Bridgeton pioneer., 1906-08-02

their strength they will not trampie
u.s."
But Carruthers had slipped from the
saddle.
1T is sure death to try to ride with
them" he answered. "Dismount and
DO as tell you"
The stern masterfulness of his tone
startled her. He had never spoken
like that to her; no one had
Hold the horses" he ordered She
obeyed, watching him in breath!ess ST.
lence. The brown cloud on the prairie
was becoming more and more dis
tinct. There was a heavy, low rumble
In the air like far off thunder. Car
ruthers drew a cigarette case from his
pocket, and after hunting carefully he
produced one match
'That is the only one l have" lie
said. "Pray that it doesn't go out"
He struck it on the box. The faint
fame wavered in the southeasterly
breeze caught the end of the cigarette
and lit it. Before the match went out
Carruthers smelled it and set fire to
the grass. 1t was dry and yellow from
the sun and caught the blaze with a
snap. The wind famed 1t, and a way
ering line of thin smoke slid like a
snake along the roots for several feet.
The horses reared and kicked at the
first whiff. and Carruthers seized the
brides from the girl
Take the cigarette" he said, hand
ing it to her. Keep it alight and set
fire to the grass as far as you can
reach in straight line facing the
north. The wind is from the southeast
and will blow the fire toward the herd
1t may turn them"
Holding the plunging, trembling
horses, he watched her. There was no
fear, no sign of weakness. She was
alert and sure in her touch as she
knelt here and there in the grass and
fred it. As the cigarette failed she
tore bunch of grass, tied it with an
other wisp and set it blazing like
torch. IN another minute wall of
smoke and smoldering fame closed
them in from the rushing herd line.
"Come back" called Carruthers. The
herd We're not a quarter of mile from
them He could see the leaders, heads
down. and behind them line after line
of tossing horns.
''Will they reach us?" whispered Rits
as she stood close beside him, her face
lifted to his.
God knows; I don't" said Carruth-
ers desperately. 1T is all we can do"
"Jack, listen to me-" There was
new light in her dark eyes, a new
softened tone to her voice Ramon
has done this. The herd has never
stampeded before. He has done it for
revenge upon you and me. Last night
I told him no. l know about him and
the claim he holds over the Fortuna
and my father, but I would rather lose
it all than
'Than what?" Carruthers let the
brides trail on the ground and held
her close in his arms. The tremble of
hundreds of hoofs shook the ground,
the thunder grew louder, now and then
there came low, threatening below
from some steer gored by its fellows in
the onrush.
''Than lose you,' Rita whispered as
she closed her eyes to meet what might
come.
The herd was on them, but as the
leaders caught the first sickening Whit
of smoke they hesitated and wavered
Low leaping tongues of flame flashed
up before them and rolls of smoke
curled upward.
The leaders swerved westward. After
them plunged the frightened herd, mad
dened and scared at the smell of the
fire. The two horses, loosened, Joined
them in the frantic gallop, and in less
than three minutes the danger had
passed, and on the blackened bit of
land stood Carruthers and Rita alone.
1.-The river will stop them," said Rita.
"Ramon-I know he has done this to
harm you You must leave the ranch
No one can say what he may do next"
Carruthers bent to pick up something
from the ground. 1t was the stub of
a cigarette. He placed it tenderly and
carefully in his case before he spoke
81 know what Ramon will do next.
sweetheart. He will cross the border
into his own land tonight or else land
in the hands of the sheriff. 1 mean to
stay in Texas, and there is not room
for both of u.s."
'On the Fortuna y
"On our ranch" he said 81 bought
the Fortuna yesterday to make sure of
Ramon and of my senorita."
He Didn't Lie,