The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-05

Harry Burns returned to the house,
scarcely able to see whittier he was GO
ing owing to a mist before his eyes. lie
burst into his uncle's presence with the
news. The old man seemed more deeply
grieved than his nephew, for the beauti-
full black mare was as the apple OF his eve.
Capt. Graddock shows his vile nature
to the last" said the helpless old settler.
BLACK Bess cannot be overtaken, and
the cattle thief will surely escape"
Harry Burns kindness TO the rustler
chief had met with a most vilanlous re-
turn and the boy was not happy.
Early next morning a score of mounted
men approached the house of Zenas Burns.
A hard looking lot they We're, and the
man in advance was the same one who
had led the pursuers of Graddock on the
previous day.
wen make short work of old Bruins
and Their kid" said the leader of the par
ty. Burn, kill and destroy. that's the
word, pards!"
Ills order, uttered in loud voice,
reached the ears of Harry who was not
far from the house. Taking the alarm,
the lad ran TO the house, closed and Sc
cured the doors just as the mounted men
rode up.
whats wanted?" called larry from
an upper window.
the leader of the foray.
What do you want? Graddock isn't
here"
mo, reckon he amt" retorted the
man with a laugh. I'VE want cid Zenas
Burns"
What do you want of my uncle?' cried
Harry, now deeply alarmed at the war
like demeanor of the painsmen. Hes
sick and unable to travel"
fa I,oD 81 kaf
we're through with him. jeered the man.
Rush in and bust down the door, boy"
At this moment a bright flame leaped
up near at hand. 1t came from the stable,
which the marauders had set on fire.
Harry saw plainly that the men were
outlaws. He thrust forward his Winches-
ter, aimed at the shoulder of the leader
and fired. cry of pain followed The
well-aimed bullet had found its mark.
With yells Of rage the men flung them
selves from their saddles and dashed at
the house.
Harry rushed below, determined TO sell
his life dearly before a hair of his beloved
uncle should be harmed.
Crash came the forms of several men
against the door.
The board structure trembled and at the
second rush gave away, precipitaing sew
eral men into the room where Harry
buluS 5tOou at pay with MS winchester
cooked, ready Tor use.
There's Their KID" down with him and
tier old manp'
AT this critical moment a cry Of alarm
was heard outside. Then there was q
scattering and mounting of the outlaws
Those in the house beat a precipitate re-
treat. AS they rushed outside crash OF
firearms fell on the air, mingled with
shouts and cheers.
Harry sprang to the open door.
The sight that met his gaze was reas-
surfing. A score of bright uniforms moved
here and there--a squad or United States
Cavalry-and they were doing good ser
vice. as several riderless horses testified.
With the bluejackets rode a bearded man
on a black steed.
BLACK Bessw exclaimed Harry, land
the thief Is riding hertz
What did 1t mean? The lad was not
long in ignorance.
Il am Sam Rupert, the government
| scout" said the man whose life Harry had
saved In the previous day. II rode yout
horse to the nearest government post "a
summon the soldiers, and have arrived in
time to pay the debt owe you my boy
Yonder lies Capt. Graddock, wounded and
a prisoner. He will never again terrorlze
the honest eattlemen of Wyoming"
Harry glanced in the direction pointed
out and saw the man who had visited him
on the previous evening The lad shud-
| dered when he remembered how near he
| came to betraying an honest man into the
| hands of outlaws i M Merrill