Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-04-19


Add then she started up with a yexed
laugh, determined to quell all such re.
bellious thoughts; she was not quite sue
cassful, however, and though Hartley
was quite unconscious of the fact, he
was very rapidly gaining toothold in
this young lady's heart.
One day about three weeks after Hart
ley's abrupt proposal, Willie announced
her intention Of riding to the nearest
settlement, ten miles away, in order to
make some purchases.
Lucy began a vehement protest. 81
wouldn't dare let you, Willie There's a
long strip of prairie to cross; and there
are buffaloes and wolves; and..you might
run across stray Indian"
"Wbo would carry me to his wigwam
and make NE his sgnaw," interrupted
Willie, laughingly. Glow romantic'
Lutte, dear, / am certainly going, for
there are ninety-nine things of which |
am in serious need
Hartley, who had been grave listen
er, now stepped forward, and said:
Il am going to y, and if Miss
Willie will allow me to accompany her
it will give me much pleasure; and in
event of buiialoes, wolves. or stray Indi-
ans putting in an appearance, / may be
of service
Lucy caught at the suggestion with
such evident relief that Willie accepted
his protfered escort, though not without
little inward doubt as to it's being Just
the advisable thing to do.
An hour later the equestrians rode
away, urging their horses into canter
over the broad prairie.
They rode into Y, Willie made her
purchases and secured the mail. Hartly
transacted his business, baited the hor-
SEES and then took Willie into restau-
rant. where they RECALLED themselves
with lunch. And at last, in mid-at-
ternoon, they started for home.
They were about three miles out on
the prairie when Hartey's horse began
to snuff the air, uttering at the same
time a whimpering cry. Hartley raised
himselfin the saddle and swept the hor-
lion with anxious gaze.
The air was smoky. Away TO the
south west there was Il blue-lylng cloud,
which seemed rapidly approaching
and while they paused, the ground
seemed to tremble beneath the beat of
some heavy tread. What was that dark
serging mass bursting through the smo-
ky vapor!
BuGaloes The prairie was on FIRE, and
right toward them rushed the terror
stricken, believing herd-sure death,
were not their steeds feet enough TO
outrun them.
Hartley Went to examine first Willle's
saddle girth, and then his He was
quite pale, and met her frightened,
questioning gaze with solemn eyes
"Sit firm, Willie; we must run for it,"
And then he struck her horse sharply
across the flank, and the two animals
went tearing madly away over the pral-
RE. while death and destruction came
on with cruel speed behind.
The air grew hotter and hotter. 1t
was agony to breathe when nothing but
smoke rewarded ones painting inhala-
tiOns.
The huge, hairy heads Of the bulfaloes,
with their red eyes and lolling tongues,
pressed close behind. Willie gave a half
repressed sob of anguished fright as her
horse stumbled beneath her; but she
caught him quickly, and, though he
limped, they still kept on.
willie" said Hartley, riding close to
her, and shouting in order TO make him
self heard above the thunder of the adj
vancing brutcs, "there is large rock Il
short distance before rs. 1t is our only
hope. If we can reach that, we will
turn our horses loose and save ourselves
Willie heard HIM but made no reply.
All the power OF speech seemed to have
deserted her. But there doomed the rock
a huge, tower-shaped mass, with Il lit
tie iutting shelf on one side, which look
! ed scarcely wide enough for one person.
The top offered no possible toothold,
running as it did, into u sharp, conical
peak.
4 little in advance of Willie rode the
/ young man, who, as he neafed the rock,
| loosened his feet from The stirrups, and,
with n supple spring, landed on the mar
row ledge, while his horse, lightened Of
! his ri1nr'S wpipht Snpl on