Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-19

into them, and then and there he uttered
a downright lie: Don't you believe 'em,
Dolly; sin't nothing of the sort" and.
half involuntarily, he threw a wistfu
glance at Big Ben.
Spite of his roughness Big Ben must
have had a soft spot somewhere, for,
bending down to Dolly, he said gently:
"There, YOU see, Dolly, I must have
been mistook. This ERE fellow. instead
of being thief, is a wirtuous youth, an
innicent angel, in fact. Now run away"
So Dolly departed satisfied.
After she left silence and hesitation
fell upon the men. The little scene had
touched them. After a whispered con-
sultation the judge, stepping forward,
cut the cord round Jim's wrist, saying
CURLY, Here, you young scoundrel,
we'll let you of this time. But clear
out of this: we don't want no thieves
here
Without d word jim turned on his
heel. Some men would have left the
place at once. jim was made Of differ
ent stuff. Expelled from the camp he
built himself a cabin on the outskirts,
not trying to live the disgrace down, but
enduring it with the logged obstinacy
which was part of his nature. The
miners, even Big Ben, ignored him COM
pletely; for Ben, for all that instant of
softness, had certain rugged fibers of
pride about him which led him to treat
thief with merciless justice.
The effects of this s'severely letting
alone" system were not very apparent,
which was no doubt the reason of its be-
ing carried on SO long. If jim had only
shown a proper spirit of penitence he
would have been forgiven. But, except
that he was trife surlier, he went on
his way pretty much as before, even
Dolly being treated in public with savage
silence. But as she was not alienated
there is reason to suppose that he mended
his manners when they were alone to,
gethcr. For together they still were at
times; and although muttered protests
went up from the camp on such occa.
sions not man but had manliness enough
to refrain from making Dolly part OF
Ji1n's punishment. So she and dim
and Red Mustang had many a fine
scamper together over the prairie.
But there came time when Jim and
Red Mustang between them vera to dc
fine work-a time when sudden dan.
ger doomed out, and Jim rose to it like
the brave man that he was-when with
clenched teeth he subdued the demon
within him, and proved that On occasion
he was ready, not for all he could get
but to give up all that he had. For a
savage ''whoop" rang out one night Oh
the unsuspecting camp. Men knew what
it was, and sprang to their feet with q
snarl Of rage. Rife in hand they rushed
out.
"lnjin," said the judge, coolly loading
his rife, and in the moonlight cleaned
the dusky painted figures. There was
little love lost between Injun and white
man. The "man-and-a-br brother" theory
had not been propounded on either side.
1t was war to the knife on both. "Steady,
boys, steady" said the judge, to whom
such scenes were by no means new.
Ready there? Now-at emf
And lat 'en" it was. Down swung
the musl1ets, out flashed the shot, and
with a look that was not good to see
upon their faces the boys began their
worl-sharp work-butchery The say.
ages sWarred into the camp only to be
cut down. 1t was soon over. But the In.
dams had fought bravely, and, old, tried
hand as he was, an uneasy light had
leaped to the judges eye. 1T was a
close shave" he muttered. wiping the
3 IL l.
watched the fleeing band -''a close
shave. 4 little more, and'-- The
pause was suggestive.
The day was already breaking when
the judge turned in home. Hope the
little lass hasn't been scared" be
thought; and, involunta1ily, a queer
tender CLEAN passed over the weather
beaten face as he thought of his ''little
lass"
Dolly" he said, opening the cabin
door. There was no answer. ''Dollyp
and then again little quicker, "Dol1y!'
Again that night the men were aroused
by q cry-an awful cry, wrung from a
strong nun il pain; and when they hur-
riel forward it was to find the judge
with the fashion of his face all changed,
pointing to the empty cabin, on whose
floor shone the CLEAN of a tomahawk.
That and the confusion of the place told
it's tale ali too plainly-Dolly had been
carried off by the Indians!
And not Il man among them but shud-
dered, for Indian revenge is a very hor-
rible thing at its best, and the pitiful
helplessness Of a little child would have
no weight with Blackfoot warrior on
the warpath, especially if the child's
people had defeated his own.
In the dazed silence Jim stepped for
ward-Jim, with his shoulders we'll
squared and resolute look on his face.
He eyed the group rather scornfully.
"Going to stop here all day?" he asked.
"Bein' as this is just the right time to
| give your horses q restl I'm off, And
SO he was, he and Red Mustang together,
racing over the plain. But not before
he had seized the judges hand in fierce
grip, saying, with a totally unexpected
catch in his voice, "Jedge, if | can I'll
bring her back" Not much. but it
meant q great deal.
Thoroughly reused, the rest followed
his example-not one hung back. All
that feet horses and brave hearts could
dc would be done for the httle one.
used TO think Red Mustang the finest
hose in the world, and never wondered
at Jim's pride in her. A beautiful Great.
ure she was, indeed, and what was more
to the purpose, swift and strong. She
had been peculiarly vicious, and Jim had
broken her in himself. was present al