The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1877-09-26

old fellow stretched bis neck to the
utmost, but could not reach the boy
by at least three feet. He tried again,
Dick stretched up his hands to grasp
his name as it hung down, but could
not reach it.
Then the old racer turned and
seemed to measure with his eve the
distance between him and home. He
looked at Dick, telling HMM his
way. ! have no donbt-to hold on
until he could come back, and the
next moment, the boy teard the beat
of his hoofs on the rough, snow-fro.
zen road.
Dick called wildly after him, but,
as be raised his head, the slight mo-
tion made bis brittle bed crack and
sink beneath him.
For the first few rods, Black Ea-
gle's gait was a careful one. Then
when he reached better ground, it
was quickened but the old horse
pulled in few minutes like a cart
horse forced into a run. 1t was Bit
ter cold. The solitary mountains,
the great gray snow clouds, the dread
ful silence of the woods, was 50 diff
ferent from the stable, that be was
dazed. But his senses soon came to
him. 1t really seemed as if be under
stood it all There was Dick, whom
he loved better than any body else
living, in deadly peril He would
die unless be could bring help
Black Eagle looked down the long
slope of the road There was az the
moment not living creature on it.
His eyes began to kindle. think
be remembered at SOM race that he
bad run long ago, the stroke Of the
bell as he started. the terrible strain,
the flashing by Of the massed faces,
the shouts, the triumphs
The old fellow trembled his ears
pricked up; the strength of old time
ran like fame through his veins, and,
after one or two staggering bounds,
be was Of
Down the road through the snow
covered swamp, across the wooden
bridge, into the highway again, with
that long, Looping stride which had
brought him in winner against the
swifiest horse in the country.
But he was old now. 1t was but
the vigor of dream, which might
fail at any moment He was but a
poor dying brute, running race
against death, and, in some dull way,
he knew it.
He passed through the village, his
tread falling noislessly on the deep
snow. The windows of the houses
were closed, aud the smoke rose from
the slaked fires drowisly into the cold
gray sky. 1t would be of no use stop
there; those people would not under
stand, at least, not for a long time,
and the loss of minute might cost
Dicks life.
One or two men who were closing
their barns for the night. saw him
pass like q flying shadow, A travel
er, out on the road, jogging in the
village, saw, as be fancied, a black
horse fit by him, its feet scarcely |
touching the ground It's strides
were gigantic, its ears lay back on
its neck, the foam few from its lips, |
It's eyes blazed
at might be the ghost of Black
Eagle" said the traveller, who had
seen the great racer in his youth.
At Dicks own home, there was
by this time dreadful outcry and
search for the lost boy. His father,
brother, everybody, were out hunting
bin. Even old Sanders had forgot
ten to scold, and with shaking hands,
was sounding the well, down which
be had insisted that Dick bad fallen.
Mr.. Furlong came into the yard
Saddle the mare" said he, trying
10 speak calmly. 81 will ride to the
village. He may have wandered
over there"
The yard was fnll Of people. old
Point standing at the gate, when
clatter resounded from
he stone pavement without. The
next moment Black Eagle stood
among them, fecked, with foam, his
lostrils red with blood, his eyes vain
y striving to speak.
There was breathless pause
Then Point yielded, DE Lord He's
,ut de bref of life into de hossi He
Knows whah Dick is !"
With one bound, Point threw him.
elf on to Black Eagles back, and,
With the old fellow clinsing to him
ike cat, the horse darted down the
Dad be had come They were speedi-
Y followed bv Mr. Furlong and
very body who could 6nd anything
o ride.
Point reached the hoy just in time
o save him. The bushes mad given
way and broke steadily during the
ew minutes that the horse had been
zone. If the desperate journey had
leeded but a short time longer, it
would have been 100 late. The old
.ourser had indeed raced against
leath, and won.
Black Eagle is living vet. If you
20 into that part of Virginia, you
viii be sure to hear Of aim. He
ives there royalty, with Point and
)ick as bis prime ministers-the one
reature on the farm which every
'ody delights to honor Every
tranger that comes to the country
ide is brought to see him, and
sanders and Point tell the story of
is wonderful ride. and of his former
each Of the old men trying
0 Guido the other. until the history
as grown almost too large for be-
ef.
However, we have received the
acts aud give them TO you as Dick
imself tells them.
NEW ORLEANS Times: Ga one oc-
asion when n witpess in the Beecber