San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-03-14

''Give IS ride, square. l been in the
saddle all day."
He dropped off Driver and got in with
the squire.
81 want some advice, square," he said.
"Look here-or hold on; you can't see 1t
now, but I'll tell You what's int"
He read and explained the message.
"'Don't go beyond Brame's tonight
the squire repeated. "Well, that's good
advice anyway, Prent. How much have
you got on your"
nineteen thousand dollars and odd"
"Whewr' the old man whistled "You
better take a friends advice. Don't 60
beyond Brame's tonight. Your horse is
tired, too. Look how he hangs back"
''But I've got to go home. Nell's all
alone"
''Then you better leave the money with
me-"
''No, no, square, amt going to get
you into any trouble like that. And, be-
sides, Pm going to town with it in the
morning. l won't lose sight of it any
way"
''Well, Prent, if you won't do that, I'll
tell you what. Put up Driver at my
house. I'll put you2 saddle on to my roam
mare, Skylark and she'll take you that
nine miles in fOrtyfive minutes easy. Slip
that package under the seat here. You
get ON to Driver and ride in slow. I'll
cut round by Big Pines and come in on
the other road. I'll stow the money under
the saddle for you; it I'll be safer there.
Come, tumble out. Whoa, Bill"
"Good, square, I'll do it, and thankful.
Pm blest if you amt the cleverest old
trump that's going"
''Oh, sof' soaps cheap, Prent. None O.
that sort"
away through the sand. Prent came
among the hills now; the land was much
better; the sand and scrub pines and oaks
dropped behind. There were cultivated
fields ON either hand, here and there
u house. He came to the Big Pines cross
road, and could dimly see Bills fresh
straight on mile, over the Madden hills,
and so down to where the road ends at the
broad middle pike. Then west half mile
to the little hamlet of Fillmore, with
Brame's tavern in the center. AS he rode
up to the door old Brame came out of the
courtyard at the left. He came up.
How do, Prent?' he called, in his loud,
CHEEKY voice. ''Glad to see We. Where "
bound now? Been rather givin' it to
Driver, amt ye! Have him rubbed down
and eat some oats fore " go on"
There were several idlers hanging about.
about the roam mare.
Bit" he said.
The hostler took away Driver to the
stable. They went in.
SCorpo ipc;6a opd hovo hi a bo
squire.
And Prent followed him through the
bar into an inner room.
''Prent," said the squire, 81 don't like
the looks of things at all. There's been a
stranger here tonight in a buggy He
was dressed in the best; had beaver on,
and leg O. mutton whiskers and long hair.
Looks amazin' like swell parson, only
parsons don't gin'ally sit in hotel parlors
and smoke cigars, with their legs on to
the table, and drink no end of brandy hot
and hot. He went off just now. say I
don't like it, Prent.n
Cant help it, square," said. II must
go on
(There-it's out at last. So, gentles, by
your leave, We'll drop this round about
third person for the downright first. My
name is Prentiss Broom.
''Well, if you must" he said, ''look
here"
He showed me pad of tow cloth, made
up to fit under a saddle. 1t was stuffed
with wool; he ripped one side with his
knife and showed me.
Now, III put the money in place of
this wool. Don't fear. No one can hear
or see US here. Your saddle is worn thin;
this will fit under it prime. I'll fix it my
self. Let me see your arms"
l showed him my pistol, Colts make,
six barrels.
All charged ?" he asked
nodded.
He examined it carefully, nipple and
triZGe:.
you'll do, guess he said "Prent
Broom" he asked seriously, ''there's one
word want to say to you. It's one thing
to be brave, and another to be rash.
When you turn off the pike tonight put
Sllylark into run, and give her her head.
Don't stop her for man or devil till you're
safe home. If any one tries to stop you
drive her at him and fire. If anything
serious happens let the mare go and give
in. She'll bring the money to me if she
can.
''Now, sit down and eat; III have the
mare round in five minutes"
| mounted her at the door. Old Brame
whispered:
''Take care, Prent, and remember
Nell'
''Good night, square," I called, and
started down the pike. 1t was mile to
the fork where our Hilbury road turns
north. Skylark is a fiery beast, powerful
in breast and quarter, 1.-the of limb and