Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-10-26

where it was in her quarters-they were
powerful enough for carthorse. the TACT
assured that she could carry weight any
distance, notwithstanding Johnny, VINO
rode her. weighed less than 100 pounds,
though he was rising seventeen.
Johnny had drifted to the Gleaves place
three years back from nobody knew where;
The. squire. who was half easy going anu
wholly shrewd had kept him at first COM
passionately and later because the lad
exactly suited his turn. Johnny was a
born rider, light yet bold, strong-hanueo'
clear-headed and full of the curious mag
netic sympathy which goes subtly along
the rein and makes horse and rider one
The squire of course, did not phrase 1t
lust that way. He said the stray boy could
feel a horses mind through its mouth,
down to the tips of his own toes. There-
fore he was kept riding the most part OF
the time. Drove horses, broken and gait
ed especially saddle-gaited, fetched easily
as much again as those merely halter-wise.
Three parts of this drove were so Drohen
and gated. No wonder the squire was
proud of them-two hundred odd, sleek all
in perfect fettle. gray, bay, brown tlacK
dappled and roam, there was not one with
out cross or two of blood nor one whose
condition did not do equal credlt TO the
pastures and paddocks of the Gleaves place.
nor to Judgment OF the places owner.
Five to six abreast they came up the
road pell nell. Now and again those at the
edges halted to snatch at twigs or sere
roadside grass. 1t was late September
Though there had been no hint of frost,
the black gums were full of crimson
leaves and the tallest sassafrasses snot
through with yellow. New blackberry
briers showed the purple of Iron cooling
from the forge Everywhere else there was
the deep glossed-green of midsummer,
something ragged in spots ana 1dlntiy
fretted with dust. There had been no ram
since the drove started from the grass
country eight days back. 1t had Just got
fairly into the sparsely settled half wilder
ness, which in the late twenties stretched
between middle Tennessee and the caro-
lima cotton plantations
The road, a well-trayeled trace, ran MAIN
Iy through woods. Here or there II crossed
a natural meadow, often many acres IN ex-
tent Grass grew so tall in the low spots
Of these meadows 1t could be tied either
side above a horses neck as one rode
through The vanished buffalo had no
doubt reIished such lusty stalks. but the
drove beasts chose instead to nip the fine
tender upland bents which came, at most,
no higher than the knee
Thus the Big Meadow was noted camp
ing place. 1t lay two miles ahead OF the
hilltop There was a clear creek between.
Possibly II was the scent of water which
set Lightly wickering. but Squire
Gleaves said. patting her neck. so you
smell grass and rest-eh, old gal? She
tossed her head the least bit, whickering
again. This time the call was louder, more
insistent and compelling. In answer every
hoof behind quickened, nscks stretcneu,
muzzles lifted, ears went fiat against the
neck In sinuous, tumbling column, melt
ing. changing momently. the ranks charged
upon their leader, breaking from the walk
to the trot, the trot to the Gallop, the gal
lop to the dead full run
Squire Gleayes drew out to let them
pass He knew Johnny and Lightly could
be trusted-besides, there was water ana
the grass. The drove was sharp-set-the
MONDAY halt had been IN tall, barren wood
land, so they had had nothing more than
scant mouthfuls Of fodder from the wagon
His mare roam Mary, was wild 20 Join In
the rush, but he held hard until his son Joe
came up, with black Sam at his horses
tail and the big covered wagon rolling pom,
pously behind. Shadrach, wagner and
camp cook, sat nodding In the saddle. but
still clutched his single rein and long
dashed whip. 1t was wonderful that he
slept, even with the wagon at the snaffs
pace II had been going. Joe Gleaves and
black Sam had also long whips, and made
them crack like pistol shots over the backs
OF laggard, yet without touching a hair.
"Fatheri 1 say! Hadn't you better ride
up? S'pose Johnny couldn't stop 'Lightiy?"
Joe said. thought anxiously- His father
smiled-Joe was the apple of bis eye. This
forethoughted caution. instead of youths
natural recklessness, pleased him through
and through He said over his shoulder as
obieeged to you-but you've no need to
worry. Lightly knows the business nigh
a. well as I do-this Is the tenth drove she's
led for me, remember-please the good
Lord she'll lead many more-she shows her
age as little as do mine"
Joe's face was tense as he watched his
father gallopfng ahead. light and straight
In the saddle, as he was himself. 1.-THE old
mans good for thirty years at least. he
said half under breath. his mouth harden
ing. He was handsome fellow, slight,
but well set up. with darkling eyes under
bent brows. and very red lips. cruelty thin.
He had been strictly brought NJ