Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-12-09

galloped of light-heartedly toward Steel Canyon, keeping sharp eye on the intervening country.
 A hours brisk riding brought me to the mouth of the gulch; two hours search proved that Tangletop was not hidden within it's depths, and I turned the cayeuse homeward, first pausing and looking out over the valley Not an animal was in sight. Hast summer the cattle used to run in Hayden Pass good deal, reflected, land that must be where the stray COW is It's Q little late to go up there to- night, but mother thinks so much of Tangletop, guess we'll have to go, Se- linn; so step out lively"
 And rode on still to the north.
 Now Hayden Pass was the name given to narrow, gloomy canyon that cut deep into the Sangre de Christo mountains, almost meeting gulch on the opposite side of the range. there be- ing but low ridge between the re- spective heads of the two rayines. Hence the name of the Pass" But though the canyon itself was cheerless enough, its upper slopes were sunny and always clothed with an abundance of grass, green and succulent in sum- mer, dry but nutritious in winter. Sure enough, hither had strayed poor Tangle- top, for found her horns q knew them by the peculiar crook in the left one) and her cleanly-picked bones lying amid the juniper bushes far up the mountain-side. had ridden up there, for cowboy never walks where he can by any possibility ride, no matter how steep the ascent, and as I drew rein to let the cayeuse regain his breath, I noted with start of surprise that it had grown very late. Indeed, from be- tween the peaks of the Saguache hills the level rays of the setting sun shone full in my face and frightened the dry meath them lay long shadows, and in tho gathering twilight Hayden Pass yawned dark and gloomy at my feet. Come, Selim, we must get out of this," I said to the cayeuse, with a shake of the rein; but before he could take step forward, from pinon- shrouded gulch to my left arose deep, long-drawn howl. The moment after another rang out clear and ominous i from the opposite side of Hayden Pass. Then 8 third and a fourth sounded from cottonwood thiclzet that nestled in gulch at my rear.
 ''It's the wolves, and they have us almost surrounded. Go it, Selim!" I cried, as gave him rein.
 | Half wild with fear, he rushed of 1 down the mountain-side.
 That was mad ride for life. Now we dashed under the low-hanging boughs of stunted cedar, next we leaped a fallen tree-top, scattering dry branches right and left, and then we jumped a i deep gully or went headlong off ledge of rocks not seen in the dim light until 1 too late to avoid them.
 Somehow we reached the bottom of the pass in safety, and few down the narrow trail to the mouth of the can- yon. As we emerged into the open val ley saw the glow of lights at Gottlieb's cabin-another pioneer settler-only three miles a way. If only the cayeuse could distance our terrible pursuers that far we were safe.
 "Down grade and clear trail. Go it, Seliml We'll beat them yetr' I cried.
 And the little horse lay low upon the ground, while the echo of his hoof- beats rang rhythmical march of triumph upon the hard-packed soil, But glancing over my shoulder through the twilight saw a pack of flying shadows horribly close at our heels. The bowling had ceased long since, as the wolves were now saving their breath to chase their prey.
 "Faster-faster, Selim!' shouted. And the pony sprang forward with increased speed, cnly to stumble and fall, sending me head over heels into 8 clump of oak brush.
 Luckily I was not much hurt, but scrambled to my feet just in time to gee the poor cayeuse hobble past on three legs, with the band of wolves right upon him.
 "Put his foot in dog-hole and broke his leg" I reflected. "That ends his chances, poor fellow"
 The next moment I heard that pitiful | sound, the scream of a horse in mortal terror, and knew that the savage brutes had overtaken him at last.
 ''No use to wait here for them to come back after me-" pondered. Lucky thing fell in this brush where they could not see me, or some of them would have finished me before now. I'd better climb tree while I have a chance"
 But that was easier said than done, for on the sloping foot-hill where ] stood grew nothing save struggling oak brush, too low to furnish safe ref. uge.
 However, about three hundred yards up toward the mountains stood a clumr of scraggy pinons and cedars, from whose midst lowered a great yellow pine, and thither hastened.
 Out of breath and still trembling from the effects of my fall I sat down at the foot of the tree to rest; but now the howls of the wolves again rang in my ears. Having finished my faithful cayeuse they were coming back for mel
 Rising, I attempted to climb the pine tree, but it was fully three feet through at the base, while the nearest branches were quite twenty feet from the ground hence my frantic efforts were fruitless
 Completely exhausted, was forced tc desist, but the rapidly-nearinp how1s oi