The St. Johns herald., 1889-09-12
THE MISSING CALF.
It Appears Upon the Scene Ex-
 act,y on Time.

''Some work for you to-day, Bruce, '" said MT. Webster to his twelve-year- old son at the breakfast table one lovely morning in October, 1871. ''One of the calves is missing; strayed of down the creek, guess, and you will have to lock it up."
 ''All right" replied Bruce, replen- ishing his plate from the platter of antelope steak.
 ''I was thinking of taking hunt to- day any way, so I will take the shot gun along and try to kill duck or two. see that there are a few drop ping in from the North. expect it is that fool Tom that's gone again. He is always making us troubler'
 ''You are right in regard to it being Tom, but he is by no means foolish for wandering off in search of better grass, for the range about here is getting poor. In fact, I have about decided to turn all the milk stock out for the present They will be much better off in the hills until the fall rains start a new coat of grass. "
 Better let Tom go, then," suggest ed Mrs. Webster ''Turn out the rest of the cattle and I'll warrant that old Reddy will find him."
 "Just what I would do if the calf was branded; but as it is, we will have to get him up again. can't af ford to run any risk of losing Tom; he is about all the fine stock that we own"
 "Tll have him corralled by noon," asserted Bruce, stoutly. "It's pity 1 haven't got him broken to ride, so I could bring in my game on him"
 First kill your game" replied his father. "It is just possible that you will fail to return on this occasion with either Tom or the ducks. And, by the way, keep an eye open for strangers. Caddo Bill, the Indian who was con- fined at Fort Griffin awaiting trial for murder, escaped the other day, and he may drift through here on his way westward, although the chances are that he has been recaptured before this"
 ''Tll be ready for him." was the con fident remark of the frontier lad. as he stood on tiptoes to reach the gun, lying in it's rack over the fireplace. live got one barrel loaded with big shot, and if see any thing that looks Injuny-"
 You'll break your neck running" interrupted his mother. "Iknow how fierce and courageous my little boy is, at times; but it seems to me that he is the most inclined to recklessness after the danger is over, or before it comes. But never mind, Bruce, an ounce of discretion is worth ton ot foolhardi- ness, any day, and 1 am really glad that you have too much sense to rush needlessly into danger"
 That's so, Molly" remarked Mir. Webster. Bruce has got lots of good sense and judgment for boy of his age, and he is no coward either. Why. l woald bet on that boy capturing that fellow, if he found him. as quick as would. and not run half the risks of getting killed. But, pshaw! there's not one chance in ten thousand of Caddo Bill passing through this sec ton, for all the soldiers from Griffin are after him, and half the county be- sides"
 Well, at all events, will bring in Tom all right, if Caddo Bill hasn't eaten him." asserted Bruce, as he left the room. ''Have my dinner ready at twelve sharp, IF mother; you know that hunting always gives me an appetite like 0 wolf.
 It is a rare thing for Texas boys to attempt much of pedestrian trip. for from early childhood much of their time is spent on horseback, and they grow, in time, to consider a mustang an indispensable companion. Bruce Webster. however, was an Illinois lad, who, ever since his sixth year, had been accustomed to a daily walk of a couple of miles to the neighboring school-house, and although he was fast becoming proficient in the wild and reckless horsemanship of tho Northwest, he still preferred to enjoy his short hunting trips, unencumbered with any troublesome equine.
 Therefore, he left, on this particu- lar occasion, the door of the little log stable wide open. so that the sleek sided, buckskin pony might be free to