The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-05-20

that brute unless it's you He's got the
maxim Of mighty fine saddle animal If
you kin master him"
"Wcll Pete to help YOU out, III try
him
So the next morning Frank. with much
care and patience. got a saddle and bri-
die on Birthstone. and at a propiiious
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 succeeding 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 10 keep a lookout whenever
within reach Of his steeds teeth and
heels and Birthstone made il a matter Of
principle always 10 buck while 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 hickory club. Putting all
facts together. and not being in the least
q "fool mule" he began to regulate his
conduct so as 10 secure the fewest Of
these attentions. Under wise handling
and firm control. the animal on the whole
improved in docility.
Ii was through this chain Of events
that Birthstone came TO be feeding by
this little party of three who loitered at
midday 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 well
for the party to have borne in mind that
the swclls Of the rolling prairie and deep
ravines might conceal the inconveniently
near approach Of an enemy. The train,
now a full mile distant. was all the time
drawing away from them.
One Of the reclining men looked round.
Jumped and yelled "lnjuns" The other.
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 "a mile away band of
Arapahoe Indians was coming for the
party at full speed. every man urging
his pony and holding bis bow in readi-
ness for use. evidently with tho worst
intentions.
The saddles and brides were quickly
adjusted and the men astride their
stceds. The horses. filled with instinct
i've terror az the sight and scent Of th
Indians. leaped at the touch Of their rid
ers and were soon galloping after the
train at a pace rivaling that OF the Ara
pahocs.
Not 40 the mule. He felt well after
rest and feeding and was in mood FOR
a tussle with his rider. Perhaps be-
thought me had been good over long and
wanted change. At all events "a his
rider headed him toward the receding
train he only braccd back with his fore
lers. lowered his head at a similar angle
and stood stock still, with an immova-
biitv that gave little hope Of am early
start
Frank shouted and spurred; the mule
only set back the harder He prcked
him with his hunting knife and he began
to buck. When Birthstone set out 20
buck time was no object to him. So his
rider did not urge the point The situa-
ton was interesting and very critical.
There were the Indians coming on like
the wind and already beginning 10 widen
their line fan shaped, to cut of the hap
less rider. His two companions were "a
third Of the was to the train and safety,
and. barring untoward accident. sure TO
make it. And me. held 90 the spot by a
talking mule whose inaptitudc 10 change
its mind hc knew by hard experience.
lie had no time to apply his usual arSu-
mcnts.
The Indians were SO near that he could
see the paint on their faces and hear Their
wells The wind brought down TO HIM
their characteristic odor. Birthstone
smelled and did not at all Ike them; he
even showed a symptom or two Of NOV
inc Then. as il in scorn OF his momen
tarv vacillatiOn. he set his feet more
firmly than before and stood like rock
Frank thought that all was up witt
him. and made desperate resolve. lie
had six shots in his revolver. He would
indulge before the end. in the brief but
intense pleasure Of sending bullet
through BrimstOne's head. He would
berow four on the Indians. and then
shoot himself to escape falling alive into
their hands.
Arrows began TO fly. One sang pas'
his head SO close that he felt its wind.
another passed directly in front OF Brim-
stones ewes, but that consistent creature
only blinked and stood his ground. AS
Frank was about to slip of 10 carry his
.icsign into effect. third arrow whlsiled
and struck something just behind ms
saddle with an unmistakable "sput.
Evidence Of grievous pain and aston
ishment appeared forthwith in the mule
/ Ills backward laid ears came suddenly
forward as for a moment his head faced
round with an expression Of deep and
reproachml surprise. His body bumped
together until il seemed as II the saddle
al the apex must go over the neck OF
crupper. Then he headed toward the
wagon train. Strengthened ont and went
And how ne went. His first jump was
so sudden as nearly TO leave his rider be-
hind on the prairie. His next was longer
and his pace kept improving all the way
4 line Of dust explosions marked the
spots where his hind feet struck. As his
/ body heightened in long bounds the sad
/ die cinch fairly swept the grass and all
Frank could do was to hold on, save his
breath and try to keep his toes from
striking the prairie dog mounds.
I -. I.lf NOV