The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-10-20
THE CAPTURE OF
THE BLACK HORSE.
The True Story Of an Adventure in
the Far West.
By VI. W. LEWIS.

Jack Williams was ten years old, and
his sister Mary eight, when the advent
ure befell them of which l am going ia
tell you, and perhaps it may add q
little to yonr interest i'm the recital, if |
say that tie story is really true.
1t happened away out West, where
Jack and Mary lived with their father
and mother on ranch. Mr.. Williams
was absent at the time, rs he often was
for two or three weeks together, and
Mrs. Williams and the two young peo-
pie were in sole charge of the place.
There were cowboys" of course, but
they were out on the plains, attending
the cattle, coming in only about once
"A week for a change of clothing, and
as their nearest neighbor was twelve or
thirteen miles distant, they had pret-
ty lonely time of it.
Jack and Mary were great chums.
They had grown up wild, SO to speak,
As was natural, under the circum-
stances. Jack could hardly read, and
Mary not at all, but they could foretell
a blizzard or a cyclone as well as any
body, and as for shooting, their father
himself had lard time 20 hold his
own against them.
Mr.. Williams had c,me home one
night, with beautiful black mare tied
TO the pomrnel Of his saddle, and he
took good deal of tsoable 10 show
Jack just how To rub her down, and To
make her bed and feed her.
'She's the best horse In tie country,
Jaek, and think more % her than
DO Of all my broncos- You may have
my old hunter Nugget as soon as
get Coal used to my weight, and in
the meantime want you to take care
of her for me; don't let anybody touch
her."
Weeks went by. Coal had grown to
know the children, and would come
like dog when called, but she was
shy of all the men, and Jack was proud
of her love for him. one night their
father prepared for a journey, and there
was an angry look in his eyes when he
said goodbye.
Take care of the mare, Jack, and
look out for Fergus; he'll do you if he
can, bat you are able To look after your
mother aud your sister.
Two weeks later, Jack and Mary
Were seated under some brush several
miles from the house, waiting for a test
shot at bird on the wing, when they
saw horseman crossing the plains.
lie wore a cloak, though the day was
warm and his big hat was pulled down
over his eyes.
''Hello, Mary, lie quiet" said Jack.
sWho is that-can you see?"
81 can't see plainly, but think it
looks like Fergus's horse" said Mary,
shading her eyes.
$50 it is. Now, what does he want?
This isn't the way home for him."
"WeIl, never mind" said Mary 'he
isn't going to the Nuggets so it
doesn't bother us. Watch that hawk
and try at it, if it comes within range"
In watching the hawk they forgot
Fergus; it sailed high overhead, and
finally disappeared in the west Still
the children watched for a shot, and
one came in the shape of buzzard.
Jack hit it rs it circled high in the air,
and then they had to wait until Mary
could get turn.
They were very still, watching the
sky, when suddenly, from the top of
the bush, there appeared long, slen-
der black neck, with bright black
eyes. Jack seized his gun, but it
was too near to shoot. In another mo-
ment The bird that they had taken for
a hawk swung itself over the top of the
bush, hoped down sedately between
them, cooked its head on one side and
frightened them almost to death by
saying:
"Hellol shooting?" Then it arched
It's neck, looked around for any rem
nants of lunch, and said "Hellop'
again. The children were puzzled and
they lay under the brush
until the sun set, and then started for
home, the bird flying with them.
MARY, take him in and show him
to mother, while / feed Coal" said
Jack, but the bird would not be caught;
it followed Jack, saying "Hello. shoot
ing?" and looking wise, all the way to
the barn door.
"What's the matter with Coal; she
hasn't called to u.s." said Mary.
Jack stopped and called the mare,
but she did not answer. The big black
bird watched them and seemed to
laugh.
IL took only a moment to unfasten
the door. 1t was just as Jack had left
il at noon, but he knew before he went
in that the mare was gone, and as he
stood, white and silent, the talking
bird said:
"Too badv' and, making chuckling
noise in its throat, flew up into the air
and then off to the south in a straight
line.
Jack and Mary did not speak; they
looked after the bird, and as 1t disap-
peared in the distance, Jack said:
ats going home; you know who
lives over there"
"Yes, and who passed us to-day"
"Don't tell mother; it might worry