The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-10-27
there may be more coming up. The

past 1t, without q horse, flight wOull
be so slow as to be almost useless.
Il reckon times the essence of this
contract" said puncher. but you
can't make time without a horse, and
you can't get horse past them In
dians. Unless that mare Of yours can
fly"
Acy rubbed her forehead gently
"She's no flyer" he said, but she can
trail, which Is more like 1t. This Is
my plan. I'm going to strike out for
the fort. III have to crawl past the
line Of Indians. l reckon it will take
all of two hours, and that will make II
close to one o'clock. BY half past
twelve you set the mare loose on my
trail. Don't have bride or saddle OF
her. but just tie rope round her
neck and let her go. If she gets come
up with, they'll think she's broke loose.
II she gets past safe, she'll find me,
Rnd III get help to you by noon to-
borrow. You must try and hold out
Ill then"
'"The little 'nn's all right" said the
uncher who had doubted her nerves
III see that her halter's broke artistic,
nd reckon the Lord that taught her
smell Indians will get her by EN-"
It did not sound irreverent as he said
and 1t was his nearest approach to
prayer In many years. The NUT
Fred "You bet!' Of the other cow
pys stood for fervent amen.
"Hold the fort, boys." Acy said, as
wriggled out of sight in the sage
rush. "Hold the fort"
The little bay pony whinnied softly.
At half past twelve o'clock she start
after Acy. With her soft black
[uzzle close to the ground. she cauti-
nsly picked her way down the slight
Feline. The Indians were percepti-
" closer, and the eight men who
fatched her from the camp felt sick
hing fear at their hearts when two or
hree braves gave chase. But mus
ang with only a broken rope about
Ter neck was hardly worth while. The
|foux expected to have saddles and
|ridles and ponies to spare when they
hould have disposed of the men who
we're waiting for them in the shadow
4 the covered wagons.
Acy was past the line Of Indians. and
he night was growing darker. Sweet
leart followed his trail uncertainty;
le could barely see quarter of mile
way. The wind blew fitfully. Now
e could hear the wild cries Of the In
lians, now they were swept the other
vay. The mare paused, and Acy,
her breathlessly. made up his
mind quickly. AS gust of wind blew
oward her he called her name in q
Ugh, clear note. She jumped; then,
With her nose close to the ground,
tarted toward him. In a few mo-
1ents she broke into a run, and was
pom him almost before he could get
ut of her way and cry, "Whoa" In
n instant he was on her back, and
hey were flying away over the plain
)ward the fort.
At o'clock 1t was so dark they
ad to stop and pick their way care
lilly, for prairie-dog towns were num-
rous. Acy walked beside her, saving
er strength for the final run. At
DUR o'clock the blackness was chang
lg to gray. and finding himself close |
, the river. Acy slaked his own thirst |
nd let the pony drink also. 1t SEEM
! as II she realized the run before |
er; and only washed down the dust |
| her throat; then gathering up her |
,urdy, black legs, she swung into the
reless pace of the born single-footer.
The sun was rising when Acy saw
le tree, the Lone Tree that told him
lat, never swerving in the darkness
the night, she had gone toward the
'rt, straight as an arrow flies.
1t was barely nine o'clock when she
opped before the house occupied by
le officer in command of the post,
Id Acy almost fell off and up the
cps. Forty miles without bride or
lddle is tiresome riding.
There was drill going on in a rath-
desultory fashion on the parade
'ound, but this was a real case of
lrry arms. and in less than a quarter
an hour the soldiers were hurrying
way down the river to the relief of
e beleaguered cowboys.
Don't thank me-" said the mi jor,
lrtly, when most of the Indians were
spersed and a few brought back as
,stages to insure good behavior.
Don't thank me. Thank Acy's mare.
you care to sell her, I'll give you a
lndred and fifty, Acy," which was
/ enormous sum for pony; but Acy
ly shook his head. Just then Sweet
art "nickered" gently, as she took
lother lump of sugar from the mai
s daughter.
why, see, papa" said the little girl,
he's laughing at you!''-Youth's Com
nion.
REQUIREMENT Of Health.
The requirements Of health can be
united on the fingers of one hand.