The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-09-04
70 ride back to Nant-y-Bryn. the short
FEBRUARY day was closing in.
x.

straight across the Ellis and era Lone
tne path ran into the mouth and alone
the bottom of a deep cwm. The sides
were steep and rocky to a degree. but
from side to side Of the V-shaned
lash a scretched q strip of turf, broad
smooth as a shaven lawn. NN
surely we are safe from observation
IN TINS shelter" said I, glancine wight
anu lett az the towering walls cunning
~ ana losing themselves in the mist
1T Is like riding through a cavern"
we call 1t Cwm CIVIL" remarked
IVAN; that Is, Narrow Valley, and
every inch OF the way"
AS he spoke a hollow bark rang
through the mist above our heads. :
An old dog-fox that" said L.
II was answered from the other side.
Foxes" said Owain, glancing I'M
easily around him in the t%hickening
dusk. II have never started foxes
about here. Let us ride faster"
End Vaughan touched her pony and
1t bounded forward at full speed and
we galloped beside her. The hollow
barking rang outagain. BY the sound.
the foxes were still ahead Of US above:
and at this, Owain cried in a low voice.
Ride your fastest"
What do you fear?" I asked. half
SNpCSlillS HIS answer. .
X Gwylliaid Cochton," said he.
Suddenly, a thick wreath of mist be-
fore us folded itself into a close cloud
ana 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.
We're running like deer along the uppe
edge of the cwm. We knew by the an
sWerlng notes that they had compan-
l M m h In rt1 --l
smut IN by a mile Of rocky walls.
But surely we shall reach the mouth
first" 1 cried; they are on foot"
Il hope So returned Owain, but his
tone was doubtful.
And If not" pursued, they can
but block the mouth, and we shall
/ q them down."
They will give us no chance,' said
Owain. 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. TT is we who have
brought you into this danger. and it
is easy for you to escape"
You are right sister" said owain.
Come Master Heathcote, your mare
is but cantering, while we are doing
our utmost. Ride on. we he.s of you"
Willingly" said l. 1T you think I
can hold the mouth until you arrive"
IT'S impossible" said Owain. You
cannot conceive of their cunning and
activity. If you stood, you would be
ringed round and pierced on a dozen
Sides
Then I will stay said 7. and I
loosened my sword and looked over
my pistols as I rode, and Owain did
h 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 our pony's fastest, and so we
should gain something"
by thai reasoning" said I. whites
sock ought to carry the double weight,
and we should gain again. and SO es-
cape. Will O not both mount her and
let me ride the gray horse?"
do you think she would permit?"
cried Owain.
II hope SO" was my answer. 1T Is
worth, the trial."
I sprang down and the exchange was
made in q moment. Enid Vaughan
placed her foot in her brothers hand
and swung herself lightly to the front
OF the saddle. Owain bounded up be-
hind her, and I seized the name Of the
gray horse. But even as I put my foot
into the stirrup l paused, fearfully, as
llIlG pTeSSeu US, dIiu StOOA llSSOlulC.
The mare had permitted them to mount
like q lamb so long as l stood at her
head, but now her legs were gathering
under her in a threatening fashion. her
shoulders were working, her red eye
was rolling in my direction, n / knew
that the sight Of me on the gray horse
would drive her into a jealous fury
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.
TT 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. Up
with you, Master Heathcote, and give
me my horse again"
I spranE for my own saddle, threw
one arm round Enid Vaughan, touched
Whitesock lightly with my heel-her
shining TANKS know nothing of the
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, she had never be-
fore in her life been carried through
the air at SO prodigious a pace, and
presently 1 held her tighter for I saw
her head swim and her eyes half close.
I refined Whitesock In a little, partly to
give my companion an opportunity to
throw off the giddiness with which the
swiftness of the mare had oppressed
her, partly to give Owain a chance to
come level with us. l did not turn my
head. but In an instant ] heard his
powerful steed laundering up behind,
and his voice shouting:
do not draw rein for me. Ride, ride!
You at least can make yourselves safe.
The very wind could not catch you"
I laughed gayly, and held Whitssock
at an easy gallop for a moment until he
came alongside. -.
what an action!" he said, III is the
keenest pleasure to see her four legs
move"
thought to myself that the move
ments of the Gwylliaid Cochion were
more to us at the moment than White
socks beautiful running: but Owains
pride was such that, though he was
straining every nerve to escape for the
sake Of his sister. yet he disdained the
idea OF allowing the fear OF them 70
fill his whole mind and speech.
His gray horse was galloping furious
ly, cutting out great sods from the soIt
turf and finging them In a shower be-
hind him. while OWain sat close down