The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1899-07-01
A Fireworks Capture.

i'll S- Aae upper gang and the low
er gang were AZ outs. The form@,
had lost horse and the lower gang va,
Supposed 10 izelHde the thief.
II jzst means = ight." exclaimed N,rt
TO S4mp$oa. A. the two members Of m,
lower gang rode ever the plains one sun.
mer hight There can't be any horx,
stealing around these parts and NOT hay,
fighting"
No; aud the feeling isn't any too good
alr~ady." added the other.
The ponies loped easily, and turpiny
down the trail went swiftly into the tbieS
suraoEers Of raviae Il was nearly sun.
set AID the tall weeds seemed TO b Al.
most Ike young saplinSs. Suddenly thu
hor>es stopped: ahead was an unusual
s-sni' whlre-topPed prairie schooner.
one-aorse rig. too" exclaimed Simp-
s9a- looking at the thiiis that were on the
front OF the wagon.
And deserted, too" and Matt drew
nearer 10 the strange outh,
We'll. what DO you think Of . man ,h,,
WILL do this?' He pulled the curtains
ASIDE and showed the Sleeping form a, !.
boy perhaps years old. The hrlls fsl-
low looked peaked and helpless and ,hs
sym paihies Of both the men were aro..sl
by the sight.
"e.l. re's rascal" was the reoly AZ
la-t and the curtain vas dropped.
lie aln't a rascal" came from tn ~
SIDE Of The wagon. My papa is good TO
asked Matr.
Waiting for fireworks: papa has gone
After them. He always gets them far ~.
On the Forher July"
What did he say p asked Mari
SAYS Ms father has gone after Ere
NorhS-a AAeiy story. The boys huuxrv.
Aal : what j. the matter with him
Vel, lets feed him. III 20 over and
Eet A!u something from the camp And
say brins him some hrework. ~,
forgot II, but today is the Fourth n,
1liE' ana the boss has lot Of rockets ana
tAlESs ready 10 fire of. All the men a..
o4t hunting FOR the horse thief and tb.v
haFe TorS0tten all about it. | can sreaI a
few" q
Away rode Mar in the gathering j,rk.
ness and although the pony wen, very
iast' and the man did not stay in .apn
u4vFe tnan Few moments the vsfr x..r'-
FL long one 10 the watcher in n. ravira
"i!A the boy. The child was hungry snJ
nervous ami connded to the man that he
had been awful sick" Simpson fsl, az
eeed'nEly sorry for the little one. and wa.
uloFe and more md gnant AZ the ACTIONS a,
the man who bad fOEssksn such a precio1.
charge.
Here be comes" he said At last. whom
the rattle Of horses boots was heard on
the prairie sod. Matt came down The "a
Fihe and had some difficulty in 6nd,pz
Tue wagon hidden in the sunaowsr. A.
tast ne opened the package Of food AMI
.alI he fireworks ca the grass bes!de the
boy. lug
supper first was the order from
Simpson, and the three ate the ssuerou.
supply that had been brought.
Good thing not 10 take The kid IN The
ranch' said Matt. The men will have
rough time there to-oght, aud they
wouldn't spare the boy"
Vow for the fun and away wen. ons
OF the rockets into the darkness, scatter.
ing us spiendor over the level plains that
spread from the edge Of the ravine. The
JACK rabbits and the prairie owls saw il
and wondered what il could be.
somebody else saw il. for awav off IN
the south, where its light was visible only
as FAINT giimmer. there was companv
VI hoFsemen, snd they turned their AMI
mails in that direction.
Hark. sad Matt. as the fun WA a.
It's height. Somebody's coming"
he light Of the last rocket had given
passing view Of a man on horseback A.
the crest OF ray.ue. In a moment the
man was near them and be was accofnpan.
led BY large number. In the midst Of
the party, with his head bound in a large
red Handkerchief, was sesa the figure Of a
man tied on a horse.
We have go; the thief" said the leader
81 the newcomers.
Well" replied Matt, what are Won
bringing him here forT'
We kind OF lost our way and We
thought this was the camp. But We are
Ioing to settle with the rascal right here |
anyhow. 1t might not he best to taks
aim to the camp, after ALL"
Sure it is the man?'
Bound to be-got the horse"
In the dim light Of the little IRE ~ ann
lower stalks that somebody had kindled |
he prisoner was brought forth. He prs-
Isated pltiful appearance and the men \
'lmos' felt sorry for him. Still. they
Enew the aBwritten law.
What have you therer' remarked on.
u the newcomers, pointing 10 the boz who
TODD by, looking with open nouthed as
onishment on the weird scene.
Nothing but q kid that We picked M -
answered Matt. Let him alone. viii
-ouT
Say, fellows" went on the visitor.
what's the matter with letting the Dor
Ire some Of his rockets and make a re-
pectable illumination for this proceed
lgT'
The others agreed, and the child was
Iaced IN position al the bead Of the two
mes that had formed and had IN bis hand
big rocket that vas to he fred a, the
ignni. and then the bands were TO b
akcn from the prisoner and be could bs
" by any one who was quick enough. IL
Fas thought that he would get enough
nhisbment 70 prevent him from ever re-
lTning 10 that section again. lie evident.
thought 80, TOO, for he was trying his
est to escape.
An ready" called Matt. CO.!
The bandage was dropped from the
lans eyes and the ropes came from of
IL feet and arms. A dozen whips were
used TO strike. but before they could be
SGD dramatic scene followed. The boy
no was TO FIRE the rocket dropped the
gnhl In the grass and the punches Of
re went skurrying away in the tall sun
overs. For himself, the little fellow
Iade one leap, and before n Whin deacand.