The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-09-02

The spur touched DolIy's flank more
often than usual. but she kept up brave
", and Danny clattcred into Wabash
ahead OF time. lmparting the alarm
ing intelligence to old man Beck the
postmaster, and cautioninT him 10 get
the family ready and start Tor the post
without further DELAY, he rode on to-
ward Crooked Creek.
.'Jevhillal<crs,-' exclaimed one of the
watchers. Whats Danny ridin 80 all-
fired fast about? Must be Suthin up.
They soon knew, ana scattered for
their respective claims To- prepare for
flight ere the storm burst
Danny clinched the saddle tighter
and looked To his weapon ere he mount
ed for the home ride. lie was not
afraid. Had he been a coward he
would have remained safely NJ the
fort. But an ominous dread fell upon
him as he thought of the dark Gin
marrOn. He arrived at Wabash and
looked in 1T the open door of the Beck
and Tartan households Everything
was topSy-turvy as left in the hurry of
departure.
We'll, Rosie is safe anyway" he con
fided To Dolly, with sigh
Their flying shadows grew longer and
longer, and finally night dropped on the
plains. Before him loomed the Cimmar-
ron. He could see the misty vapor roll
ing mp like smoke.
If they're anywhere they'll lie down
there. - he mused. They'll want 20 lay
along the trail and catch some of the
settlers maxim for Dodge. Wonder if |
hadn't better cross further DOWN"
1t was Il good idea, and hc turned Dol
" from the trail and directed his course
further down The river
The rcinS changed from right To left
as he entered the mist, and his right
fell upon the protruding butt OF IA re-
voiver in his belt. \ twig cracked un-
der the horses feet and gave the rider
start. Down into the waters of the
Cimmarron they splashed. Dolly pulled
IT the rein.
No, no, Doll; can't drink this time"
he murmured.
He climbed the bank on the opposite
side and rode out on the plain, breath
ing easier.
''Spang,'
Dolly bolted forward, and flame of
light flashed in the darkness up the
river
-'Yip-yip-yip," 1t was the war cry of
the Arapahoes The fight and flight
was on With yell Of defiance he fired
1T the dark mass tearing after him, and
bending low over the saddle horn spoke
encouragingly to the horse:
Dolly, if you ever run, do it now.
You're faster than any Of them, Dolly,
if you'll only try-luoll out for gopher
hills-thatS 4 good horse. Whew, that
one was close. Now you're gcttin'
down To it, Dolly. Wen beat the red
devils yit. On. Doll. Remember. we've
got the mail, and il 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, all with you"
ana lie clung To- tn" saddle horn and
gave the mustang free rein.
Horse sense: we hear it alluded to in
Il iocular way. Did Dolly realize that
IN her fleet feet lay her masters only
salvation? | think SO, you may not.
Bnt She ran like frightened antelope,
hardly seeming To touch the ground,
while Danny with closed eyes and
cienched teeth clung t. the saddle horn
with the desperation "f death.
Halt. who comes there" challenged
the guard as Il horse and rider came
lounging into the fort.
The United States mail" came the
faint reply, and Dolly galloPed up with
blood in her noStriis, and blood on ner
Hanks, IuIvering like an aspen.
"Dan, are YOU hurt?" qucricd the sol
dier, lifting him from the saddle.
I'm hit dead hc replied, with d
moan. They carried him into the bar
raciI-room and the surgeon was sum
moued, but there was no hope, ne said.
ii was wonder ne had lived as long a.
he had. Soon the news spread to the
camp, asd the rough soldiers and furi-
tive settlers gathered around him,
watching with breathless interest for
the end tO come. \ girl came pushing
her way through the crowd-a scared
faced girl, wringing her hands in
agony. She bent down and took the
sufferers hand
Rosie" said he. with panied smile.
N u gOner, guess. GoCd-by, Rosie:
y0u can have Dolly, and take good care
of her. for She did all she could To save.
| me. Good-by. hoys Yonder's the
CimmarroD. That's good horse.
Dolly"
"Delirium." said the surgeon.
Get out of the way of the United
States mail"
The end came. Another daring spirit
| had passed along that unknown trail
: that leads through the dark, dreary
desert of dcath.-Charles Maurice Cray
: ton, in Chicago Inter Ocean