Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-19


| and keeping it. But Jim pulled her up
sharply as there came triumphant shout
from behind, Here's the trailr'
Riding up, Jim looked at it with hi.
| keen eyes. THAT'S no trail!" he said
contemptuously.
Now, the rest Of the men having stated
that it was the trail, and being at leas,
as well able to judge as Jim, did not re-
ceive his remark in the pleasantest spirit.
sit 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'," thew
said very sternly. Heres trail, plain
as can be; and we're goin' to follow it up'
I'm not foolin'," retorted jim, with d
kind Of desperate earnestness. ''That
trails too plain for Injins to have left
unless they done it a. purpose. I car
find the trail right enough if you let me-
Trust me, boys"
My poor Jim! As man sows so shall
he reap. What had he done, in all his
reckless, dissolute life, to be trusted
now? He was not trusted; nay, more
he was left, half mad with anger and
despair, to find his trail alone.
''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, flecEed with orange
cleaned out broadly, and then melted
into the softer harmony around, and be
! fore one knew it, the whole shining mas:
united and out flashed the sun. But be
fore it did that Jim had made up hi:
mind to do a very risky thing-to rescue
Dolly single handed. Who else wa:
there to do it? The others had ridden
away in q direction which was every
moment taking them farther away from
the right track.
MY Godr' he said wildly. Was it &
prayer from those rough Iips?-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 downward, caught the
light Of a small pink object on the brush
wood and rested there lovingly. Moth
ing much-just the torn string from {
little child'S sunbonnet. But at the
sight jim broke into q suppressed
whistle of triumph, and raced Red Mus
tang forward as she had never beer
raced before. Ineyer like to think about
that ride. Enough, the Red Mustang
responded Loyalty to the situation. From
moon to dewy eve" she carried jim
steadily. But when, trembling, foam
feczed and parched with thirst, be
stopped her as the Indian camp doomed
in sight, he knew that his work was cut
out.
"Quiet! old lass! quietr' he said
cautiously dismounting and patting hel
with a look on his face that few but
Dolly or Red Mustang had ever seer
there.
The gallant beast seemed to under
stand, and suppressing whinny, rubbed
her nose wistfully against the cares
sing hand.
Half gliding, half creeping forward
Jim took in the situation at 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 ar.
rival would not last long, but that sen.
tries would be set to guard against any
approach. Suddenly his blood thrilled,
for there before him, not a dozen yards
away, lay Dolly reposing on an old
blanket in the healthy sleep of child
hood
1t was a foolish thing to do, perhaps,
considering the state Red Mustang was
in, but then Jim was desperate. How
he crawled forward, seized Dolly and got
back to Red Mustang unperceived he
could never have told himself. But get
back with her he did, and in flash the
three were off.
"Dim"' said Dolly, clinging in blissful
content to the rough red shirted arms.
cay" Jim answered, CHANGING 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 omi-
nously, and Jim knew that the time was
come. II she were to reach the camp at
all, it must be without his weight on her
baah.
"Dollyr' he said with a shake which
made Dolly open her sleepy eyes, Il
want you to do somethin' for me-" he
went on persuasively; 81 want to get
down here, I've I've "a partic'ler
reason for wanting to get down here
and the arm holding Dolly's as gently as
a woman's kept her head turned we'll
forward. "Red Mustang Il take you
to the camp all right, if you'll be a brave
little CELL, and go alone"
"Oh!" and Douy's frightened clutch
was very firm.
evil you, Dolly" said Jim feverish-
~. Dolly! Dolly! Little lass, Will
you? For me-"
''Iss, DIM" said Dolly with quivering
lips.
Dismounting, Jim fastened her swiftly
J Sry,Ix- to Ia d I