Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-09-03
above the mouth of the glen, as If
fingers touch would toppe 1t over.

ABOVE the NOUN OF the glen, as II
fingers touch would topple it over,
and, as I looked, l saw 1T rock and
sway against the sky. Then / gave s
cry of JOY, for the mouth of the mar
row valley, set between two portals
Of rock appeared close before u.s. but
Owain echoed my cry with a louder and
shriller one.
DRAW rein!" he screamed Hold.
Hold.' InstinctiS-ely obeyed him, and
WhitesoclS 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 it
came 1t twirled and spun, glancing a
little On one side or The other as 1t
pitched on the faces set at various
angles Terrific as was its speed. 1t
seemed to me an endless time in fall
ing. Its bounds and twistings gave it
another character from that of rude
insensate block of stone. II seemed q
great formless monster 'eaping down
upon us, and calculating every ri
cochet to include us in its path.
a group of graceful young mountain
ashes stood in its way; 1t sprang upon
them and blotted them from the noun
tain side. Unused TO judging such
things. its course seemed To me to he
laid directly for us; and only Owains
chained to the spot. Witha crash that
Shook the earth under our feet. the
mighty rock leaped into thu mouth of
the glen not a dozen yards before us,
made one clumsy bound up the farther
bank, then dropped heavily bac1, BLOCK
ing the path from side to side.
We are shut In" cried 0waln
shut i'm, | laughed and begged
Miss Vaughan to cling firmly to me.
l picked Nhitesocls UP and sent her at
the great sprawlina stone. SHE took
half dozen tremendous strides, threw
her ears forward, rose to the leap.
and cleared the boulder without q
touch; flying through the air rs light
~ 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. / turned my head ana
saw Owain dismounted, and scrambling
over after us He kicked off his riding
boots and began to run like a deer.
Our enemies We're running too, and,
glancing up the hill. / saw one OF them
already near enough to poise a spear.
| touched Whtesocl and away she
darted, just in time, as the spear
whizzed at my back.
Owain seized a stirrup leather and
with that assistance ran faster still.
He was in his stockings, but the grass
WAS like velvet. | drew pistol and
fired shot almost at random 1t
served, however, to check the pursuit,
and soon we We're travelling over wide
down. where, even in the falling light,
we could not easily he approached.
You have left your HORSE I said.
Yes" replied Owain. .iie runs Well
but is no jumper. [ saw thcre MAS
nothing else for 1t after tho swallow
fashion In which Your mare went over.
But what is that? Some one is riding
after u.s.
He reached up to my nearest holster
and took u pistol, then turned and
peered through the dusk. / laid my
hand on my sword. for the other pistol
was empty, but Owain began To laugh.
II am in luck" said he. for haze
no boots, and within five minutes we
shall be on the stones.
AS he spoke. up galloped Ends pony,
neighing for joy to see its friends once
more.
However could ii pass that block
when the tall horse refused the leap?'
| asked.
Scramble over like 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 We're safely back
at Plas Nant.
Continued Next Week.)