The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-02-20
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~ noe Iooiin, retorted Jim, with a
KIND OF desperate eaxnestness. ssThst
TRAILS too plain for Iuiins to have Left.
unless they done it a. purpose. I can
find the trail right enough IL Won let me.
Trust me, boys"
MY poor Jimi AS man sows 30 shall
No reap. What had he done, in all his
reckless, dissolute life, to be trusted
nowf lie was not trusted; nay, more,
ne was left, half mad with anger and
despair, to find his trail alone.
Take it, or leave it" the men had said
as they galloped off upon their trail.
Away in the east the sun was touch
ing the sky with red gold light Great
crimson bars, fecked with orange.
cleaned out broadly, and then melted
into the softer harmony around, and be-
fore one knew it, the whole shining mass
united and out flashed the sun. But be.
fore it did that Jim had made ND his
mind to do very risky thing-to rescue
Dolly single handed. Who else was
there to do it7 The others had ridden
away in a direction which was every
moment taking them farther away from
the right track.
my GodF' he said wildly. Was it a
prayer from those rough ipsa-a PRAYER
which the Good Shepherd heard and
answered? For Jim played hero's part
that day. He found the trail. For the
sun, glinting downward, caught che
light of small pink object on the brush
wood and rested there lovingly. Moth
ing much-just the torn string from a
little child's sunbonnet. But at the
sight Jim broke into a suppressed
whistle of triumph, and raced Red Mus
tang forward as she had never been
raced before. never like to think about
that ride. Enough, the Red Mustang
responded Loyalty to the situation. From
moon to dewy eve" she carried Jim
steadily. But when, trembling, foam
fecked and parched with thirst. be
stopped her as the Indian camp doomed
in sight, he knew that his work was cut
out
Quiet! old lass! quietr' he said.
cautiously dismounting and patting hen
with look ON his face that few but
Dolly or Red Mustang had ever seen
there.
The gallant beast seemed to under.
stand, and suppressing whinny, rubbed
her nose wistfully against the cares.
sing hand.
Half gliding, half creeping forward,
Jim took in the situation at glance.
The Indians had evidently only Just
stopped and were hastily improyising
sort Of camp. But, unsuspicious as they
were of being followed so soon, Jim
knew that this first careless hustle of ar
rival would not last long, but that SEN
tries would be set to guard against any
approach. Suddenly his blood thrilled,
for there before him, not dozen yards
away, lay Dolly reposing on an old
blanket in the healthy sleep of child
hood.
1t was a foolish thing to do, perhaps,
considering the state Bed Mustang was
in, but then Jim was desperate. How
he crawled forward, seized Dolly and got
back to Red Mustang impoverished he
could never have told himself. But get
back with her he did, and IN a fash the
three were off.
+Dim" said Dolly, clinging in bfissfnl
content to the rough red shirted arms.
say" Jim answered, CHANGING down
at her as he frightened Red Mustangs
girth; "you go TO sleep, Dolly"
So Dolly's little brown head nestled
down, and Jim and Red Mustang made
what speed they could, which was not
avery great speed, although there came
sounds from behind which made the
mare tear forward and turned Jim
white. The Indians were in pursuit.
Mile by mile, hour after hour, thai
fearful race went on The rugged line
of hills which marked the camp were in
sight now, but could Red Mustang hold
out? She was already trembling omi-
nously, and Jim knew that the time was
come. If she we've to reach the camp at
IN, ftmust bewfthout hin weight onM
back.
'Duliyf" he said with a shake which
made Dolly open her sleepy eyes, II
want you to do somethin' for me-" he
went on persuasivefy; II want to get
down here, Fw-a partic'ier
reason for wanting TO get down here
and the arm holding Dolly1s as gently as
a woman's kept her head turned well
forward. ''Red Mustang IL take You
to the camp all right, If you'll be a brave
little CELL, and 60 alone"
seOh!" and Dolly's frightened clutch
was very firm
'sWm you, Dolly said Jim feverish-
ly. "DoIlyi Dollyl Little lassi Win
you? For me-"
'sIss, DIM" said Dolly with quiyering
lips.
Dismountingy Jim fastened her swiftly
and firmly to the saddle and gave Red
Mustang the word 'sGood-by, Dolly"
and Jims moustache brushed the rosy
lips.
'Doodby. Dim" said Dolly.
Bed Mustang wfinnied uneasily. But
her master had told her to go, and she
went.
'rshen do it," said Jim with great
sigh of relief.
The Indians were very close now.
In curious, concentrated kind Of
way, Jim gazed at the plain, which the
moonlight was hnding into peaceful
beauty. Then with an ugly light IN his
eye, he drew out his bowie knife and
turned to face what was before him.
''Whoso giveth q cup of cold water to
one of these little ones, he giyeth it unto
me-" And Jim had given more than
that-he had given his life; for the next
day Big Ben and the nest found himson
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