Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-09-26

have hard ride before us, we let our
water, and we are once more on the
track.
When we rise out of the water-course
and reach the level prairie again we look
for the objects we are in search of.
Away off in the distance, in northwest
erly direction, we can plainly discern
yellowish cloud rising from the plains,
which we know is dust raised from the
cattle's hoofs as they are goaded onward.
Our animals begin to show signs of
failing strength as we glide over the
country, and more moderate pace is
taken. After short time another stripe
of green is seen winding over the
prairies in front Of us. and is lost to our
view at either end by distance. We
know that another half hour will bring
us to another one of those beautiful
prairie streams. When this creek is
reached, the newness Of the trail is moro
apparent, and the jaded condition of the
animals is plainly indicated by the
trampled grass and innumerable heavy
hoof marks on the streams brink.
They had been compelled to leave the
place by considerable force. As we once
more reach the level we can see directly
in front of us blurred spot in the dis
lance, which our accustomed eyes tell
us is the game we are after. Even the
jaded ponies seem to be infused with
new life, and away we speed as though
the race had just begun. We are gain
ing upon them quite perceptibly, and
can now see the thieves using their
cruel whips numerically. If there is
anything that will excite animals to
greater speed, OF madness even, it is one
of those long Texas cow-whips, used by
Texan drover. When We are perhaps
mile away from the cattle, and now
near enough so that we can distinguish
the ponies from them, we note that we
are discovered there they go, those
two horsemen, off to the left of the
stock, and making the best of time in
trying to reach the timber belt. The
cattle stop at once, but no attention is
paid to them, for our party leaves the
trail here, and then commences one of
the most exciting races that humans can
indulge in-one party racing for de-
structive vengeance, the other running
for their lives, as they are aware that
only distance can save them. AS we
have business to the northeast, perhaps
it will suit us better to turn off to the
right, and let those parties settle their
difficulties among themselves. But, as
we are moving away from the principals
OF this narrative, we cannot help but
watch the proceedings, for there is
something strangely fascinating in the
tragedy being enacted near us.
The race is becoming more and more
exciting, and now, from where we are, it
looks like they were all together, but
they are not more than pistol shot away,
as we can tell by the little puffs of blue
smoke that shoot out ftfully from the
horsemen in pursuit, and which are also
returned in like by the pursued. o.
casionally we can hear the sharp report
OF the pistols in the distant fray. It
seems now to us that they are in one I'M
distinguishable mass of horsefesh and
humanity. Before we get entirely from
view, we cast one last glance in the di-
rection of our late company, and we
know by their deliberate action, and
almost solemness of their slow gait, as
they continue toward the timber, that
they have been successful.
Two days later our route lay in the
direction from which we had Travelled
with others IN the lively pursuit of
thieves as recorded above. When we
arrive at one of those streams that are
so hearth welcomedby the prairie trav-
eler, we recognize the spot as the one
we had crossed last in our interesting
ride two days before. The place has its
same quietness that it had when we first
saw it, and the landscape, with the ex-
ception Of two CHASTITY corpses dangling
from the lower branch of cottonwood
tree (Which tell the tale that Texas JUS
tice had once more been dealt out), is
still the same lovely spot. Grows are
now cawing" in the surrounding tree
tops, and the buzzards are beginning to
come. Shortly the putrid flesh will all
disappear, and only the whitening bones
be left to tell the story Of a tragedy en-
acted. Then some tender-hearted hu-
man will pass by and gently bury the
bones from the sight.
This chapter also opens out in Texas,
and I have'but little doubt that in Texas
the end will be reached. Here we are
in the beautiful little city of Blank,
which is barely old enough to have
shade trees to protect the pedestrian
from the scorching summer sun. Bust
ness had called us here, and in travelling
along attending to it we hug the shady
walls. This day seems more than COM
monty sultry, and we are half inclined
to retrace our steps to the hotel andwait
for cooler weather. AS we are trying to
settle the matter in our minds, we are
startled by seeing emerging, directly in
front of us, from an open doorway, two
men in hot haste. Instantly we hear
the report of pistol, and bullet whis-
ties past our head in too close proximity
to be comfortable. Another report and
still another follow in quick succession,
and bleeding form falls heavily to the
pavement, not ten feet away. As quick
as thought a powerful, heavy whiskered
man, with slouched hat, is standing over