The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-07-22

her for a low bank on the side nearest
the highway A moment later she and
the horse were safe behind friendly
screen of small trees. Hastily tying tne
halter to sapling, she stole cautiously
through the underbrush to APPOINT near
the spot where she had last seen the
men. They were still there, but evil
IDENTIFY contemplated a move of some
sort. Mentally Kate made note OF
two facts, the first of which was that
both men were Misunderstanding specl-
mems of humanity; secondly, their
horses were reeking with sweat and, ap-
parently much exhausted.
Leaving the animals to feed by the
roadside, the two presently crossed the
road and struck into the path leading
down to the brook, one of them point
ing with his rattlesuake whip to Naomi's
footprints in the black soil. Kate heard
her name pronounced by the most saw
age-looking one, and moment later the
scoundrel passed by, scarcely three feet
from her place of concealment. WITHIN
easy reach of the coveted treasure he
was, luckily for Kate, unconscious OF
the fact. With his heavy whip he struck
an ugly little blow at the identical bush
through which bright eyes were peeripg.
ward admitted, she w"s "almost afraid"
On her hands aud knees she crept back
a 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 fed back to Naomi with the
speed of hunted deer. christening
| her, Kate started to lead her toward the
ROAD, though she knew not what obsta-
Gle might intervene, the thick growth of
young trees rendering it impossible for
| the eye to penetrate many yards in ad-
vance.
They were almost out; so near, in fact,
that some oddly twisted branches, which
Kate remembered to have observed
growing upon the opposite side OF the
track, were in full view, when horse and
leader were brought to sudden halt.
huge fallen tree lay directly in front OF
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 present
ed an equally formidable 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 Katie!
In moment Kate 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 quaint
let in such reckless manner. To Kave's
surprise she ultimately refused to ad-
vance hairs breadth in the direction
her mistress desired, but, instead, COM
menced backing off, Being taller than
Kate it may be that she had made dis
covery which the girl certainly had not,
! ]. e., that a pair of extremely black eyes,
in that quarter, were watching every
movement with sinister interest.
A few PAGES pack 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 bind feet sending out ring
ing &c 20 as they struck against the hard
wood.
''Bravor' cried our heroine, forgetting
prudence in her admiration.
A loud shout. followed by ahoarse i'm
precation, instantly gave her to under
stand that her whereabouts had been
discovered. However, the way before
her was clear enough now. Naomi swept
out into inc track and galloped away at
break-neck pace. For the life of her,
Kate could not have refrained from
sending back triumphant little huzzah
to the discounted rascal who stood
watching his prey thus making her es-
cape.
His reply was a bullet which went
whizzing by her head so close that she
felt the breeze it created in passing.
The other man, warned by his copfeder-
ate, 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; but curses and flying shot proving
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 stealing, which was
, proven against them. So far as the
writer knows they are still under Gov
, eminent surveillance, and likely to be
for some years to come.
without further adventure Kate
, reached Rydsl, and had the satisfaction
of seeing old Mr.. Steinfelt in possession
| of his money. The sheriff of the county
who was friend of Mr.. Tyndale accom-
panied her on her return. In spite Of
being an accomplished equestrian, ouI
young friend, nowadays, never ventures
upon such long journeys unattended
The Tyndale family and their friends
are still disposed to lionize her in conse
quencc of the episode above narrated I;
but Kate modestly valves all claim tC
heroism, declaring that it was Naom
who brought her safely through.-Inde
pendent.
he EATS NOTHING COOKED.