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

boy and quiet his tongue Yes; that
was the proper course 10 pursue.
Cautiously he rose to his feet, his
right hand clutching heavy fragment
of granite All unconscious of his
peril, Bruce sat-half-asleep and half
awake-quite tired of watching for n
squirrel that never appeared. but vet
in no particular hurry To journey
homeward-
No thought of Caddo BiIl had crossed
the boys mind since leaving home that
morning Like his father, Bruce had
thought 1t hardly probable that the
murderer would appear so far 10 the
northward. in case he had csc aped re-
capture
At all events, the redskin would have
no possible reason for molesting
mere bog like himself. SO had rea-
soned the inexperienced lad. lulling
his fears to rest by n line of argument.
seemingly quito sound, but, in reality.
false and misleading.
Silently as n panther stealing upon
his prey. and relentlessly as death it.
self, Caddo Bill crcpt nearer and
nearer.
Barely twenty feet separated the
murderer and his victim The In
dian's face was drawn in a grimace of
fearful vindictiveness. His arm was
drawn back for the deadly blow-his
muscles contracted for the final
spring.
Suddenly there was rustic OF shrub
berry. and the rush of flying feet, and
haa oh l.,
the crouching Indian from the rear.
dashing him forward almost upon the
now thoroughly-aroused Bruce The
missing calf had suddenly appeared
upon the scene-exactly on time-not
n moment too early or too late.
How long Tom had been an inter
ested observer of Caddo Bills actions.
II Is, of course, impossible to state.
Evidently, however, the Haunting rags
OF the fugitive's scarlet shirt had been
construed as a premeditated challenge,
which could not be tamely overlooked
without doing violence 10 all the tradi-
tions of the fighting Herefords, and the
young champions onslaught was sud
den and Irresistible
Caddo Bills surprise was complete
and his discontinue was increased bv
the fact that he was, for an instant.
unable TO comprehend the exact iden-
tity Of his new assailant, and the mo-
mentary delay allowed Bruce time TO
thoroughly digest the danger of the
situation And. therefore, when the
murderer staggered to his feet, intent
on the further prosecution of the vii
lainous scheme, young Webster, with
out an instants reflection, discharged
both barrels of his gun in his assail-
ants face. and dropping the now use
less weapon, fed from the spot, with
OUl Il thought OF noting the effect OF
his shots
Ten minutes later, terror-stricken
and out of breath, Bruce dashed into
the little dining-room at the ranch.
where half a dozen strangers were
gathered about the table - soldiers
from Griffin, who, by the aid of blood
hounds, had trailed their late prisoner
thus far on his way to liberty.
Hurriedly the boy told his story, and
IN an inconceivably short space of time
found himself seated on a fiery cavalry
horse, behind the Lieutenant in com
mand of the squad. guiding them TO
the scene of his late encounter.
Caddo Bill was found without diff
Guilty. not dead, as Bruce had begun TO
fear, but so badly disabled by a hand
full of bird shot, in the muscles of his
shoulder. that his capture was easily
effected.
The belligerent calf. Tom, was also
found on the field of battle contentedly
cropping the scattering herbage and
looking as harmless and insignificant
as it was possible for fat, well-grown
calf TO appear. He evinced no disin-
clination to return to the ranch, but
trottcd contentedly along in advance
of the party, the object of general ad-
miratiOn from all; and Bruce observed.
without pang of jealousy, that in
discussing the particulars of the late
''scrimmage," the soldiers accorded TO
Tom the most of the credit for the
capture, which view of the matter the
lad was not disposed to dispute, since
he felt that to Tom alone he owed his
life and safety
However, the reward paid for the re-
capture of Caddo Bill was accorded to
Bruce by general consent, and with
the money thus obtained he purchased
a number of young cattle-the nucleus
of a large herd, over which the Here
ford. Tom. ruled as monach and leader
for many years. d. Barnes, in
Yankee Blade.