Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-11-05

canyon where he was TO meet me. Up
downward into deeper and narrower
coulees and up to higher open sunht
slopes, till suddenly 1t settled into
wiley which began With gyeat width
and narrowed to a canyon whose rocky
sides were dressed out with shrubs and
trailing vines and wet with trickling
rsvulets from the numerous springs
that oosed and sushed from the black.
glstening rocks. This canyon was an
eerie place of which ghostIy tales were
told from the old Blackfoot times. And
to this day no Binekfoot will dare TO
pass through this black walled, ooHy.
gllstening canyon after the moon has
passed the western lip. But In the
warm light of broad day the canyon
was a good enough place. cool and
sweet, and 1 fingered through. waiting
for the Old Timer, who failed to APP
pear Till the shadows began to darkcn
its western black sides.
Out of tho mouth OF the canyon the
trail climbed to wide stretch of prairie
that swept up over soft bills TO the left
and down to the bright cleaning wa
ters of the Devils lake on the right
In the sunlight the lake lay Hike n gem
radiant with many colors, the far side
blnck in the shadow. OF the crowding
pines, them In the middle. deep. blue and
purple, and. nearer. many shades OF en-
erald that ran quite to the white sandy
beach. Right in front stood the ranch
buildings, upon a slight rising ground
and surrounded by sturdy palisade
of upright pointed poles. This was the
caetle of III" PRINCESS. | rode up TO the
open gate. then turned and stood to
look down upon the marvellous lake
shining and shimmering with its many
radiant colors. Suddenly there was an
awful roar, my pony shot round upon
his hind legs after his beastly cayuse
manner, deposited me sitting upon the
ground and fed down tho trail. pur-
sued by two huge dogs that brushed
past mo MS | fell was aroused from
my amaZrmont by peal of laughter,
ehrll, but full of music. Turning. |
saw my pupil. as 7 guessed. standing
at the head Of a most beautiful pinto
fspotted pony with n heavy cattle quirt
in her hand. scrambled to my feet
and said somewhat angrlly, fear:
What are you laughing at? Why
don't you call back your dogs? They
will chase my pony beyond all reach"
She lifted hor little head, shook back
hal Of 10 IL 4. nf
ar me as If | were quite beneath con
tempt and said. no, they will kill him
| Then" said /. for | was very angry
II Will kill thcm," pulling at the re
volrer in my belt.
Then" she said and for the irs,
time / noticed her eyes blue black, with
gray rims. II will kill YOU" and she
| whipped ont an ugly looking revolver
/ From her face | had no doubt that she
( would not hesitate to do as she had
said | changed my tactics. for was
anxious about my pony, and said, witt
| my best smile:
Cant you call them back? Wont
they obey youf"
Her face changed in a moment.
is it your pony? DO you love hin
very mucht'
Dearly" | said, persuading myself
| of sudden affection for the cranky
/ little brute.
She sprang upon her pinto and set of
down the trail The pony was now
coursing up and down the slopes
| doubling like a hare. instinctiyely
avoiding the canyon. where he would
! be cornercd. He was mad with terror al
the huge brutes that were silently but
! him down.
The girl on the pinto whlstlod shrlly
and called to her dog; Down. Wolf
| Back, Loo But, running low, with
! long, stretched bodies they needed not
| but sped Oh, ever gaining upon the
pony that now circlcd toward the pinto
As they drew near in their circling. the
/ girl urged her pinto to meet them
| looseuing her larat as she went. As
the pony neared the pinto he slackened
his speed; Immediately the nearer dog
gathered herself in two short jumps
|
oven as she sprspg, the lariat whirled
round the girls head and fell swift
and sure about the dogs neck, and next
moment she lay choking upon the
| prairie. Her mate paused, looked
! back and gave up The chase, But dire
vengeance overlook them. for, like one
possessed, the girl fell upon them with
| her quirt and bent them one after the
other till. in pity for the brutes. | in
| terposed.
"They shall do as | say or I shall
! Kill them. shall kill them" she cried
raging and stamping.
Better shoot them" suggested
pulling ont nay pistol.
Immediately she dung herself upon
the one that moHned and whined al
her feet crying;
IF you dare! II yon dare" Then
she burst into passionate sobbing
You bad Loo You bad, dear old Loo
But you were bad you know you were
badn And so she went on, with her
arms about Loo's neck till Loo. whin-
ing and quivering with love and de-
light, threatened to go quite mad, and
Wolf, standing majestcally near. broke
into short howls of impatience for his
| turn of caressing. They made strange
group. those three wild things, equa lily
fierce aud passionate III hate and in
love.