Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-10-15
ron. over a near ridge came a small

from. Over a near ridge came q small
party, riding on ponies. They canter-
ed rapidly down the valley and 1euan
began to whistle softly through his
teeth. 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, Ieuan'sI
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.
I remained in ambush no longer.
Tucking my sword under 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 heard the mares name
called aloud twice in shrill female
voice. They were on smooth stretch
before me, and l had them clear
against the Sky down to their horses
fetlocks. I saw the man who had seized
Whitesock leap into the saddle and urge
her forward, and saw the swift end
she made of his attempt to carry her
off. Snorting with rage, she bounded
to and fro, swinging her luckless rider
right and left, springing high from the
ground, and with her four heels gath
cred in bunch and her back arched
like a bow, she did her utmost to UNI
seat him.
But for while he chung to the sad
die, for these mountain people ride al
most before they walk. Then she put
down her head and dartcd forward at
an incredible speed was now not Far
away. and heard her unhappy captors
loud laugh as he felt her shoot stead
lily away and thought that he had mas
tered her.
Pausing. 1 collected all my breath
and gave the whistle Whitesock knew.
She slowed round instantly, and flew
toward me. Confused shouts arose
from the party. and heard the cry of
"Ieuan-Gwyllt." and ~ Gwylliaid Co
chion," and as Whitesock came swift
ly on. the bunch of riders secured away
over the hill toward Nant-yBryn.
AS they went caught for an instant
the fluttcr of female garments, but it
was a 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 and
denly she stopped dead, just as lie
reached to shorter grip of the reins.
He must have eased the clutch of his
knees in doing SO. for at that full
pause he shot from the saddle like q
stone from catapult. Turning twice
In the air, he fell, at moment when
his body was as straight as bar.
square across a hog backed boulder
near at hand.
There was sharp crack, as of n
breaking stick. and his head struck the
rock with heavy thud. He gave one
cry. and threw out his hands, then
neither spoke nor stirred again, but
hung as limp as scarf, his heels
dangling on the one side and his head
on the other.
stood for an istant on guard, but
seeing no signs of his companions COM
ing to his aid or to attack me, ran to
his side. l drew him down from the
boulder and laid him on the grass, but
glance sufllced to show that no aid
could avail him. He was quite dead.
The knife edged rock had broken his
back as man snaps rotten twig, and
he had paid his life as the price of that
short, fierce ride. knew him at once.
1t was the man who had smitten White
sock across the face with the bucket.
A pony came galloping at top speed
and sprang to arms. but dropped my
sword point instantly. 1t was Ieuan.
and laughing as he rode.
(COntfnued Next Weekly