Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-04-23
the true metal, that he seemed superior
to any whom Willie could remember

to care very much for him."
| Add then she started up with d vexed
! langh determined to guell oil 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 tic nearest
settlement, ten miles away, in order to
make some purchases
Lucy began vehement protest II
wouldn't dare let you, Willie There's u
| long strip Of prairie to cross; and there
are bufaloes and wolves; and,yon might
run across stray Indian
"Who would carry me to his wigwam
and make me his squaw," interrupted
Willie, Iaughingly. 'How romantic!
Lutte, dear, am certainly going, for
/ there are ninety-nine things of which
am III serious need
Hartley, who had been u grave listen
er, now stepped forward, and said:
II am going to Y, and if Miss
Willie will allow me to accompany her
it will give me much pleasure; and iii
event of buHaloes, wolves or stray lndi-
ans putting in IN appearance, may be
of service"
Lucy caught at the suggestion with
such evident relief that Willie accepted
his proAered escort, though not without
! q little inward doubt as to its 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-
ses and then took Willie into q restau-
rant, where they RECALLED themselves
with q lunch And at last, in mid-af-
ternoon, they started for home.
They we're about three miles out on
the prairie when Hartley's horse began
to snuff the air, uttering at the same
time q wbmperng cry. Hartley raised
himselfin the saddle and swept the hor-
lion with anxious gaze,
The cir was smoky. Away to the
southwest there was blue-lying cloud,
which seemed rapidly approaching
and while they paused, the ground
seemed to trcmble beneath the beat OF
some heavy tread. What was that dark
serging mass bursting through the smo-
ky yapor'
Buftaloes The prairie was on fire, and
right toward them rushed the terror.
stricken, believing herd-surc death,
were not their steeds feet enough to
outrun them.
Hartley went to examine first Wlllie'S
saddle-girth, and then hisown tie was
quite pale, and met her frightened
questioning gaze with solemn eyes.
''Sit firm, Willie we must run for 1t, :
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. IT
was agony to breathe when nothing bal
smoke rewarded ones painting inhala-
tions.
The huge, hairy heads of the buttaloes
with their red eyes and lolling tongues
pressed close behind. Willie gave half
repressed sob Of anguished fright as heI
horse stumbled beneath her; but sh'
caught him quickly, and, though be
limped, they still kept on.
"Willie,r said Hartley, riding close II
her. and shouting in order to make HIM
self heard above the thunder of the adj
: vancinr brutes, ''ttlere is large rock q
short distance before rs 1t is our only
! hone. II we can reach that, we vii
tnrn 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 rocf
IA huge, tower-shaped mass, with lit
tie iutting shelf on one side, which look
ed scarcely wide enough for one person
The top offered no possible foothold
running as it did, into y sharp, conca
peak, .. -
A little in advance of Willie rode th'
young man, who, as he neared the rock
t looseiied his feet from the stirrups, and
with a supple spring, landed on the mar
row ledge, while bis horse, lightened .
his riders weight. sped on.