The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-04-27


mules for an early start.
The mountain meadows were yet
spongy, and the rail was beset with
chuck holes torn hub-deep by Gray
ling's great wheels. But when they
crossed the Little Snake, they found
Grayling's campfire still smoking at
Four Mile; and they came on il again,
cold in ashes, at the top OF the next
divide.-where they had TO throw off
their trail-wagon pulling up the
pinch" Thus they halted at Jack
Rabbit Springs for the night, while
Grayling reached the Yampa, or Bear
River.
With the morning sun they rolled
up Lay Creek hill. From its top Hi
saw white wagons trailing over the
broken ground beyond the Yampa.
"There they are, Rod" he shouted.
"Well catch them tonight if we keep
a-rolling. Well make n short noon
ing at the river just to water and feed
the mules"
1t was barely noon when they ap-
preached the bridge down steep
grade curving around the foot OF the
bluff, which broke away into a rough,
rolling bottom. On the opposite side
the ground was much smoother.
Some fifty yards beyond the bridge
was an abandoned corral, built Of
rough stones and topped out with logs
OF drift from the river. Hi pulled
across the bridge, drove little dis
tance off its short, graded approach,
and unlocked.
Soon the mules, with nothing
slipped but brides, stood busy with
| their nose-bags about the wagons,
while the two boys were equally busy
at the "grub-box" placed under
meath.
The grain was still being champed
in the nose. bags, when the restles,
Rod jumped to his feet, Say, His
I'm going a-fshing while we wait on
the mulesl I'll get some sort Of n pole
out of that drift-pile above the
bridge"
With the river muddy and swollen
from snow melting in the mountains,
Hi thought that the chance for fish
bridge, where he stood, idly watch
ing.
The bluff opposite was steep, rocky,
and bare of all vegetation except
little ge.brush. Among these low
bushes Hi saw something move ever
so slightly, and his eyes presently
made ont the head of II Ute. peering
down at the bridge iii had no doubt
that there were other Indians worm
ing through the sage-brush. This
stealthy, reconnoitering, contrary TO
their usual familiar approach, con-
sricuous in bright blankets with open
gestures and greeting in keeping,
struck him with sinister chill. The
Ute's head almost instantly dfsap-
peared.
Rod" said Hi, quietly enough,
bring your pole aud try this hole
here under the bridge, I'm going to
fetch the pony down to water
He saw the boy start carelessly for
the shelter of the bridge, and went to
the wagons where the pony stood.
To turn his back to the bluff and walk
off slowly was test of nerve. His
hands trembled as he removed the
nose-bag and bridled the pony. But
he led him quietly down to water by
Rods side, where the bridge hid
them safely from the bluff.
The little horse put down his head
to drink and Hi slpped the Win
chester from it's scabbard on the sad
die. Hand me your cartridge belt,
quick, Rodr' he cried, his voice be-
coming suddenly thick and husky.
whats up?" asked Rod, unbuck-
ling his belt
There are Utes sneaking up to
usl" Hi answered, 81 saw one on the
bluff. You take the horse and catch
up with Grayling and get him to send
back some OF his men. I'll stand
them off at the bridge, so they cant
follow you"
20 Hi, take one OF the mules aud
come along, tool" cried Rod, showing
his excitement.
"No, mol | must stick with the
wagons" Hi hurriedly answered.
Besides, freight mule against one
of their ponies Rod, you must make
the Mouse do his best Some of them
might swim across above or below.
Hurry"
The eyes of the two met in parting
His humid, Rods with a gallant
shine. He swung his quirt clear on
his wrist, and riding up the bank, was
lost TO His sight. In another instant
the click of the little horse's heels as
he made his first Jump on the road,
sent His heart flying.
For n breathless second or two ne
watched the bluff while the Mouse
added good fifty yards to the hun.
dred and fifty between bluff and
bridge. Then as the Utes OWNED
herider's erraud, three puffs of smok,
rose from the sage-brush top, aud the
mingled reports of tic rifles rolled
down the river.
Forgetting that his own safety wa:
necessary TO secure that of Rod. III
leaped mp the bank. Over the Ayinl
, horse he saw the bOyish riders broad
hat waved high in triumphant as
/ surance.
Another echoing report sounded
{ IRON the bluff, aud the scattering o
splinters from the nearest bridge
e timber admonished III that its films,
superstructure was an insutiicicn
2 shelter. Reasured "a 60 Rod. hi
, mind reverted 90 his own action
: From the wagons, in the low bottom
$ below the level of the bridge. he coul,
8 not command its approach. III