Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-07-03

himself In the sable. .snd besides the
folks at Wabash and At the creek ought
70 bs warned. And you know the mal
has ~ GO - long - IT'S anyways pos-
sibIe.-
The spur touched Dolly's flank more
often than usual. but she kept up brave
~, and Danny elartered into Wabash
ahead os time. Imparting the alarming
intelligence 70 old man Beck. the post
master, and csationing HIM 10 sss the
family ready and start for the post with
out further delay, hs rode On toward
Crooked creek.
"JewhiliakersE" exclaimed one Of the
watchers What's Danny ridin 50 all
fred fast abouts Must Do suthin up"
They soon knew, and scattered for
their respective claims to prepare for
highs ere the storm burst
Danny ciinched the saddle tighter and
looked 10 his weapons ere he mounted
for the home ride He was not afraid.
Had be bosn . coward he would have
remained safely ~ the fort But an
oaInoas dread fell upon him As he
thought Of the dark Cimmaron- He
arrived at Wabash and looked in 1t the
open door Of the Beck and Tartan
households. Everything was topsy tur-
Wy, a. left in the hurry of departure.
We'd. Rosie is safe anyway" he con-
fded 10 Dolly with a sigh.
Their ffyinx shadows grew longer and
longer. and finally night dropped on the
plains Before him doomed the Cim-
marion de could SEQ the misty vapor
rolling up like smoke.
If they're anywhere they'll be down
there" he mused. They'll want 10 lay
along the trail aud catch some Of the
settlers maxim for Dodge. Wonder if l
hadn't better cross further DOWN.
IL was a good idee. and he turned
Dolly from the trail and directed his
course further down the river.
The reins changed from right to left
As he entered the mist, and his right fell
upon the protruding butt of revolver
in his belt A twig cracked under the
horses feet and gave the rider start.
Down into the waters of the Cimmarron
they splashed. Dolly pulled at the rein
No. no. Doll; can't drink TINS time"
no murmured.
He climbed the bank on the opposite
side and rode out on the plain, breath
ing easier.
"Spang"
Dolly bolted forward and a fame Of
light flashed in the darkness up the
rlver.
.Yip-yip-yipr' 1t was the war cry Of
the Arapahoe. The fight and fight was
on. With Yell OF defiance he fired at
the dark mass tearing after him, and
bending low over the saddle horn spoke
encouragingly to the horse:
Dolly, il you ever run. do it now.
You're faster thun any of them, Dolly, if
youth only try Look out for gopher hills,
that's a good horse. Whew! that one
was close. Now you're gettin down to
it, Dolly. Well beat the red devils yit.
On, Doh. Remember, we've got the
mail, and it must be saved. Here's the
trail Now see how fast you can run.
Ouch. Oh, God, I'm hit, and hit home
at that. It's all with you, Dolly; it's all
with you"
And he chung to the saddle horn and
gave the mustang free rein.
Horse sense; we hear it alluded TO III
a iocular way. Did Dolly realize that
in her feet feet lay her masters only
salvation? l think so, you may not.
But she ran like a frightened antelope
hardly seeming to touch the ground.
while Danny, with closed eyes and
clinched teeth. chung to the saddle horn
with the desperation Of death.
HALT, who comes thereY challenged
the guard as a horse and rider came
into the fort.
THE United States mail" came the
faint reply. and Dolly galloped up with
blood In her noetrils and blood on her
TANKS, quivering like an aspen
dan. are you hurtY queried the SOL
der. lifting him from the saddle.
I'm hit dead" ne replied with moan.
They carried him into the barrack room
/ and the surgeon was summoned, but
there was no hope, he said. 1t was a
F wonder he had lived Is long as he had.
+ Soon the news spread to the camp. and
the rough soldiers and fugitive settlers
gathered around him. watching with
breathless interest for the end TO come.
A girl came pushing her way through
the crowd--a scared faced girl, wiring.
ing her hands In agony. She bent down
and took the sufferers hand.
Rosie" said he. with a panied smile,
"rm goner, guess. Goodby, Rosie; you
can have Dolly. and take good care OF
her. for she did all she could to save me.
Goodby, boys Yonder's the Cimnar.
rom That's good horse, Dolly"
''Deltrium." said the surgeon.
"Get out Of the way of the United
States mali
The end cme. Another daring spirit
had passed along that unknown trail
that leeds through the dark. dresry des-
ert Of death.-Cbarles Maurice Crayton
n