Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1901-07-04

flight back over the trail by which we
had come.
Even when we told her we should
fight, pointing out from height the
high banks Of a dry run where We
should make our stand when we had
run the herd over the rustlers. she ap-
proved the plan.
We quickly took our places. Flor
ence stood Just outside the mouth OF
the cut. with several giant crackers
and some matches in hand. She was
little pale, but cool and collected, and
showed no sign of fear.
The foremost horses Of the hero
were soon close at hand. OF course the
dust they raised completely hid us
from view Of the rustlers in their rear.
They were coming at free trot on
each side Of the creek channel. We
waited until the leaders had halted,
snorting, in front of US. Then we light
ed our crackers and flung them-eight
or ten-one after the other. Florence
took her part in the cannonade. throw
ing her crackers as far as she could
toward the horses. 4.~-
For half a minute the canyon roared
and reverberated with an astounding
racket. This thunder and smoke flung
the leading horses back upon their fell
lows until all were punched like flock
of scared sheep.
Then we rode at them, each Of us
fiinging a final cracker upon their
heels, and all of us yelling like crazy
Bannocks at frolic. In no time we
had them going-just hitting the
wind" in the widest kind Of "coun-
ter-stampede. We followed, aware at
first of the active operations of rus
tiers in our front. The swerving lines
told us plainly enough where they
were. The dust and confusion pre-
vented our seeing anything more than
half a dozen yards distant
BY great good luck, we came together
in crossing a curve of the creek-bed.
We rode at the tail of the herd until
assured that the frightened horses
would run as long as they were able
that our stampede could not be coun-
tered for an hour or more. We knew,
from the time which had elapsed, that
the rustlers, not fearing immediate
pursuit, had saved wind and speed
for a long chase.
And now we turned back, determined
to take our stand in the mouth OF the
cut and guard the pass until the stock
men should begin to come in from
Lander. 1t was only through the gap
of Two-owe-tee that the rustlers could
hope to run stock off our range.
Dust hung heavily in the gap, and in
order to dodge the rustlers, II posi-
BILE, we rode back down the creek chan
mel, which held only here and there
pools of water.
The fellows were suspicious Of
larger force close at hand, or they
would doubtless have charged US at
once. They looked about rather anx-
iously, scanning the creek banks above
and below.
Presently the four got in line and
began moving slowly toward us. They
evidently wanted to make sure at the
first fire.
Halt where you are or somebody'll
get hurt@ shouted Fred. The rustlers
glanced at each other. Two of them
grinned wickedly. They came on with
out pausing.
Halt, there, I tell you!" he called.
and in a tone that would have stopped
any but the most desperate Of men.
The men fingered their Winchesters.
They were about to begin the fight.
Then in a breath and out of the dust
that still banked along the sleeps
Florence came galloping directly to-
ward them.
The fellows turned their heads quick
ly at hearing the patter Of her pony's
hoofs, and the leader wheeled his horse
sharply about. The latter lowered his
rifle he had half-presented when he
saw girl confronting him. 1t was
well enough for him that he did so.
Florence pulled up in front and a
little to one side of this astonished rus
tier.
Those are my brothers down
there" we heard her saying in a clear
voice. Il am going to help them drive
the horses. guess my stirrup-strap is
breaking loose" And she stopped
over on the side opposite the man, as
II to attend to her footing.
Then, before the leader or his mel
could recover from surprise, Florence
Strengthened up and flung Kissing
cracker at his pony's head.
At fifteen feet she ought not to have
missed. but the pony lodged at the mo-
ton of her arm, and her big yellow
cracker struck the rider somewhere
about his belt and exploded. The man
was knocked or thrown out of his sad
die, sprawling like a stricken frog.
The pony sprang away. Keeling from
the conclusion.
One Of the mounted men yelled by
namite!" and all three put spurs to
their dancing ponies. and were out Of
range and out OF sight in no time.
Fred and now advanced. with our
guns covering the fallen rustler. who
had raised himself to sitting posture
and seemed to be cropping for his
Winchester. He was blind and dizzy
as yet from the shock he had received.
Florence had dismounted and secured
his gun.
I'm dreadfully sorry I hurt you,
sir" we heard her saying ruefully. II
only meant to stampede your horses
and keep you from shooting at my
brothers"
When he had fully recovered his
senses, We knew that he was not seri-
ously injured. He sat down upon the
ground presently. and although the
pain Of his burns must have been
acute. he grinned at US In a kind Of