Graham guardian., 1902-06-06


and sole owner OF The ranch, brought
his daughter lialinP after whom the
ranch was named. 10 the plains. She.
i0o. was in search of health Naturally
:hr young lpOrip were often together.
She s3on learned to ride. and az health.
vigGr and eXhilaration came into her
little body nothing pleased her better
Than TO g;lilOp over plains and noun
iains accompanied by the accomplished
lI0I%cnlan
Finally the time came when Colonel
Wilder and his daughter began to
make preparations TO return 10 their
home il Alabama. Seaton was ready
20 go. and lir asked permission to nc.
company his friends Il part Of the way.
He owned fine COmanche horse
called Silver Heels that he had cut
out from band of wild mustangs and
taElpt This animal bad saved his
masters life upon one occasion by his
superior speed and strength. and Sea.
ton had determined that hp should be
wen rewarded Il am going to take
Silver Heels home with me-. he said.
and will ride by the stage and keep
thp bandi:s and wolves away"
Tdd.up and her fnther both pressed
the young Gan TO take seat in the
coach and sen;ii The horse to the rail
road hy IL messenger. but he persisted
in his determination TO make the jour
uey in the saddle. and now thoSe who
are ever ready 10 discover the hand o.
Providence in all affairs insist that Gu.
pid or ldalinp's good angel lowered
near when the big overland coach roll.
eel away from the ranch gate with I'M,
accomplished hCrseElan and ardent
lover galupin9 after ii moCnted upon
tie swiftrst and gampst horse In west
ern TeXaR
4 few miles beyond CarIin's Folly the
road follows the. san Snha river along
Il narrow. PERCEPTIONS trail rut ont OF
thp side of Il mountain more than a
hundred feet above the water The wild
mustangs were cbamplng their bits.
and with foam flying from their sides.
NtiF WI slN ilS tOtiN ~ WV ihr
plains at Il gallOp about Il mile from the
dangerous piece Of river road when
large herd of fat steers came in sight.
crossing the trail ldallne. pleased with
the picturesque scene. thrust Der head
from the coach window and waved
coiorrti scarf toward Sraton The big
steers IN front threw up their heads
and. with snort. bounded away. The
Whole herd stamwSled. filling the air
with the roar Cf Il cyclone. The mus
aigS were stricken with terror. and
ley ran al the top OF their speed in
spite OF the strong arms OF the driver.
Cle hig coach bounced and louadered
!kp ship n Il storm.
Seaion realized the peril Of his
friends. and he urged his horse for
ward Before he reached the side OF
he stage he saw the drivers body
p.trhed from the seat. and the next In
slant II fell hradlong upon the earth.
caving the lines tiuttPrinG in the wind.
The frightened cattle were surging
about the wheels aud the flying mus
tuugs.
SentOn expected to see the coach turn
over AT every step Th6lgh the mad
| denpd cattle ana terror stricken mus
| tangs were tlOundPring. together In in
eXtricuble confusion. the tangled mass
kept in the road. aud Seaton could see
the leaders through Il cloud of dust
plungng straight toward the narrow
| grade OH the side of the precipice above
| the deep waters Of the San Saba.
Above the believing of the brutes and
| the roar OF gathering hoofs he could
| hear the shripks of the women. and
once he caught O glimpse Of 1dallne,
wuite- -faca-aad-ese little hand -tIefrf' ia
| ward him.
Driving the steel into the tanks oi
Silver Heels, he drew his revolver and
opened fire upon the tangled mass OF
mad cattle and mustangs In front OF
the coach. Several steers fell, but the
horses continued TO plunge forward to
ward tie rrecipice apparently unhurt
The fearless horseman could now see
the dangerous gorge only few yards
away. and be well knew that horses
cattle and coach would roll in q tangled
mass over the bluff to be crushed and
manglcG on the rocks below or swept
10 death by the current unless he could