The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1909-05-18
An 0ld-Time Adventure
BY Fred Myron Colby.

on the Connecticut, to look for two
horses that had strayed into the
woods.
The missing animals were a gray
horse and a black mare, respectively.
The mare had her young colt with her.
They both belonged to Williams fa-
Their, and the settler had promised the
boy that if he would find the horses,
and bring them safely home, he would
give him the colt for his labor.
The lads started off about six
O'Clock in the morning. taking their
way down the river. William had his
fathers gun; but Charley. who was
younger. had not been allowed TO take
one. Guns and ammunition were too
scarce at the fort to be intrusted to a
boy IL years old.
1t was really dangerous to go out IN
armed a great distance from the
block-house, for wildcats and wolves
were numerous in that region, and oc-
casionally a bear was seen. The boys
themselves thought little of the peril,
but it was not without nisgivings that
their mothers had seen them depart.
Charley was the happy possessor Of
jack-knife. and he busted himself in
making a bow and arrows as he trudged
along. The bow lie fashioned from an
ash limb. and the arrows were Of oak,
headed with sharp tacks that the boy
happened to have in his pocket. The
/ bowstring was of stout twine- When
com pleted, it was hardly equal to an
/ English long-bow, nor was Charley
Robin Hood; but it was nevertheless
quite dangerous weapon in his hands.
He amused himself shooting at SPUR
rels and birds. and was in high spirits
when he hit one.
The only traces of the animals they
were hunting after that they had yet
seen were their tracks, which they
ever and anon came across in the
"opens" or imbedded in the banks of
the streams
They listened and listened for the
friendly blinking Of the bells. but could
not hear them. Yet they felt assured
that they were on the right course.
They had proceeded about three
miles when Williams quick ear caught
the familiar ling-a-ling of bell. But
it was great ways eff. and seemed to
be growing more indistinct.
ITS in the next open" said Will
liam. That is Sukeys. They can't
be far off. Good luck, Now I'll
have my colt and no trouble"
The boys were then in the thick
forest The last "open" was half a
mile behind them; the next might be
as far in front of them. They hast
ened forward eagerly. following the
sound of the bell that came tinklins
at intervals through the woods.
They came to the open square
like area of nearly four acres, lying
low and level on the banks of the
Connecticut. All at once the bells
ceased tinkling.
THAT is singular. Perhaps they
have gone down to the river to drink
remarked William, looking in that di
rection.
"Oh. no. there's the horses over by
that clump OF birches," cried Charley
Cant you see the old gray's side?'
That's strange, anyhow" declared
William. The last time | heard th'
bell, l could swear it was on the othel
side of the open"
: The bell commenced tinkling again
1t most assuredly was on the opposit
side. near the stream.
r "Sukey and her colt must be owe
: there" said Charley. "but it's strange
\ as you say. that they shouldn't be to
Z gether."
fh,+ md W.
y go this. If we can catch them. we ca
< ride home. l do hope the colt is no
:, lost or hurt"
81 William started in the direction t.
= ward the river, and of course Charlie
\ walked off in course just opposite.
q When the latter was about half-wa
e across the clearing. he turned Yroun
y to look at William. To his surpris
< his companion was not to be seen.
3 While he was gazing in that dire
& ton. he saw two Indians rise L
q from behind clump of alders ar
y look toward the river. At that i
s. slant William reappeared around
e bend of the stream, where he hi
y been hidden from the sight of h
= friend.
8 AS soon as William saw the savage
X he turned TO run. One of the Indian
q at this fired after the fleeing boy al
n shot him through the wrist.
r. The shot whirled him violent
e round. The savages then seized hi,
" and binding him with a deersk
* thong. carried him to their canc
8 which was in the river not TAR distar
Il Meanwhile, Charley, seeing Il
q plight of his companion, was moviI
n slowly away from the dangero
r. neighborhood. He hoped the India
. had not seen him. Alone and witho
~ any suitable weapon, he knew that
" could do nothing toward rescuil
e poor William. His plan was to retu
= 10 the settlement as quickly as pS
" sible, inform his father of the circul
81 stance. and have a party start at on
to the rescue.
X In order to reach ~-1e at the shol
~ est notice, he had made up his mi
" to catch the gray horse. He cou
e see the animal still standing h;
~ within the grove of poplars. and h
" ba vi w