The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-10-16
CHAPTER XIX.
ENTANCIEMENTS

ENTANGLEMENTS.
The two men who had followed u,
from the mountain fastness of the
cwyrlisid Cochion were no longer with
US. They a received orders from
Ieuan to hold the place under sur
VIGILANCE from different points, and
had gone to their posts.
We were passing the hilltop boulders
on our return to the hut when a sound
of voices came on the wind. We slipped
out for the speakers.
The u was now below the hills, but
The evening sky was filed
with q clear, frosty light of paiest SAT-
from Over q near ridge came a small
party, riding on ponies. They canter-
Cd rapiaiy down the valley n Ieuan
began to whistle softly through his
teeth. l understood his fear. and hoped
with all my heart that the horses in the
hut would keep quiet But no. AS
the new corners drew near. 1euan's
steed neighed shrilly. A man sprang
down and ran into the place. We
heard from the distance his loud cry
of surprise, and within the instant he
was out again. leading Whitesock.
/ remained in ambush nc longer.
Tucktng my sword unde my ARM, L
ran as fast as my heavy riding boots
would allow me down the slope.
Loud cries burst from the riders. and
among them I heard the mares name
called aloud twice in q shril female
voice. They were on q smooth stretch
before me, and I had them clear
against h sky down to their horses
fetlccks. I saw the man who had seized
WhftsSock leap into the saddle and urge
her forward. and I saw the swift end
she made Of his attempt to carry her
of Snorting with rage, h bounded
to and fro, swinging her luckless rider
right and left, s%prfnging high from the
ground, and. with her four heels gath
cred in 8 bunch and her back arched
like & bow, she did her utmost TO I'M
seat hin.
But for a while he chung to the sad
die, for these mountain people ride al
most before they walk. Then she put
down her head and darted forward at
an Incredible speed. I was now not far
away, and heard her unhappy captor's
loud laugh Us he felt her Shoot stead
ty away and. thought that he had mas
tered her.
Pausing, I collected all my breath
n & V the whistle Nhitesock knew.
She slowed round instantly. and flew
toward me. Confused shouts arose
from the party, and 1 heard the cry OF
"Ieuan Gwyllt,' and " Gwyliaid Co
chion," and, as Whitesock came swift
" on. the bunch OF riders secured away
over the hill toward Nant-y-Bryn.
AS they went I caught for an instant
the futter of female garments. but it
was q mere glimpse, and my attention
was at once drawn to the play nearer at
hand The rider was struggling fur
iously, but TO no effect, for the mare
had the bit between her teeth n
there was no holding her. Sud
denly h stopped dead, just as ne
reached to q shorter grip OF the reins.
He must have eased the clutch OF his
I knees in OFfrE Sl ypys ar that fr,7I
pause he shot from the saddle like &
stone from a catspult Turning twice
in the air. he fell, at a moment when
his body was as straight as g bar.
square cross a hog-baCked boulder
near at hand.
There was e sharp crack, as of q
breaking stick. and his head struck the
rock with G heavy thud He gave one
=, and threw out his hands, then
neither spoke nor stirred again, but
hung as i.rnp as e scarf, his heels
dangling On the one side and his head
on the other.
] stood for al tstant On guard. hut
seeing no signs Of his companions COM
ing to his aid or to attack me / ran to
his side. I drew him down from the
boulder and laid him On the grass, but
6 glance sufficed to show that no aid
could avail him. He was quite dead.
The knife edged rock had broken his
back as g MAJ snaps q rotten twig, and
he had paid his life as the price OF that
short fierce ride. I knew him at once.
II was the rnan who had snlitten White
sock across the IA with the bucket.
A pony carss gelloping at top speed
and l sprang TO but dropped my
sword point instantly. It was Ieuan,
and laughing IS he rode.
tCo1rrued Next WeeE.)
..a 4 eg#