Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-11-05

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ye do xii me, Mr.. Sheriff, I've Just got
one favor to Ak: Act white with my
wife and children, an don't lay nothin'
up agin 'em on my account"
Here the remainder of the party
rode up, and the sheriff walked over to
consult with the men. After short con-
versation the whole party dismounted,
and left two or three to hold the
horses while the rest pres sed closer to
the cabin.
"Well," called out Old Jerry, "air
ye a-goin' to give up, or do ye banker
after necktie persuader?"
Graham had not shifted his position
an inch since he first appeared
Slowly and distinctly came his reply
"All I've got to say is what I've al-
ready said to your sheriff. You've al
ready got four times as much land as
[ have, an there amt no civilized law
at would let boy not seventeen year
old hold a claim for his father, agin q
man ats got family to support
I'm here to protect my family an my
goods, till | die, an the first man at
tries to come in here, or makes move
toward me, does it at his own risk. /
mean what l say, gentlemen.
This was bold speech for one man
to make to twenty. But there he stood
without finching, and it was plain that
he meant what he said.
For few moments we stood facing
him, scarcely knowing how to pro-
ceed. No one OF us cared to make the
first advance. for whoever did would
in all probability invite his own death.
AS we hesitated, we were astounded
to see Graham suddenly Withdraw his
hands, jump down from the door
step and, with Mortified exclama-
ton, rush past us like, as Old Jerry
afterward put it, 'a streak of CREASED
lightnin'."
Turning to look after him, we saw
an alarming spectacle.
Old Jerry Saunders's half-wild
bronco, with Polly ON his back, came
furiously across the prairie. Some
times the brute stopped suddenly,
shook its whole body us dog does af-
ter coming out of water, and sprang
up and down in buck leaps. Then it
came on again, galloping with lowered
head and many quick swerve.
The reins had been jerked out of
Polly's hands at the beginning of the
bronco's run; his forefeet, in spring
ing, had caught them, one check strap
had given way and the curb-bit had
fallen from his teeth. Polly, grasping
the short name near the shoulder, kept
her seat, but jerked to and fro with
the savage creatures plunges, seemed
every moment likely to be thrown.
Her horse fairly shrieked with malice,
and would, we feared, trample her
should he get her down.
But this was not the danger that had
most alarmed Graham for the girl
The bronco's course, when he ran, was
toward dense growth OF scrub q
quarter of mile distant. Should he
reach this, Polly would be knocked off
or badly mangled among the low
trees.
Graham, entirely disregarding our
armed company, ran past ut right an
giles to the pony's line. 1t looked as
if he might as well attempt to stop u
cyclone as the bronco. But he sped
on as if without thought of danger
to himself. We followed at much
slower rate of speed.
Perhaps seeing his course likely to
be intercepted, the bronco ceased all
antics and made straight for the scrub.
But he had miscalculated Graham's
swiftness. With squirt the squatter
was at the pony's shoulder, and next
moment was hanging around its neck
with both arms.
Then began terrible struggle. The
bronco struck Graham with its fore
feet, but he, nevertheless, contrived
TO fling them up to its shoulders The
brute tore his shirt away from his
back, and left stream of blood from
its teeth.
But its speed had slackeded, and
Polly was able to spring off. At that
moment Graham almost flung the
pony. Then he dropped, and the wild
brute rushed away.
Old Jerry Saunders cried like baby
as Polly, trembling from the long
strain on her nerves, ran into his
arms, flung hers around his neck and
broke into tears with the reaction
from excitement. Graham still Law
where he had fallen, unable to rise,
but fully conscious and cool in mind.
well, gentlemen" he said in a
voice that betokened his effort to ex-
press no weakness or pain, 81 reckon
ye've got the drop on me. 1 aint in
no shape for fightin'"
"Graham," cried Old Jerry, rush
ing up and taking his hand, "don't
talk about tightin. Ye amt got none
of it to do. Say, 1 wish ye'd forgive
me for the trouble I've made We.
Yere the spunkiest man ever 1 seen.
The place is yourn, an SOS the best
team Nv got to my name, an all the
work me an George can do to help
you with yer crops this year"
"Well, [ amt needin' help with
work. l can hoe my row, reckon.
But it's neighborly of ye-thank ye
all the same" said Graham. aye see,
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