The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-07-13

which bright eyes were peering. For
a moment, as the little girl afterward
admitted, she was almost afraid"
On her hands and knees she crept
back short distance, ruefully mindful
of the fact that numerous sharp stubs
and roots were running her Sunday
gown. When far enough away she
arose to her feet and fled back to Naomi
with the speed of hunted deer. I'm
fastening her, Katie started to lead her
toward the road, though she knew not
what obstacle might intervene, the
thick growth of young trees rendering
it impossible for the eye to penetrate
many yards in advance.
They were almost out; so near, in
fact, that some oddly twisted branches,
which Katie remembered to have OBJ
served growing upon the opposite side
of the track, were in full view, when
horse and leader were both brought to
sudden halt. A huge fallen tree lay
directly in front them, shutting off all
hope of escape in that direction. On
one side the gnarled, earth-covered
roots of another PROSTATE monarch of
the forest presented an equally formid-
able barrier, and at the right lay many
dead branches, the cracking of which
would betray her presence to the
human blood hounds so close upon her
track. Poor Katel
In moment Katie felt great, glad
thrill of hope springing up within her
heart. Instantly she resolved to mount
Naomi, and make bold dash through
the brush at all hazards. Accordingly
she climbed to seat in the saddle, pre-
paratory to making the attempt. Ma
omi, however, was an intelligent brute
and had no notion of running the gaunt-
let in such a reckless manner. To
Kate's surprise she obstinately refused
to advance a hairs breadth in the di-
rection her mistress desired, but, in
stead ,!commenced backing off. Being
taller than Katie it may be that she had
made discovery which the girl GER
tainly had not, i. e., that pair of ex-
tremely fierce black eyes, in that quar-
ter, were watching every movement
with sinister interest.
A few PAGES back the mare stopped,
then started rapidly forward and, al
most before Kate comprehended what
she was about sufficiently to tighten her
hold, the horse went over the gigantic
log with something of the agility of a
kitten, her hind feet sending out ring
ing echo as they struck against the hard
wood.
"Bravol" cried our heroine, forget
ting prudence in her admiration.
A loud shout, followed by hoarse
imprecation, instantly gave her to un-
derstand that her whereabouts had
been discovered. However, the way
before her was clear enough now.
Naomi swept out into the track and
galloped away at break-neck pace. For
the life of her Katie could not have re-
Trained from sending back triumphant
little huzzah to the discounted rascal
who stood watching his prey thus
make her escape.
His reply was bullet which went
whizzing by her head 80 close that she
felt the breeze it created in passing.
The other man, warned by his confed-
crate, came running up, and hastily
mounting their horses, both started in
hot pursuit. But those weary steeds
were no match for Naomi who. fresh
from her incoming, appeared to exult in
the wild race she was leading.
For mile or two the chase was kept
up, puI Cutooo anu llyluS suOIS pTONlnS
alike Intellectual in recalling the brave
little maiden, they at length turned
their horses in the opposite direction
and rode sullenly back and were seen
no more in those parts until some
months later, when Nemesis hunted
them down on a charge of horse-steal-
ing, which was proven against them.
So far as the writer knows they are still
under government surveillance, and
likely to be so for some years to come.
Without further adventure Katie
| reached Rydal, and had the satisfaction
of seeing old Mr.. Steinfelt in posses
sion of his money. The sheriff of the
county, who was friend of Mr.. Tyne.
dale accompanied her on her return.
In spite of being an accomplished
equestrian, our young friend, nova
days, never ventures upon such long
journeys unattended. The Tynedale
family and their friends are still dis.
posed to lionize her in consequence OF
the episode above narrated but Katie
modestly valves all claim to heroism
declaring that it was Naomi who
brought her safely through.-Independ
ent.