The Princeton union., 1900-03-22


SlTill G'0icc.
ow, disappearing as completely as
though the earth had swallowed him.
Evidently recognizing the unwisdom of
getting closer to an adversary who, un-
seen himself. can still see the Mexican
turned his horse toward the herd
Emerging once more from the shadow.
Spider followed asHbefore
Just what Spider was trying to do I
did not know. 1t Was plain, however,
that he was in some need of assistance,
as there were three men opposed to him.
was about to start at full speed down
the hill when Lee stopped me-
"Hol' onI' he whispered excitedly,
catching my horse by the bride.
''Don't start ter run down this yer
slope-you'll only break yer neck, an
then you won't be no good to nobody.
Theirs plenty er time. That kid, he's
jus worryin them three chumps into a
fit-without no danger to himself too.
Don't you see how he keeps JUS outer
pistol shot? Take it easy down the
slope. Once we're on the level, then
We'll rush EN-
Our horses picked their own way
down the dark, bowlder strewn hillside.
When we reached the plain, there was
an instant's pause. Lee drew his rifle
from the beckett that rested under his
left knee.
'Ready?' he asked. [ was quite as
ready as I Twas likely to be- but he wait
ed for no reply. Dropping the reins on
the neck Of his horse, he sent home his
spurs and dashed out into the moon
light, yelling like an Indian and pump
ing his repeating rife with both hands
as he went. As we came Spider swerv-
ed his horse and drew his pistol. Then
he recognized u.s.
"Hoorayl' he yelled at the top of his
shrlu voice. II knowed you'd come
We got 'eml Whoopl Zip, zip, yipl
Come onl I ben a-follerin them thieves
all night.
Lee and were riding side by side.
Spider was some little distance ahead,
shouting these remarks over his shoul-
der. He intended to stay ahead, too, for,
ride as we might, neither Lee nor I
could catch him. The three men who
were driving our cattle did not wait for
U.S. Firing an ineffective shot or two
they turned to one side and vanished in
the shadow Of the hill Spider turned
his horse in pursuit.
''Come back!" called Lee Come
back here, you kidl You crazy
Spider paid no attention whatever,
tut rode on at the best speed his pony
could show. u" ~~'~
'Come back, say. or I'll rope your
pony an throw hint shouted Lee
again. ,:. !
''Have ter get within cast first, an
you can do it, returned Spider de-
family What he said was quite true.
We were losing ground at every stride,
We We're we'll into the shadow now.
'Come backl' called in DESPAIR.
Twill you obey orders or not p Spider
stopped instantly 49, T.. .s~s ~
Course. if it's an order it goes, he
eaid. "But what d'you wanter pull up
fer when we JUS got er chance ter get
them thieves?" Lee had no words to
waste at the time. He took Spider by
the collar of his flannel shirt, lifted
him half out of his saddle, shook him
soundly. cuffed his ears and then re-
turned him. with thump, to his seat.
"S'pose you wanter get er hole shot
in your fool little hide JUS because you
think it's smart, ~ said Lee, when he
had completed these operations to his
satisfaction. "You couldn t tell where
them rustlers was a-waitin fer you in
the dark there Now get them cattle
movin fer home er Ill take off yer
chaps an spank you with en- Z TO my
great surprise Spider took these correc-
tions and cantered away to obey his
orders without word. But, then, Lee
had always been very good to Spider.
- pose I reelly oughter not shook
Am ms 60. the cowboy went on regretful-
" when Spider had left. II couldn't 4
let i'm get SO uppity, though. Thsr