The Delta independent., 1898-05-27


Tidicule were the Weapnas = the popa-
lace his eQuanimity haA ~ been dis
turbed. but now he blazed With wrath
A yell Of delight went up from sonic Of
the throng at sight Of the motley troop
ranging into line 100 yards away. but
even then aud there were mea who real
ized at once how wild aud how serions
q prank was this and bow widespread
might be the havoc Of its ounnsqueuces.
Instantly two or thres men started for
the young officer, shouting: "Don's mo-
tice it, lieutenant. Don't do anything.
Well get the horses"
Very possibly il Maynard had halted
his party then and there ar turned back
and marched it into the adjoining
street the wiser among the citizens
could have persuaded tho offenders Of
the magnitude Of their sin and the
horses would have been restored with
rough but profuse frontier apologies.
But the blood Of the patrol was up. Here
ut least was something 1t had a right
to resent, and all in an instant Maynard
and his little party started ON the jump
for the despoilera 1t was bitter cold
day, as has been said. The troopers
were in heavy overcnats and shoes. fur
caps and gloves, and they could not
make q sprint despite their best efforts.
1t would have been easy enough for the
riders to dash away. but all tho devil Of
frontier fun, recklessuess aud whisky
was at work. and clinging. as some Of
them had to do, to their plunaing and
excited steeds. down they came. follow.
ing the lead Of Q jovial tough who had
mounted Maynard's own horse. Lucki-
ly the leader had no spurs. Luckily the
horse seemed to recognize his master as
the foremost Of the familiar bluecoats.
for despite the furious urging and kick
ing Of the tall towpsiaan on his back
Rienzi came snorting and plurging
straight to Maynard's side. and tho
lieutenant never laying hand upon the
rein, was at the joker's stirrup in sec.
ond. Another second and both his sim
ewy hands hnd grasped tho riders boot
and bad toppled-hurlcd him headfore-
most ont Of saddle to the 10y ground. II
was all done 70 quickly that no one
realized what had happened until. a.
the other horses seemed instinctively to
halt and cluster about their leader and
the other troopers to seize their mounts,
and the momentary riders to stumble or
throw themselves from their seats, IL
was seen that the ringlesder Of the gang
lay PROSTATE as he had plunged. his
head turned to one sidS end o dark
stream Of blood oozing frcm underneath.
Some one had set up " sympathetic
cheer at Maynard's exploit. 30 long as
all remained on tho salno footing tho
crowd WIS . unit in its desire TO have
fun at the expense Of tho soldiers. but
when its boldsr spirits appeared in sad
die they forfeited tho full measure Of
the sympathy Of . 6cklo populace. aud
Aaynard's deft and slillful aud mar
velously quick settlement Of the ques-
ttoo won their admiratiop. AL tho
aAms. there was . prompe rush to aid
and lift tho peostrate man. . task mono
too easy, for be proved to 10 oAll very
powerfully built and utterly . Dad
weight on el,e hands of those who bore
him. The blood was streaming from .
Jagged cash ON the right side Of the fore
bead, and It was evident at a glance
that the confusion aud shock had been
severe. The rollicking mood Of tho
crowd bad suddsnly changed, and as
one man they fiocked dersely about the
central figure. Maynard. who. turning
his horse over to the care of ono of tho
troopers and directing the sergeant to
lead the patrol little distance away.
was now busy In the effort to revive his
late tormentor.
docs any body know where he lives
who he is?'' he inquired as he knelt
and began bathing away the blood with
. sponge handed him by some sympa-
thetio soul.
Hes only been here . few daya
lieutenant, - answ cred one Of the throng.
stalwart fellow in buffalo overoost
and wolfskin cap. "He's been playing
st the Empire, where you were . few
minutes ago. since Monday. First OF
he quit winner two or three times snd
treated liberal. but luck turned on him.
reckon he's about cleaned out. Didn't
show up at the table last night at all"
Maynard looked up into the speakers
faoe. "Would you mind calling doc
torf' hs aid. "I'll pay his bill OF
course I'm sorry the man is SO badly
hurt, but
'Oh. you're all right. lieutenanti
Nobody's going to blame you In the
matter. We were all ripe for little
fun, but had NO idea these fellows
would b such ID fools as to try 70
steal your hoeses." And here The fur
clad giant cast disdainful glancs at
one or two Of the would be cavslises,
the only ones Of that luckle~ party 10
remain and hang shamefacedly abost
their late leader. lyon fellows were
eager enough TO follow this man, !" aid
he, triumphing over the comments ed
questions hazarded BY others II H.
crowd. Don't you know his nausr'
"Nuthin more'n what be told ue,"
sbeepiahly answered one Of the two
with oopious Nbation Of tobacco 1ujcs