Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-02-21

ana In. The outer edge where he ran
was well broken now. but two lines of
steers interviewed between him and tho
girl. Sweat poured from his face like
water. His heart thumped as no stam-
peding cattle could have caused II to
Deat on any range. He was nearer
row. The cattle were sufficiently bro
Ken for him to stake everything ON
last effort. He pulled q heavy revolv.
er from his holster and began shooting.
One, two. three steers went crashing
down. He urged his pony into the
open caused by their fall and by main
strength Of horse and man bore the
whlrling line far outward The mill
was broken. The cowboy in the rear
gave him brilliant assistance. In the
twinkling of an eye that which had
been wound began / unwind.
What OF the woman? Was he too
late? He saw her sway in the saddle.
She would be thrown on the edge of
the circle and trampled to death! Leav-
Ing the mill to unwind itself. he leaped
his pony toward her just in time, for
as he approached she pitched forward
and fell. Providence threw her to the
right rather than to the left. The
man caught her in ruthless grip.
Fortunately she wore no trailing skirt
and her feet were out of the stirrups.
AS 1t was, the divided garment she
wore was torn into ribbons on the
horns and one boot was dragged off.
1t was well that she had fallen to a
stout arm. The effort entailed upon
him to keep the saddle and drag the
woman free was tremendous, but his
strength was as the strength of ten
that day and did not fail him. He
swept her to his breast at last and
held her senseless, but free. He had
accomplished the impossible.
They were now in the angle formed
by the tangent and the circle. and the
way was clear before them. He
spurred his tired horse. which had
done such splendid work. out into the
open and stopped He did not dare
put the girl down yet-not until the
cattle had completely unwound them
selves and the jam had been broken
for he did not know what might oc-
cur.
Fortune. however, had subjected
Miss Renwyck to all the trials de-
manded Of her that day, for the herd
Of painting cattle, blindly following
new leaders, presently unwound itself
and streamed across the prairie. going
slower and slower. as the panic i'm
pulse subsidized almost as quickly as II
had arisen. The steer the accident to
which had caused the trouble lay dead
where the vortex had been. The mans
companion had ridden up to him as
soon as he could. but the man who
held the girl directed him to ride on
after the herd lest they get into trouble
again.
"She's all right" he said. "only
tainted. You ride after the bunch.
Head 'em off before they leave the
range. I'll look after the lady. I'll
follow you presently"
With the others assistance he lower
ed the girl to the grass and dismounted
himself Miss Harriet Renwyck was
not exactly at her best at that mo-
ment. She was as white as cotton
boil where her pallor could be seen
for the dust. Her glorious black hair
was unbound and flowed in wild disor-
der about her. Her clothing was rip
ped and torn. She was the picture OF
death. Yet in the eyes Of the cowboy
who had saved her she was beautiful.
He took his water bottle and sprin-
kled her face with its contents with
little effect. Deity then the man
whipped out his knife, cut the tight
stock she wore and ripped open her
dress at the neck. Then he splashed
more water in her face, and at last un-
der its stimulus she opened her eyes
and stared at a figure bending over
her. She saw stalwart blond young
man who would have been handsome
but for a ten days growth Of beard
that covered his face, dusty and sweat
streaked from his recent efforts.
You're all right. miss" said the
cowboy soothingly as she gazed at
him with dawning comprehension.
Drink this" he added as he compelled
her to take pull at his flask, which
fortunately happened TO be not quite
empty. although the day was no longer
young. She obeye1 him.
Those terrible cattle!' she faltered
as the fiery liquid renewed her
strength.
They're all gone. You're perfectly
safe. miss
And you-drew me out"
ITS nothing at ALL Anybody would
have done it."
"You saved my life. | shall never
forget it. should have fallen long be
fore had your voice not kept me up"
She sat up. covered her face with
her hands and shuddered violently.
Il shall never get that sight out OF
my mlnd!'
ut was only little MILL miss" said
the cowboy. I'VE broke 1t easily"
Where is my father?" asked the girl
hastily. Where is my hOrse?"
LAS for your father. ! didn't see him.
| guess your pony has gone with the