Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-11-14
volnntnrilx broke into a gallop.

han thirty miles, In t1ve hours. soon
found my employers partner, although
he had TO be vigorously shaken before
he could be awakened-I fancy whisky
had something to do with his profound
slumbers-stated my business, and pre-
sented written missive. obtained
the rifle, breech-loader Of magnificent
construction, valued at $500. secured,
rs well, some refreshment for myself
and horse, and, after an hours delay,
started on my return trip.
My mustang appeared to think he
had done his duty for the night, and !
found it difficult to urge him from the
camp. At the expiration of two miles
Indeed, when my hand relaxed its
pull on the rein-his head would slowly
return to the camp, and but for watch
fulness on my part would have found
myself there again. was now in n
quite drowsy condition, and would easily
have fallen asleep on my pony's back.
By-and-by, as became convinced that
the animal would proceed as I wished, !
Yielded to feeling of extreme lassitude
and slept.
How long slept I could not tell. l
awoke with start, and at once placed
my hand behind me to assure myself
that the rife was still securely fastened
to my saddle. I felt nothingl Hooked
it was gone. The thrill of horror that
at once ran through me again gave me
energy. Ipulled the pony stock still
and meditated. Thoughts Of lynch law
flashed through my mind. Had I in
deed lost the gun? 1t would be said
that / had stolen it-sold it. I would
certainly be arrested if I returned with
out it, and held until news would be re-
ceived from the camp. It would be
known that the gun had been given me.
Apart from its pecuniary value, it was
highly priced by the owner. To what
might his extreme rage incite his COM
panions against me, stranger and
friendless?
As well be hung for sheep as lamb,
was thought that for moment fitted
through my brain. Should not seize
the pony and fly to another place? Fa-
tigued as was, and come what would,
I must retrace my steps and try to find
the gun. The prairie grass. trampled
by my pony's feet, indicated to me the
course had taken. I turned him back
upon that path. Again and again was
l obliged to dismount and drag my sore
and wearied limbs over the ground,
which carefully scrutinized, to be sure
| could make no mistake. All the while
was tormented by the thought that my
agonized painstaking might be entirely
useless, that the gun might have been
stolen from behind me by some wandereI
as slept. How could I know? was
but drowning man snatching at straw
rs stumbled onward. It seemed ages
as searched. What time was passing
Even if I found the owner with it at the
promised hour? Only by giving it to
him at that hom Of entry for the match
could it prove as desired by him, or
receive the $40 1 so longed for.
With fevered brain and strsining
bloodshot eyes I continued the search
inpatient and patient at once. Cloud,
we're gathering in the sky; into one Of
them the moon now passed, and the
light so necessary to me was obsc,red
manned motionless. Would I q
mad? My power for collected thought
seemed vanishing. Again the moor
came out clear and bright, and there,
close to my feet, shone something
metallic. It was the rifle. / hat
found it
1 must place it before me as l rode
this time. With fragments of thu
broken Irvine dangling from the saddle
] fastened the breech to my left wrist
and, remounting my horse, allowed thu
gun to rest on my legs as I advanced
The jounce, jounce of the weapon added
to my discomfort but, at least, it wa
) secure, and I was kept awake. Butno,
where was L? I recognized no land
, mark. The aspect generally was strang
o. me / seemed to have neared til
limit of the prairie; line OF hills la
!. against the horizon, and, beyond, til
day was breaking With victory read
, to my grasp, was I lost? Suddenly
deserted in the distance what seemed
. human habitation. travelled toward i
and was rejoiced to have itprove rancl
0 I reached it, and hallooed. When I We
. within few PAGES of the house, vii
% dow in the second story suddenly opened
" and rife-barrel was protruded oil
. aimed directly at me. I was thunde
/ struck at this proceeding. Had I CON
d to the lair of desperate? But instan
. ly 1 bethought me of the suspicious a.
70 pearance presented, with nay 81
y across my knees, as il were ready fl
action.
4 az have gone astrayp I shoute
d "Where is Denver?"
VI There was silence-still the rifle W
N pointed at me-and then I heard a Il
VI laugh. 1t was echoed by the silve
8 tones of pleasanter laugh-a woman
u laugh. 1 felt safe.
p "Denver is two miles further east
N was now answered me, in rather ju7e
H. lie voice.
y So was not lost. ] would triuml
VI in my mission. I was within easy rea
o of my destination. With that thong
- my overtasked energies asserted the
! weakness. longed for momenta