The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-03-19

Colts revolver sticking out of his
pocket. He WAS determined boy.
Even in my despair, in nay wild
hope that | could save Jack by beg
ging on my knees, that | could cling
to him, and that they would have
to kill me first, could not help a
smile at the comical figure Yik Kee
presented on horseback. His loose
garments Tapped in the wind, his
long pigtail flew out behind, and be
bobbed up and down like a kernel
of corn in coin hopper.
1t was soft. warm night, lighted
only by the pale yeug moon and the
twinkling stars. We rode as far as
our horses could gallop. Shep was
close at our heels. Way ahead,
when we reached the top of little
hill, we saw the crowd of horsemen.
They were riding toward Denver.
We galloped on with renewed zeal.
They turned into a cross road lead
ing to Mead's ranch. On this read
was bridge over Dry Gulch, which
was in the spring roaring torrent.
Beyond the bridge; across the fields,
was the haystack of Mead, where
was slowed sufficient to feed his do
mestic cattle through the winter.
We at last reached the turn to the
road. They were three miles in adj
vance, riding rapidly. Yik Kee
stopped at the turn.
"Humphl Can't catchee. Hangee
at bridge. You gone !"
He turned his horse and sped
across the field, deserting US basely.
We rode on, Ted and |. He was
pale and still, my cheeks were burn
ing. We neared the bridge. The
high mound of earth before us hid
them from sight. We stopped our
horses and listened. The men had
lighted torches, some were prepar-
ing rough gallows under the bridge.
two were uncoiling rope; some held
the horses of the others beyond the
bridge. The men were masked now
and | could see by the lighted torch
es that their number was increased. (
Jack was very white and sad but he |
showed no fear
IL am innocent, gentlemen" he
said, slowly, but refuse to tell you
of whom | bought the hides"
| understood him. Could Harry |
White be cattle thief? felt as if
| were growing mad.
"Wnat shall we do?" whispered |
Ted, cooking his revolver.
Suddenly bright red light illu-
minated the heavens, followed by /
clouds of black smoke and queer,
cracking noise. A yell from the
men, Gill Mead's voice above the
rest. The haystack was on fire 1t .
seemed to me in the glare around it
that | could see a foreign looking
human being vanishing across the
plain.
The men mounted their horses,
Gill Mead at the head, and set off |
across the fields at mad gallop.
They must save the stack. They left
Jack bound hand and foot and
guarded by one man.
Shep, the wonderful dog. had kept
by us until now, sinking in the dark
shadows. Now gliding sidewise and
still, he reached the man on guard,
whose back was to us, and with no
warning growl caught him by the
throat with strong white teeth that
could choke coyete in a second.
The man, who was in sitting pos
ture, fell back with a grOan. Ted |
struck him over the head with the
butt of his revolver, and pulled off
the dog. | cut Jacks bonds with a
knife. He looked at Us wonderingly
and staggered to his feet.
Never mind how we came, Jack,
l said Quick, mount the horse be-
vond the bridge, and ride to Denver
for your life. They will not harm a
woman and CHILD"
Harry White" he muttered, the
loyal soul that even could think Of
another's danger.
Il will tell him."
mo, no; not of this-only say, if
he stole the cattle to fly the country.
They will find out sooner or later"
He golloped down the road Ted
and | mounted. calling off Shep,
who sat on his launches watching
the Unconscious man, and then,
we too. sped down the road. The
haystack was giving out great vol
umes of black smoke, but the fire
was dead.
Ahead of us was a riderless horse,
Dolly, who greeted her master with
a joyful whinny. Where was Yik
Kee ? Then Dot, my horse, SHE'D
from the road from rccumbent
black figure. 1t was the indomita-
Die Yik Kee, who had crawled all
the way from the stack on his stom-
ach, so that he could not be seen, af-
Ter lying in the ditch undl after the
blaze had faded out,
"Humph, no catchee Chinee
heap sore,' he said, laconically, rub
bing his stomach.
He mounted dolly, and We rode
On to Whites ranch. Harry rushed
out at the sound of horses feet at
There, under the twink
ling stars, | looked into his eyes,
and told him the whole story. He
showed no guilt, but enly said We
must stay that night at his ranch,
for the men would come back TO
Jacks for him, and then mounting
his fleet colt rode down the road. |
comforted his mother the best |
could. At daybreak we rode back
home.
Mary was in wild state of alarm.
Where had we been? Where was
Jack and how cruel we were to
cave her alone. She said that at
o'clock three masked men had come
10 the house and searched it and .
The premises, but had not molested
her or the children, only asking
where Jack was, sternly and sharp
Iy.
At noon, Jack, Harry, the sheriff !
and party of of armed men from
Denver rode up, tstopping only
to tell me that they would