Los Angeles herald., 1891-03-12

heel. Some men would have left the
place at once. Jim was made Of differ
ent stuff. Expelled from the camp he
built himself q cabin on the outskirts,
not trying to live the disgrace down, but
enduring it with the dogged 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 fbers of
pride about him which led him to treat
thief with merciless justice.
The effects of this 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 trifie surhef, 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-
gether. For together they still were at
times; and although muttered protests
went up from the camp on such occa-
sions not q man but had manliness enough
to refrain from making Dolly part of
Jim's punishment. So she and "Dim"
and Red Mustang had many fine
scamper together over the prairie.
But there came a time when Jim and
Red Mustang between them were to do
fine work-a time when sudden dan
ger loomed 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 on
the unsuspecting camp. Men knew what
it was, and sprang to their feet with q
snarl of rage. Rifle in hand they rushed
out.
"Injin," said the judge, coolly loading
his rifle, and in the moonlight CLEANED
the dusky painted figures. There was
little love lost between Injun and white
man. The ''man-and-a-b 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 'em"
And Eat 'em" it was. Down swung
the muskets, out flashed the shot, and
with look that was not good to see
upon their faces the boys began their
work-sharp work-butchery. The saw
ages swarmed into the camp only to be
cut down. 1t was soon over. But the In
dians had fought bravely, and, old, tried
hand as he was, an uneasy light had
leaped to the judges eye. "It was
close shave" he muttered, wiping the
great drops Of sweat from his brow as he
watched the fleeing band ga close
shave. A 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" he
thought; and, involuntarily, queer,
tender CLEAN passed over the weather
beaten face as he thought of his sshttle
Lass
"Dollyy" he said, opening the cabin
door. There was no answer. "Dollyr'
and then again little quicker, "Dollyw
Again that night the men were aroused
by cry-an awful cry, wrung from
strong man in pain; and when they hur-
ried 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 tomahawk.
That and the confusion Of the place told
its tale all too plainly-Dolly had been
carried off by the Indians!
And not man among them butshud-
dered, for Indian revenge is very hor-
rible thing at its best, and the pitiful
helplessness Of ittle,child would have
no weight with a Biaclzfoot 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 well
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 rest! I'm OFF, And
so he was, he and Red Mustang together,
racing over the plain. But not before
he had seized the judge'shandin in a fierce
grip, saying, with o totally unexpected
catch in his voice, "Jedge, if can I'll
bring her back" Not much, but it
meant a. great deal.
Thoroughly reused, the.rest followed
his example-not one hung back. All
that feet horses and brave hearts could
do would be done for the.httie one.
I used to think Red Mustang the finest
horse in the world, and never woudeued
at Jim's pride in her. A beautiful GREAT
ure she was, indeed, and what was moro
to the purpose, swift and strong. She
had been peculiarly vicious, and Jim had
broken her in himself. was present at
that breaking in, and, boy as was, Ire
member to this day my feeling of ad-
miration as Jim quietly mounted upon
her back.
''He's blessed young scamp" said a
man near me in involuntary delight,
shut, by Jove, he can rider
So he could. Red Mustang exerted all
her powers which were by no means
slight-in the way of bucking, rearing,
shying, kicking and plunging, to no pur-
pose. With his feet well in the stir
rups and firm grip ON her sides, Jim
stuck on, sparing neither whip nor spur,
and making the Lash curl round her in a
way that thought then, and still think,
was brutal. But when, all trembling,
cla l<,xryoJ I,o,. koc-kserJ I~ooI II.