Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1900-09-20

neck andaet ner g. If she gets come
up with, they'll think she's broke loose.
If she gets past safe, she'll find me,
and I'll get help to you by noon to-
morrow. You must try and hold out
till then
THE little 'un's all right" said the
puneher who had doubted her nerves.
I'm see that her halter's broke artistic,
and reckon the Lord that taught her
to smell Indians will get her by 'em.'
It did not sound ifreverent as he said
it. and it was his nearest approach to
prayer in many years. The NUT
tered ..You bet!' of the other cow
boys stood for fervent amen.
Hold the fort, boys'' Acy said, as
he wriggled out of sight in the sage
brush. Hold the fort!''
The little bay pony whinnied softly.
At half past twelve o'clock she start
ed after Acy. With her soft black
muzzle close to the ground, she cauti-
ously picked her way down the slight
decline. The Indians were percepti-
bly, closer, and the eight men who
watched her from the camp felt sick
ening fear at their hearts when two or
three braves gave chase. But mus
tang with only broken rope about
her neck was hardly worth while. The
Sioux expected to have saddles and
brides and ponies to spare when they
should have disposed of the men who
were waiting for them in the shadow
of the covered wagons.
Acy was past the line of Indians. and
the night was growing darker. Sweet
heart followed his trail uncertainty;
he could barely see quarter of mile
away The wind blew fitfully. Now
he could hear the wild cries of the In
dams, now they were swept the other
way. The mare paused, and Acy,
watching her breathlessly, made up his
mind quickly. AS a gust of wind blew
toward her he called her name in
high, clear note. She jumped; then,
with her nose close to the ground,
started toward him. In a few mo-
ments she broke into run, and was
upon him almost before he could get
out of her way and cry, whoa" In
an instant he was ON her back, and
they were flying away over the plain
toward the fort.
At 3 o'clock it was so dark they
had to stop and pick their way care
fully, for prairie-dog towns were MUM
erous. Acy walked beside her, saving
her strength for the final run. At
four o'clock the blackness was chang
ing to gray, and finding himself close
to the river, Acy slaked his own thirst
and let the pony drink also. 1t SEEM
ed as if she realized the run before
her. and only washed down the dust
in her throat; then gathering up her
sturdy, black legs, she swung into the
tireless pace of the born single-footer.
The sun was rising when Acy saw
tine tree, the Lone Tree that told him
that, never swerving i'm the darkness
of the night, she had gone toward the
fort, straight as an arrow flies.
1t was barely nine o'clock when she
stopped before the house occupied by
the officer in command of the post,
and Acy almost fell off and up the
steps. Forty miles without bride Or
saddle is tiresome riding.
There was drill going on in a rath-
en- desultory fashion on the parade
ground, but this was real case of
carry arms, and in less than a quarter
of an hour the soldiers were hurrying
away down the river to the relief of
the beleaguered cowboys.
Don't thank me,'' said the major,
CURLY, when most of the Indians were
dispersed and a few brought back as
hostages to insure good behavior.
Don't thank me- Thank Acy's mare.
If you care to sell her, ia give you
hundred and fifty, Acy," which was
an enormous sum for a pony; but Acy
only shock his head. Just then Sweet
heart ''nickered'' gently, as she took
another hump of sugar from the maj
or's daughter.
why, see, papa" said the little girl,
.sshe's laughing at your Youths Com
panion.
Sr,;lo, ToLen while Vnu Mseit