St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1901-08-31

4 :
three-eornered cut, from which q
small red stream was trickling.
Still unsubdued, the stallion
plunged again, and this time reached
the firm, unbroken floor. Then with
| bound he left the bridge and splash
ing girth-deep across the overfoWed
/ strip below the road he scrambled uI
the incline to the track, and moment
later disappeared, still at a gallop,
around the curve.
Benson, the engineer, was scanning
the track closely as the train swung
down the grade toward the curve that
hid Sinking river bridge, when he was
startled to see through the gathering
mist a horseman galloping up the
] track straight toward the train and
gesticulating wildly. In an instant
/ the whistle beloved out. its hoarse
lcall for brakes.
j And then the watching lumbermen
saw No. II swing round the curve
with engine reversed and brakes set,
still sliding forward on the wet and
slippery rails, but stopping at last 25
feet from the ruined bridge.
i The fireman and presently num-
/ Der of men jumped down from the
train and ran forward. They looked
at the twisted, broken rails that
reached out over the tunult Of waters
below, and the broken wagon bridge
above, with its crowd Of watching
lumbermen.
The fireman, remembering the
warning horseman, turned and ex-
tplained, and group ofmen instantly
started back up the track.
Directly they found him whom
they sought, young fellow standing
by the roadbed IN his shirtsleeYes, IN
mindful Of the rain into which the
heavy mist had thiekened. He was
bandaglng with narrow strips that he
! had cut from his coat an all but fatal
wound in the neck Of the big black
stallion whose proud head dropped by
his shoulder.
/ It was number Of days later, and
the men Of Pinerift. lumber camp
were at dinner, when Dick Turner
once more went up that path that Led
past the main shanty. He walked
slowly and with limp, for his leg had
1 been badly bruised during the scram-
bic on the bridge. Over his arm was
the bride of the black horse, which
lalso walked with an unsteady, shut
fling gait-a gait that would, how
ever, soon regain its former ease and
yigor
The young fellow cast halfappre-
hensiye look at the camp as he went
by and wondered if he were to under
3go more Of the old treatment. He
turned off at the little path that led
to the rude she'd IN which Ugly Mack
was used to being isolated, but stopped
presently IN quick surprise. A clean,
new stable stood in the place Of the
shed, and above its door were the
words: Ugly Mack. 2
With quick thrill Of appreciation
young Turner led the horse into the
handsome stall and fed him sparingly
from generous supply Of corn
thrown up in one corner Of the build
ing
Coming out presently, be was sur
prised to find all the Pinerift men
awaiting him. He tried to thank
/ them, but Velvet Joe cut him short
We're glad # you like the hut.
| young feller," he said, sand If it'll do
you any good to know it, I'll tell you
now there amt a man on this job but
WhapH give his last dime yes, and
the coat off his back if necessary tc
buy corn for that ugly critter in yon-
der. And as for you, young chap, 7
1.-The voice Of the big fellow softened,
why well, this crowd is goin' to give
a kind of d salute and cheer for the
brayest chap that ever struck Sinking
river. Z
And BY way of asaluteo the biglum.
herman caught the young fellow uE
and on brawny arms and shoulder
carried him in triumph back to camp
Big Joe swung his hat, and the men
sent out a cheer that echoed far ur
| and down the river.
Camp Seven caught it and at once
OWNED its meaning The rough.
bearded crew rivalry for the time be.
ing LOST IN The finer feeling of admira-
tion for a brave deed well performed
sent back an answering cheer.
Youths Companion.
he Marvcled at 1t.
Yes" said Mr.. Henry Peck, q
i u L L.. ~