The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-05-11

relieved by few small groves of stunned trees.
On certain morning he set out fer one of
those groves. which was about half mile from
the camp. He was alone and on foot he
reached the grove, entered it, seated himself
on an inviting log, and, taking from his pocket
8 capacious meerschaum and bag of tobacco,
proceeded to enjoy smoke. HIS coat was un-
buttoned, aud the upper lett pocket of his
waistcoat showed the silver-mounted handle of
a very small revolver. He had taken off his
belt, which lay or the log several feet beyond
the reach of his hands; in its holster was a
heavy Colts revolver.
1t was q luxury TO drop the weary vigilance
of war; but it was rot yet safe to do so in ali
parts OF the South aud certainly not in the
vicinity of the Rio Grande, which was infested
with guerrilas from Mexico as well as from the
United States. who found in the unsettled
state OF both countries abundant opportunities
for robbery and murder. At that time soldiers
often received considerable sums of money on
account of arrears of pay which had accumu-
lated through the failure of Paymssters to
reach them when comm Bnications were inter
Tupted or for other causes incident TO war. a
guerrilla, therefore, had reason to expect some
thing worth taking from the pocket Of sol
der, and If he could kill before robbiRg, the lat
ter part Of the business was very much sim
plifed.
Tanning was so near the camp that he did
not think of danger, and his mind was occupied
so entirely by the future which his magma
tion painted that he did not notice sounds
clearly suggesting the approach OF a horse.
Shortly afterwards, however, be was aroused
from his dreams by shrill neigh. He looked
up and saw man mounted on q gray marc
breaking the cover Of the trees and their thick
underground. He had lost that mare several
weeks before and her neigh had perhaps been
one of recognition. She was mounted by
large, thick-set long bearded man, who was in
8 H. ~
instant Tanning was aware that bullet bad
passed through his left arm. Another shot
quickly followed. but missed him, and, by that
time, his band had reached the small revolver
IN his wastcOat pocket. for he decided quickly
that in losing a moment to get his larger
weapon he might also lose his life. There was
another report; the men had fired simultane-
oUsly; bullet had passed through Fanning's
hat, and the guerrilla, squirting furiously. got
out Of sight so quickly that there was only time
for one more shot at him, and Tanning was I'M
certain whether that or any Of his others had
taken effect.
He pulled mp his sleeve and found that the
wound was not serious. Just then he heard q
clatteT Of hOofs in the direction of the camp,
and suspected that it proceeded from detach-
ment of eight men and a Sergeant which he
knew had been ordered TO look for stray mules
He rose at once, taking his belt in his right
haEd, and ran towards the open ground where
be thought that they would pass. His surmise
proved correct, and shortly afterwards when
be emerged from the grove they met him and
halted, the Sergeant exclaiming as he ssluted :
you're hit. Captsin!"
"Yes, Brent you must have heard the shots.
have hole in my arm but it's nothing to
worry about. Murphy" addressing one of the
privates, you have the poorest beast; dis
mount; III ride 10 camp, and you can follow
On foot, TO be on hand if should need you.
h,sh vbao b,c;
he rides the gray mare that was stolen from
me. l want you to catch him, and there's no
time TO lose, for you know the gray can travel.
Skirt this wood; he must have left it. and you'll
Bee him in the open soon enough"
he had mounted Murphy's horse while
speaking and. Oh concluding, started for the
camp az csnter.
Wen have him, Captain, if we have TO fol-
low him TO Mexico" said Brent, and imme-
diately put his men in motion.
Is he looked behind him and saw the de-
tachmeDt disappear around the curve of the
grove, Tanning thought: "If the gray is what
she used 10 be- it will be a long chase: but Brent
will follow like bloodhound"
Brent and his men had nearly halfcircled
the grove when they the fugitive ia the
open plain, clearly beyond carbine range the
gray doing her best bat urged by the cruel
spur Of her rider.
There he is" cried Brent; ego for him !
every man lOT 1lmEeif, ana no turning back
while horse can move"
be touched his horse with the SPUR gave
him rein, and the race began. They went of
with fierce yell that the wind that swept By
them carried with merciless clearness to the
ears Of the man they pursued. He looked
back at them FOR moment, aud then turned,
beat over the gray mares neck and spurred
her violently. Mad with pain, she reared and
plunged. more than once nearly uDborsing him.
and then balked( II that continued, all would
be over in few minutes. Ills pursuers were
coming on swiftly. Three were far ahead OF
the others; the first was Mike QGrady. on a
tai, white mare; ten yards behind him was
WEIGH, on small but wonderfully active bay
mare and close third was Brent on q large.
black stallion that was heavier than the ideal
cunning horse, bat capable Of great speed aud
endurance.
minute more and O'Grady was clearly
within pistol range. With lightning quick
ness the guerrilla drew his revolver and fred
and 0'Grsdy dropped from his saddle with bis
right hand graspIng az the weapon it was des-
tined never 10 reach.
One Of his enemies wss disposed Of but the
situation of the guerrilla was desperate; the
others would soon reach him. and he could not
hope TO be 50 lucky as to kill with every shot
lie chose q desperate remedy. Placing the
muzzle Of his revolver behind the tip of the
mares right ear, be fred. She dashed forward
gave her free reiB aud she went away with
greater speed than before, for her stop had
given her breath.
For several miles the chase continued. with
NO peTcentIbie change in the relative positions
OF the three men. Then il became apparent
that WEIGH was decidedly gaining on the guer-
rilis. and had also slightly increased the
distance between himself aud Brent. Finally
be came within carbine range He had that
weapon and the guerrilla, who was without
one, could not use revolver effectively at thai
distance. WEIGH, therefore had an adj vantage
aud Il WAS most welcome 20 him, for the fate o.
OGTady was in his thoughts He was a good
shot, and, although difficult IL was not inIpo
Gibie TO hat under such circumstances He un
Elung his carbine, raised it TO his shoulder
drew the bead carefully. making allowance fo
the motion, and pulled the trigger; but at tina
instant his horse stumbled. The bullet wen
wide OF its mark, ana he was thrown, and feI
OIL tie ground So heavily that several moment
passed before he could rise When he did a,
saw bis horse running away from the line O
pursuit Then Brent dashed 10y him.
The black stallion looked spent, and il wa
clear that he would not last long The othe
men were so FAR behind that they were N
longer considered as in the race 1t had becom
man TO a man and a horse TO a horse.
The guerrilla was slowly gaining ground
the gray was certainly wonderful animal, bu
could she last much longerf The two horse
were but little exceeding the speed an aver
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