''Wbat horse did he rlde?"
s'The same he rode in on"
Franks heart went down with sudden plunge.
The matter Was no iouger in DOUBT; he under-
stood 1t all Poor little Phil was gone for ever.
To overtake him with the glass-eyed quadrupsd
after three hours start was beyond all hope.
Frank told his host the story Of his
meeting with tho blue-eyed horse-thief
and his foolish change Of horses. As he
proceeded the ssation-keeper eyed him
more and more ferceiy to the end Of his
story. Then he stepped inside the door Of the
ranch and came out again, armed with \ Henry
rifle.
Friend" said be, 'tbat story il too darned
thin. I want you to cit out o here. You don't
put up pone OF your jobs on me. You git after
yonr chum as quick "a the Lord will lot yer.
house. II you think you're goin' to scaro anv
money out O. me, you're mistaken. / aip't no
cent"
to resent this speech. He told the landlord
very humbly that be was rnEtakeu-thar what
be had told him was tue plain truth. He made
no claim against him, aud wanted nothing from
him but to be informed which way his late COM
panion had taken.
He left the way you both come" said the
host; and, friend, it what you say is true.
you're tho sottezt chicken that ever Was
pucked in these parts: But, darn
ereenest New Yorker ever see out yere couldn't
be fooled that way"
Frank saddIed S;,ectAcIes with heart full Of
bitterness. He felt Is If he could have shot the
poor brute. He had never kicked 30 animal in
bis life, but he cane terribly near it then. His
ANIMAL" thought be, ''lts not your fault if
your late master IL horse~thief and your pres
ent on6 fool"
He mounted spectacles, and without any fur
ther words With the s!Ation-keeper rode back On
the trail Of the raviaher Of his lamented Little
Phil. He had no clear idea why be did So But
to 20 on to BogesVille would be to give up Little
Phll foraver, and that he could not mako up his
mind to do-as yet. He instlnctively sought
eurcease OF SORROW in rapid motion, and, driving
his spurs rowel-deep in poor Specs hanks, he
dashed OF at full speed.
Specs, though - rum 'un to look 1t,
like most ponies OF Indian autecedenta.
was not, after all, very - bad 'un to &c."
pace, and at the same moment Frank heard the
clatter Of rapidly approaching heofs behind him.
He reined up for moment to reconnoitre the
ne~-cemers- Two men were riding rapidly
toward him. They made no sign, they did not
hail him, but he heard the report Of pistol and
the unmistakab1e whiz ct bullet close to his
ear. It was what they used to term in the army
"close CALL" and could have been meant for no.
BODY but for him.
He pulled up and turning his horse toward
snapped it. determined to give them shot for
shot. Tue cap failed to explode. HIS pistol
had not been very well cared for. Indeed, he
aid not expect to have occasion to use it. The
cylinder would not revolye. Before he could
diseugage it his pursuers we're at either side Of
him, holding pistols to his head
'Don'r buoge1' shouted Of them; "if
you move finger you're dead mani"
"Surreuder!" cried the second: "it's your
only show"
frank had no course left but compliance; so
he said. II sur, endsr, gentlemen, since you
insist upon it, and do not want to be shot for
nothing. But swear to you I'm the mcst as
tonished man in the world. You do not look as
tJok,ngl" sald the first speaker. "n you
don't say this things no joke before you're
through with it, I'll agree to keep you company
on the devils underground railroad Tomorrow
"I'm glad he's takin' it sensible, anyhow"
said the second. at saves heap o tro1bIe. I
Now, Jest hand over that shootin' 1roh q youru, /
[ike nice, quiet Christian gentleman as you
hre." |
Frank rendered his pistol to the speaker.
aAh damn it! none O. tnat"
''Drop that dArDed thingl"
The two cooked revoIvers almost touched |
Franks head.
'@No~, haud over that there sit-shooter butt
foremost. there's good little man." /
Will you have The goodness to tell me now,
gentleman what is tile meaning Of ali this -
'tOh, you needn't play innocent; you know
blamed we'll what it MEANS"
:. II you want money, I have no more than is
necessary for my trav cling expenses"
We don't want yer money"
ttWhy, then. am thus stopped On the public
Dad, and my life threatened2"
"You'i find al that out when you get back
o Boggsvllle."
I don't want to go to Boggsvi1le. lose
a1uabla horse il I do not 60 On to big Bend to-
light"
They seemed to enjoy this last remark huge
=: You loee horse, certainly. friend, but he
int SO derned valuable as he might be. But
butch Bill will be glad enough to git him"
swell, Wa can't stay here b1adgin' all night.
Twill take us till dark to git 10 Boggaville!"
They tied Spectacles with lariass to their sad
le-bows, and permitted Frank in consideration
bis good CONDUCT In the matter Of surrender, |
nay sad, 10 ride the pony to the town. II he
sd been troublesome. they added, they would
ave- made him walk all the way, II they had rot
LET daylight through him." They caused him
ride between them A drawn revolver on
ther side made escape impossible, had he wish
to attempt it. He did not, however, for he
rs convinced the whole thing was mistake,
I'd must certainly be cleared up before long. As
lev rode on be told them his story. They avi-
entity did not believe word Of it. When they
,ached the Etage-r ranch, the lazy station-kesper
as leaning AGAINST the door in his uauh position.