St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-08-30

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Baal cantered slowly along, Molly not
caring to urge him up the ascent. 81
am almost tempted to go back, Baal, :"
she said Thereat Baal, bent back one
ear and listened. They two had had
many condolences during their sum,
mer's intimacy, and understood each
other. 'But should be ashamed to
do it. What would my grandmother
say if was such a coward? 1t was
my grandmother, you know, Baal, who
was cooking her dinner one day bend
ing over the e-place when she heard
an ugh! ugh!'' and turning saw an
Indian in his war-paint standing in the
doorway with his tomahawk raised,
and she never hesitated moment-if
she had she would have been scalped,
Baal-but went towards him, laughing.
with both hands held out in welcome
and gave him meat; but that very night,
sure all was not right. fed to the
block-house with her baby-that was
my father whom you have never seen,
Baal-and that very week the Indians
ravaged the whole country and killed
forty people. My grandmother's grand
daughter ought to have more pluck than
to be scared by squirrel, or . rustling
leaf. Baal."
However, Molly was Enthusiastically
nervous; and one result of her nervous
ness was that she held the reins tight
ly and sat firmly in the saddle. It
was often her habit while riding TO let
the reins lie loosely on her horses
neck while her thoughts were busy
elsewhere; but well was it for her to-
day that -something-an occult influence
in sky or air, perhaps-had made her
uneasy.
The road, after reaching the crest of
Saddle-back, suddenly dropped, begin
ming the descent by passing through an
opening in the granite ridge, but little
more than sufficiently wide for wagon
to go through. just as Mollywas riding
through this miniature mountain
notch, out from the dense thicket at the
foot. of the rocky wall man sprang
and, endeayoring to grasp her bride,
Baal SHE'D then and shot on like a
flash, and the same instant brave Molly
Crowde was herself again, her nervous
ness gone, her grandmother's qualities
rising in her blood.
''Ah, Baal, that was the right thing
to don' she said, with long-drawn
breath. ''And now, my brave fellow,
you have got some steady work to do,
for she had seen, as she dashed past, q
horse tied to tree and she knew,
whether drunken Indian or murderous
white man, that in q moment he would
be on her track, and the open country
G MI ofatu a Ioyor f no y,ilac oIT,nvy
Nobody witnessed that ride for life
but the squirrels and rabbits and, per-
chance, a wild deer.
No poet has ever sung it, no story
teller chronicied it. But I should like
to have seen 1.-THE flying coal-black
young horse, with blazing intent eyes,
matched BY those of the girl he bore,
her erect figure, her loosened hair
in the wind, her fearless and
gallant air-I would like to have seen
it! And, please do not tell me that
Baal did not know and understand the
peril. and his duty.
Once the saddle-giTths loosened and
Molly felt herself slipping. There was
nothing to do but to stop and tighten
them. She sprang to the ground and
drew the straps with firm strong fingers
that did not tremble, while Baal bent his
head and touched her neck caressingly.
In the silence she heard the coming quick
canter of her persuer. Up again and
away! down by the border of the brook
that trickled unsteady under the bend
ing alders. On through the clearing in
the heart of the woods where the
fringed gentians lifted their eyes of
steadfast blue to the blue heavens
above, q mere fash of silver and blue
in Molly's eyes as she fled past; on and
on. under interlacing oaks through
which only an occasional sunbeam
filtered dropping its glory on the flying
pair; over beds Of yielding pine needles
that gave back no echo to BaaPs quick |
falling hoofs, through sunlight and
shadow without pause they lied, and al
ways the sound of the quick coming
canter behind.
Once Molly thought of the rifle hang
ing on its hooks above the mantel in the
dear home kitchen. She had brought |
down many wild goose or marauding
hawk with it, and O that she had it
in her hand now.
Ihey we're just eHIeFlnS upon Gne /
fourth mile and the coming canter
sounded perilously near, when Molly |
saw at turn of the road o horseman
and as he drew near--O |
Joy too great almost for reality! it was
Jack Thompson himself on his own
sorreI horse with his rifle at his saddle. |
He looked his surprise at the breakneck |
speed with which Mollie came on, and |
his surprise did not lessen as she refined |
Baal by his side, turned pale, reeled in
her saddle, then making mighty effort
to regain her composure giggled con-
and ended by dropping the
.n;znc. nd hnr. hona zoo on Raal,s rnnL- |