The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1891-02-20

l -" ""@| *"" *'"~*'*'
| contcmptuously.
Now. the rest 81 the men having
stated that a was d trail. and helm, 4,
least as well able u icdg. a. Jim. did
not rerciye his remark in The pleasant.
est spirit.
~ 1r the trail, said Daryl Dash. in
quietly conclusive way. as II that set.
tied IT,
hut y aren't" said Jim. squarely.
Now Daryl Dash was one 81 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.r they
said. very stcrnly Here's the trail.
plain as can be- and we're goin' 70 fol-
low IL up
lin not foolin'," retortcd Jim with
kind 81 desperate earnestncss. THAT
trail, too plain for Injins 70 have left.
unless they done it a. purpose. can
find the trail right enough il you let
me. Trust me. boys"
Take il, or leave IT," the men had
said, as they galloped of upon Mor
trail
Away in the East the sun was touch
ing the sky with rcd-gold light. Great
crimson bars. heckcd with orange.
cleaned out broadly and then melted
into the softer harmony around. and
before one knew II. the whole shining
mass united and out flashed the sun.
Eut before it did that. Jim had made
up his mind TO do very risky thing
to rescue Dolly single-handed. Who
else was there TO do it? The Others
had ridden away in a direction which
was every moment taking them farther
away from the right track.
My God." he said. wildly. Was il a
prayer from those rough ips?-a PRAYER
which the Good Shepherd heard and
answered? For Jim played heros
part that day. lie found the trail. For
the sun glinting downwards caught the
light Of q small pink object on the
brushwood. and rested there lovingly.
Nothing mnch-just the torn string from
little child's sun-bonnct But at the
sight Jim broke into suppressed
whistle Of triumph. and raced Red Mus
tang forward as She had never been
raced before. never like 10 think about
that ride Enough. that Red Mustang
responded Loyalty TO the situation.
From moon to dcwy evc'' she carried
Jim steadily. But when, trembling.
foam fieclscd. and parched with thirst,
he stopped her as the Indian camp
doomed in sight, he knew that his work
was cut out.
Quiet old lass, quiet he said,
cautiously. dismounting and patting
her with a look on his face that few but
Dolly or Red Mustang had ever seen
there.
The gallant beast seemed to under
stand. and. supprcssing a whinny.
rubbed her nose wistfully against the
caressing hand.
Half gliding half creeping forward.
Jim took in the situation at a glance.
The Indians had evidently only just
stopped. and were hastily improvising
sort of camp. I;ut unsuspicious as
they were Of being followed SO soon.
Jim knew that this first careless hustle
Of arrival would not last long. but that
scntrics would be set to guard against
any approach. Suddenly his blood
thrilled; for there before him. not n
dozen yards away. lay Dolly reposing
on an old y nkct in the healthy sleep
Of childhood.
II was foolish thing to do. perhaps,
considering the state Red Mustang was
in; but then Jim was desperate. How
he crawlcd forward. seized Dolly. and
got back with her 10 Red Mustang IN
perceived. he could never have told him
self. But get back with her he did. ard
in a flash the three Were off.
dim" said Dolly. clinging in bliss
full content to the rough rcd-shirtcd
arms.
"Ay." Jim answered, CHANGING down
AT her as he frightened Red Mustangs
girth: won 60 to sleep, Dolly"
50 Dolly's little brown head nestled
down. and Jim and Red Mustang made
what speed they could. which was not
very great speed although there came
sounds from behind which made the
mare tear forward and turned Jim
white. The Indians were in pursuit.
lItt* Nv luiit's fi0NT 0lttA- InuI. tlidt
fearful race went on. The rugged line
Of hills which marked the camp were
in sight now. But could Red Mustang
hold ont? She was already trembling
and Jim knew that the time
was come If she were to reach the /
camp at all. il must be without his |
weight on her back.
Dolly he said. with shake which |
made Dolly open her sleepy eyes. II
want YOU to do somcthin' for me- he |
went on persuasivcly: Il want 70 get
down here. Tve--lvc-a particlcr rca-
.on for wanting to get down here" and l
The arm holding Dolly as gently as a
kept her head turned well for
ward: .sRcd Mustang'll take you to the
ramp all right. If you'll be brave little
ycll and go alone"
.Oh.~ and Dolly's frightened clutch
was very firm.
..Will you. Dolly?" said Jim fever
SHY. dolly! Dolly! Little lass Will
ron? For me"
..Iss. DIM" said Dolly. with CULVER
ng lips.
Dismounting. Jim fastened her swift
" and firmly to the saddle. and gave
Red Mustang the word. "Good-bye,
DOLE" and Jim's mustache brushed the
-osy lips.