The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1891-05-02
CHAPTER VII.

|
| The FRUITLEsS SEARCH.
"Ths things got to be looked into at
! once" said Hank Dawson.
| His face was stern. The men nearest
| him, and who lived near at hand, who
| were not compelled to accompany their
| lady friends or re ativeS home, volun
| teered to assist him in clearing up what
promised to be the greatest sensation in
| the county.
They stood looking at the horse, which
| moved his head back and forward in
restless manner.
dad, this horse has been abused "
1t was Clubs voice.
"See-here are marks. You can see
them. And you can feel the Jumps on
him. Some brute has kicked or beat
him. 'Tain't likely as Dan Bash would
| ever do that"
kinder with all animals" said Hank,
quickly. you're right, Club. Here,
gentlemen, you can see and feel for your
selves"
The crowd examined the horse care
fully. There was just enough light left
to see the marks.
ats dern shame" said Eli Potts, the
landlord of the tavern at the Corners,
who was always on hand at a wedding
or funeral, "cos they brought folks to-
gether."
Ellis opinion was heartily indorscd by
| the crowd.
The horse was quiverng with excite
| ment. He put his nose in Clubs hand
eagerly. a human being craving SYM
pathy couldn't have expressed himself
palmer than Dan Basins horse. And yet
Dan had only had the animal two weeks:
To be sure, he had Borrowed the loan Of
the beautiful gray: he knew its temper
| and disposition, but be had not invested
in the gray until he was sure OF the
school. Then he purchased the horse as
an investment. He had said to the
blacksmith and his affianced that he
| would double his money on the young
gray.
Don't cry, Club" said her father, as
she suddenly gave way to her tears when
the women were all gone and she was
hanging over Dams horse.
81 was just thinking. He built SO much
on this horse. dad. "
"Yes, he did And mighty good
| Judge Of horses Dan was"
| don't say was, father, don't"
81 mean is. Who knows but he's all
right"
well, we must go andSee," said Club.
"Who'll go to where he put up? We'd
| best divide there's no telling which way
| he come"
Chats fact
The men whispered. Half of the force
| that volunteered to search for the rider
! of the horse were in their saddles now.
| A man with forethought rare brought
| Clubs horse TO her side, ready for her to
| mount. Another brought Hank Daw-
| sons.
This is an ugly business, I'm afcared.'
| said Hank Dawson as he mounted his
| big roam. a good traveller.
Father, if the crowd will go to Dan 5
! house. and if they don't find any word of
| him, divide and go round by the bottom
of the big road. I'll take a lot with me,
| and we'll scatter among the big pines
! That's the way TO cover the most ground
! AT once. And whoever finds him will
| take him to the nearest place-here. or
| back to his stopping place.
All agreed that Clubs suggestion was
| timely, the very best thing that could be
! done
The crowd separated Immediately, al
| ter providing themselves with material
| to strike lights, and prosecute the search
! thorough in the forest.
The search was conducted with vigor
| and spirit. Four different parties pushed
in different directions toward the house
whore Dan Bash had made his home.
They cried aloud at intervals, listen
ing for the response that never came.
They peered into underground. fired
pistols, crossed aud recrossed rarely
Travelled paths, but no sign did they dis
cover of the missing bridegroom.
An hour later a gloomy crowd assem-
bled at the house where Dan had made
his home since he assumed charge of the
school.
The men talked in low tones: each
had his own idea, but they did not speak
out boldly. The first man to express
himself clearly and boldly was Hank
! Dawson.
gentlemen. it looks like wastin' time
! to look further. OF course, I'm goin' 10
! look on the road home again. Any one
! that wants to can go with me. | don't
| expect any one, tho. Seems lost time. !"
| Half dozen volunteered on the in
| slant.
Thanks. gentlemen. I'm obleeged
| & yc. It's powerful sight o trouble
| but one good turn deserves another.
| You all know you can count on me.
! Club"
"Well father?'
A III "dS a ltllidI nd It ol'
remarked it-that Club never said
| sober vein. DAD was her fayorite ex-
preston.
! Il guess we'd best go home again
mo, father; I'm not going home until
l find Dan"
"Sho, Club"
81 can't, father"
"Why?'
a tell you l can't, father He's some
where nigh"
I'VE don't know nothin' about that
| Club"
"He has been followed or overpow-
cred, and | think | know who did ii.
But | must find him. Dead or alive, l
must find him."
"Well. well. we'll"
| "You can go on round the cliffs. father:
! some of us will hunt through the big
woods. wherever we think he might
be hid
ats all nonsense. Club: but it's just
as you like. I'm going TO do Just as you
like now. I'll hunt till daylight-Ill
hunt all week if you say So
Il do, / do. father"
| why. Of courSe-why shouldn't do
anything you ask me to? Besides,
maybe he may be lying somewheres
Anyhow, here | am"
And there were others, too, a dozen
or more, who resolved TO hunt the noun
tains until daylight
They secured the mountain Businesses
till daybreah.
Then they breakfasted at Hank Daw-
sons. and ten strong men said they
would devote another day to the quest.
iii never forget you folks" said
Club Dawson, smiling on them as they
mounted their horses in front of her
fathers house.
Her own horse was champing his bit,
eager to move
| the party We're well provided for.
They had abundance for lunch. and
every man had his flask Of liquor. They
set ont resolved TO solve the mystery, If