The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1891-07-09

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guided the beast silently rs possible mp
the creek.
A few hundred yards above she headed
her for low bank on the side nearest TO
the highway A moment later she had
the horse safe behind friendly screen
of small trees
Hastily tying the halter TO a sapling
she stole cautiously through the under
brush to a point near the spot where she
had last seen the men
They were still there, but evidently
move of some sort
Mentally Kate made note of two facts.
the first of which was that both men
were villainous looking specimens of ru-
manity: secondly. their horses were reek-
ing with sweat and apparently much ex-
hausted
Leaving the animals to feed by the
wayside, the two presently crossed the
road and struck into path leading
down to the brook. one of them point
ing with his rattlesnake whip to Naomi's
footprints in the black soil
Katie heard her name pronounced by
the most savage looking one, and mo-
ment later the scoundrel passed by
scarcely three feet from her place OF
concealment Within easy reach of the
coveted treasure. he was. luckily for
Katie. unconscious of the fact With
his heavy whip he struck an ugly little
blow at the identical bush through
which bright eyes were peering. For
moment, as the little girl afterward ad-
mitted. she was ''almost afraid"
On her hands and knees she crept back
a short distance. ruefully mindful of the
fact that numerous sharp stubs and roots
were running her Sunday gown. When
far enough away she arose to her feet
and fed back to Naomi with the speed
of a hunted deer. christening her.
Kate started to lead her toward the road,
thouyh she knew not what obstacles
might intervene, the thick growth of
young trees rendering it impossible for
the eye to penetrate many yards in ad-
vance.
They were almost out; SO near, in fact.
that some oddly twisted birches, which
Kate remembered to have observed grow
ing upon the opposite side of the track.
were in full view. when horse and leader
were both brought to a sudden halt.
A huge fallen tree lay directly in front
of them. shutting off all hope of escape
in that direction On one side the
gnarled, earth covered roots of another
prostrate monarch of the forest present
ed an equally formidable barrier, and at
her right lay many dead branches, the
cracking of which would inevitably be
tray her presence to the human blood
hounds so close upon her track Poor
Katie!
In moment Katie felt great, glad
thrill of hope springing up within her
heart Instantly she resolved to mount
Naomi and make bold dash through
the brush at all hazards Accordingly
she climbed to a seat in the saddle pre-
paratory to making the attempt
Naomi, however was an intelligent
brute and had no notion of running the
gauntlet in such a reckless manner. To
Katie's surprise she obstinately refused
to advance a hairs breadth in the di-
rection her mistress desired. but. instead
commenced backing off Being taller
than Kate. it may be that she had made
discovery which the girl certainly had
not, e.. that pair of extremely fierce.
black eyes in that quarter were watch
| ing every movement with sinister in
terest
A few PAGES back the mare stopped
then started rapidly forward and, almost
before Kate comprehended what she was
about sufficiently to tighten her hold
the horse went over the gigantic log with
something of the agility of "A kitten, hel
hind feet sending out ringing echo as
they struck against the hard wood.
Bravo cried our heroine. forgettins
prudence in her admiration.
a loud shout, followed by hoarse i'm
precation. instantly gave her to under
stand that her whereabouts had beel
discovered However. the way befor,
her was clear enough now. Naomi swep
out into the track and galloped away a
breakneck pace.
For the life of her Katie could not hav
refrained from sending back a triumph
ant little huzzah to the discounted rasca
who stood watching his prey thus max
her escape.
His reply was a bullet, which wen
whizzing by her head so close that sh
felt the breeze it created in passing
The other man. warned by his confeder
ate came running up, and hastil
mounting their horses, both started i
hot pursuit. But those weary steed
were no match for Naomi, who, fres
from her nooninga appeared to exult i
the wild race she was leading.
For mile or two the chase was keI
mp, but curses and flying shots provin
alike Intellectual in recalling the brav
little maiden. they at length turned thei
horses in an opposite direction and rod
sullenly back. and were seen no more i
those parts until some months Later
when Nemesis hunted them down on
charge OF horse stealing. which wa
proven against them. So far as th
writer knows they are still under govern
ment. surveillance, and likely to be 6
. for some years to come.
Without further adventure Kat
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