Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-12-19

ror, and Bayard, who, saddled and bril-
died, was feeding IN an Enclosure near
the house, trembling in every limb with
excitement, bounded over the low fence
and galloped TO the mine where Fayette
worked.
Inan instant, Fate was In the saddle,
a revolver grasped in either hand, and
the horse, guided by his own unerrlng
instinct. rushed, with one exultant
neigh, madly after Nellie's white pony,
now nearly TO the foot of the hill.
As he passed our house, Bravo,
used by the noise, looked sleepily up
from the sunny porch where he lay, and
with deep bay that echoed and re-
echoed along the slope of the mountain,
sprang into the road by Bayard's side,
and with his nose to the ground, Joined
In the chase.
On, on, down the steep, rocky path
Bayard went with gigantic strides, that
showed plainly the power and endurance
of his ancestors.
On past steep precipicee, where q
rolling stone or a misstep would hurl
them instantly into eternity. Never
pausing or turning aside, but with his
long, slim ears LAID close to his shining
head, he held the same prodigious pace.
The Indian, unfettered by Nellie's
pony, would have won the chase, but he
had no action of yielding his fair captive,
especially az he had the great advantage
of reaching the smooth, rolling plain SO
far in advance.
Fate groaned aloud as he saw the dis
lance between them, but sudden
thought flashed through his braln-a
thought laden with expectant hope.
"Bravo, old boy-seek 'em-seek
'em, sir !" he cried to the dog.
With low yelp of excitement, the in
telligent brute bounded forward like a
huge red ball, and sped away on the
track of the Indian, uttering at each
bound a low, deep bay of defiance, for
he scented his hated foes-the murder
GUS Sioux.
dropped nay work, and watched the
race excitedly with the miners who had
gathered on the little eminence that
overlooked the valley.
Charles was nearly crazy, but there
was nothing for him but to wait, for
there was not another horse in the set
Element swift enough to afford the least
aid to Fate.
They were already turning the point
and nearing the mountain, when Bay
ard, as if divining the Indians purpose,
expanded his red nostrils and sent forth
wild, entreating neigh-a call which
Sprite understood and Immediately an
swered. as he tried to obey.
Pulling defantly at the stout rawhide
that almost choked him, he lessened his
speed in spite of the urgiDgs of the ex-
asperated Indian; and Bravo, bounding
over the plain, leaped sheer from the
ground, fastened his glistenirg teeth In
the Sioux's brawny throat, and dragged
him to the ground, while the pony, re-
leased, whirled abruptly and came rush
ing back to the settlement, and the
black, riderIess horse tossed his glossy
name in the air, and, after one aston
ished look, bounded away toward his
native hills.
That was more than Charles could
bear; there were no other Indians
about, and Bravo was standing guard
over the dead body Of that one; SO Mel
lie was safe. With wild gestures he
shouted to Fate:
Get that horse, boy Don't lose
him!"
Whether Fate heard, or whether his
own admiration for Bayard's mate
spurred him on, we never knew; but he
pushed on with long, steady strides af-
ter the flying animal; and Bravo, aban-
doning his head charge, joined IN the
chase.
Darling by Lee, he circled around,
and came in just ahead of the maddened
horse, which, with O snort of surprise
and terror, whirled on its launches, only
to be met with Fate's lasso, which set
tied firmly around his glossy neck.
Once caught, after the first struggle
to regain his freedom, he was quiet
enough, and as Fate came slowly back
to the settlement, the cheer, which
even Nellie's rescue had not called forth,
SO intent were the miners on the chase,
burst its bonds and went ringing along
the rugged old mountains side.
Laying the body of the Indian across
the back of the steed, Fate brought it to
the foot of the hill where the miners
soon covered from sight the evidence of
BravO's quick vengeance.
We were not molested, SO settled on
the conclusion that the Sioux was spy,
and on his non-appearance his comrades
bAIuCO buSl1 dUJSHl1On 0lSCWuoI0s
Unlike many a luckless adveuturer
among the gold diggings of the Black
Hills, Charles and Fayette did make
their fortunes, and we came east and
settled here.
Did you meet that carriage with two
magnificent black horses, as you came
up the avenue /? and did you notice the
| LADY and gentleman IN that carriage
Yes +? Well, that was Nellie and Fayette,
now her husband.
Nellie and Bravo helped to catch the
horse; and it was partly ours, SO they
concluded to settle it IN that way. So,
as We are all one family now, we all own
the palr-Sprite is grazing in the mead
ow yorder, and Bravo is enjoying the
warm sunshine on the veranda, while
brother Charles Sits by his side reading
history of the "discovery of gold il
| the Black Hills"