Rocky Ford enterprise., 1900-07-20
:, y. .. ,s .ask N,s ,es ,ss .:
By II. B. Masksn.ie

the swift current tn carry her away be-
fore her pursuers could reach her. She
might be drowned. Although she could
swim. her clothes would be an aimos,
insuperabis obstacle. But death by
such gentle means would be preferable
to the fate before her.
They were Just about to plunge into
the water when chipansa gave a sud
den cry. Blusbeii's startled eyes. fol-
lowing Moore. saw his horse suddenly
stumble In the water. Moore made a
desperate effort to keep himself up:
but as the horse. endeavorinx to re-
gain Its footing. made another blum
derinE step. his rider xas thrown clean
over his head and disappeared.
He Is drowning. Run. run. Help
him!" cried Biucbcii. She hardly
knew afterwards what wruns the cfy
from her. whether IL was real horror
at the accident that had happened TO
her prosecutor or tn. sudden Wild con-
Vietion that the chance had come TO
her.
In moment chipansa had plunged
into tho river. He was holding the
rcins OF Bincbcii's horse. and sndcaY-
orinE to draw him after him; but the
animal resisted. lifting up his forcicss.
and Blucbcii brcath-i an asonifed
Thank Cod"
The next instant she had slipped
from tho horses back and was run
ming with Incredible speed up the
bank.
Tho grass was so long that Il stood
above her head. but once she 40; out
OF Il shc was In short. stnbbiy un-
dcrxrowth Of srass. without looking
back. hardly breathing. she few on.
Il was so dark that she felt sure In
n few seconds she would be beyond tho
sight Of her enemies.
On. on. on! stumbling over tufts Of
grass. piungins Into bushes. tearing
herself out again. no, knowing whith-
or she was going. hardly caring. only
determined to put distance between
herself and the hateful fate that had
seemed 80 near. Biucbcli was hardly
able to draw breath. II came In Sob
bling sasps from her dry and parchcd
lips.
Her ears were strained to catch the
sound Of her pnrsucr's horses hoofs.
or Mt least a shout. No sound came.
and presently she vcntured to slackcn
her speed. What had happcnei7
Could the man have been drowned!
But she had to think OF herself.
She must find some hiding place for
the night at least. Though she was
warm. painting and pcrspiring with her
breathlcss run. she knew that present.
ly II would be intensely cold. She had
looscncd the heavy cloak which COW
cred her almost to the heels rs she
ran. and carried II on her arm. She
dared not drop II, though Il impeded
her flight, for that would give her pur-
suers a clue.
She was on the sandy plain at last.
where walking was at least less un-
even than on the dry grass. Suddenly
she saw before her n little hillock: It
might have been an ant hill from its
size and appearance. Bluebell was soon
at 1t. II was not an ant hill. but the
deserted hole OF an ant bear. as she
discovered. She crawled into It. i:
was dry and warm.
"They will not find me here" she
thought. Even II they followed on
my tracks. they could not see the bear
hole in the dark"
She threw herself on the ground
she could hardly sit upright, SO small
was the hole-and for the first time
faced her position. She had no food.
and no means OF procuring any. She
was lost on n painless veldt. not know
ing where the nearest wagon track
was. Wholly ignorant of her wherea-
bouts as she was. what was to become
of her? II she could not find her way
to any human habitation she must IN
evitably die of starvation.
The girl bent her face on her clasped
hands, and surely as earnest prayer
as ever rose to the ears OF the AL
mighty Father ascended from that
strange hiding place.
"Oh, merciful Father. Thou who art
able to save Thy children when they
cry to Thee, grant me Thy help now!
commit myself to Thee. There Is
none other to whom I can go. Help
me, help me, for Thy Sons sake!"
Strange to say. sleep came to her
presently; and in that deserted bear
hole, in the midst OF lonely and des-
olate veldt, alone in the world, as 1t
seemed, Bluebell Leslie slept soundly
She awakened suddenly. 1t was ter
rible sound like that of distant thun-
der that broke her slumber. Bluebell
sat up, shivering with an uncontrolla-
BILE terror, for she had heard that
sound once before. and knew what II
was.
1t was the distant roar of lion.
She crouched down in her hidihs
place, shaking from head to toot'
What II the terrible king OF beasts
should discoyer her "spoor" and trace