The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-09-04
70 I'D back to Nant-y-Bryn, the short
day was closing in.
x

THE RIDE THROUGH THE cwM.
we dld not return by From, but struck
straight across the hills and ere long
the path ran into the mouth and along
tne bottom of a deep cwm. The sides
were steep and rocky to a degree. but
from side to side of the V-shaped
chas1n stretched q strip Of turf, broad
snoagn TOT US to ride abreast, and
smooth as a shaven lawn.
surely we are safe from observation
IN this shelter" said I, CHANGING right
ana left at the towering walls running
up and losing themselves in the mist.
" Is like riding through a cavern"
-We. call 1t Cwm CIVIL remarked
OWa1n; that is, Marrow Valley, and
the sides are impossible for horses
every inch of the way"
AS he spoke a hollow bark rang
throughsthe. mist above our heads.
An old dog-fox that" said I.
II was answered from the other side.
Foxes" said Owain, CHANGING UNI
easily around him in the thickenlng
DUSK. 4 have lever started foxes
about here. Let us ride faster"
End Vaughan touched her pony and
II bounded. forward at full speed, and
we galloped beside her. The hollow
barking rang out again. BY the sound.
at this, Owain cried in a low voice,
Ride your fastest"
What do you fear?" I asked. half
expecting his answer.
X Gwylliaid C%ochion," said he.
Suddenly, a thick wreath of mist be-
fore US folded itself into a close cloud
n rolled upon one side, like a cur
tain drawn back. We glanced eagerly
up. A bunch OF figures, faint against
the darkening sky, and far above us.
were running like deer along the upper
edge of the cwm. We knew by the an
n ETUaf.fn0 nnfn~- %IN+. 49, ~
ions on h other side, and we were
smut In by a mile of rocky walls.
But surely we shall reach the mouth
first I cried; they are on foot"
Il hope So" returned Owain, but his
tone was doubtful.
And If not" l pursued, they can
U block the mouth, and we shall
ride them down"
Owain. .At thirty yards distance,
they will throw their pixies SO as to
strike their enemy wherever they
please"
ride on, Master Heathcote," broke
In Enid, eagerly. 1T is we who have
brought vol into this danger, and it
Is easy fer you to escape"
You are right, sister," said Owain.
Como Master Heatheote, your mare
is but cantering, while we are doing
u utmost. Ride on. we beg Of you"
Willingly" said I, IF you think I
can hold the mouth until you arrive"
It's impossible" said Owain. "You
cannot conceive of their cunning and
activity. If o stood, you would be
ringed round and pierced on a dozen
sides"
Then I will stay" said I, and I
loosened my sword and looked over
my pistols as I rode, and Owain did
the same.
Enid said he. quickly, as a sudden
thought seemed to strike him.. you
must mount and ride with me. Under
the double weight my horse would OUT
strip your pony's fastest, and so we
should gain something"
by that reasoning" sail I, "White-
sock ought to carry the double weight,
and We should gain again, and SO es-
cape. VIII you not both mount her and
let me ride the gray horse?" :
D o think she would permit ~
cried Owain.
IT hope So" was my answer. 1T is
worth the trial."
I sprang down and the exchange was
made in a moment. Enid Vaughan
placed her foot In her brothers hand
and swung herself lightly to the front
of the saddle Owainf bounded up be-
hind her, and I seized the name. OF the
gray. horse. But even as I put my foot
into the stirrup I paused, fearfully, as
time pressed us, and stood irresolute.
The mare had permitted them to mount
like a lamb SO long as I stood. at her
under her in a threatening fashion. her
shoulders were working, her red eye
vas rolling in. my dtrectionS and + knew
that the sight of me on the gray horse
would drive her into a Jealous fury
which no rider could .quell. Thor.
oughly familiar with the ways OF
horses. there was need for the other
two to ask why I hung with a foot In
the stirrup.
1T is Of no USE, cried Owain, leap
ing down.. II could never hold her with
Enid before me. Her body plays with
the strength of tempered steel. .UI
with you, Master Heathcote, and give
me my horse again."
I sprang for my own saddle, threw
one arm round Enid Vaughan, touched
Whitesock lightly with my heel-hel
shining tanks Know nothing of thu
spur-and she skinned down the val.
ley at a speed which left Owain far be
hind.
At first Enid Vaughan sat steadily
up, balancing herself lightly to the
mares stride, with one hand resting
upon my arm, but J. had meyer be;
fore in her life been carried through
the air at 50 prodigious a pace, an6
presently I held her tighter for I saw
her head swim and her eyes half close
I reined Whitesock in a little. partly t.
give my companion al opportunity t.
throw off the giddiness With which thu
r swiftness Of he mare had oppressed
. her, partly to give Owain a chance tt
come level with us. / did not turn my
head, but in an instant I heard hi.
powerful steed laundering up behind
| and his voice shouting:
D not draw rein for me. Ride, ride
You at least can make yourselves safe
The very wind could not catch YOU"
t I laughed gayly, and held Whitesocl
at an easy gallop for a moment until h
/ came alongside.
/ What an action!" he said, sit is thu
I keenest pleasure to see her four leg
move"
r I thought to myself that the move
ments of the Gwylliaid Cochion wer'
more to us at the ome than White
8 socks beautiful running; but Owain'
pride was such that, though he wa
straining every nerve to escape for tn,
= | ! - I r. 49, Ia TIA 3-~I IL