The morning times., 1896-11-01
The
Black
King.
BY PHILIP vERRILL MIGHELS.
Copyrighted. lsSG.

Nl'r iAtsAA'NN. ACf',
Across 4 wide and level valley that was
hedsed about on every side by mountain
ranges, and i'll which as far as eye could
Teach, no sign appeared of house or tree
orience. a wagon moved one summer after
noon On every side the sagebrush clothed
the sod with its gray lnonotonous growth
Even in the read, which was seldom used,
were Tiny brushes starting.
In the wagon three people were riding
an elderly man, his pale and humptackcd
son. and keen-eyed youth, as brown ds
nut and rs stout as Il Mountain mahogany.
The last was driving and answering the
questions OF his Two companions concern
Ing the country through which they We're
travelling.
They logged ahead, coming at length to
the foothills, where the road went up
through pass i'll the mountains. The
climb was long but not very steep. When
the summit was reached. the horse was
stopped for a rest and Allan waved his
hand about in describing the country.
Suddenly, as he turned to the right, he
gave peculiar cry. Look there" he
said, you will never see such a sight as
that againI'' He pointed an excit ell
finger 10 a rounded peak, quarter of
mile away.
What are they" Mr.. Tuttlc asked. .
wild horses"
"Oh, graciouSr' Chester cried in delight.
al never saw SO fine fellow i'll my lifcr'
oh, but they are splendid! And the
leader is a kingr' exclaimed Mr. Tuttle.
Il never knew you had wild horses in
Nevada"
oh yes, there several bands" young
Allan replied, and these have often teen
Seen here in the Como range"
Father" said the hump backed boy, in
a voice Of deep emotion, Il would rather
have that horse than anything l ever
saw
But you couldn't ride him, my SON"
perhaps ! could; a horse is often con-
quered by love and affection for his mas
ter; and anyway, could always enjoy tue
tight of him.
DO you think anyone could catch him,
Allan?'' asked the father.
Il doubt it Many a man has tried and
failed. No cowboy ever got close enough
to rope the Slowcst one of the band.''
'Lasso him, you mean?"
Yes, sir. And as for running them down,
they know the mountains too well for
that l think there never was horse un-
der saddle that could follow where they
CO."
I'm going to make them rum" said
Chester He jumped to the ground and
ran toward the animals. They let him
approach considerable distance, then,
at a snort from the leader. they SHOOK
their heads in triumph and Scorn and
bounded off down a ravine, disappearing
as if by magic, in a cloud OF dust.
Wonderful, Marvelous!'' Mr.. Tuttle
cried as they went. Turning then Ia Allan
he said: My boy, I will give you OF
anybody else 5000 if you will get the king
of the band and break him for riding ant
handling
AS the sun was setting Allan left his
friends at their home. in the little towr
of Bullion, and drove to the house where
his parentslived. Mr.. Tuttle wasa wealth,
man who had come to Bullion for til,
health of his son. In order to be out il
the sir as much as possible they. pla nnet
exploring trips for every week, general,
securing the services of Allan westmaI
to drive and guide them about the country
When the boy Went home that nigh
for the capture of the king of the ban,
Of horses: yet he kept his thoughts to him
self. However, he handed to his fathc
a bright piece of gold that Mr.. Tuttle hat
paid him for the trip, and told of few
uf the incidents that had happened uloni
the way. His father smiled, little sadly
You might as well keep the money
you've earned it," he said.
but thought you needed all you coul'
get"
so 1 do. need large sum-that i
juss the trouble
Allan had never seen his father in sucl
o mood before. How much do you need?'
be asked.
my partner when he ran away tool
more than l thought, and left me moth