The Irish standard., 1908-03-14

sink of the stream; the creek wateh's
heap betteh mile furtheh on"
The mile was semi-perpendicular
and brought them alongside a brawl-
ing stream, willow-hung, with splash.
ing trout in the still pools, and wild
ducks Swimming large pond at the
edge of small mesa. After welcome
draughts for man and mule they
veered away to another climb. The
gorgeous evening pageant was nearly
over when the team swung around a
sharp rocky point, and one Of the lead
ers SHE'D far out of the road. The
driver brought them about to quick
standstill, facing back.
There's fresh blood ahead. That
Cody mule can smell 1t mile; it's
the only thing he SHES at. Hold these
ribbons, young felleh, while prospect
a little"
He came back presently, his wealth
er.beaten face sobered and stern.
Wake up in there! Them 1njuns has
blocked the road again.
Phineas. suddenly disturbed from
his long and noisy nap, climbed out
with poor grace. THE old man has
no business to send passengers over
land without escort. It's an outrage!
1t isn't my business to clear the road!"
Here, come up here and hold the
team! Ill help the driver" Alfred
called.
mo! l CANT trust my team with
him! He don't" Uncle Billy inter.
rupted.
But authority rang in Alfred's tone.
The change had been made. and he
was already stalking after the driver.
Around the point the sight he sud-
denly came upon made him reel
turn sick and white.
Il know it would be too much for
you, boy; but now yore hyah get to
work. We haven't minute to lose"
The road here was a narrow rock
cut. Two white men lay across it.
one scalped, the other with his throat
gaping horribly, and more than a
dozen arrows buried in his flesh. Be-
yond, the ruins of an emigrant wagon
blazed lazily.
I'VE CANT stop TO- anything but to
cleah the road. These tracks come
from Anthony's; and they're fresh
and a heap of 'em. The arrows are
nearly, all different; that means lot
of tribes He spoke in low. tense
tones while, as fast as possible. he
threw the burning debris over the
lower side of the cut.
Alfred said nothing but Joined in
the labor with a quick skill that made
Uncle Billy revoke his opinion Of the
small hands. Alfred's back was
turned. yet he could feel-see-those
the gruesome spectacle behind
What could be done? How should
they be disposed of?-but there was
no time for question.
Can you bean hand hyah, Vim
cent. and quick?"
| He turned. The driver had already
| lifted the shoulders of one; Alfred
took the feet.
Right toward hyah, round the
point"
"You-you aren't going to-to
leave"
Yes. We'll have to. II we dom
want to look the same way might,
soon!"
Cant we put them in the stage.
It's awful to leave them!"
1t may be worse to take them; ant
I'm afraid We'll need the stage for the
living if-if we get through"
Alfred said no more; and Uncle Billy
warmed to him as he saw the clear-cu
jaw set and steely light creep into
the dark violet eyes.
Hes camel" Uncle Billy whispered
to himself.
Gently they disposed of the poor
mutilated bodies, and hurried back tt
the stage. The driver armed each
passenger with a rifle and revolver
and ordering Alfred beside him, ane
Phineas to keep the lookout from the
top. he swung his team into the roae
and drove forward through the GU
with slash and oath.
Dark was stealing on, yet the sun.
goodnight glory still fingered, it:
flaming banners striking into the over
head darkness. flooding earth ant
heavens with strange, sinister color
Alfred thought Of what lay behind, an,
gripped his gun sharply. The team
slowed, and Uncle Billy no longer pliet
the lash.
See that light there, away yon t,
the left?"
Eyes"
That's Anthony's, the next station
Some ones alive there, and that som,
one is white, or there wouldn't be ;
candle light; the whole place woult
be alight." Relief unspeakabl,
breathed in his words, and half mil,
passed in silence.
This is terrible way to earn
living!" Alfred said at last
Yes; but this jobs easy compare,
to the trick the pony express boy
used to play"
This is dangerous enough. won
der the company can induce men t.
undertake the work. Don't you I'm,