The Washington times., 1905-03-12
CHAPTER VII.
The Ean on the White Horse.

As the pony fell to her knees Sanford.
who had turned in his saddle to FIRE at
his pursuers. went over her head and
Toiled some yards in front OF her.
ms undoubtedly saved his life for at
the instant the pony went down half a
uozen bullets were fired at the spot
where he had been but an instant before.
One OF these struck the pony's head as
she tried to rise to her feet, and after
two or three Intellectual struggles she
sank down dead.
When Sanford recovered from Ills fan
he crawled in the direction OF hisaponv.
behind whom he crouehed, using the an
1n1aI as q bodygpard
The attacking party was coming on
with a rush. They were yelling like
heEsds as they fired their revolyers.
Sanford, from his position behind the
dead pony. rapidly reloaded his revolver
and returned the IRE. But it was a very
uneven fight.
He knew that he must soon be shot or
captured. and he could but guess his fate
IN the latter event He realized now the
kind OF men he had to deal with In Hart
and Rawiisls.
He could not doubt that It was their
purpose 10 put him out of the vav-if
not permanently. at least until they
could accomplish the urpose that
: brought them to the Indian country.
And while he thought, he did not eea Sc
TO fire At the encoTning horsernen
He had again exhausted the charges
IN his pistol, and his enemies were close
upon him. Lower he crouched behind
the dead pony.
He could hear the tflud of the bullets
as they struck its body, but he was as
yet unframed
Suddenly out Of the darkness behind
him he heard q wild yell. and the thun-
der Of galioping horses He saw the
dark mass of men that had but an in
slant before been charging upon him
suddenly sweTve 10 che right.
From behind appeared another band of
horsemera, and the darkness was
stgeakad with the flashes of their pis-
tol shots, which rang out In a volIey.
At this instant a heavy cloud that had
ooscnred the moon rolled away, and the
prairie was suddenly flooded with bril-
lianky- In the clear air every object
was visible.
Sanford rose to his feet and watched
the progress OF the battle between the
two bands OF horsemen, for he was
coon able to distinguish his enemies
from his rescuers.
When he had been awakened and
stopped On the road. he had noticed that
horse. This he now followed with his
eyes.
At first 1t led off to the right, as If in
retreat, followed by the others OF the
band, and pursued at a. very short dis
lance by the unknown but very welcome
newcomers, who were shouting and
shooting as they ran.
With a suddenness that was start
ling. the white horse wheeled again and
faced the pursuing party. There was a
rapid exchange OF shots. and the con-
ditions of affairs were reversed. The
pursuers were now being pursued.
As they rushed past him, Sanford saw
that they were reIoadtng their revolt
vers from their cartridge belts, every
man bent far over in his saddle TO leave
as small a mark as possible Tor the fly
ing bullets.
Then he knew that this alternative
pursuit and flight was only rnaneuver
followed by both sides to give them time
TO replenish their empty weapons.
The action OF these fighting men Of
the prairie was incredibly swift They
charged. wheeled, retreated, circlcd.
wheeled and charged again. now In
masses. the next instant in open order.
Sanford watched the scene as tt fas-
cinated Once or twice. as his enemies
passed close 10 him, he could not resist
the temptation 10 shoot at them bat
bis bullets did not seem Ia have much
effect. They were riding too rapidly IN
the uncertain light for accurate marks
manss1ip-
as they passed again he saw one of his
enemies reel In the saddle. and grasp
the pornTnei - keep from being thrown.
His horse, without guiding hand on
the rein, left the party and galloped
off 10 the west
The rescuing party evidently had the
best Of the fight by this time. for The
others returned to the attack with less
determination and their shots were less
frequent Sanford correctly surmised
that they were running out of arnmuni-
ten
Tie man on the white horse was ut
terry reckless. He was everywhere. yell
Ing ike mailman. now encouraging.
now eursing his followers
He seemed To be possessed of a
charmed life. for most OF the fire Of the
opposing party was being directed AT
him. yet he was never struck