The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-03-12

AS the noble animal turned the
horns of tn steers crushed against the
tree and several Of the big grutes fell
headlong, rolling over the very spot
where the rescued man had been ly-
ing Their carcasscs were trampled
to jelly by the sharp hoofs of the fly
ing herd.
The sure-footej horse bore the In
dian girl and the Texan away at the
top OF his speed but more than 500
head of furious beasts were close to
his heels and 1t was four miles to n
place of safety.
Ride straight to the river" shout
ed Ward, as soon as he was able 20
command his voice.
IL know, | know" replied the girl
Maybe we can turn out of the way
Iretty soon," she added.
The earth seemed to trembe as IL
convulsed by an earthquake and the
air was filled with roar more ap.
paling than the noise of the cyclone.
Ward turned his head and he was
surprised to see the red eyes of tho
mad brutes and their white horns al.
most at his horses tail.
Striking the foaming flank of the
horse with his hat. he shouted:
"On, on, Lola, or we are LOST"
She turned her head and looked into
his eyes.
Let me slip off," she whispered.
THE horse could save you; / am too
many"
The Texan comprehcndej her mean
ing, and in that moment of peril ne
realized that the indian girl loved him.
Fearing that she might execute her
suggestion and sacrifice herself to save
him, he instantly grasped her in his
arms, and it was in that moment OF
peril that their trD.- was plighted.
The horse came upon smooth ground
and in a short time he began to get
further away from the herd.
Right there" says the Texan. II
made up my mind to love that little
Indian girl forever. and resolved
mat, If we escaped the danger that
pursued us, would do everything in
my power during life to make her
nappy."
The noble horse continued to in
crease the distance between his hee,s
and the sharp horns of his pursuers
until he again encountered rough
ground
Ward at this moment for the first
time. thought of his pistol, and hur-
riedly drawing the weapon he poured
a stream of lead into the faces of the
cattle.
He was gratifled to see that the pro-
gress of the herd was slightly retard-
ed by the bodies of the several AMI
mails that he killed.
Again the heroic girl suggested the
idea of sacrificing herself to save the
man she loved
''If the horse falls" she said, you
must lie close to him and the cattle
will jump over YOU
1T was evidently her intention"
says Ward, in referring to the matter,
''to stand on the body of the horse in
case he fell and make an effort to
frighten the steers while | crouched by
the side of our exhausted steed."
The horse had no notion of falling
Once more his heels came in contact
with clear ground and he carried his
burden in triumph to the brink of the
little stream.
Ward turned his head and with 4
shout of exultation he threw his hat
in the faces of the leaders of the STAN.
| peded herd as the horse plunged into
the water that the flames could not
cross. The Texan knew that the hot
steers would stop to cool their parched
tongues, and when the horse had
crossed the river he pressed kiss on
the Indian cheek and whispered to
her:
"You have saved my life, and it be-
longs to you"
And he will keep his word.-Omaha
World-Herald.