Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-03-03
a s rodet thankfully homegy

not also see lneul.
But this incid ent was not the only
one that gave Teddy a chance TO raise
himself in evcrybody's estimation.
Fortune IS understood to favor the
brave; certainly she favored Teddy,
and that, too, the very next day.
Maj. Carnahan and his daughter,
Potter, Teddy, Sut and the scribe had
ridden up the creek to see a bunch of
choice cattle; and, having plenty OF
time to spare, and wishing to show the
guests some pretty scenery, we extend
ed our trip several miles further.
Miss Carnahan and Potter had ridden
CD &c SloIc 81 the right to Investigate
some buffalo wallows and Teddy had
fallen behind a bit to pluck some
flowers, when suddenly Sut started
and listened intently. From the hills
on the east, beyond where Miss Carna-
han and Mr. Potter were, a rum bling.
rushing sound came, mingled with con-
fused believing.
'Stampede!" gasped Sutley. "Hi-i-il
Come away, quicl!" and he motioned
to the couple on the slope, but they did
not see nor hear him. We started
toward them, full speed, yelling at the
top of our voices, just as the head of
the herd of wild, thirsty cattle ap-
peared, bearing directly toward the
unconscious couple at the buffalo
wallows. They were coming as only
stampeded cattle can come, and there
were but few seconds of time in which
to escape.
Presently Miss Carnahan heard us
and glanced up, then seemed t. call
Potter's attention to the coming cattle.
We rode out of the way, noting as we
did so that the engaged couple were
doing likewise. Then something hap
pened that has cost more lives than
one. Miss Carnahan's horse was ''stam-
peded"-he ballzed and fought the bit.
but would not stir an inch out of his
tracks, while Potter's, on the contrary,
took the bit in his teeth and tore away
at fearful speed, resisting all his riders
efforts to hold him.
Miss Carnahan was just out of the
track of the rushing cattle, but every
man of US knew that before we could
reach her side they would be passing
her, and her horse was almost certain
to dash into the herd. She did not at
tempt to dismount, but we could see
that she realized her danger and was
making every effort to control her
horse, but to no purpose.
What we had expected happened.
AS the stream of cattle thundered by
Miss Carnahan's horse leaped forward,
almost unseatlng her. and raced direct
ly into the edge of the herd, heading
diagonally for the thickest part. Then,
while we gazed, too far away to aid,
something few across the slope in front
of US, and Teddy, forcing his splendid
buckslin to his top speed, followed che
stampeded horse.
1t seemed hours, but it was only a
minute or so, when it was all over
Teddy, guiding his horse beautifully,
overlook the gray before he reached
the center of the herd. We saw NJ iss
Carnahan look up in response to his
shout, evidently understanding that
she was to slip her stirrup; we saw
Teddy reach her and encircle her with
his arm; and, presently. guided by
masterhand, the bucksk' carrying
o,.Jle, gradually worked S way out
of the crush and to a pace of safety
not twenty yards from the bank of the
creek, where Miss Carnahan's pony
and score of cattle we're crushed to
death.
1t was a very thankful party that
went home, carrying Miss Carnahan,
who, of course. tainted promptly when
the danger was over. The major
gripped Teddy's hand in silence, too
much overcome to speak his thanks,
and we embarrassed him frightfuIly
with our admiration, the last one of
the party to shake his hand being poor
Potter, who, from the top of hill half
mile distant. had seen the whole af-
fair, and whose ''God bless you, Thay-
err' came from the fullnesS of a re-
lieved heart. If any more agonizing
situation can be conceived for an ador-
ing lover than must have been Potter's,
helplessly watching his sweetheart be-
ing carried to almost certain death, /
have yet to know it. And then, that
night, l heard her tell him, meaningIy,
that she despised cowardl
She understood, next day, that he
was not to blame, but the words had
been said, and other words, too. /
don't know what these latter were, for
Teddy probably spoke them as he car
ried Miss Carnahan away from the
stampeded herd-but it is quite certain
that he said something, and that there
was sorrow ahead for Potter and the
Massachusetts, girl Ito whom Teddy
had not been writing as regularly as
usuaD, unless something happened TO
prevent.
Just day or two before the visitors
were to leave US, Sutley came in one
morning with very grave face.
prof Loring's got the smallpox"
he announced. What on earth can
we do for him?'
Prof. Loring was a naturalist and
had, few weeks previously, come to
study the flora and fauna of the Willow
Ridge region He had, with SUITS per-
mission, built a shanty about two miles
mp the creek, where he lived all alone
among his bugs and snakes and lizards,
and we had seen very little of him, but
that little inclined us very much in his
favor.
''He went over in the hills to the In
dian camp for some snakes" continued
Sut, ''and. of course, caught it there.
When knocked this morning he called
to me and told me he had the smallpox,
and to keep away, but to send doctor
if one was to be had. But, great Scott!
there isn't doctor within fifty miles,
for Doc Murray went east last week,
and he's the only one at Smitbburg."
We all sat silent for a moment. Then
Teddy, with much con Germ, for he had
become quite well acq uainted with the
professor, and liked him. remarked:
Poor old chap! l don't sec what
can be done for him"
Has he," asked Potter, slowly, mo
one at all, Mr.. Sutley?"
Not a soul"
Then will go over and take care
of him have studied medicine"
/ am sure Miss Carnahan had not
spoken to HIM for two days or more,
and I had feared it was all over be-
tween them; but when she started up
and CALCULATED: wallace Potter, you
shall do nothing of the sort!' / knew
and was glad that there was still hope
for him and that Massachusetts girl.
Then, while we all knew that Prof
Loring would die unless some one cared
for him-anyhow, pernaps-we inter-
posed all sorts of objections. 1t was
Quixotic, wild, utterly foolish, said the
major. Why, the man was a total
stranger, and the idea was not to be
g