The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-29
to Salt Lake City," said Frank. 81

"S'pose give him to you to ridea"
''Thank you for remembering me, y
said Frank, "but I don't need him. The
horse have suits me-"
II know it, Frank, but jes' look at the
matter squar' now. You know we can't
be carryin' along idle stock this way.
We've got to put him to some use, and
theirs nobody with the train kin back
that brute unlessit's you. He's got the
maxim of mighty fine saddle animal If
you kin master him."
"Wcl, Pete, to help you out, I'll try
him."
So the next morning Frank, with much
care and patience, got a saddle and bride
on Birthstone, and at propitious moment
vaulted into the saddle, where he stayed.
The mule bucked viciously, and made a
long, violent struggle, which he renewed
at intervals during that and several sue
ceeding days. Finding that he could
not unseat his plucky rider, he at length
gave up trying, and settled into his
natural gait, long, easy lope. His pace
was wonderfully swift and strong, and
Pete's prediction of what Birthstone could
do under a saddle was verified.
Thereafter Frank rode the yellow mule
regularly, and, in time, they got on terms
of mutual liberation. To be sure, Frank
had still to keep a lookout whenever
within reach of his steed's teeth and heels,
and Birthstone made it matter of princi-
pie always to buck awhile when first
mounted for the day.
But he recognized an equally constant
tendency of his master to spare at these
times neither whip nor spur, with the
variation of a hickory CLUB. Putting all
facts together, and not being in the least
''fool mule" he began to regulate his
conduct 80 as to secure the fewest of
these attentions. Under wise handling
and firm control, the animal on the whole
improved in docility.
Itwas through this chain of events that
Birthstone came to be feeding by this
little party of three who loitered at mid
day under the blue sky. The saddles
and brides lay where they had been
thrown down. The young men were
stretched on the curly grass enjoying rest
after long riding. The animals grazed
contentedly at the end of their lariats.
There was no sign of danger on the
broad plain. Nevertheless, it were we'll
for the party to have borne in mind that
the swells of the rolling prairie and deep
ravines might conceal the inconveniently
near approach of an enemy. The train,
now full mile distant, was all the time
drawing away from them.
One of the reclining men looked round,
jumped and yelled "Injuns!" The others
came on to their feet at once. They
caught up the saddles and brides, made
for their animals, and began saddling
them in haste.
There were sound reasons for doing
this, for less than mile away band of
Arapahoe Indians was coming for the
party at full speed, every man urging
his pony and holding his bow in readi-
ness for use, evidently with the worst in
tentions.
The saddles and brides were quickly
adjusted, and the men astride their steeds.
The horses, filled with instructive terror
at the sight and scent of the Indians,
leaped at the touch of their riders, and
were soon galloping after the train at q
pace rivaling that of the Arapahoes.
Not so the mule. He felt we'll after
rest and feeding, and was in mood for
a tussle with his rider. Perhaps he
thought he had been good over-long, and
wanted change. At all events, as his
rider headed him toward the receding
train, he only braced back with his fore
legs, lowered his head at similar angle,
and stood stock-still, with an i'm
movability that gave little hope of an
early start.
Frank shouted and spurred; the mule
only set back the harder. He pricked
him with his hunting knife, and he be-
gan to buck. When Birthstone set out
to buck, time was no object to him. So
his rider did not urge the point. The
situation was interesting and very critical.
There were the Indians coming on like
the wind and already beginning to widen
their line fan-shaped, to cut off the hap
less rider. His two companions were a
third of the way to the train and safety,
and, barring untoward accident, sure to
make it. And he, held to the spot by
baking mule whose inaptitude to change
its mind he knew by hard experience.
He had no time to apply his usual argu-
ments.
The Indians were so near that he could
see the paint on their faces and hear their
yells. The wind brought down to him
their characteristic odor. Birthstone
smelled and did not at all like them; he
even showed symptom or two of NOV
ing. Then, as if in scorn of his moment
airy vacillation, he set his feet more firmly
than before and stood like rock.
Frank thought that all was up with
him and made desperate resolve. He
had six shots in his revolver. He would
indulge, before the end, in the brief but
intense pleasure of putting bullet
through Brimstone's head. He would
bestow four on the Indians and then
shoot himself to escape falling alive into
their hands.
Arrows began to fly. One sang past
his head so close that he felt its wind.
Another passed directly in front of Brim-
stones eyes, but that consistent creature
only blinked and held his ground. As
Frank was about to slip off and carry his
design into effect a third arrow whistled
and struck something lust hnhind his