The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-10-30
CHAPTER XIX.
ENrANaLEMENTs

ENTANaLEMENTS
two men who had followed IA
from the mountain fastnesB Of the
Gwylliaid Cochion were no longer with
us. They had received orders from
Ieuan to hold the place under sur.
VIGILANCE from different points, and
had gone to their posts.
X we were passing the hilltop boulders
on u return to the hut when a sound
OF voices came On h wind. We slipped
IN among the huge stones and looked
out for the speakers.
The sun was now below the hills, but
n scloudless evening sky was filled
With a clear, frosty light OF palest SAT-
iron. Over Q near ridge came a small
party, riding Of ponies. They eanter-
ed rapidly down the valley and Ieuan
began to whistle softly through his
teeth. I understood his fear, and hoped
with all my heart thai the horses In the
hut would keep quiet. But no. AS
the new comers drew near, Ieuan's
down n ran into the place. We
heard from the distance his loud cry
OF surprise, and within the instant he
was out again. leading Whitesock.
1 remained in ambush no longer.
Trucking my sword under my arm. I
a 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 shrill female
voice. They were on a smooth stretch
before me, n I had them clear
against the sky down to their horses
fetlocks. l saw the man who had seized
Whitesock leap into the saddle and urge
her forward, and I saw the swift end
she made OF his attempt to carry her
Off. Snorting with rage, she bounded
~ - q n n 4FrnE rxyf o{n - - y. -
right and left, springing high from the
ground, and, with her four heels gath
cred in a bunch and her back arched
like a bow, she did her utmost to UNI
seat him.
But for a while he chung to the sad
ole, for these mountain people ride al
most before they walk. Then she put
down her head and darted forward at
an incredible speed. / was now not far
away, and heard her unhappy captor'a
Q laugh as he felt her shoot stead
lily away and thought that he had mas
tered her.
Pausing,. I collected all my breath
and gave the whistle Whttesock knew.
She slowed round instantly. and flew
toward me. Confused shouts arose
from the party, and I heard the cry Of
'ieuan Gwyllt." and ~ Gwylliatd Co.
chton,' and. as Whitesock came swift
.ly on. the bunch OF riders coured away
over the hill toward Nant-y-Bryn.
AS they went Icaught for an instant
the futter 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 h stopped dead. just as he
reached to a 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 a catapult Turning twice
In the air. he fell, at a moment when
his body was as straight as a bar,
square across q hog-backed boulder
near at hand.
There was q sharp crack, as Of a
breaking stick. and his head struck the
rock with a heavy thud. He gave one
cry, and threw out his hands, then
neither spoke nor stirred again, but
hung as limp as a scarf, his heels
dangling or the one side and his head
on the other.
1 stood for an istant on guard, but
seeing no signs of his companions COM
Ing to his aid or to attack me-, I iran to
his side. I drew him down from the
boulder and laid him on the grass, but
a glance sufaced to, show that no aid
could avail him. He was quite dead.
The knife edged rock had broken his
back as a man snaps a rotten twig, and
he had paid his life as the price Of that
short, fierce ride. I knew him at once.
It was the mar who had smitten White
sock across the face with the bucket.
A pony came galloping at top speed
and I sprang to arms, but dropped my
sword point instantly. It was Ieuan,
and laughing as he rode. ss
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