The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-02-05


should hate to lose her. If he released
her now and struck off by himself, she
might make it. He had never known
White river to run so sullenly and
strongly: it would be almost impos-
sible for man to breast it. And there
was Mary-he could never go back to
her and claim her for hts own until he
could bring Black back, too, to suffer
for her fathers wrongs.
At that moment, Sade gave a little
convulsive shudder and the water
rolled over her head. Langford slip
ped from the saddle, but in the instant
of contact with the pushing current,
his rife was jerked violently from his
hand and sank out of sight. With no
time for vain regrets, he struck out
for the shore. The struggle was ire
mendous. He was buffeted and beat
en-, and borne farther down the
stream. More than once in the en-
deavor to strike too squarely across,
his head went under; but he was
strong swimmer, and soon scrambling
up the bank some distance below the
ford. he turned and sent resonant
hail to his comrades. They responded
Justify. He had been the only one un-
borsed. He threw himself face down
ward to cough up some of the water
he had been compelled to swallow,
and Munson, running up, began slap
ping him vigorously upon the back.
He desisted only to run swiftly along
the bank
Good for you," Jim cried approving
ly, assisting Langford's spent horse
up the bank Coming up to the party
where Langford still stretched out full
length SADIE rubbed her nose inquir-
ingly over the big shoulders lying so
low, and whinnied softly.
Hello there!" cried Paul, spring
ing excitedly to his feet. "Where'd you
come from? Thought you had crossed
the bar. Now I'll just borrow gun
from one of you fellows and We'll be
getting along. Better my rife than my
horse at this stage of the game, any
way
The little party pushed on. The
longer half of their journey was still
before them. On the whole. perhaps,
it was better the crowd had split.
There was more unity of purpose
among those who were left. The sun
was getting hot, and Langford's
clothes dried rapidly.
Arrived at the entrance of the cross
ravine which Williston had once
sought out, the four men rode their
horses safely through its length. The
waters of the June rise had receded
and the outlaws presumably deserted
holding was once more peninsula
The wooded section in the near dis
lance lay green, cool and innocent
looking in the late summer sun. The
sands between stretched out hot in the
white glare. From the gulch covert,
the wiry marshal rode first. His face
bore its wonted expression of good
humored alertness, but there was an
inscrutable CLINT in his eyes that
might have found place there because
of a sure realization of the hazard of
the situation and of his accepting it.
Langford followed him quickly, and
hind. They trotted breezily across the
open in bunch, without words
Where the indistinct trail to the house
slipped into the wooded enclosure they
paused. Was the desperate at last
really rounded up so that he must eth
er submit quickly or turn at bay? 1t
was so still. Spots of sunlight had
II ~, 81, f@1,
the pathway. Insects fitted about
Bundle bees droned Butterflies how
cred over the sncw-on-the- mountain A
turtle dove mourned. A snake glided
sinuously through the grass. Peering
down the warm, shaded interior, one
might almost imagine one was in the
heart of an ancient wood. The drowsy
suggestions of solitude crept in upon
the sensibilities of all the men and
filled them with vague doubts. If
this was the haunt of man. care
less. sordid man, would this place
which knew him breathe forth so
sweet. still, and undisturbed peace?
Langford first shook himself free of
the haunting fear of deserted hearth
stone.
I'D stake my all on my belief that
he's there he said, in a low voice.
Now listen, boys. johnson and will
ride to the house and make the arrest,
providing he doesn't give us the slip.
Baker, you and Jim will remain here in
ambush in case he does. He's bound
to come this way to reach the main
land. Ready, Johnson?"
Jim interposed. His face was hinty
with purpose.
Not eff the court knows herself, and
think she do. Me and johnson will
do that there little arrestin' job and
the boss he'll stay here in the ambush.
Eff anybody's a countin' on my totin'
the boss's openwork body back to
Mary Williston, it's high time he was
losin' the count, for l amt goin' to
do it,"
He guided his horse straight into
the path.
But, JIM" expostulated Langford,
Iayinp a obtaining hand m tho COW