The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-06-21
IN THE FOREST.
BY oPrE P. READ.

Lem Pasterson's horse had been stolen, and the neighborhood of Beck's Cove was greatly excited. A band of pursuers was immediately organized and led by old Nat Parker. The violent death of a citizen would have caused a few days of disturbed quiet, but the sudden dis appearance of a well-known ho.se struck the flint of high excitement against the steel of deep indignation.
 Lem Patterson was beside himself with rage Darb Sevier loaned in fury which he could not restrain Miles Jones swore vengeance; the Marshall boys howled for blood, and to increase the general demand for gore, Nat Parker said:
 "Fellers, this here's the fust outrage that has been committed in this here neighborhood sence the sudden with drawal from circulation O John Stoveall' s colt. As citizens O Arkansaw, an nachul voters, we kain't stand no sich spurt as this here. Why, gen,lemes, our wives an darters ain't safe, s'long as these here ou.rages is 'loweo ta go unpunished. Come on, all hans"
 In grim silence the avengers followed their grizzly-bearded leader over rocky points and along narrow, winding bridle- paths. With that strange faculty, al- most intuition, characteristic of mountain people, they struck at once the right trail. About noon they saw a man, with small boy behind him, riding leisurely along.
 Hold on thar!" called Nat Parker.
 The man stopped and looked around. The horse was at once identified as the property of Lem Patterson.
 "Whar'd you git that hoss!' asked Nat Parker.
 Bought him from a man early this mornin'. used to live in a joinin' county to this, but my wife died t'other day. an sellin' everything had, me an my little boy struck out, not carin' mach whar we went. Early this mornin' a feller kotched up with me. an said he d like ter sell me a hoss. Told him l hadn't much money, but he offered the nag fur fifty dollars, an as my little boy was tired, closed the trade.o
 "Ycu air an ole liar!" exclaimed Miles Jones. "You stold that hoss, an ycu know it. If you bought him, show IS the man you bought him frum."
 "lt want quite daylight when 1 bought the nag, gentlemen, an don't think I'd know the man if wu,ter see him."
 That's fine tale," said Nat Parker. "You stold that hoss outen Lem PAtter- sons stable. Get down."
 The man dismounted.
 Gentlemen" said he, "you don't know me. of course, but I'd like to say that Buck Daniels never stold nothin' in his life"
 We know all about that, ole man." said Miles Jones. We've heard men talk thater way before now. Fetch the rope, Lem."
 The little boy had been looking on curiously, but when he heard his father pleading and saw the angry men tying a rope around his neck, he dropped on his knees, and in a voice, quivering in child hoods entreaty, exclaimed:
 "Oh, please don't kill my poor pa. My mas dead, an my pa has been cry ing for three days. He didn't steal the horse, for we bought him from a man."
 Old Nat Parker turned and looked at the child.
 "Oh, Mister, don, le, 'em hurt my pap
 It do look mighty hard, little feller," replied old Nat, wiping his eyes.
 Oh, Mister" encouraged by the old mans kindness of expression, "have you got any little boys, an wouldn't they if didn't have any ma"
 "Their mas dead, little feller."
 Then they would pray to keep you from bein hung. Oh, please don't let 'em hurt him."
 can't stand it, fellers, take of the rope. don't believe that little feller would tell lie. Lem, you've got your hoss an that oughter satisfy you"
 "No, it oughsent," clamored Miles Jones, and he turned one end of the rope over limb of tree under which they were standing.
 Here w exclaimed old Nat, "turu loose the eend O that rope or you won't breakfast"
 "Come on, fellers," vociferaied Miles Joaes. Don't let him bluff you.''
 The fust man that pulls on that rope ketches somethin' mighty uafrien'ly with lie but mighty nachul with dea,h," and the old fellow drew a pistol. The little boy clasped him around the knees,
 Thar, little felles, don't cry. 1 mout be rough lookin' an not fitten to set down to the gov'ner's table, but I've got . heart in me bigger than a calf"
 "You won't let them hurt him, will you?'
 Not while the present cout is in ses- sion, honey.' And he placed his hand on the child's head.
 The boy turned, looked searchingiy at Miles Iones and cried
 Pa, that's the man that sold you the horse. Yes he is don't you see?
 Buck Daniels regarded Jones closely and said:
 Gentlemen, l believe the boy is right"
 It's d-d lie," exclaimed Jones.
 Maybe %" said Daniels, but men, I'd iist like fur you to sarch him. The man what bought the hoss from tuck in payment five ten dollar bills. One O. them's got corner torn of, an on an-