Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1908-04-09


again-and missed. Suddenly. in the
confusion. just how she never remem-
bered-everything was different The
desperate horse had wheeled-not
quite in time. The bull had caught
him on one horn, a blow glancing but
deadly, tearing a hideous cash in his
sides. The poor animal sank to it's
knees with a groan. Her face distort-
ed with terror. the girl kicked away
the stirrup, clutched the saddle-korn
with both hands. and swung to her
feet. At the same moment her horse
lurched heavily forward and rolled
over. The next instant lasso flashed
before her eyes, and she saw the bull
swerve aside. A reassuring voice
called out to her, and she turned to
see Maxine Gomez making fast the
rope. But she was toSe'rightened to
realize Just what had Ay,pened.
"Oh, help me overHo. she gasped;
II shall be killed."
I've got him!" called the man.
He is tied fast Wait there 1 will
come In and look at your horse. 1t
seems to be badly hurt"
He dismounted and climbed lightly
over the bars.
1T may not die" he said, after ex-
aiming the wound. But it will be
quite useless for a long time. Have
you far to go?"
I am visiting the family Of Senior
Benavente. l am a stranger here. Can
you lend me some kind of an animal
to carry me homer"
"Assuredly, Senorita." He turned
again to the wounded horse, which lay
passively on its side. breathing heavi-
ly. With several quick slashes the
girth fell away, and the man removed
the saddle.
You must wait a little" he said.
spreading the small blanket on the
ground beside her, until l can get
your saddle patched up. viii you
rest here while l work at it?" He
crossed the fence again, and presently
returned with the girth strap from his
own saddle. He seated himself on the
ground, a short distance away, and
set about securing the slender leather
thongs to the smaller saddle.
The girl, hugging her knees,
watched him curiously. After awhile
she asked: do you not wonder how
it is that I came to be fighting a bull
in your corral?"
Well Senorits, l will own that 1t
does not happen every day" His keen
eyes rested on her in a strangely visit
full manner. you had a narrow es.
cape. 1 came pretty fast when 1
heard the pistol shots"
The girl turned her glance for an
instant toward the wounded horse.
and shivered. 1T was fairly close.
was never so frightened in all my
life. Senior Benavente's vaQueros are
rounding up the stragglers. and have
been on the hills with them every day.
1t is great sport. To-day / let one get
away. ! saw him go through a break
in the fence and ] followed, but lost
track of him for awhile in the thick
underbrush by the river Then heard
your cattle. and knew he must have
come over here"
Gomez fingers were still busy with
the saddle straps. but his eyes scarce
ly left the fair young face before him.
When he had repaired the sad
die Gomez stood up. Il am going to
put your saddle on my horse now"
he said. A few moments later he led
his animal into the corral.
He helped her mount and she gath.
cred up the reins. beaming upon him.
You will receive your horse to-mor.
row, when We send for the bull. I
leave for New York in a very few
days, but I shall never forget that you
saved my life this afternoon; and il
you ever need a friend hope you will
write to me, to the address l will send
you" She held out her hand. Good
byei"
Gomez felt the touch of her cool
fingers for a bewildered instant, and
then he knew that she was gone and
he WOuld mayor coo har oqoin III