The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1908-08-08

say, valiantly, and mother would shud
der and cry: "Oh, John, remember yo
must never go where mothers cal
'coo-coo' will not reach you! And yo
must always answer back 'coo-cOo' t
me-"
But If l am Brindle staked out
cannot call back" laughed John.
"You can say 'moo-moo!' said faith
er, land that will do just as we'll"
Well. one day mother was washin;
by the back of the little log house
Suddenly she remembered that she hat
not see or heard John for some time
She raised her head and called ''coo
coo!' There was no reply.
| Perhaps he is Brindle!" she smiled
and she called loudly, "moo-moo." but
no friendly little voice replied. Then a
| terrible fear came in mothers eyes
She ran to the pasture and shouted:
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 flungs 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 wo0dpile 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
1t.
joint she gasped. "He is gomez"
The dark face never flinched.
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 Black
Feather. Il go find-boy." Then, be-
cause he did not know of MINDLESS dis
appearance mother began to trust
Black Feather little.
The horse is gone, tool" she sobbed.
Just for an instant a culver passed
over the Indian boys face.
Il go-by myself" he grunted, and
away he ran.
And now we must go to John ard
consider how he had Jared.
He had thought how few things he
mad 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 of across the pasture
ne saw-oh, how his heart jumped
ne saw four big Indians on horseback,
and they were after Nimble Foot. AS
ne stood tied to his stake John saw
the red men try to lasso the beauti-
[ul 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
ais beloved Nimble. The Indians saw
he boy and galloped up to him. Nimble
ook fright and ran in another direc-
DIN. But the Indians caught the boy!
Now grunted one big fellow. you
-call-your-horse!"
John stood mute.
You CALI" cried another, and dashed
he poor child mercilessly. In an in
tant John decided what to do. He
would call Nimble, he must obey, but
nut II they carried him of, somehow he
nd Nimble would run away and get
ack home. 1t would be easier with
timble than without him. So John
allied clearly, and when the horse
card the dear old tones he trotted up
romptly. 1t was strange, but as long |
little master was there 1t must be
light. Nimble neighed softly. and. ,
oming close to John. stood quite still.
hen quickly and silently, a big Indian '
ecured Nimble. and. jumping on his I
ack with John in his arms, darted Oh, ,
fading his own horse and followed .
y his mates.
John knew that no cry would help
Inn. 30 he lay very still, while his {
DOR heart almost broke with sorrow s
nd fear.
Over the plains they few to . de-
srted spot where once had stood log
ouse. But the Indians had RACED and
urned it long ago. The wood pile
as still standing, and behind that t
lie four Indians halted and dismount- l
]. From their talk John soon learned \
lat they were to remain there over 4
lght and be joined in the morning by t
1other party that had gone to steal b