The Lamar register., 1908-07-01
CHAPTER xxi.-continued.

AT w Hlte TlFeT lOTu, tne IleH lOoheu
at each other in mute inquiry. The
stream was raging torrent. 1t was
swollen until it was half again its
ordinary width. The usually placid
waters were rushing and twisting into
whirlpool-like rapids.
What now?" asked Baker. the dep
uty-sheriff.
I'm thinkin this here little pleas
are party'll have to be postponed"
vouchsafed one of the volunteers, nod
ding his head wisely.
Wen sure have to wait for the
cloud-burst to run OUT agreed an
other
Why, we can swim that all right"
put in Langford. rallying from his mo-
mentary setback and riding his mount
to the very edge of the swirling water
Il. for one. am going TO see this
thing through he said, tersely
what do you say. Johnson"
Il never for one minute calculated
on doing a thing else" replied the dep
uty-marshal, who had been standing
somewhat apart awaiting the Snd of
the controversy. with a good -humored
smile in his twinkling blue eyes.
- Paul urged SADIE into the water. He
was followed unhesitatingly by Mum
son. Johnson. and Baker. The others
held back. and finally. after short
consultation, wheeled and retraced
their steps. "
Il amt no coward. neither" NUT
tered one, as he rode away. but I
plumb don't see no sense in bein'
drowned I'd ruther be killed round
in up Jesse.
Il don't care. didn't mean TO hold
over and let our quarry get wind of
this affair cried Langford over his
shoulder. Keep your rifles d.'y. boys!"
Suddenly, without warning. SADIE
stepped into a hole and lost her bal
ance for moment. She struggled gal
lantly and recovered herself, yet it
weakened her. 1t was not long before
ell the horses were compelled to SWIM
and the force of the current immedi-
stely began driving them down
stream. She was a plucky little COW
pony and loved her master. but it was
about all she could do to keep from
going under. let alone making much
Roadway against the tremendous pres
sure of the current. Langford's dan
ger was grave.
STEADY, my girl" he encouraged.
He flung his feet free of the stirrups
so that. If she went under. he would
be ready to try it alone. Poor SADIE! He
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: 1t would be almost impos-
sible for man to breast it. And there
oas Mary-he could never go back to
her and claim her for his own until he
could bring Black back. too. to suffer
for her fathers wrongs.
AT that moment. SADIE gave 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 rifle 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 nedu went Dut was u
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 I'M
horsed 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 Langfords 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
Hnrne from? Thought you had crossed
- bar. Now I'll just borrow gun
from one of you fellows and well be
getting along. Better my rifle than my
horse at this stage of the game, any
way"
Arrived at the entrance of the cross
ravine which Williston had once
sought out, the four men rode their