The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-02

DOWNWARD on UQ0 ground Watching Lne
fire and talking with the others.
Said he: "See my mare over therei
Isn't she beauty? She came from New
Mexico. was down there at a round
up several years ago. Must have been
| 300 head of horses at the corrals. AS ]
stood idly watching the work saw a
horse vault into the air, clearing an
eight foot fence at a bound, and was of
| like the wind. Far out on the prairie
the vaqueros captured her and brought
her in. This is the mare. She was too
neat and pretty to be branded, and
bought her for 500 in gold. She ought
to be tired, for I've ridden her hard to-
day"
AS he finished speaking he gave low,
peculiar whistle and the mare whinnied
in return, perfect picture as she stood
with name and tail flying in the breezes,
outlined against the foothills.
Soon all the men were wrapped in
their blankets, feet to the fire, and fast
asleep-all but one. That one was Elliott.
The glowing embers, now and again
emitting crackle and spark as bit of
resin caught fire, pleased his fancy as he
lay watching them, his thoughts miles
away. He seemed again playing poker
in the gambling hell in Blufville with
stacks of chips in front of him, and their
musical clink rang in his ears.
"What great luck I did have in that
jack pot, standing all the raises on a
pair of jacks, but when I drew in two
more in my three card draw against
those pat hands, felt easier. Guess l
cleared five thousand on the afternoon
game. Lucky for me l cashed in and
went to supper. was only in a few
hundred when that row came up"
He felt Of his belt. Yes, the money
was safe, strapped around his waist I'M
der his shirt.
81 wonder if that fellows dead yet.
The contemplate cheat. Thought he
could deal second card on US, did he?
Well, it didn't work. Wonder who fired
that shot. When the light went out l
felt pretty squeamish. He spoke my
name; heard it plainly just as l went
out the door, but l didn't stop; / didn't
have time; too warm around those dig
gings just then. Wonder if those bull
lets went through the roof. It helped to
increase the confusion, and didn't want
any sheriff's party in that room, not any.
Awkward, my dropping that pistol.
Wish I had it back again, for I've car
ried it so many years. Wonder if I'll
find Mollie over at that railroad town.
She was to have reached there yester-
day, and I'm late, but l guess she'll wait
How sleepy l am! Dear old Moll'-
And he slept the sleep that only outdoor
exercise can give.
Early dawn found the party break
tasted, and Elliott, bidding his hosts
goodby, started once more on the trail
to that lonely mountain village where
the railroad should bring his loved one
to him.
Busy with their plans and the repair
of their surveying instruments for the
days use, the engineering party did not
notice the approach of band of men
whose sudden appearance startled them
an hour later. There were seven of them,
armed to the teeth with rifles, reyolvers
and bowie knives and laden only with
the camp equipage of short journey.
The leader courteously inquired if they
had seen a tall, dark man dressed in a
corduroy suit. The description fitted
Elliott so exactly that the newcomers
soon elected the desired information and
started on up the valley, simply vouch-
saing the information that the gentle
man had gone on ahead of them and
they wished to oyertake him.
Riding at slow, easy lope away from
the camp where he had spent the night
and been so hospits bly, entertained, Eli
oft felt the exhilaration of the fresh
mountain air and quickened his horses
pace to gallop. The mare caught the
bit in her teeth and away they went,
faster and faster. Thus it was that the
party riding over the same track, handi-
capped by having to watch for the i'm
print of the horses hoofs as they went
along, did not catch sight of Elliott until
about midday. The trail, narrow in the
foothills, led them to more travelled
road, which showed the marks Of z
wagon having travelled it. This rad
/ led them to an old adobe hut, the root
looking strange 10 the men accustomed
TO seeing single and board roofs. As
/ the party came nearer TO this deserted
home of cowboys in other days they saw
Elliott sitting on an empty pork barrel
/ leaning up against the side of the house,
his horse quietly grazing near ar hand.
| When near enough to recognize him
/ the party quickened their pace, and
laughed grimly when they saw him wave
his hand at them. For his part ne wa:
wondering what had brought them tC
this out of the way place, but glad of the
! company on his way should IL also prove
! theirs. When they came nearer he won
/ dered what made them eye him so IN,
I tently and kept them all SD silent. At q
+ given signal each man of the party coy
+ sred him with weapon, and the leader
acting as spokesman, commanded hin
TO hold up his hands
What in he'll has got into yen fell
lows asked Elliott.
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