Bradford County telegraph., 1906-08-03
neir strength they will no, trom,,s

tneir strength they will not trample
But Carruthers had Slipped from the
saddle.
at IL sure death TO try 10 ride with
,bem," be answered "psmouu, and
do as tell you"
The stern masterfulness Of his tore
startled her. He had never sno,rn
IKE that to her; no one had
"HoId the horses" be- ordered she
obcyed, watching him in brcathlcss 81.
,ence. The brown cloui on the rr,iri,
was becoming more ami more dis.
t,nct. There was heavy. low rumble
In the air like far of thunder car
ruthers drew a cigarette ease from his
nocket and after huntnl carefully he
nroduced one match.
"That il the only one | have" hc
| said. "Pray that 1t doesn't 20 out"
lie struck 1t on the box The faint
anme wavered In the Souihcastcrly
breexe. caught the end of the cigarette
and lit II. Before the match went out
Carruthers smelled II anu 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 way.
prinR line Of thin smoke slid like Il
snake along the roots for several feet
| The horses reared and kicked n, III,
| first whif, and Carruthers seized tn,
brides from the girl.
take the cigarette" he said hand
Ing It to her. keep 1t alight and ST
FIRE to the grass as far as you cal
reach in a straight line facing tn
north. The wind Is from the southcas
and will blow the fire toward the herd
1t may turn them"
Holding the plunginc, trcmblin
horses. he watched her. There was n
: fear, no sign Of weakness She VA
] alert and sure In her touch as sh
J. knelt here and there In the grass IN
D Ared II, As the cigarette failed 81
{ tore a bunch Of grass. tied II with a
other wisp and set II blazing Ike
= torch. In another minute wall
j. smoke and smoldering fame clos'
= them in from the rushing herd line.
+ "Come back" called Carruthers. IT
herd were not a quarter OF mile fro
J. them. He could see the leaders, hea
down. and behind them line after II
r, Of tossing horns.
d "Will they reach usf" whispered II
o as she stood close beside him. her ia
II lifted to his.
- God knows: I don't" said Carru
ID ers desperately. 1T is all We can do
ID Jack, listen to me-" There was
o, new light In her dark eyes, N
III softened tone to her voice Ran
Or has done this. The herd has ne
~ stampeded before. He has done 1t
revenge upon you and me. Last MI
d. I told him no. I know about him
d. the claim he holds over the Fort'
- and my father, but l would rather
~ II all than
% Than what2" Carruthers let
ID brides trail on the ground and /
We her close In his arms. The trembl'
- hundreds of hoofs shook the gr0l
~ the thunder grew louder. now and
,m there came a low, threatening bel
' n0 from some steer gored by its fellow
- the onrush.
W Than lose you," Rita whispered
:, she closed her eyes to meet what u
- come.
The herd was on them, but as
.. leaders caught the first sickening "
Of smoke they hesitated and wave
~. Low leaping tongues Of hame MAJ
nj up before them and rolls OF sn
curled upward.
ION The leaders swerved westward. A
a. them plunged the frightened herd.
,or. deued and scared at the smell OF
nm. fre. The two horses, lOosened, "
NO them In the frantic gallOp. and III
M. than three minutes the danger
passed. and on the blackened b'
tilt land stood Carruthers and Rita alo
lita "The river will stop them said
veil "Ramon-I know he has done I'd
her harm you. You must leave the ~
the
He