The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-11-26

my mind. Had indeed lost the gun!
1t would be said that had stolen it
sold it. | would certainly be arrested if
! returned without it. and held until news
would be received from the camp. 1t
would be known that the gun had been
given me. Apart from its pecuniary
value it was highly priced by the owner.
To what might his extreme rage incitc
his companions against me, n stranger
and fricndless?
As well be hung for sheep as a lamb
was a thought that for moment fitted
through my BRAIN Should | not seize
the pony and flee to another place.
Fatigued as | was, and come what
would | must retrace my steps and try
and find the gun.
The prairie grass trampled by my
| ponY'S feet indicated the course | had
taken. | turned him back upon that
path.
| Again and again was obliged to dis
mount and drag my sore and wearied
limbs over the ground, which | carefully
scrutmizcd. to be sure could make no
mistake
All the while | was tormented by the
thought that my agonizcd painstaking
might hc entirely useless; that the gun
might have been stolen from behind me
by some wanderer as slept.
How could know! | was but Il drown
ING man snatching at a straw rs | STUN
bled onward
1t seemed ages as I searched. What
time was passing? Even if | found the
rifle could reach the owner with it at
the promised hour! Only by giving it
to him at the hour of entry for the
match. could it prove as desired by him,
or receive the ten dollars | so lonLed
for
With fevered brain and straining,
hoodshot eyes | continued the search,
impatient and patient at once.
Clouds were gathering in the KY; into
one of them the moon now passed, and
the light so necessary to me was OBJ
scured
| remained motonless Would ! 90
mad ? My power for collecting thought
seemed vanishing.
| Again the moon came out clear and
bright; and there close to my feet, made
shine something natalie.
1t was the rifle had found it.
must place it before as rode this
time. With fragments of the broken
twine dangling from the saddle, fast
ened the breech to my left wrist, and,
rcmounting my horse allowed the gun
to rest on my legs as | advanced. The
jouncc, jouncc of the weapon added to
my discomfort but, at least, it was Sc
cure, and | was kept awake. But now
where was ! ? | recognized 10 land
mark. The aspect generally was strange
to me seemed to have neared the
limit of the prairie Il line of hills lay
against the horison, and beyond the day
was breaking. With victory ready to
my grasp, was lost! suddenly desert
bed in the distance what seemed hu
man habtation. | travelled toward it
and rcjoiccd to have it proved rancho.
| reached it and holloed
| When ! was within few PAGES of the
house,a window in the second story sud
denly opened, and rifle barrel was pre-
tluded aimed directly at me.
| was thunderstruck at this proceed
ting. Had come to the lair of a des-
perado? But instantly bethought of
the suspicious appearance | presented,
with my gun across my knees as if |
was ready for action.
i have gone aStray, shouted. Where
is Denver?'
There was n silcncc-still the rifle was
pointed at me-and then | heard low
laugh. 1t was echoed by the silvery
| t,,,,, ,f a. ,l.osn,,+ lou,rht. - ,y,mln :
laugh. | felt safe,
denver is two miles further east, was
now answered me, in a rather juvenile
voice.
So was not lost; would triumph in
my mission. was within easy reach OF
my destination.
With that thought, my ovetasked
energies asserted their weakness. Hong
cd for momcntary rest, at least Could
| not obtain it here | fingered, despite
the gun which menaced me.
If they wanted to shoot they would
have shot. | reasoned. But the light,no
strcngthening,they must see | was not {
rutiian
was right; the gun was soon with
drawn, and then reappeared at the door
of the house, i'll the hand of lad about
eighteen years old, who. laughing, ap
preached me and said Excuse me
stranger but you are rather an early
visitor. ! see you're gentleman. FGth
er's away. and the women folks are easy
scared. | thought it best to he on tn,
safe side
I'D like little rcfreshmcnt, was al
| said in response.
was really in faintng condition. a
pale as death The lad instantly tool
pity on nay plight, helped me to alight
and led me to a seat in the portico o
the house, to a pillar of which he tic(
my horse.
He entered, and returned with a glas
of wine, which gave me life at once,an,
! told him of the loss of my rifle
] was in the midst of my narration
when a beautiful face appeared, timidly
at the door, and hand outS,rctchcd to
the lad sandwich. which he gave t,
me. ate it, and told my story rs tn,
reader has it, gaining another listener il
the person of charming, girl of six
. teen.
IL was now O'Clock. ! had two hour
, in which to travel two miles, but
thought | had best set about it, Tn,
{ mustang was tired as myself, He pro
ceedcd at walk.
r However, as we reached the confne
e. of the town he increased his speed, anO
IT was a lively trot that he entered TN
| stable to which he belonged
| ! exhibited little of the same spiri
when presented the coveted rifle to it
p owner aud received the ten dollars
1 | was yet sufficiently recovered fror
, fatigue, at the close of the day, to b
4 among those who We're congratulatin
c the winner of the prize-my employer
lie forced upon me another ten dolla
+ bill lie would admit of no refusa
t Those two ten dollar bills proved tn