The Somerset reporter., 1906-07-19

pocket, and after hunting carefully he
produced one match.
That Is the only one | have" be
said. Pray that it doesn't go out"
He struck it on the box The faint
flame wayercd IN the southeasterly
breeze, caught The end of the cigarette
and lit it. Before the match went out
Carruthers smeled it and set fire to
the grass It WIS dry and yellow from
the sun and caught the blaze with
snap. The wind famed it, and Il way
erng line of thin smoke Slid like u
snake along the roots for several feet
The horses reared and kicked at the
first Whit. and Carruthers seized the
brides from the girl
Take the cigarette" he said, hand
ing 1t to her. Keep 1t alight aud set
fire to the grass as far as you can
reaeh in a 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
fired it. As the cigarette failed she
tore a bunch of grass, tied it with an
other wsp and set 1t blazing like a
torch. In another minute wall of
smoke and Smolderlng flame closed
them in from the rushing herd line.
Come back" called Carruthers. The
herd were not a quarter of mile from
them. He could see the leaders, heads
down. and behind them line after line
of tossing horns.
Twill they reach us?' whispered Rita
as she stood close beside him, her face
lifted to his.
God knows l don't" said Carruth-
ers desperately. 1T is all we can do
Jack. listen to me-" There was a
new light in her dark eyes, 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. | know about him and
the claim he holds over the Fortuna
and my father but l would rather lose
it all than
THAN whatf' 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 n 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.
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
/ Il 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. l mean to
stay in Texas. and there is not room
/ for both of US"
! Ion the Fortuna :"
ION our ranch" he said. 81 bought
/ Ramon and of my senOrita."