Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1894-07-26
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PARx II,
CHAPTER u-CoNrryryn.
BIZ A. CONAN DOYLE

CHAPTER HOODWINKED.
She had reached the outskirts Of the
city, when she found the road blocked
by great drove of cattle, driven by a
half-dozen Withholding herdsmen from
the plains In her impatience she en-
deavOred to pass this obstacle by push
ing her horse into what appeared to be
gap. Scarcely had she got fairly in
to 1t, however, before the beasts closed
in behind her, and she found herslf
completely embedded in the moving
stream of fierce-eyed. long-horned
buliocks. Accustomed as she was to
deal with cattle, she was not alarmed
at her situation, but took adj
vantage of every opportunity to urge
her horse on in the hope of pushing
her way through the cavalcade. In
fortunately, the horns of one of the
beasts, either by accident or design,
came in violent contact with the flank
of the mustang, and excited it to mad
ness. In an instant it reared up on its
hind legs with a snort of rage, and
pranced and tossed in a way that
would have unseated any but a most
skillful rider. The situation was full
Of peril Every plunge of the ex-
cited horse brought it against the
horns again, and goaded it to
fresh madness. 1t was all that
the girl could do to keep herself in the
saddle, yet a slip would mean a
terrible death under the hoofs of the
unwieldy and terrified animals. Tn
accustomed to sudden emergencies,
her head began to swim, and her grip
upon the bride to relax. Choked by
the rising cloud of dust and by the
steam from the struggling creatures,
she might have abandoned her efforts
In despair, but for a kindly voice at
her elbow which assured her of assist
ance. At the same moment a sinewy
brown hand caught the frightened
horse by the curb. and, forcing way
through the drove, soon brought her to
the outskirts.
you're not hurt, hope, miss" said
her preserver respectfully.
She looked up at his dark, fierce
face, and laughed saucily. I'm awful
would have thought that Poncho would
have been SO scared by lot of cows?"
THANK God You kept your seat" the
other said earnestly. He was a tall.
strengthening young fellow, mounted
on powerful roam horse, and clad in
the rough dress of a hunter, with a
long rife slung over his shoulders. 81
guess you are the daughter of John
Ferrier," he remarked. 81 saw you
ride down from his house. When you
see him, ask him if he remembers the
jefferson Hopes, of st. Louis. If he's
the same Terrier, my father and he
were pretty thick"
Hadn't you better come and ask
YOURSELF" she asked, demurely.
The young fellow seemed pleased at
the suggestion. and his dark eyes
sparkled with pleasure. ''I'll do So"
he said; we've been in the mountains
for two months, and are not over and
above in visiting condition. He must
take US as he finds u.s."
''He has a good deal to thank you
for, and so have L" she answered.; hes
awful fond of me. If those cows had
jumped on me he'd have never got
over it."
Neither would l." said her COM
panion.
You? Well, don't see that it would
make much matter to you, anyhow.
You amt even a friend of ours
The young hunters dark face grew
so gloomy over this remark that Lucy
Terrier laughed aloud.
''There, didn't mean that" she said;
''of course, you are friend now. You
must come and see us. Now / must
push along, or father won't trust me
with his business any more. Good-by!"
''Good-by," he answered. raising his
broad sombrero. and bending over her
little hand. She wheeled her mustang
round, gave it a cut with her riding
whip, and darted away down the broad
road in rolling cloud of dust.
Young jefferson Hope rode on with
his companions, gloomy and taciturn.
He and they had been among the Ne
vada mountains prospecting for silver,
and were returning to Salt Lake City
In the hope of raising capital enough