Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-04-11

OF his pocket. He NJ s ], b mined
boy. Even IN my despair, Ia my Wild
hope that could save Jack by bee9ina
on my knees, that could Cling to him
and that they would haveto kill me first
I could not help 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 kernel OF
corn in corn-popper.
It was soft, warm night, lighted only
by the pale young moon and the twink
ling stars. We rode as fast as our horses
could gallop. Shep was close at oul
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 g cross road
leading to Mead's ranch. On this road
was a 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 domestic cattle
through the Winter. We at last reached
the turn of the road. They were three
miles in advance, riding rapidly. Yik
Rec stopped at the turn. "Humph
Can't catchee. Hangee at bridge. You
goeew He turned his horse and sped
across the field, DESERVING us basely.
We rode on, Ted and I. He was pale
and still; my cheeks were burning. We
neared the bridge. The high mound oil
earth before us hid them from sight
We stopped our horses and listened
The men had lighted torches, some were
preparing a 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
I could see by the lighted torches that
their number was increased. Jack was
very white and sad, but he showed nc
fear.
II am innocent, gentlemen" he said
slowly, "but refuse to tell you of whom
bong the hides"
Understood him. Could Harry White
be cattle thief? i felt as if I were
growing mad.
"What shall we do?" whispered Ted,
cooking his revolver.
Suddenly bright red light illuminat-
ed 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. It seemed to me in the glare around
it that l could see foreign-looking hu-
man vanishing across the plain.
The men mounted their horses, Gil
Mead at their head, and set out across
the fields at a 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 shad-
ovs. Now, gliding sideways 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 coyote in
a second. The man, who was in a sit
ting posture, fell back with a groan.
Ted struck him over the head with the
butt of the revolver, and pulled off the
dog. I cut Jacks bonds with knife.
He looked at us wonderingly, and stag
gered to his feet.
"Never mind how We came, Jack" I
said. "Quick, mount the horse beyond
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.
II will tell him."
'No, no; not of this-only cay, if he
stole the cattle to fly the country. They
will find it out sooner or later"
He galloped down the road. Ted and
mounted, calling off Shep, who sat on
his launches watching the unconscious
man, and 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 riderless horse, Dol
ly, who greeted her master with a joyful
Where was Yik Kee? Then
Dot, my horse, SHE'D from the road at a
black figure. It was the in
domitable Yik Kee, who had crawled all
Vic way HULL GIlC SCdCA vi LIS SCOludCIl,
20 that he could not be seen, after lying
in the ditch until the blaze had died out.
'Hunph! no catchee Chinee; heap sore,"
he said laconically, rubbing his stom-
ach.
He mounted Dolly, and we rode on to
Whites ranch. Harry rushed out at the
sound of horses feet, at midnight. There,
under the twinkling stars, looked into
his eyes, and told him the whole story,
He showed no guilt. but only said we
must stay the night at his ranch, for the
men would come back to Jacks for him,
and then mounting his feet colt rode off
down the road. l comforted his mother
IS best l could. At daybreak we rode
home.
Mary was in a wild state of alarm.
Where had we been? Where was Jack?
and how cruel we were to leave her
alone. She said that at l o'clock three
masked men had come to the house and
searched it and the premises, but had
not molested her or the children, only
.sking where Jack was very sternly and
sharply.
At noon Jack, Harry, the Sheriff, and
! party of armed men from Denver rode
Up, stopping only moment to tell me.
hat they would be back at night. I
Jared not tell Mary. and she worried all