The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-07-09

stared fxedly in the direction Of the
wagon. looked. too, and at glance
1 comprehended it all. Merpill's little
boy had evidently started away from
the wagon and, having gone q dozen
yards or SO, had stopped directly in the
track of the cattle. He stood gazing ut
the advancing herd, making no effort to
escape, and it seemed inevitable that he
must be trGmplcd to death in another
minute.
To attempt the child's rescue was
useless, for we were near half mile
away from him while the cattle wcrc
but few yards, and long before we
could have reached him the mad herd
would have swept by.
"NIy God, men," Merrill cried, cant
something be done to save my child2
It's awful, awful
On and on swept the herd. Less
than twenty steps lay between the
child and destruction We held our
breath and waited in terrible suspense,
Merrill covered his eyes and groancd
in the deepest anguish. A moment
passed. Then murmur of applause
ran through our circle-a murmur
scarcely more than a whisper. Anoth-
or moment of suspense, then n shout,
long, loud and hearty. The child was
safe.
The squatter had come around the
wagon, and at the risk of his own life
had saved the child.
He had rushed forward and snatchcd
the boy from under the feet of the cat
tie, and, running back q few steps,
had taken shelter behind Il tree, push
ing the boy up among the boughs be-
You'd danger.
Another minute and the herd had
passed, and we were on the spot. The
child was unhurt,, but the squatter was
less fortunate. He was bruised and
torn by the horns and hoofs of the cat
tie that passed near him The tree was
small and afforded him but partial pro
lection, and once or twice he was
knocked down. His injuries, however,
were not serious, as we were all glad
to know, and none of us more glad than
Merrill.
When tho squatter's eyes wandered
to the spot where his wagon had been
and he saw the complete wreck of all
his possessions he groaned, and q dim
ness came to his eyes.
Its all right, my friend" said Nrer-
rill, laying his hand gently on the mans
shoulder, you shall lose nothing You
shall have a claim here and will make
up to you ten times over all you have
lost You shall make the ranch your
home"
Merrill kept his promises, and after
tho squatter had selected q claim
he helped him to build house and
furnish 1t, and besides loaned him
money to send back cast to pay passage
for his wife and children.
The employees of the ranch made up q
purse to present the squattcr, and when
the donations were all in it was found
that we had the neat little sum Of one
hundred and thirty dollars. Enough"
us Ike said, Ito sortcr bridge over in
case o sickness or somcthin'." Old Ike
put the money in q purse, and labeled
it with card on which he scrawled
with n pencil these words:
IA present from the cowpunchers of
Merrill's ranch to the man who, though
Il squattcr, is a better man than any of
us"
The purse was duly presented to the
squattcr, with q little presentation
speech from Ike which was as UNIQUE
as appropriate.
Every man on the ranch received
strict orders from Merrill not to modest
or interfere in any way with any home.
seeker who happened to strike our part
of the country, and we mover did from
that day.-Thomas p Montfort, in Do.
troit Free Press.