The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-10-01

Aisi AHt WV ~ atAaA takkAfN FN"N'
permitted
The lSai 81 a horses boots could 10
heard quite distinctly IN the nad
ahead u them The road unded
downward aud The strata % the rs
cent was marked Ia the approaching
animals walk In moucut the ghrvc
men heard the horses quick snort ~
satisfaction as II reached leveleE
ground Then. sceniing the other All.
mails. It threw up It's bead aud nelghed
shrilly
In the dusk Of starlight Durand saw
zmai dismount and felt the Seryian's
biz. rough hand touch his In passing
the bride o. his horse
"Naitp said the seryian.
The horse % the unknown paused,
nclghed again and refused 20 50 far
Their. A mans deep voice encouraged
/ him In low tones The horses OF
Chauyenet's party danced about rest.
lessly, responsive 10 the nervousness
OF the strange beast before them.
"Who goes thcreF'
The strangers horse was quiet for
an instant, aud the rider had forced
him so near that the beasts upreined
head aud the erect shoulders Of the
horscmnn were quite clearly defined
"Who goes there3" shouted the rider,
while Chauyenet and Dunnd bent
their eyes toward him, their hands
tight on their brides, and listened
waiting for Email They heard a sud
deu rush OF steps, the impact OF his
giant body as he aung himself upon
the shrinking horse, and then cry OF
alarm and rage, Chauvenet slipped
down aud ran forward with the quick.
soft glide OF cat aud caught the
bride OF the strangers horse, The
horseman struggled in Zmafs great
arms. and his beast plunged wildly,
No words passed, The rider had kick
ed his feet out OF the stlrrups and
gripped the horse hard with his legs,
His arms We're flung up TO protect his
head, over which Zmai tried TO force
the sack.
'"rhe knlfeY" bawled the Seryian.
"No!' answered Chauvenet.
"The devil" yelled the rider. and
dug his spurs into the rearing beasts
tanks.
Chauvenet held ON vallantly with
both hands TO the horses head. Once
the frightened beast swung him clear
- h.. A -. AL. a N.f.
Durand sat ON his own horse and held |
the brides OF the others. lie soothed |
the restless animals In low tones. the |
light OF his cigarette shaking oddly In |
the dark with the movement OF his |
lips,
The horse ceased to plunge zmal
held Its rider erect with his left arm |
while the right drew the sack down
over the head and shoulders OF the
prisoner
''Tie him." said Chauvenet and Zma
buckled strap about the mans arms
and bound them tight
The dust In the bag caused the man
Inside TO cough. but save FOR the one
exclamation he had not spoken
Chauyenet and Durand conferred In
low tones while Zmal drew out a
tether strap and snapped It TO the curb
bit Of the captive's horse.
.rhe fellow takes II pretty coolly,"
Durand. lighting fresh Gig
arctic, "What are you going to do
with hlmw
"We VIII take him to his own place
It is near-and coax the papers out OF
him. Then Wen find a preclpice and
toss him over. II Is q simple matter"
Zmai handed Chauvenet the revolver
he had taken from the silent man on
the horse
81 am ready" he reported.
"Go ahead; we follow" And they
started toward the bungalow, Zmai
riding beside the captive and holding
fast TO the led horse. Where the road
was smooth they sent the horses for
ward at smart trot But the cap {
tive accepted the gait. He found the
stirrups again and sat his saddle
straight He cougbed now and then,
but the hemp sack was sufficiently
porous to give him little air. Az
they rode Off his silent submission
caused Durand TO ask.
Are you sure Of the man. my dear
Jules"
Undoubtedly. didn't get square
ook at him, but he's gentleman by
he quality Of his clothes. He lis the
,ame build. II Ii not u pillow horse.