Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1908-05-07
CHAPTER XXI



knows her pedigreed dog, yet mar.
veled at Uncle Billys timely discern.
ment of every rut and hole; at the
skill that slowed or gave rein to the
galloping team with such nice calcula.
tion
The sharp rushing air made Stella
.shiver. Uncle Billy felt it through the
same sense that guided him over the
unseen road. Shifting the lines to his
right hand, with the other he pulled
a Dunalo robe from under the seat
and adjusted it about her with quick
skill.
Thank you," she said gratefully.
and was silent on account of the
stranger at her left. Yet little later.
under cover of the dark, the rose went
into Uncle Billy's button-hole, and in
answer to his low question Stella re-
peated the booking clerks news of
Gideon.
An inhospitable gray crept at last
into the sky, and showed the road
duly red. The lash went singing
through the air in long, unwinding
coils. Though no horse was struck,
the six leaped to added speed.
Come on, boys! It's the day of yo'
life!" Uncle Billy called cheerily.
"You, Socks an Boots, set 'em a pace
there!"
1t was trumpet call to the leaders.
Indeed, all the horses caught the race
spirit and stretched to their task with
almost human ardor
"Misteh Montague, will you time us
from that pine tree yondeh?" the
driver asked of the passenger on the
other side of Stella.
Three forty-four," he said when a
mile had sped behind.
1T would have been three twenty.
four ii old Snorteh and Posey had
been leading. But reckon We'll make
this beat in pretty good shape with
Socks and Boots
That's great speed. You can't
make it much of the time, can you?"
mo, sab; not as much of the time
as Id like to- Uncle Billy barely
touched the nigh swing horse with
the lash, and the double tree pulled
true again. This is the best team III
have; and two houhs latch there'N be
heap of wagons on the grade No
otheh chance TO- speed this side of
DOnneh Lake. Hey, there, Socks an
Boots! Stretch yo'selves!"
What queer Names" ventured Stel.
la, her eyes on the straining leaders.
Eyes. 1t fits, though. See? That
nigh leadeh's white clean up to his
sorrel knees; the otheh's sorrel plumb
down to his white fetlocks."
Foam-tlecked, painting, dripping, the
wheel horses dun with dust, they
swung into the first changing station.
Uncle Billy was on the ground before
the wheels had stopped, and forward
among the horses. He gave the one
nearest him an affectionate slap and
low word. Stella saw the faded
creature turn to the caress and knew
then why John Spalding said that
Billy Dodge could get more out of his
stock with less damage than any other
driver the company had.
The change was made with incred-
ible swiftness. A fresh team stood
harnessed and ready. A man to each
horse, they led them in line and
hooked them up close upon the heels
of the retiring team. Other men
looked to the running gear, tested the
wheels, saw that the numbering coach
was everywhere safe to continue it's
lurching, racking journey.
Stella now saw Uncle Billy on duty.
silent, watchful, himself observed by
all, the captain and autocrat of this
horseflesh battle against mountains
and time. A proprietary pride warmed
Stella's heart as she noticed the
eager Difference paid to him; his non
,chalance; his apparent unconcern as
he rubbed his hands timber while
pacing slowly, or leaned in perfect re-
post against the rough porch pillar OF
the station house.
The bartender brought him hot
drink. He slipped little and returned
the glass unemptied. A woman came
to the door with warm crullers; but
he shook his head with smile and
word that made refusal as gracious as
acceptance. I..
"How Is it the Chrysopolis didn't
break down between Freeport and Sac
ramento?" asked ,bystander, eager
for news of the race. Il expected
they'd play that trick on u.s."
Uncle Billy's lip curled. The
snipes! They had It fixed to slow up
and take two houhs TO- the IL miles !.
TO Sacramento; but we beat 'em! Had
. messenger there on q race horse.
He took the Virginia mail and papehs
into Sacramento like creased light
ming; and our train pulled out only
~ minutes afteh their cars left Free
port" #..5
D Scant were the moments, hardly
reaching plural. before they were
on again. n
wen pass Gideon suah; he's got
powerful little the start Of US" Uncle
pity whianared to Stella as he took