The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1904-12-14

rode on, as outwardly calm and un-
concerned as if the Unlocking MeXi-
can were no more to be feared than
the most harmless hare that ever found
shelter in the tangled mezQuite.
Bertha glanced anXiously at the
dark foliage within which he had dis
appealed, and said, in low tone:
Lets go back, Annette Did you
notice the peculiar expression of his
| little beady, black eyes? He intends
us no good, l feel sure of it, and GER
| tainly he cnvies YOU the possession of
| Selim."
| Perhaps we had better return, III
| though L hate to show the white fcath-
er within three miles of my brothers.
regiment" reluctantly asscutcd the
majors sister, bringing her horse to Il
| standstill.
Hector turned willingly about, but
| Sclim was nervous. ana did not obey
so readily. While his young rider was
| coaXing him into submission she was
startled by Il quick, alarmed cry from
| Bertha:
Good heavens, Annette, we are sur
roundedr'
1t was true. \ dozen McXicanS stood
| between Annette and Bertha, complete
| ly cutting off Annettc's retreat to
| Brownsville.
| Annette instantly comprehended the
peril OF her position, and the motive
which induced the low browed rascals
| TO make her their victim instead of
| Bertha.
Ride back TO town. she cried. "Ride
back as fast as ever you can! It's Selim
| they want. III make n run for the
| open prairie; it is my only chance for
| lifc.'
In q second the gray was dashing
for Brownsville, followed by a jeering
laugh from the McXicans, who did not
attempt TO stay its progress.
Annette Shook the rein, and. with
free head, Sclim few down the mar
row road.
The MeXicars, as she we'll knew. had
their tough little ponies concealed near
by, and were soon il hot pursuit of
the flying girl.
Her heart grew faint within her
when she saw the deadly lariat coilcd,
ready for instant use, at each saddle
bow, knowing, as she did, the dcXtrri
" Of the murdcrOus haRds that used it
with such fatal effect.
"Thc wretches mean to steal you,
Selim," she whispered. as if the ami
NAL could understand her words: "but
they shall not, for you shall die un-
der my weight before I'll see YOU be.
come prisoner to such cruel cap
tOrsw
Just as she ceased speaking Sclim
gave q tremendous bound 10 one side.
At the same moment sharp whizzing
sound was heard close to her ear, and
something that felt like the lash of
whip Gra&ed her cheek.
y Spanish curse Immediately there
after, mingled with the Gathering of
hoof beats. telling the dauntlcss girl
that through the timely shying of her
horse the laSsO had missed its mark.
The noble creature recovered its feet
in an instant, ana came to the road as
straight as an arrow, and Mt n speed
that sent the chaparral whirlng by,
mass Of indistiguishablc foliage.
"Do your best, Selmw she urged.
"Its death behind; the river and safe
ty before"
But Selim was doing his best Every
muscle that like n network veincd his
dripping neck and breast stood out
like whipcords, attcsting the desperate
effort lie was making to distance his
bloodthirsty purSuers, yet the fleet
hoofs did not falter. On they sped un-
til they struck the prairie.
Five miles OF grassy level broke sud
denly into view. and the gallant horse
bounded at hcadlong speed on the open
plain.
But there new danger menaced
tile brave girl. Her pursuers Separat-
ed to the right and left, with the evi-
dent intention OF surrounding their
helpless victim and making her an
easy prey before she could reach the
river.
still cool and seIf-possessed An
nette caught up her heavy riding skirt
to ease as much as possible the labor
ing lungs and foaming flank of her
now painting steed. She felt him
Straining at every nerve, and with |
hand and voice she strove to cheer |
him on.
The heat, which was Killing the finer
animal, had little effect or shc horses |
Of the foe. They could not match the |
the advance so far as to defy the dread |
lariat, but the hardy, long haired pom
les OF the MeXicans were natives OF |
the soil. and did not greatly mind the |
sultry atmosphere, or the suffocating |
clouds of dust which arose. gray and |
binding, before them
Rowclcd on by their fierce riders. |
they kept steadily in pursuit. appar-
cntly not much the worse for their
long race. while poor Sclim'S wide |
open mouth was dropping foam at |
every step, ana his smoking sides quiv- !
ering painfully under Annettc's Slight |
weight
An abrupt turn in the road, near Mt
hand, would bring them in sight OF the |
Half Way House. Five minutes more |
and they would be safe But alas! |
where she had hoped to find safety |
gt DO