Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-06-18

Ing SARub Oh ulIll, hIbW UP al al cALtgodg
gegticulating group. Penryn was quick
TO recognize them as Mexicans-quite
evidently herdsmen from Perriot's
ranch
He sprung up, intending to get his
horse and be prepared for whatever was
to follow, but as he loosened the gun
in his belt he heard hail behind him.
Instantly the group Of horsemen spurred
up the incline toward him, but before
he could turn around to see what new
danger threatened him from the rear
moose settled over his head and shout
ders and was pulled taut, pinioning his
arms to his sides.
Some Of bis enemies had made flank
movement and he was at their mercy.
He was dragged to the ground, the chat
tering crowd at once surrounded and
disarmed him, and he was bound with
his own belt to lightning riven stump
on the edge of the grove. Penryn be-
lieved his condition to be desperate in
deed, but he would not show fear before
his captors and laughed in their faces.
At that one-the fellow who had struck
back at the branding camp-lashed him
twice across the cheek with his own
whip, and the blood flowed from the
gashes.
But even the pain of the wound did
not COW him. "Do you think you can
kill me and go scot free?" he demanded
You'll find your mistake. My boys
will hunt you to the Rio Grande-and
beyond. And all Perriot's money won't
save you.
At that they drew aside to confer,
while Penryn leaned against the tree to
which they had bound him, half faint
ing from loss of blood and the pain of
the gashes on his face. He remembered
with bitterness how the eolonel's daugh-
ter had turned her back upon him when
he accused Perriot of jumping his
brand" The girl was evidently in love
with the Frenchman, and in his despair
the young ranchman did not much care
what these desperadoes did with him.
Suddenly his enemies ran for their
horses and climbed heller SHELTER into
their saddles. Penryn, with his bead
hanging upon his breast, paid slight at
tention, but when the swift beat of
horses hoofs smote upon his ear he
wondered vaguely if more of Perriot's
men were coming.
He raised his head. The Mexicans
were crossing the stream again, plying
spur and lash as they went. One of
them, the man who had already struck
him, turned in his saddle and fired at
the figure tied to the tree, but the bull
let flew wide of it's mark.
The pounding of hoofs increased, and
pouring over a neighboring rise came
party of wildly riding cowboys. Penryn
looked again and recognized old Jase
Howard at their head. He cried aloud
to him and then hung limp upon his
bonds
He came to himself again in mo-
ment. Jase had him lying upon the
grass, and he found himself choking
over some of "the real stuff" which the
foreman had forced between his lips.
"We were just in time, by thunderl"
exclaimed Howard. elbow dye feel
now?"
"Better, F" said Penryn, sitting up
"Here, femme bind that up" said
the old man, muffling the lower part of
his employers face in linen handker
chief "Them greasers had better light
ont erbout as fast as they kin, +" he pur
sued 1.-The boys air hot after 'em, an
the hull range'll be buzzin erbout their
ears afore mornin.
"How did you know about it?'' asked
Penryn.
"The colonel's gal rid over an told
me how you was down i'll Perriot's
brandin camp. Darn plucky gal she is
Nigh erbout rid her boss ter death
bringin tn news. Hey, where yer
goin?' he broke off to ask, as Penryn
staggered to his feet and made for his
horse.
Don't suppose I'm going to stay
here all night, do you?'' demanded mis-
employer testify.
"Reckon not You'd better go home.
I'm goin ter ride on arter the boys. y
"All right. I'll go home," said Pen
ryn, but he started his horse on can
ter in an entirely different direction.
Jase frightened his saddle girth before
he remounted, ohuckling the while.
HELL get ter the oolonel's fore the gal
does if he keeps up that gait" he said
"Guess the colonels darter'll be wearin
the lazy O. brand fore long an White
River ranch IL be gettin a mistress. -
Then he vaulted into his saddle and
took up the trail toward the distant Rio
Grande. philadelphia Inquirer.