The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-07-04
BUD.

Twelve men sat upright In their sad
dies. Eleven Of them formed a circle;
the twelfth man was on the outside of II.
Within the circle ~ ing On the ground,
almost under his horse, icet was anoiher
man. dead The blood was OOling out OF
a small hole in his for Lead, running IN
tiny purple streams over each temple.
and lost in the long black hair that
reached almost down 10 his shoulders.
The eleven men forming the circle had
their ewes upon tho dead man; the eyes of
the twelfth were closely watching the
eleven while half smile played around
the corners Of his mouth. giving 10 his
face a rather dare devil appearance.
There was perfect silence. Even the
horses were standing as il deeply absorbed
in thought forgetting for the time 10
swish their tails 10 keep away imaginary
flies
But presently the silence was broken.
4 terrible oath was uttered 10y one Of the
eleven. and il was answered by his ten
comrades IN the circle with angry words
and shouts and curses. They jerEed
their horse heads around and faced the
one with the smile upon his lips. Each
man had his hand on his revolver, but the
half smile on the face OF him they seemed
ready TO destroy, instead Of vanishing
grew broader and broader and moro reck
less. aud tauniiug light shOne in his
ewes as he said, interrogatively. "WellY"
The one who had first broken the
silence replied by asking. why did you
Kill our cOmradc.'
because could ! suppose.
You killed him. then, because you
wanted TO kill some one:'
No, killed him because he was my
brother, and had taken an oath to kill
him"
your brother ali exclaimed
Yes. am Bud Did lac never men
ton me to his friends! Ha, Ia, hal But
Dick was always retcent. 1t was his
way Well. gentlemen, III bid you good
day. and moyo along
lie lifted bis hat and bowed to them.
then he turned his horse around and gal
loped away across the prairie.
The GOODNESS OF the man was such sur
prise 10 the party he left that it was sew
oral minutes before they fully realized that
ihe murderer of their companion had
made his escape When they came to
their senses. however, it was with one ac-
cord hat each man turned his horse and
with one voice they all shouted, Death
20 the murderer
All were splendidly mounted. and all
were GOOD hOIscmcn men who spent the
greater part of their time in the saddle.
The chase was hot one. for the muir
dcrer also was well mounted and be easily
kept the distance lac had gained at the
start between himself and his pursuers.
And St was evident from lis actions that
he did not let his horse out to its full
speed for he frequently reached his hand
over the pommel Of the saddle and patted
the animal on tie neck 10 sOOthe il into
obedience Of his wishes
In the distance was IL line Of timber
The trees became taller and taller as the
riders went on. until at laN they rushed
into the dim hight under them. Bud, az
he called himself. was scant mile ahead
of his pursuers. but when lie struck the
woods he gave bis horse free rein, and it
was surprising 10 see how the animal
bounded away almost with the swiftness
OF the wind.
That's the style, Satan" cried the
rider in exuitaut tones 10 his horse. We
will pass the river before they reach 1t.
On and on they sped through what
palmetto and vines
The river VAS reached at last. The
water was over tie banks and running
swiftly.
Aboiit half mile below where Bud had
strucl, the river was what is called a
raft. place where logs and trees had
lodged as they were carried down the
river by froshets. They were fastened
d - nd
ing On end with their broken tops above
water others with their roots ii the air,
and AGAINST these was lodged drift Of
every description. Over and around this
drift aud the upended trees the water
rushed in a Thousand whirls and eddies,
with roar as of cataract
Bul cast his eyes up and down the
river lie had crossed it often, and knew
the dungCr
The river is o a boom. lie muttered,
then turning to his horse he spoke cheer
ily. "But we can cross II, can't we,
Satan"
The animal uttered a short neigh, as if
in response, and paved the ground rest
lcssly.
Bud fastened his pistols high on the
pommcl OF the saddle, then pulled his
boots off and fastened them III tho same
manner. When all was ready lie took
hold of the horses tail and said: Now,
Satan. over We 90.
The horse walked into the water with
Bud following. holding on 10 his tail.
Man and beast were soon out Of their
depth. when the horse turned his head
slightly against the stream and swan
swiftly for the other bank
The shore was reached in safety. The
bank was low and clear OF timber, ex-
cept fora tree standing here and there,
and III the distance, as fan as the eye
could see. stretched the wide prairie
Bud was just ready TO mount his horse
when be happened 10 cast his eyes up the
river. They opened wide, and his atfen-
ton was 50 closely drawn 10 what Inc saw
that he did not notice his purSuers had
reached the other bank, until bullet
from Winchester rifle came whisthng
by. close to his lead
lie looked around quickly The sight
that met his eyes would have caused most
men 10 seek cover. for half dozen rifles
were pointed toward him But Bud did
lot move except to raise his hand and
motion IL no the river