The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1893-08-19

ferearms in rapid succession. The
men had discovered her fight, but in
their haste had shot wide of the mark.
Bang" "Bangi' ''Bangi" rang out
second volley from the repeating rifles.
The bride rein dropped as Ethel threw
up her hands and fell forward on the
pony's neck, limp and apparently life
less. The frightened animal, seeing he
was free to go where he choose, dashed
headlong down the bank into the gulch
below and disappeared from view.
II guess that read-headed imp of
girl won't give us any further trouble"
remarked one of the men.
you're right" said another, .'she's
fixed all right enough"
Had the speakers stood where they
could see what was taking place down
in the gulch they would soon have dis
| covered their mistake, for no sooner
had the pony reached the bottom than
Ethel rose erect in the saddle, gathered
up the reins and remarked:
"a pretty good trick for red headed
girl to play. When they thought me
dead they ceased firing; otherwise /
might have been killed. Looking at
her tiny watch, a present from her
father, she added:
six miles and only % minutes in
which TO make it. Now, Snowflake, fly"
Looseninga rawhide from the pommel
of the saddle, she dashed the pony into
run. One, two, three four miles
are passed. The tender hearted girl
who, under ordinary circumstances,
would not think of beating her pony,
used the lash without mercy, urging him
to his utmost speed.
Finally exhausted, her hand dropped
to her side, and when she raised it
again she saw that it was covered with
blood.
"Whyw she exclaimed. " must have
been hit afer all. Yes, my skirt is
soaked with blood, and come to think of
it, did feel stinging pain in my thigh
when the men fired; but what of it2
We must reach Placer City in time,
should it kill US bothr'
AT last the station was in sight. Only
a short half mile and she would be at
the end Of her journey. But alas The
wind bore a sound to her ear that
| fairly froze the blood in her veins, a
long, shrill whistle, the express calling
for clear track. F5hsA shut her teeth
tightly and piled theS 81 with all her
strength.
Easter Snowflake, faster, faster oh
Heaven help usw she exclaimed. The
pony groaned at every jump, yet she
urged him TO go faster. Already she
could see the headlight on the rapidly
approaching engine. It glowed in the
twilight like the eye of fiery demon.
| Would she be too late9
On came the fiery monster. The race
was an unequal one-an iron horse, pro-
PEELED by steam as hot as fire and water
could make, and an Indian pony, run
ming race upon which depended many
| lives. On came the iron steed, its
grim driver all unconscious of the fact
that he was carrying the unsuspecting
| passengers and the half million dollars,
which the express messenger was so
carefully guarding, straight into the
hands of band of train robbers.
Would she be too late9
Made desperate by the thought, Ethel
leaned forward and buried her white
teeth deep into the neck of the pony.
Made furious by the pain, the almost
exhausted animal leaped forward, stag
gering as he ran. moment more, and
they we're at the station. Without
stopping, Ethel slid from the pony's
back; then her leg gave away beneath
her and she fell to the ground. A fire
man on a freight engine recognized
Ethel and ran TO her assistance.
'Oh, don't mind me, but flag No. gu
she gasped, and not too soon, for she
could hear the roar of the ponderous
train and the rapid clicking sound on
the rails, caused by the driving wheels
passing over the rail functions, each
click plainly telling her that the train
was at least two rods nearer destruc-
ton.
When the engineer whistled for brakes
she knew that the train was saved.
When the train had stopped Ethel
told her story to the wondering people,
who had gathered about her, after which
the conductor ordered her carried to
the baggage car, but she refused, saying:
mo, will not go without Snowflake"
CAN right. little girl" replied. the
/ C0n6nrfnT ttrhR nOnu chalI 90 too