The Florida agriculturist., 1878-10-09

'bundrad miles distant. For the only
refuge to him was behind the walls
of that same Jail to which ne. had
been carried after the murder OF
Drummoud.
He had not ridden more than an
hour when, far away in the night be-
hind he heard the hoofs of hurrying
horses. His quick ear told him that
his pursuers were nearly a mile dis
tant vet, but that they were gaming.
There were nearly a score Of them,
as he could also tell, and they, mind
fnl Of his defence of his home, kept
well together, so as not TO be cut OF
in detail. MIR. Gibbs dug his spurs
in deeply and the beast responded
nobly. Ten miles further and there
was a ranch where he could get a
change of horse. The ten miles were
over, and the sound Of pursuit was
lost in the distance, when he drew
rein at the barn door of a wealthy
Englishman, and at the muzzle OF his
rifle demanded from the sleepy goom
the choice of his masters stud. lie
was mounted and away before the
rest of the ranch was aroused, ana
with a hur all rushed his fresh horse
into the prairie, but eighty miles be-
tween him and Denver. On he rode
with the paling stars for his guide,
while the hours passed away and the
day began to dawn.
First narrow belt of silver light
appeared along the eastern horizon.
The belt grew broader, and as it
grew longer its lower line the silver
changed to gold. Fleecy clouds
above the belt now became tinted
with a yellow red, that was like unto
the red gold OF Oriental fable. Bill
lowy clouds i'll the zenith colored
themselves in royal purple, which
melted on the borders into a rose col
or, and floated like curtains of gossa-
rner over the armament in the west
and south the blue of the sky, where
it kissed the plain changed to q sea
green. The light increased and the
silver and gold and red grew more
brilliant, while the tips Of the mount
aims, all along the range from Pixies
Peak to Longs became gilded witt
glory. The purple faded from the
clouds overhead as the yellow light
stole down the sides Of the mountains
with edge clearly defined, chasing
the receding shade, till opposite. ia
away IN ta-S~ssy s1rink ot the Prairls r.
the first rays of the morning SUI
bathed plain and mountain alike, ting
ing the short grass OF the prairie with
yelloy, and casting halo around the
horseman as he rode his race for life
1t was now 6 o'clock, and Mr.. Glib:
had been in the saddle four hours
with but bread to eat--a happy thought
OF his wite's-and nothing to drink
He looked on every side for water, bul
the few lrrigating bitches which ht
crossed were dry, and there were ne
natural springs. His horse, thorough
bred though he was, was becoming
distressed, and Mr. Gibbs knew thai
water must be had for man and beast
But to get it meant to turn out Of the
straight road to Denver. His course
all along had been within easy reacf
of the foothills of the Rocky Noun
tains, toward which he now turned
his horses head. The faithful beasts
instinct taught him the way, ant
presently horse and man were lavins
in cold mountain brook, whose sill
very thread wound amid boulders il
the bottom of narrow canon. Mr.
Gibbs took no thought of time, bu
soaked his heated bread in water, ant
munched with solitary satisfaction
till the shout g There he is " in The
rear, startled him, Without stop
ping to look, ne was in the saddle
and off again desperately. There
was the report of gun, aid bal
ploughed the ground at his horses
heels. Keeping the trees that lined
the edge of the foothills as we'll as HI
could between him and his pursuers
Mr.. Gibbs dashed along, while rife
after rife was emptied after him by
half hundred horsemen. He could
see them swarming in an irregular
body along the prairie, which there
abouts fortunately was nearly az
rough as the inclined plane along
which his own horse was scrambling
The heat was short one. Mr.. Gibbs
stop had not been thrown away. In