Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-06-01

the smoking shingles. The barn, luckily
some distance from the house, had
burned down to O heap of red, heat
o.uiveriug Goals. He threw q number of
pals of water around this, and then
stood a moment 10 think what to do
next. HIS clothing was burnt and
blaokened, his hands blistered and his
eyes half-blinded by the smoke.
"What shall 1 do?' he cried miser-
ably: eff go to town for help I'd miss
father; II I go to meet him l may not
take the right road; it will be three days
before he is back. The Newtons haven't
got back from Denver, and I'm afraid
SiIns Warren is killed. There's no one
to tell my father which way they went.
They never have been tracked in the
range. Only Apaches can hide SO well.
Whist is my duty2 Oh can't stay hero
ind wait; day means 80 much; the
tNrail is fresh now; they'll never think of
lily ones being go near. What was 1t
fl her read that night"
do the duty which lies nearest to
thee which thou knowest to be duty.
Thy second duty will already have be-
come clearer.
''My father says I'm foolishly dar-
ing" thought the poor lad, "but he'd
arats and leave false elews when they are
pursued. The marks of the cattle are
plain now, but rain will make them
AImost impossible to trace, or the dry
wind will turn the mud into dust In o
day " He drew in his lips firmly. "I'n
do it, he cried; cit is my nearest
luty. -
He went into the house, gathered up
come things he would need as little as
possible, and then be wrote note.
"DEAR FATHER-The Apaches have
been here. 1 found home like this.
Warren 8 cabin burned, and all our cat
lie gone. They have taken mother and
Nell. am going to follow them. They
have fooled the settlers SO often with
false trails, but they WON'T think of any,
one being so near. have taken
mother s apron and will tie strips of it
to the trees when am sure OF their trail.
1 know Half Breed Joe was here there's
a queer mark on the kitchen floor like
his crippled foot, where he must have
come in muddy. l have tried to think
of everything, put out the fire and all,
and il l am doing wrong in following
them cam t help it. 1 felt it was my
duty. HARRY.
As he wrote his name q slight sound
outside sent the blood away from his
heart, he sprang to his feet as the un-
latched door began to move gently in
ward. HWho's there2' he cried. A
black nose, pair of shining brown eyes,
a shaggy coat, ending in tremendous
Wagging OF a fungia tail, appeared.
''Docl' cried Harry, bursting into
tears as the dog leaped upon him. Doc,
you dear, dear, old fellow. Where are
they, my mother and her? I was look
ing for Nell and you to meet me. She
In that little white dress and the sailor
hat with the blue ribbons. l can't real
ize It, Doc, 1 CAM ;"
The dog answered by low whine,
licking his masters hand.
"Why, your fur's all wet, Doc. It's
blood. He brought water and washed
a bullet wound in the dogs shoulder.
ssI know you went with Nell to guard
her and they shot at you"
boo thumped his tail on the floor and
calmly extended q paw; It was the only
trick he knew, reserved for great occa-
sioDs.
Harry liberated the bronoho, fed the
dog and then sat down to wait. It was
quite dark and q sad sounding wind
walled down the canon. The high OUT
lines OF the mountains doomed black and
awful, only q single star quiyering over
the San Miguel gave promise Of coming
light. Later, great shaft OF silver
piercsd the darkness as the moon rose
oyer the valley. Then the lad and his
four-footed friend went forward into the
mysteries and dangers of the traekless
mountain.
The trail was narrow and indistiuct.
It moved among timber and great