The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1908-06-26

say, valiantly, and mother would shud-
der and cry: "Oh, John, remember you
must never go where mothers call
'coo-coo' will not reach you! And you
must always answer back .coo-eoo' to
me"
But il | am Brindle stalzed out Il
cannot call back" laughed John
e"You can say moo moot said fifth
i er, land that will do just as we'll"
Well one day mother was washing
by the back Of the little log house.
Suddenly she remembered that she had
not see or heard John for some time.
She raised her head and called "cop-
cool" There was no reply.
Perhaps he is Brindle!" she smiled,
and she called loudly, "moo-moo.F But
no friendly little voice replied. Then a
terrible fear came in mothers eyes.
She ran to the pasture and shouted: I
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 fungs 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 her
Just then, from out of the shadow of
the woodpile Black Feather presented
himself. For a moment the old dis
trust mother felt for the boy rose to
the surface, but she dared not show
/ it.
"Johnl she gasped "He is gone!"
The dark face never f1inched.
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 horse!'' commanded Blgsc,lS
Feather. Il go fnd-boy." Then, e.
cause he did not know of MINDLESS dis
appearance mother began to trust
Black Feather little,
The horse is gone, too!' she sobbed.
Just for an instant culver passed
over the Indian boys face.
Il go-by myself!p he grunted, and
away he ran.
And now we must go to John and
consider how he had Jared
He had thought how few things he
had and how many he wanted. Then
ne began to think it was time he stalk
ed himself out and played he was Brin-
die 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 beauti-
full 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 beloved Nimble The Indians saw
the boy and galloped up to him. Nimble
took fright and ran in another direc-
tom. But the Indians caught the boy!
Now grunted one big fellow, you
-call-your-horse!"
John stood mute.
you calf" cried another, and dashed
the poor child mercilessly. In an IN
slant John decided what to do He
would call Nimble, he must obey, but
but if they carried him off, somehow he
and Nimble 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. It was strange, but as long
as little master was there it must be
right Nimble neighed softly, and,
coming close to John, stood quite still.
Then quickly and silently, big Indian
secured Nimble, and, jumping on his
i 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 ne lay very stlll, WnIIe MS
poor heart almost broke with sorrow
/ and fear.
Over the plains they few to a de-
serted spot where once had stood log
house But the Indians had razed and
burned it long ago. The wood pile
was. still standing, and behind that
:the four indians halted and dismount-
ed. From their talk John soon learned
that they were to remain there over
night and be joined in the morning by