The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-09-14

"
breaking into fire; al
eady across the redeemed stretch OF
sage-bush burst of dust marked the
sure coming Of the coach, on its way
from the Snake River settlements to
the Salmon River mines.
Attracted ty its vaunting approach,
.hree blanketed figures rose about a
little open campfire flickering near the
roadside. and stood while the coach
fitted by, staring with admiration at
that pageant of the desert. Their ap-
pearance drew from the driver a look
that also fingered, but not in admira'
ton.
BLAMED if there aint those three
Bannocks again, hanging round the
station like jack-rabbits round stack
of lucernew he commented.
But Bannocks by the roadside were
an ordinary sight to him, and these
were nowise extraordinary in dress or
menner OF habit OF changing round. "
He gave them no further notice as
they followed after him into the sta
ton. Then, blauket-enwrapped to the
eyes from the thin air of the morning,
they stood, mute and motionless
watchers of the change of horses.
The fresh wheelers were already in
their places at the pole. The leaders
tugs were hooked. and the hostler,
stepping nimbly backward was string.
ing out the long headlines, when the
driver spoke authoritatively from the
box:
"Say, Steve, you must haul water
to Red Hole to-day, sure! That's or
ders."
The hostler looked up. He was an
alert young fellow in tilted cowboy
hat, "check" shirt and overalls.
ooh, give us restr' he exclaimed
in the slang of the stable, and will
no thought of the clean, cool, hay
bedded corner stall in the stage barr
where, rolled in u horse blanket, h,
usually made up for his broken night
The driver grinned. ''That's the
order" he repeated. "It's straight
from the old man. Rustleround, kid
and get that water-tank a-rolling t.
Red Hole"
His manner altered, and turning his
head he glanced at the passenger
within, disdainfllly ignoring the three
blanketed statues planted at the OF
wheel.
"There'll be little pile coming il
the treasure.box tonight, Steve" h
said, bending alike from dignity an(
the box, and lowering his voice to
confidential tone. cts to pay OF
with at the mines, and the old mai
wants it sent right along to Salmon
River You look out there amt an.
waiting at Red Hole for water"
He strais shtened up and held out hi
hand. "Pitch me them strings! AL
ready there, inside2 Hikep'
The four horses sprang forward a
one horse. The rocking body of tn
coach rose in front; the baggage
weighted boot dipped behind, and tn
canvas curtains Tapped wing-wise o.
either side in swift and dusty evanish
ment.
The blanketed Indians gazed afte
in cleaning eyed approval. Return
ing to their roadside camp, they mount
ed their ponies, and taking the trail t
Snake River, they also began to poun
the dust from the desert.
Then across Lost River another dust
closd arose, as the hostler, Steve, i
the saddle, thinking not of Indian
but orders, circled the range afte
horses to haul the heavy water-tank t
Red Hole-work for which the light
witty stage horses were useless.
He soon found the animals he sough
"a pal. of four year-old Cleveland ba
horses. High headed, long-maned
streaming-ta the span stood si1
teen hands high and were heavy
proportion. But despite their beet
ness, Steve's well-grained little saddle
horse WIS put to his best to drive then
flery-eyed and snorting, into the CO..
raj.
Harnes ssed by him, they came out {
he stable fit for even the eyes of "th
old man" Ut the superintendent, :
whose hawk-like vision could take
OF glance the points of horse an
the polish of harness.
The long, cylindrical iron tanl
capable of holding some two hundre
gallons of water, was mounted G
broad gagged and long-coupled trucl
that added greatly to its weight an
draft. Hitched to it, the span handle
it as easily as if it were a baby-ca
'iage.
Driven into Lost River, it gradual
sunk to the hubs with the weight
the water as Steve filed it; and all Il
nerve and power of the heavy hors
were required to start it from the san
Once in the solid road they trundl