The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-08-16

would seem that ne simply deteSted the
confinement TO which he was subjected
during the day. and endeavored, TO the
extent of his limited ability, to manage
his own particular affairs in way
more 20 his liking. Bruce had always
declared that Toms aristocratic no.
tions regarding the superiority of blue
blood was the cause of his preferring
solitude TO the society of the common
herd of Texan long-horns, which sup
position was based on the fact that Old
Rcddy, Toms mother. was a full
blOoded Hereford that the Websters
had brought with them all the way
from their old home in the North
1t was, really, rather strange that
this highly-prized scion of an ancient
family should have bean so prone to
make bis owners trouble; since, for
the first six months of his life, he had
been petted by his owner. and allowed
TO wander at will about the door-yard,
so that he might enjoy perfect i'm
Inuzity from the assaults of wander
ing wolf or Mexican lion; but al
though he still remembered some of
the numerous accomplishments taught
him by Bruce in leisure moments, one
of which was TO charge blindly at the
tantaliZing wave of red handker-
chief, he was in other respects as wild
as any other young cattle
AS he had expected. Bruce found
the calfs tracks without difficulty,
plainly showing in the dusty path that
led down the valley OF the little creek;
but he was somewhat surprised to find
TINT Tom had ipfrprad S-a,Hi1,r
swerving neither to the right nor left,
for nearly a mile. finally leaving the
trail at point where the rocky nat
ure of the soil and dense underbrush
rendered futile al attempts at further
trailing. and the most persuasive and
persistent calling failed to elicit any
responsive bleat from the little runa-
way.
For a mile farther Bruce wandered
down the little valley, shooting now
and then n green-crested duck, or one
of the numerous gray squirrels that
barked and chartered at him from the
limbs above his head; but, search as
he would. no further trace Of the lost
Tom could be discovered
Puzzled and disheartened, the lad
finally turned back. resolving to mount
his pony after dinner, and search out
the entire country for radius OF three
or four miles
Crossing the stream, he hunted back
along the south bank, hardly expect
ing to discover the object of his
search, but adding occasionally to his
string Of game
I.,sout-, ms attention was attracted
nv rrnrrErF.l1ry dam ~ +fv-e
rel who was saucily bidding him de-
iance from his perch on the limb of a
large hollow oak The shotgun was
brought to the boys shoulder. but, as
II aware Of his danger. the threatened
animal lodged out of sight in con-
venient orifice in the tree trunk
''Helloi you are a sharp little fellow,
/ seel' muttered our young hunter.
''Never mind, thought You can't
stay in that hole forever; and the next
time you show up you'll never know
what hurts you"
A fallen tree near by offered a COM
Portable seat, and Bruce assumed an
easy position, with his back against
the mOss-covered stump; and. resting
his gun across his knees, awaited the
reappeararce Of the beleaguered squir-
rel.
Minutes passed, but nothing more
was seen OF the sharp. rat-like ears
and beady eyes. although Bruce's
vigilance never relaxed
Halfway down, a mass Of scarlet
and yellow ivy leaves hid a second
opening IN the tree trunk, and here,
unnoticed by the lad, the cunning
squirrel watched his every motion,
with not the slightest intention Of ex-
posing himself further.
Another pair OF eyes were riveted
on the unsuspicious boy-a pair OF
snaky, black orbs that cleaned dan
Eerously near, in clump of verLlani
foliagei for, by some unlucky chance.
the route to safety selected by Caddo
Bill, the red fugitive from Justice, had
lain through this quiet valley, after
all; and the escaped murderer was now
crouched, like a tiger gathering for a
spring. not twenty PAGES from the un-
suspecting Bruce
III Caddo Bill had fancied his safety
assured upon successfully lodging his
guard and climbing the stockade
at Fort Griffin, his mind must have
soon been disabused of that impression.
For more than forty-eight hours he
had been followed and harassed bv the
numerous parties in pursuit-contin-
uaIly on the move-gliding from COW
ert 10 covert-now hid in a clump of
thorny cacu-again threading the
winding bed OF some narrow Grrouo.
or gliding like a snake through the
tall prairie grass Exhausted by his con-
unued exertions, and weak from the
ravages OF hunger that he lacked the
wherewithal to appease, his moccasins
worn TO shreds, and the red shirt and
cavalry pants, that he wore at the time
OF MS escape, now torn to fragments
oy the envious briers. the fugitive real
~ presented pitiable appearance.
But worn and weary as he was tho
evil, murderous instinct was still don
inant In his breast, and his eyes
shnted ominously as he watched the
ooyish form carelessly reclining so
close to his own hiding-place.
w as there ever such good luckr The
greatest cause OF uneasiuess to Caddo
Bill had been the fact that he had been
forced to begin the fight totally un-
armed; for, although renowned for his
reckless bravery when armed to the
teeth, in his present defenseless condi-
uon he was helpless Supplied with
out a carbine. some OF his pursuers
would have doubtless have felt his
vengeance before this; but. without
even so much as a knife, however
small, he had no choice but stealthy,
speedy flight
Was kind fortune about to smile
upon him once more? Here, within |
his reach. almost, and to be had for ;
the mere taking. was a substantial-lool1-