Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-09-05

above the mouth OF the glen, az IL
a fingers touch would topple II over,
and, as / looked, I saw Il rock and
sway against the sky. Then I gave a
cry OF JOY. for the mouth Of the mar
row valley, set between two portals
Owain echoed my cry with a louder and
shriller one.
Draw rein!" he screamed. Hold!
Hold" Instinctively 1 obeyed him, and
Whttesock fell back upon her launches.
Nothing but her ready obedience saved
US. Looking up. my throat became dry
with terror at the fate which seemed
to hang over us. With dull, horrible
thuds, the great boulder was leaping
down the steep grassy slope. AS II
came II twirled n spun, glancing q
little on one side or the other as Il
pitched on the faces set at various
angles Terrific as was It's speed, II
seemed to me an endless time In fall
Ing. Its bounds and twistings rave II
another character from that OF a rude
~insensate block Of stone. 1t seemed a
great formless monste leaping down
Upon us, and calculating every RI
cochet to include us In its path.
A group OF graceful young mountain
ashes stood in It's way; 1t sprang upon
them and blotted them from the noun
tain side. Unused to judging such
things, its course seemed to me to be
laid directly for us; and only Owain's
swift command to stand still kept me
chained to the spot. With a crash that
shook the earth under our feet, the
mighty rock leaped into the mouth Of
the glen not a dozen yards before us,
made one clumsy bound up the farther
bank, then dropped heavily back, block
ing the path from side to side.
I'VE are shut in" cried Owain.
shut I'M" / laughed, and begged
Miss Vaughan to cling firmly to me.
l picked Whitesock up and sent her at
the great sprawling stone. She took
half a dozen tremendous strides. threw
her ears forward, rose to the leap.
and cleared the boulder without a
touch; flying through the air as light
ly and dropping on her feet as lightly
and easily as though she knew that we
In the saddle needed all that she could
do to help us. l turned my head and
saw Owain dismounted, and scrambling
over after US. He kicked off his riding
boots and began to run like a deer.
Our enemies were running, too, and,
glancing up the hill, l saw one OF them
already near enough to poise a spear.
l touched Whitesock and away she
darted, just in time, as the spear
whizzed at my back.
- SNA6S " W iVaNllCA olIA
with that assistance ran faster still.
He was In his stockings, but the grass
was like velvet. / drew a pistol and
fired q shot almost at random. 1t
served, however, to check the pursuit,
and soon we were travelling over a wide
down, where, wen in the falling light,
we could not easily be approached.
You have left our horse" l said.
Yes" replied Owain. He RUNS we'll
but Is no jumper. 1 saw there was
nothing else for II after the swallow
fashion in which your mare went over.
But wha Is that? Some one Is riding
after U.s."
He reached up to my nearest holster
and took a pistol, then turned and
peered through the dusk. l laid my
hand on my sword, for the other pistol
was empty, but Owain began to laugh.
IT am In luck" aid he, for / have
no boots, and within five minutes we
shall be on the stones"
AS he spoke, up galloped Ends pony,
neighing for Joy TO see It's friends once
more.
However could 1t pass that block
when the tall horse refused the leap?'
l asked.
Scramble over like a cat" said
Owain, leaping into the saddle;
these are the cleverest little crea
lures that run on four legs"
We trotted rapidly on again, and
within half an hour were safely back
ct Plas Nant.
CONTINUED Next Week.)