The Baltimore County union, the Towson news., 1909-11-06


until they poured through the farthest
opening, and broke and widened out
in places over the plain beyond, did
Dave Burt breathe freely.
Halt here" he ordered, and
camp. Sage Brush Mesa's a little
too high up to wander on in the dark.
1 guess we're all ready for supper. "
But not with his usual plainsman's
hearty content did he sup; for, still
possessed by the demon of mockery,
Heath over coffee-pot and frying pan
kept humming:
I'm at work for Uncle Sam,
And man must be lamb,
For tu run fourth class office without getting
SOS to dam
Age his soul beyond repair,
For the things have to bear
Are tough enough. by Judy, for to make a
deacon swear"
The men, after supper, relaxed
into rough banter, and sucked at
short pipe or long cigar, while Heath
broke out refectively, now and then,
with Tough enough, by Judy, for to
make a deacon swear" On high,
the storm lowered and drew itself to-
gether, and growled and spat. The
cattle in the darkness began to moan
nervously and push one another.
Then, in an instant, came a great
blast of wind from the mountain-tops.
The foreman sped toward the teth-
cred bronchos, calling, Mount all,
as quick as you can. Well have hell
with the beasts" Riding, they went
round and about, watching the un-
easy, excited steers; the wind paused
for an interval and in it there fell
upon Burt's tense ear the chanted
words:
"I cannot be lark by day, and an owl by night"
But you can always be a fool p
shouted the enraged foreman, Shut
up, you internal idiot Is this the
time for song and dance?"
How dare you'll" ragged Heath in
turn. "You great, hulking brute !
You're not fit to be target for gen.
tlemanI" A long, jagged streak of
lightning split the black dome above;
again and again it fared, followed by
an appalling crash, whose roar the
mountain recesses gave back con-
tinuously.
They're OFF, yelled the ranchman.
ITO the front To the front p and,
followed by Heath, he dashed around
the flank of the stampeding herd,
circling to the front in desperate at
tempt to turn the maddened steers,
now headed north. Less than ten
miles that way, Sage Brush Mesa
ended in a sudden drop of three hun
dred feet. With yells and whoops
and pistol-shots the cowboys vainly
tried to check the rushing mass of
horns and hoofs, or to swing them
eastward. The foreman, we'll in the
van, shouting, wheeling, flying, firing,
exhausted every effort; then suddenly
his horse slipped and, his foot in
gopher hole, went down in a heap
with broken leg. Heath's broncho,
close behind. stumbled over the
leaders, horse and fell also, crashing
and rolling, then scrambled up and
was off, leaving his rider still and un-
conscious. Burt's horse was useless.
A swift flash of lightning showed
him how impossible was escape by
either side, for the resistless, deadly
rush of tumbling, wild-eyed beasts
reached hundred feet each way.
"God!" breathed the big ranchman
between his teeth, and perhaps il was
acceptable as a prayer. First his
own, and then Heath's, revolver he
snatched and emptied into the centre
of the on-coming herd, cutting an
opening in front. Then he drew
Heath inert figure over his shoulder
and awaited his chance. AS one OF
the foremost steers passed close, he
sprang alongside, swung Heath across
its broad back and leaped astride.
The frightened creature bounded and
plunged; but with legs frightened and
spurs driven we'll in, Burt held on.
Believing, pricked with pain and
rage and terror, the animal, in spite
of it's double load. kept we'll ahead
and, veering gradually to the right in
its wild race, carried its riders at last
out of the path of death.
When later the cowboys turned the
cattle on the very brink of the cam
yon and rode back in search of the
missing men, they found both lying
unconscious on the ground near the
painting, exhausted. blood-covered
steer.
A week from that night, in cot up
at Windy Row, when Heath opened
his eyes and let them wander vaguely
about the strange surroundings, they
fell on the bronzed face of Dave Burt.
How did I get here?" queried
Heath.
"Shut up, at once" answered the
foreman, you amt to talk"
The words sounded familiar, but
the tone did not, and Heath went to
sleep again.
He's starting for Talola on this
train" replied the doctor to his chief
patients inquiry for Burt one day.
Couldn't let him ride yet, on
horse, you know. Pretty well
knocked up himself, and ligament
strained"
Cant l 60 too?"
Yes. You're bit weak, though,
and must be careful with the arm"
The ranchers had the primitive
little car to themselves, and as the
train moved off, Heath left his place
and seated himself opposite the fore
man. Burt WINGED. That there
settlement amt off, unless you wish
it." he said forbiddingly.
''Was it for that you saved me?
Why" said Heath, with smile such