The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-02-20

emit stuff. Expelled from the camp he
built himself a cabin ON the outskirts,
not trying to i've the disgrace down, but
enduring it with the logged obstinacy
which was part of his nature. The
miners, even Big Ben, ignored him COM
pletefy; for Ben, for all that instant of |
softness, had certain rugged fbers of |
pride about him which led him to treat |
a thief with merciess Justice.
The effects Of this severely letting |
aone" system were not very apparent,
which was no doubt the reason of its be-
ing carried on 30 long. If Jim had only
shown 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-
gether. For together they still were at
| times; and although muttered protests
went up from the camp on such occa-
sions not man buthad manliness enough
to refrain from making Dolly part of
Jim's punishment. So she and 'sDim"
and Red Mustang had many a fine
scamper together over the prairie.
But there came time when Jim and
Red Mustang between them were TO do
a 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 ON
the unsuspecting camp. Men knew what
| it was, and sprang to their feet with
snarl of rage. Rifle in hand hey 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- brother" theory
had not been propounded on either side.
| 1t was war to the knife on both. ''Steadyl
boys, steadyT said the judge, to whom
| such scenes were by no means new.
Ready there? Now-at 'emP'
And "at '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 swar1ned into the camp only to be
| cut down. 1t was soon over. But the In
| dams had fought bravely, and, ola, tried
hand as he was, an uneasy light had
| leaped to the judges eye. "It was a
close shave" he muttered, wiping the
great drops of sweat from his brow as he
watched the fleeing band -''a 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 selittle
lass"
"Dollyw he said, opening the cabin
door. There was no answer. "Dollyw
and then again little quicker, dolly"
Again that night the men were aroused
by cry-an awful cry, wrung from a
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-DoIiy had been
carried off by the Indians!
And not a man among them bat shud-
dered, for Indian revenge is 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 well
squared and resolute look on his face.
He eyed the group rather scornfully.
'4Going to stop here all dayY he asked
'sBein' as this is just the right time to
give your horses resti I'm Off, And
50 he was, he and Red Mustang together,
racing over the plain. But not before
he had seized the judge'shand in fierce
grip, saying, with totally unexpected
catch In his voice, "Jedge, If l 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 little one.
used to think Bed Mustang the finest
nuwre in the world, and never wondered
at Im,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 ut
that breaking in, and, boy as was, Ire
member to this day my feeling Of ad-
nliration as Jim iquietay mounted upon
her back.
'He's a blessed young scamD. said a
man near me, in involuntary delight,
'sbut, by Jove, hecan 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 p3unging. 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 spar,
and making the Lash curl round her in .
way that thought then, and still think,
was brutal. But when, all trembling,
she bowed her beautiful head, and with
the dark fire of her eye owned him mas
ter, he flung away the whip and newer
used it again. That was just Jim
But after the first memorable tussie,
when it had been 50 emphaticaIly de-
eided whose will was 10 be obeyed, mas
ter and horse came 10 a very good under
standing. Red Mustangs affection, in
deed, had something pathetic IN it, and
the fact that she showed the reverse to
every one else certainly did not lessen
Jim's for her.
over the prairie the little cavalcade
started, Red Mustang, with that easy
swinging stride of hers, taking the lead
and keeping it. But Jim pulled her up
sharply as there camea triumphautshout
from behind, Here's the trailY'
Riding up, Jim looked at it with bis
keen eyes. CHATS no trailP' be said
oontemptuously.
Now, the rest of the men having stated
that it was the trail, and being at least
as well able to Judge as Jim, did not re-
ceive his remark in the pleasantest spirit
'1t are the trail" said Daryl Dash, in
a quietly conclusive way, as if that set
tied it.
"But it aren'tf' said Jim squareiy.
Now DARYL Dash was one of the mos