Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-22

raised her head and called ''coo-coo.'
There was no reply.
Perhaps he is Brindle!' she smiled,
and she called loudly. 'moo-moo." but no
friendly little voice replied. Then ter
| rible fear came in mothers eyes. She
ran to the pasture and shouted: Here.
Nimble Foot. Nimble Foot The horse
never failed before TO come trOtting up,
but now he came not,
Mothers face went white as death She
flung her arms up wildly, and called for
father. but he was far. far away, and in
all the empty world there was no one to
help or comfort!
Just then. from out the shadow of the
woodpile Black Feather presented him
self. For a moment the old distrust
mother felt for the boy rose TO the sur
face, but she dared NOT show IT, =
John" she gasped. He is gone:"
The dark face never f1nched.
He gO-where?" asked the calm voice.
Il am afraid the Indians have taken
him.
Black Feather looked quickly on the
ground. Mother had not thought of that
but sure enough the soft earth showed
the. marks of many feet and the story
was plain.
oh" walled mother. and reeled as
she stood.
Give me horser' commanded Back
Feather. II go find-boy-, Then. be
cause he did not know of MINDLESS dis
appearance. mother began TO trust Black
Feather a little.
1.-The horse is gone. too" she sobbed.
Just for an instant culver passed
over the Indian boys face.
Il go-by myself lie grunted. and
away he ran.
And now we must go to John and
consider how he had Jared.
He had been very lonely this morning.
He had thought how few things he had
and how many he wanted. Then he be-
gan to think ii was time he staked nim-
self out and played he was Brindle for
awhile. This he did and began to make
believe to nibble the grass. Just then,
way off across the pasture he saw-oh,
how his heart jumped,-he saw four big
Indians on horseback. and they were after
Nimble Foot. AS he stood tied to his
stake John saw the red men try to lasso
the beautiful white horse. but he Was on
guard, and trotted at full speed toward
the house.
John united himself. and with no thought
of personal danger ran toward his be-
loved Nimble. The Indians saw the boy
and galloped up to him. Nipple took
fright and ran in another direction
But the Indians caught the boy:
Now" grunted one big fellow. you
call-youT-hOrSe:'
John stood mute.
You CALI cried another. and dashed
the poor child mercilesS!y. In an instant
John decided what to do He would call
Nimb!e; he must obey. but if they carried
him off, somehow he and Nimbie would
run away and get back home. 1t would be
easier with Nimble than without him
So John called clearly. and when the
horse heard the dear old tones he trotted
up promptly. 1t was strange. but as long
as little master was there IL must be
right. Nimble neghed softly. and, COM
ing close to John, stood quite still. Then
quickly and silently a big Indian secured
Nimbie, and. jumping on his back with
John in his arms. darted off. leading his
own horse and followed by his mates.
John knew that no cry would help him.
SO he lay very still. while his poor heart
almost broke with sorrow and fear.
Over the plains they flew to deserted
spot where once had stood a log house
But the Indians had RACED and burned il
long ago. The wood pile was still stand
ing. and behind that the four Indians
halted and dismounted From their talk
John soon learned that they were to re-
main there overnight and be joined in