Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-11-20

| SO 6tlTTeO. 1uc luucIitCu hChAoAy Va
countless desert raids made by his
Arab ancestors was doing Its work.
For what seemed long time this con-
tinued, and then in the midst Of the
blind and frenzied race there loomed
out of the thick air, as IL it had ap-
peared by magic, the opposing line.
Pasha caught glimpse Of something
which seemed like heaving wall Of
tossing heads and Of foam whitened
necks and shoulders. Here and there
cleaned red, distended nostrils and
straining eyes. Bending above was an.
other wall, wall Of dusty blue coats,
Of grim faces and Of dust powdered
hats. Bristling above all was threat.
ening crest Of waving blades.
What would happen when the lines
met? Almost before the query W
thought there came the answer. WI /
an earth jarring crash they came to-
gether. The lines wavered back from
the shock of impact and then the whole
struggle appeared to Pasha to center
about him. OF course this was not So
But 1t was a fact that the most con
spicuous figure in either line had be-
that of the cream white charger In Il
very center of the Black Horse reg'.
ment.
For one confused moment Pasha
heard about his ears the whistle and
clash Of sabers, the spiteful crackle OF
small arms, the snorting of horses and
the cries Of men. For an instant he
was wedged tightly in the frenzied
mass, and then by one desperate leap,
such as he had learned on the hunting
field, he shook himself clear.
Not until some minutes later did
Pasha notice that the stirrups were
dangling empty and that the bride
rein hung loose OH his neck. Then he
knew that at last he was free from
Mars Clayton. At the same time he
felt himself seized by an Overpowering
dread. While conscious Of guiding
hand on the reins Pasha had abandon
ed himself to the fierce JOY OF the
charge. But now, finding himself
riderless in the midst of horrid din,
he knew not what to do or which way
to turn. His only impulse was to es.
cane. But where? Lifting high his
fine head and snorting with terror, he
rushed about. first this way and then
that, frantically seeking way out OF
this fog filed field Of dreadful pande-
monium. Now he swerved In his
course to avoid charging squad, now
he was turned aside by prone objects
at sight of which he snorted fearfully.
Although the blades still rang and the
carbiues still spoke, there were no
more to be seen either lines or order.
Here and there in the dust clouds sour
ried horses, some with riders and some
without, by twOs, by fours or in squads
of twenty or more. The sound OF
shooting and slashing and shouting
filed the air.
10 Pasha it seemed an eternity that
he had been tearing about the field
when he SHE'D at the figure OF man
sitting Oh the ground. Pasha was
about to wheel and dash away when
the man called to him. Surely the
tones were familiar. With wide open.
smiling nostrils and trembling knees.
Pasha stopped and looked hard at the
man OH the ground.
"Pasha! Pasha" the man called
weakly. The voice sounded like that
of Mr.. Dave.
Come. boy! Come, boy" said the
man in a coaxing tone, which recalled
to Pasha the lessons he had learned at
Gray Oaks years before. Still Pasha
shifted and hesitated.
Come here, Pasha, old fellow. For
Gods sake, come here!"
There was no resisting this appeal.
Step by step Pasha went nearer. He
continued to tremble, for this man on
the ground. although his voice was that
of Mr.. Dave, looked much different
from the one who had taught him
tricks. Besides, there was about him
the scent of fresh blood. Pasha could
see the stain Of it on his blue trousers.
"Come, boy. Come, Pasha," insisted
the man OH the ground, holding out an
encouraging hand. Slowly Pasha obey
ed until he could sniff the mans fin
gers. Another step and the man was
smoothing his nose, still speaking gent
ly and coaxingly in u faint voice. In
the end Pasha was assured that the
man was really the Mr.. Dave Of old,
and glad enough Pasha was to know
It.
"Now. Pasha," said Mr.. Dave, "we'll
see il you've forgotten your tricks, and
may the good Lord grant you haven't.
Down, sir! Kneel, Pasha, kneel"
1t had been long time since Pasha
had been asked to do this. a very long
time; but here was Mr.. Dave asking
him in just the same tone as Of old
and in just the same way. So Pasha,
forgetting his terror under the soothing
spell of Mr.. Dawes voice, forgetting
the fearful sights and sounds about
him, remembering only that here was
the Mr.. Dave whom he loved, asking
him to do his old trick-well, Pasha
knelt.
Easy now, boy; steady" Pasha
heard him say. Mr.. Dave was now
dragging himself along the ground to
Pasha's side. STEADY now, Pasha;
steady, boyw He felt Mr.. Dawes hand
on the pommel. 5000. boy; so-o-o-o!
Slowly, oh, 80 slowly, he felt Mr.. Dave
crawling into the saddle, and although
Pasha's knees ached from the unfamil.
lar strain he stirred not muscle until
he got the command, "Up. Pasha. up"
Then, with a trusted hand on the
bride rein, Pasha joyfully bounded
away through the fog until the battle.
field was left behind. OF the long ride
that ensued only Pasha knows. for Mr..
Dave kept his seat in the saddle more
by force of muscular habit than any
thing else. A man who has learned to
sleep on horseback does not easily fall
of, even though he has not the full
command Of his senses. Only for the
first hour or so did Pasha's rider do
much toward guiding their course. In
hunting horses, however, the sense Of
direction Is strong. Pasha had it-es'
pecially for one point Of the compass.
This point was south. So, unknowing
of the possible peril into which he
| might be taking his rider, south he