The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-12-01

This was serious. The man-eater
was the largest and most ferocious
bloodhound in Texas. 1t was hard
enough to control him at any time;
but mad-I shuddered at the thought!
My weeks visit at the Bolton ranch
had satisfied me that my host really
cared for only two things in this world
his daughters and the man-eater.
where is Miss Sallie?" I inquired,
anxiously.
"Oh, that's all right" replied Boil
ton, carelessly. "Sallie took her pony
and went off for a ride an hour ago,
and the hound is safe enough. took
him by the collar just now and locked
him up where he won't get at any,
body. But it breaks me up, old fell
low; Iswouldn't lose him for any
thing.'
My interest began to weaken. Miss
Sallie was safe and the dog was locked
up. What was q bloodhound to me?
If the savage monster died so much
the better
walked off to the stable. A ride
over the prairie was not to be missed
on such a morning, and there would
be a chance OF riding back with Sal
lie.
But 1 was doomed to disappoint-
ment. My horse was lame. It did
not take long to convince me that
somebody had been riding him the
night before.
just then Pedro came in sight. The
ugly little Mexican gave start when
he saw me and looked away.
"You yellow rascal!'' I shouted;
'you had my horse last night?"
mo, senor."
"You are lying''
mo, by all the saints, senor."
"Then where were you at mid
light?'
II was attending to my business, :"
snapped PEDRO.
lie looked so viciously mean and
impudent that gave him q light cut
with my whip and told him to get out of
my sight. He muttered something and
skunk off. There was no other ami
NAL that cared to ride, and made
up my mind to walk.
l had left the ranch several hundred
yards behind me when I turned and
looked back. Even at that distance
could plainly recognize Pedro. He
was walking around a. little cabin
back Of the kitchen and was APPARENT
ly peeping through the cracks.
"Looking at the man-eater," said
to myself. 'lt is a good thing the
beast is locked up"
The bracing morning air and the
level prairie stretching out before me
for miles tempted me TO take a long
walk A long way of I could see a
hi!l-the only one in all that flat
country. Why not climb. it and see
what was on the other side? Perhaps
Sallie was over there.
So walked on with swinging strides
for q couple OF miles.
Suddenly came to a. dead halt.
"That sounds like the man-eater's
bark!'' exclaimed. Again I heard it
and stopped a moment.
For g. moment my muscles were
paralyzed-I was absolutely unable
to move.
Athousand horrible thoughts rushed
into my mind. If this mad blood.
hound was on my track my case was
hopeless. could not get back to the
ranch-there was not tree in sight,
and the hill was still miles away!
What was to be done?
l summoned all my strength and
made run at the top of my speed
l kept on as long as could and then
paused to rest and listen. The man.
eater was coming my way, but not
much faster than could run.
resumed my flight. Would mad
dog have his usual keen instincts
about. him? Would he pursue the
trail, or become confused and give it
UP?
These thoughts inspired me with q
faint hope. Ii the dogs slow progress
enabled me to reach the hill, where
there was timber, could climb a tree,
or possibly he would ;be missed and
his master would ride in pursuit..
From one point, where there was q