The Globe-republican., 1891-02-18

Riding up, Jim looked at it with his
keen eyes That's no trail' he said,
contemptuously.
Now. the rest of the men having
| stated that it was q trail, and being at
least as well able to judge as Jim. did
not receive his remark in the pleasant
est spirit
.It are the trail" said Daryl Dash. in
a quietly conclusive way, as if that set
tied it
''But it AREN'T said Jim, squarely.
Now Daryl Dash was one of the most
trusted hands in the camp, and. being
backed by Big Ben, the rest naturally
took his side.
This amt no time for foolin'," they
said, very sternly. Here's the trail.
plain as can be; and we're goin' to fol-
low it up"
lin not foolin'," retorted Jim with
kind of desperate earnestness. THAT
trails too plain for Injins to have left.
unless they done it a purpose. l can
find the trail right enough if you let
me. Trust me. boys"
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. hecked with orange,
cleaned out broadly and then melted
into the softer harmony around, and
before one knew it, the whole shining
mass united and out flashed the sun.
But before it did that, Jim had made
up his mind to do very risky thing
to rescue Dolly single-handed. Who
else was there to do it? The others
had ridden away in a direction which
was every moment taking them farther
away from the right track.
| "My God"' he said, wildly. Was it a
prayer from those rough lips?-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 downwards caught the
light of small pink object on the
hrushwood, and rested there lovingly.
Nothing much-just the torn string from
little childs sun-bonnet. 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. l never like to think about
that ride. Enough, that 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,
he stopped her as the Indian camp
doomed in sight, he knew that his work
was cut out.
''Quiet! old lass. quiet" he said,
cautiously, dismounting and patting
her with a look on his face that few but
Dolly or Red Mustang had ever seeL
there.
/ The gallant beast seemed to under
stand. and, suppressing a whinny,
rubbed her nose wistfully against the
caressing hand.
Half gliding. half creeping forward.
Jim took in the situation at a glance.
The Indians had evidently only just
stopped. and We're hastily improvising
a sort of camp. But unsuspicious as
they were of being followed SO soon,
Jim knew that this first careless hustle
of arrival would not last long. but that
sentrieS would be set to guard against
any approach. Suddenly his blood
thrilled: for there before him, not a
dozen yards away. lay Dolly reposiny
on an old b ,nket in the healthy sleep
Of childhood.
1t was foolish thing to do. perhaps,
considering the state Red Mustang was
liz; Int then Jim was desperate. How
he c-awled forward. seized Dolly. and
got back with her to Red Mustang un-
perceived. he could never have told him
sill. But get back with her he did, and
ID. flash the three were off.
Dim said Dolly. clinging in bliss
full content to the rough red-shirted
arms
'Ay," Jim answered. glancing 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 a
very 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, that
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
ominously. and Jim knew that the time
was come. If she were to reach the
camp at all. it must be without his
weight on her back.
Dolly" he said. with shake which
made Dolly open her sleepy eyes. Il
want you to do somethin' for me-" he
went on persuasively: Il want to get
down here, Ive-I've-a partic'ler rea.
son for wanting to get down here"-and
the arm holding Dolly as gently as a
woman's kept her head turned we'll for
ward: Red Mustang'n take you to the
camp all right, if you'll be a brave little |
CELL and go alone"
oh! and Dolly's frightened clutch
was very firm.
''Will you. Dolly?" said Jim fever
ishly. Dolly! Dolly. Little lass! Will |