Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-09-05

ana then q tongue OF fire leaped from
the muzzle of the carbine, there was a
sharp crack and rift of smoke, in
visible in the gloom.
| Ten seconds passed and the figure up
on the gray horse did not move TheA
| 1t swayed lightly backward and for
ward. chung to the pommel with the
right hand as IL to steady itself in
spite OF weakness, plunged heavily for
ward over the withers and struck the
water with splash. A quick oath
came from Harding as Maude climbed
back into the saddle.
THAT might make trouble" said the
officer shortly. THE man was in Mex
leo when shot"
And it was damnably like assassi-
nation'" The clear boyish voice OF
Allyn was sounding now.
Maude replaced his carbine in the
scabbard and half turned in the saddle.
500" he said, lazily We'll. when
you have served as long as have you
will learn to exterminate such vermin
when you can. There's one cattle-thief
the less. anyway"
The fallen man half raised himself
from the water, struggled to regain his
feet. and then sunk back and was
borne away by the current, battling
feebly with one hand, Harding's face
had grown stern.
I'VE can't let the beggar drown after
shooting him in that way" he said
quickly. Here, with wave of his
| arm. After him. boys!"
At the word two of the black troop
ers-those nearest him--dashed into
the riveg.~ spurred across, and when
they were within twenty feet of the
other bank turned their horses heads
down stream and leaped them out into
| deep water. The beasts sunk until the
water came to the necks OF their rid
ers, then rose and struck out bravely.
Dimly seen, the fugitive floated, drift
ing rapidly, but the horses. good each
OF them for four-mile swim. decreas-
ed the distance between with aston
ishing speed. They caught him two
hundred yards further down. The SEM
inoles passed upon each side OF him.
grasped him by either arm, raised his
head from the river and turned their
steeds toward the American bank by
a slight sway OF their bodies. They
struck footing a quarter mile below
the place of rescue, and when they had
reached the edge dismounted, took
their late foeman in their powerful
arms and staggered up the incline, the
horses following them like dripping
spaniels They were met by the entire
detachment
The captive was conscious but did
not speak. He looked from one to an
other in the gloom as he lay upon the
ground. which was soaked under him.
The left side of his shirt and canvas
/ jacket showed dark with blood, the
bullet having torn its way through the
shoulder
Now, you've got this rascal asked
Maude, little impatiently, what are
you going to do with him?"
Harding did not answer. but spoke
| to four of his men, directing them to
make litter and attach it to two OF
| the horses.
What are you going to do with
| him." Maude repeated.
The Captain wheeled to face him. his
right hand raised half threateningly.
"Do?" he said angrily. why. put
! him up at ten PAGES, wounded and
| bound, for you to murder over again.
What else should do with him?"
Maude said nothing further, but re-
mounted and sat motionless with his
| English cavalry seat, staring out over
| the river. During the colloquy the pris'
oner, still upon his back, had shifted
his head and looked at the Englishman
steadily. He still looked at him as
he was lifted into the litter. He look
ed back at him for awhile when the
two ltter-horses were put at the, head
OF the column with trooper on foot
Leading them. Then he shifted his re-
gard to Harding, but only for a mo-
ment The motion was rough. but no
moan came from him. Before a mile
had been traversed Inconsistencies
came to him mercifully. The troop
riding at walk reached the rancho
house Just at sunrise.
90 be Continued)