The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1906-07-11

ruthers drew a cigarette ease from his
pocket and aztec hunting carefully he
produced one match.
'"fhat IS the ouly one I have" he
said. Pray that it doesn't 70 out"
lie struck 1t on the box. The faint
flame wavered In the southeasterly
breeze, caught the end of tue cigarette
aud 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 It, and way
cring line Of Thin smoke slid like
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 it TO her. keep 1t aligbt and set
fire to the grass as far as you can
reach in II straight line facing the
north. Tive wind is from the southeast
and win 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 WIS
alert and sure in her touch as she
llnelt here and there in the grass and
fired IT, As the cigarette failed she
tore Il bunch of grass. tied it with an
other wisp and set 1t blazing like Il
torch. In another minute Il wall of
smoke and smoldering flame closed
them in from the rushing herd line
Come back" called Carruthers. The
herd were not "A quarter of Il mile from
them. lie could see the leaders. heads
down, and behind them line after line
of tossing horns.
"Will they reach uS?' whispered Rita
as she stood close beside him. her face
lifted 10 his.
"God knows: don't" said Carruth-
ers desperately. 1T is all we can do"
Jack. listen to ne" There was
new light in her dark eyes, new
sotteued tone To her voice. "Ramon
has done this. The herd has never
stampeded before. He has done 1t for
revenge upon you and me. Last night
| told him ne. know about him and
the claim he holds over the Fortuna
aud my father. but | would rather lose
II all than
"Fhan whatf' Carruthcrs let the
brides trail on the ground and held
her close in his arms. The tremble of
hundreds of heofs shook the ground,
the thunder grew louder. now and then
there came Il low, threatening below
from some steer gored by It's fellows in
the onrush
THAN lose You," Rita whispered as
she closed her eyes to meet what might
COME
The herd wis on them, but rs the
leaders caught the first sickening Whit
Of smoke they hesltated aud wayered.
Low lcaping tongues of flame flashed
up before them and rolls of smoke
curled upward.
| The leaders swerved westward. After
| them plunged the frightened herd, mad
dcued and scared at the smell of the
| fire The two horses, loosened, joined
them in the frantic Eallop and in less
than three minutes the danger bad
I IIaast,', 'sfss'- isssass-s3 --~
land stood Carrutlers and Rita alone.
'"Thc river will stop them" said Rita.
"Itamon know he has done this to
harm you. You must leave the ranch.
No one can say what he may do next"
Garruthcrs bent TO pick up something
from the ground. II was the stub of
Il cigarette. He placed 1t tendcrly and
carefully In his ease before he spoke.
II know what Ramon VIII do next,
sweetheart He will cross the border
into his own land tonight or else land
in the hands of the sheriff. | mean to
stay In Texas and there Is not room
for both Of us"
ION the Fortuna Z"
ION Our ranch" he said. Il bought
the Fortuna yesterday 10 make sure of
Ramon and of my seuorita."