The Springdale news., 1888-11-16
CHAPTER XIII.-CoNrINrap.

CHAPTER XIII.-CoNTTNU;p
 " All! =ls that 50. Well, it's too bad Mighty pretty leetle fellcr. Here. Chet. called tue farmer to ragged, dirty urehin. Wh1 was running about in the yard, go in the house an tell yer maw that thar's d gent an lcetlc boy here what want their breakfast; an then you come back an feed this hoss."
 All right, answered the boy, running to the house
 With feeling of almost complete cx- ha lstion, Allen dismounted When the farmer took the poor child from the saddle ne could scarcely stand Onr hero took the child's hand in his and led him to the house, where both sank down in chairs.
 The farmer remained behind 10 see that the horse Was properly fed and curried by Chet.
 II tell ye that hoss hcz bin rid mighty hard, said the farmer, shaking his head knowingly. That fellcr ain't pulled the wool over my eyes as much as he thinks he hez. I'm goin' to larn somethin about him, cause there's Q screw loose shore"
 With this end in view he went to the house, and while coffee was grinding and meat frylng for breakfast, he proceeded to lnterrogate the traveller. But he was met oy wits much shreWdcr than his own. his every thrust was successfully parried by satisfactory explanation. and making no headway he was soon almost ready to give 1t Up
 "Hcd purity hard ridc." said the farm CT.
 Very the traveller answered.
 Dark, too, warn't it.2
 Rather. We had a moon late in the night, though fl was very feeble moon and soon followed by the sun. 7"
 "Sartiniy. Didn't travel much afore the moon rizt'
 "Oh no, was the evasive answer.
 :" Good hoss, though,a
 An excellent traveller
 = How much d ye giy fur him"
 He is not mine He was loaned ne to s.lake this journey"
 Must a rid him purity hardf'
 ''I had to ride hard. We will barc.r get there in time now"
 A door from the kitchen opened at this moment, and the tangled head of the woman was thfustinto the apartment to announce that breakfast was ready
 Walk in, stranger I reckin yer le,tle boy is kinder hungry"
 He must be very hungry, for I feel faint and weak myself
 Allen touched the shoulder of the dumb boy, who Was sitting as motionless as if he Aau been carved from stone, and the little fellow turned his wearied eyes upon him. He motioned to the child to come. and he rose and followed him to the dining-room, where they ate their breakfast
 Never did man lcel less like riding across the country, but delays were dan gerous, and if parties were in pursuit they might overtalle him before they reached their destination
 Settling his bill he ordered his horse, and mounting with the little boy before him, they continued their journey The child gave evidences of soreness from continued travel, but Allen made him to understand that their journey would soon terminate, and the little fellow become QuIet.
 Gailoping down a hlly road they turned into long lanc On every sslc could be heard the merry whistle of the plow-bov, mingled with the song Of the lark They crossed a considerable strip of prairie. and were refreshed by the gentle breeze sweep ing over it.
 Poor little fellow,n said Alen when he discovered how haggard the child was be- coming. "Oh, how wish you were at the end of your journey"
 The prairie was about four miles wide They had crossed it and were entering a grove of trees when, chancing to look back, he saw two horscmcn about three miles in his rear coming at full speed.
 Pursued! :" cried Allen. The child dis covering the horsemen, q look of terror spread over his infantile face, and utterng strange cries, he began kicking the sides of the horse.
 Allen increased the speed at which they were going, much as he dared, knowing that ave-mile journey was before them