The free press., 1894-01-25

a heavy body crashed over the bank
and landed directly at Olly's feet. 1t
was the General.
He had run from the ranch in eager
pursuit of his bird. Again and again
he almost grasped the yellow spot that
rose and fell in the moonlight. Some
times his foot came down upon the dry
disks of the prickly pear, which pierced
his thin slippers. Sometimes he
stumbled into u prairie-dog hole, and
measured his length upon the
ground.
But Dick always waited till the pur-
suit began once more. The canary
seemed to be playing game with its
owner
On and on went the General for
miles, now following at full run along
flight of bird, and again stealing for
ward with catlike tread as the little
fugitive perched upon some prairie
weed as if waiting to be taken. But
always when the pursuer was near the
canary renewed its flight.
SO the chase went on until, at last,
the bird disappeared. Incautiously
hurrying forward, the General felt the
ground give way beneath his feet
Next moment he tumbled heels over
head into gully with soft sand at the
bottom.
He got upon his feet and felt hlm-
self over TO make sure that no bones
were broken. In the darkness of the
gulch he could hear the scurring away
OF several animals. He picked up the
rifle he had dropped in his tumble, and
looked about him.
evolves, eh?" said the General
"Just show a mark, will YEP"
But the wolves seemed to think that
would be foolish conduct.
'It's pretty trap that Dick led me
into" said the General. GIVE seen
the last of him, sure enough. It's the
worse for himself, for the hawks III get
him tomorrow sure, if the weasels
don't tonight. Serve the little fool
right for running away from his
friends"
The General was looking ruefully
up the steep bank, twelve or fifteen
feet high, when he heard the sobbing
of child.
"Who's there?" cried the amazed
man.
"Mep'
''Where are your"
"Here."
The General moved few steps be-
fore ne saw II small girl who covered
close by the dark bank, shivcring with
cold and terror, and trying hard not
to cry aloud.
"Why, if this isn't little girl out
here alone /" he cried. "What brought
you here?"
"I'm Oily Stephan, Mr.. General, "
she whimpered. 81 lost my way. !
thought when you came tumbling
down that you were--you were--l
didn't know what you were!'
"No wonder" he said, laughing
cheerfully. "Now, Oily, you shall go
to the Horse Greek Ranch right away
with me, and get some supper. Then
we'll send you home to your iolks.
Come, come, that's enough OF crying.
There's brave girl!'
''May see your bird when we get
there?" faltered Oily, whose tears
were drying. She had once beheld
the famous canary of the Horse Creek
Ranch, and greatly longed to see it
again.
Tie General groaned. For a time
he had forgotten the loss which Olly's
words recalled. But he had scarcely
begun to tell her the doleful story Of
the birds escape when small wings
tiuttered close to his face, and Dick
flew to his familiar roost on the Gen
erals head. The bird, already wear
led of its freedom, had returned to its
master Of its own accord
eff Dick isn't ready to go home
with usl" he whispered, joyfully.
With sudden movement, he caught
the bird in a secure but tender grasp.
"Well, little one" he cried, joy
fully. 'I'm glad to have you back,
You've"
A quick rustling of the sand up the
drv creek channel drew his attention.
He thought he could see the CLEAN OF
ewes and vague shapes of animals.
"Here, dear, hold Dick now," said