The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-12-15

4 SCARED lace dDONS Tie gate ok ll4N 1tA-~if
corral. and shouted to her in Spanish:
There is no one at home. sonora. The
| whole family has gone to camp few
days and gather grapes ana honey A
cold chill crept over her little body, and
the next instant her dark eyes flashed
ana decision was quickly taken
1t was only four miles 10 Raynor's ranch
and she knew the road. Striking her pony
cut with her whip. she set of in fur
ious galIop towards Devil River. She
had not gone FAR before the mountains
disappeared in darkness ana the wolves
howled as if they scented her trail and
were hurriodIy collecting in sumberless
packs eager for pursuit She was not
much afraid Of wild animals, but when
she heard the roaring Of the waters OF
Devil River her heart beat so fast that
she put one heart to her bosom.
She had not thought of the treaeherous
] stream before. When she reached the
/ edge of the water she bent forward on
/ the rony's neck and gazed at the swift
/ current IN doubt and fear. It VAS i'm
! possible for her to tell whether tie ever
dangerous food was fordable or not. She
knew well the bad character Of Devil
River. which is regarded as the most
| treacherous mountain stream in the
world. II has been well named.
At one moment one may pass over its
rocky bed with dry feet and at the next
a torrent that would crush an ocean
steamer may be foaming between its
shores. The pony seemed eager to go
into the water but Rosa was frightened
/ by the appalling noise Of the furious
current and she might have turned back
if she had not heard the chattering of
hoofs behind her.
Turning her head she caught the sound
of voices speaking Spanish. 1.-THE ban
dts" she gasped, and giving the pony
the reins she drew her feet up against her
sides.
The brave little mustang went for
ward steadily enough until the swift cur
rent lifted his feet from the bottom; then
with a snort. he made a plunge and the
water ran over his back Rosa chung to
| his name with closed eyes and prayers
upon her lips. She had little hope of
reaching the shore. but at the moment
when her courage was about gone the
faithful pony touched bottom and stead
| lily walked out on dry land.
J Rosa shook the water from her skirts
| and once more set out on gallop, breath
/ ing prayers of thanks for her deliverance
from a grave Of water. It required only
a few moments for her TO reach the end
Of her journey. She saw a light in the
window when she came in sight of the
ranch house
Fearing that the robbers were not far
behind she dismounted at the gate and
ran to the door and tapped on it with
the handle of her quirt. Mr.. Raynor him
self quickly appeared, uttering an excla-
nation of surprise when he saw the girl.
''Why. it is the little girl who gave me
a glass of water" he said when Rosa
stood in the room and the light fell up
on her white face.
She lost no time in telling her story.
Raynor hardly waited for her 10 finish
before he took two pistols from q drawer
and laid them on the table by his side.
II happen TO be alone" he said, but the
boys may arrive at any moment" Rising
to his feet he added: Brave little girl
that you are must take you TO neigh
bor's. Just wait a moment until saddle
my horse"
Grasping one Of the pistols he opened
the door and listened a moment.
There is somebody at the gate. Maybe
my boys have come" he said"
Rosa heard the words, Throw up your
hands, and she saw Raynor quickly
raise his arm and fire.
A wild shrek followed the report Of the
pistol, and a dozen or moro shots were
fired simultaneously Hideous yells and
curses were mingled with the reports
Of the firearms. and through the flashes
of the streams Rosa saw two Mexicans
spring through the open door. Raynor
was trying to fire. but his pistol failed to
revolve Rosa had already grasped the
revolver on the table, and when she saw
one of the robbers aiming at Raynor's
bosom she ran forward and fired. The
ban struck the villains shoulder and his
pistol fell 10 the floor. Raynor at the
same time struck the other rObber on the
head and knocked him to his knees The
firing had put out the light, but Rosa
got TO Raynor's side and gave him her
pistol He instantly shot one Of the Mex
leans in the face. anG he rolled on the
floor bowling for mercy
The wounded man had started to run
away. and at the gate he stumbled into
the hands Of one Of Mr.. Raynors cow
boys They had heard the firing when
short distance away. and, squirting their
horses forward. arrived just in time 10
| capture the only robber able 10 stand or
his feet. He had Rosas bullet in his
shoulder.
When the battle had cleared away. and
a lamp had been lighted. it was found
that both of the robbers that lay swelter-
ing in their blood. were seriously, but,
as it subsequently, proved. more mortally
wounded All three recovered sufficiently
to stand on their feet before the next
term OF court where they were sentenced
TO many years in prison.
I.achan Raynor's clothing was riddled
/ with bullets, but his flesh had not been
touched. He escorted the brave little
girl who had saved the life of the eros
sus ranchman. Raynor told the story
of her daring ride and heoric conduct.
the women Of the usehold regarding
her in wonder and amazernent snd sooth-
ed her agitation.
Next morning the millionaire cattle
king took Rosa home IN mis- busy, and
on the way. mingled with the songs OF
the birds. she heard soft words sweeter
10 her than the music OF many harps.
AS the time passed the little country
/ girls happiness was continually increas-
ed by the daily visits Of She man who.
in her eyes was greater than 9. king. And
! one fine day he eame ana bore her away
: TO become mistress of the most besutifuI
home In the prettiest city under southern
skies.
OWNING ROD SCIENCE.