Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-12-22

that Nellie Carson had become his pet, and
because of this that during her illness he
had led a better life. He could not bear
the thought of her dying, and he shuddered
to think that even if he reached The Gulch
safely he might not be in time. He urged
the mare forward. There was a fairly
good stretch of road for some distance out
of Green Valley and they were making
good Roadway. Then they entered the
heavy woods and the road became slippery.
He was obliged to 20 slower here and let
the mare pick her way mile further on
there was a swift stream that they had
forded with difficulty. He knew that it was
still rising, and he was anxious to get there
as soon as possible. The darkness in the
woods was intense and he was compelled
to trust to the mare entirely. The faithful
animal kept steadily on, now on one side of
the road, now on the other, seeming to
know by instinct the safest path.
He could hear the stream roaring before
they got to it.
1T will be a tough pull, Nance" he re-
| Elected, ''but we've got to make it."
He could not tell in the darkness when
they had reached the brink, until he felt the
mare plunge forward and the water rise
about his legs.
Head up stream, Nance Head up
stream, old grill"
He felt her struggling powerfully under
him, but he could have no means of know
ing when they were near the other bank
| Suddenly it seemed to him that they had
drifted down out of the open road, and
thick woods were on both sides. If they
were between the steep banks they were
lost. He leaned forward, striving to pierce
a little way into the blackness. All at once
H. Ill Il. L.
They were in the woods At the same in
slant the mare stopped swimming. She
had given up the struggled but no, for he
felt her plunging and battling for a foot
hold on solid ground. They had reached
the other bank, and she was climbing
where it was steep and slippery. He gave
her free rein, and all at once he found him
self saying prayer
God help me to reach The Gulch" he
whispered God help me to reach Nellie
| in timel"
He chung to the struggling mares name,
and after what seemed an eternity to the
boy he felt that they had reached the leve
| ground. Then he knew, from the branches
against his face, that they were in the
woods, and little later that they were back
in the road.
GOOD Nancel" he said, patting her neck
"good, beautiful Nancel"
There was better going here again and fol-
another five miles they did very well. Their
they forded the second stream, which wal
not 80 swift. Just beyond was a stretch o.
billy, rough road, and it was here that tn,
Green Valley stage had bean fred upon
He had not feared hold-up, for he though
highwaymen would hardly expect prey OF
such a night. The hills were slippery, anC
| fho foil 81 IL 10 81
among the boulders. As they reached th,
upper plane and more level stretch o
road she settled once more into the swing
ing gallop with which she had covered eacl
bit of decent going. He noticed that tn
rain had well nigh ceased and that Their
seemed to be breaking in the sky. Per
haps it would be clear and sunny TO
Christmas. For a moment he forgot tina
darkness and danger shut him in, whel
} suddenly the mare gave a snort and plung
ed so quickly to one side that the Kid wa
almost unseated. Then his heart stood still
for he heard mems muffled voices, and the
) a sharp, quick call of
, Haiti"
> The Kid imagined he saw the outlines Q
! a man at Nance's head
! Let go of thati you scoundrell"
> screamed, and drove his heels against th
l mares sides. There was a smothered ours
as Nance tore her head free and dashed fol
. ward. The Kid saw the dark outline G
. down as he passed and then he hear
horses hoofs behind him, in pursuit
t The light in the sky was getting SOM
4 what stronger and the rain had almost 81
= tirely ceased. They were on high, ope
q ground, and the boy felt that they cou
{ see his form against che horizon.
n ttCood Nanra haauftf,.l Nauoa he .ryh;
:, pered, and repeated again and again Il
9 low signal that urged her forward. "W