Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-06-11
THE TRAINED r
FROM A DETECTIVES PAPERS,,

FROM A DETECTIVES PAPERS.
From Clayville to Booneton, in the
United States, is about fifteen miles,
across a rolling prairie, and the road
runs very near east and west. Half
way between the two towns the road
is touched by a point where a heavy
growth of pine trees sweep away to
the northward into a dark, dense forest.
In the spring of 1872 man left Clay
vile in the morning, bound for Boone
ton. His name was registered at the
inn as Richard Bizbee, Of New York,
and he was supposed to have money
with him. He left .Clayville upon
horseback in fine health ana spirits, but
he was never seen in BoonetOn. Per-
haps he had, unnoticed, gone part of
the way, and then returned. At all
events he was never heard of more in
that district.
About a month after that a man from
st. Louis left Booneton for Clayville.
He was also on horseback, and started
off well and hearty: but he never re-
ported himself at the place of his des-
tination. Within a fortnight after this
second disappearance two more travel
ers were missed. What did it mean?
The road between the two towns was
direct, and not even Anyway was there
to lead anyone astray; so that to wan
der from the true track was impossi-
BILE. During the month of July three
travellers were missed, and the people
turned out in a body to search. OF
course attention was directed to the
wood, and the search wa extended for
miles and miles, but without uccess.
On the 4th of August a young man,
who gave his name at Clayville as
Michael Dupont, of New Orleans, left
that place for Booneton. He was on
horseback, aud when he was told of the
dangers of the road hi only laughed
at them. He said he had good horse
and good weapons, and he wa not
afraid. But Michael Dupont never
reached Booneton.
It was on the 18th of August that I
arrived at Clay ville and put up at the
village inn. I was on the track of two
rogues who had robbed the bank in
Jackson, and I had not been at the inn
an hour before I made myself sure that
the men I sought had passed that way
only three days before. And then I
heard this other story of the travellers
who had SO mysteriously disappeared
from the road that lay before me.
When I had gone some five or six
miles the next morning I noticed that
my horse began to falter, and in a little
while afterwards he came to a walk, and
seemed to be in great pain. Imagin-
ing that he would soon fall, I slipped
from the saddle and led him out upon
the grass at the side of the road. As I
stood thus, wondering what in the
world I should do, I saw a man coming
toward me from the direction of Boone
ton. He was seated on a powerful
black horse, without any saddle, and
! his only bride was a bit of rope passed
around the animals nose. He was a
simple looking fellow, dressed in an or
binary farming garb, and behind him
were what appeared to be some empty
bags. As he came near to where I stood
I saw him gather his halter as though
he meant to put his horse into a run.
"Hello!' I cried. "Stop a moment"
The fellow seemed, to consider upon
1t, and finally turned his horses head
toward me and soon dismOunted BY nv
side.
give heer' a good deal bout this
road" he said, cycling me from top to
toe, "and I like to be keerful. Met with
a fall, eh, stranger?"
"Not exactly a fall" I said. my
horse 9 to have given in"
The fellow walked around my culver
ing beast, and when he came back he
put his hand upon the animals throat
and gave a sharp punch. The horse
started back with a grunt, and directly
began to heave and SLAYER at the mouth.
"You don't belong to these parts
stranger" he said, cycling me again.
"No," I told him.
II thought not" he added. Il guess
your boss has been eatin' DEVILS tail
asked him what that was.
cts a kind O. poison" he answered
that bosses pick up hereabouts. He'll
be well enough by tomorrow or next
day, at the farthest."
If that's the case," I said, perhaps
you'll let me bargain for yours"
Il never owned anything yet that
wouldn't sell if a man wanted It more'n
did" he replied.
well" I said, land may T ask what
price you set upon your beast!"
"Jest So"
I had expected to hear him say 8
hundred. took him at his offer in 8
moment.
The bargain was made; I counted
out W ten dollar pieces, put my
saddle and bride upon the new horse
and then mounted.
"Perhaps," said the fellow. as he gave
the sick horse another punch in the
gullet, IF I should see you in Booneton
one O. these days ye might like to
change back again?"
I told him we'd see about that, and
then, bidding him good morning.
started of.
I had certainly got a splendid horse
He stepped as lightly and gracefully a.
adancing master, and bore me as easily
as though I had been in q carriage. In
q little while l touched him with q whip
and he pranced gaily. I patted him on
the neck and told him that I liked him.
We were now just at the point where
the angle of the wood reached the edge
of the road, and without apparent cause
the horse started into agallop. Ispoke
to him and tried to hold him in, but he
only went the faster. In q few minutes
he wheeled out of the road and struck
into the wood, and now he ran for dear
life. I yelled with all my might and
tugged at the rein till my arms ached,
but could neither turn his head MOI
slacken his speed. He few on like the
wind, selecting his course wnere the
trees were farthest apart-few on,
sweeping nov to the right and now to
the left, just IS the passage through the
forest seemed most favorable.
As soon as I found the horse was not
to be stopped I turned my attention in
another direction, and very quickly il
flashed upon me that the flying beast
had been trained to just this Kind 81
work. Like horses I had read Of IN
Arabia, he would take his course for his
masters habitation. LET Il Ia whara q