River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1911-08-24
CHAPTER W.-(Continued.)

It was the quiet, confident voice of
assured command, of one satisfied
with his plans, and the obedient negro,
breathing hard, never dreamed of OPP
position; all instinct of slavery held
him to the dominion of this white mas
ter. Keith leaned forward, staring at
the string of deserted ponies tied to
the rail Success depended on his
choice, and he could judge very little
in that darkness. Men were strag-
CLING in along the street to their right,
on foot and horseback, and the sa-
loon on the corner was being well pat
ronized. A glow of light streamed
forth from it's windows, and there was
the sound of many voices. But this
narrow alley was deserted, and black.
The fugitive stepped boldly forward,
afraid that otherwise he might startle
the ponies and thus create an alarm.
Guided by a horseman's instinct he
swiftly ran his hands over the animals
and made quick selection.
Here, Neb, take this fellow; lead
him quietly down the bank" and he
thrust the loosened rein into the
blacks hand.
An instant later he had chosen his
own mount, and was silently moving
in the same direction, although the
night there was so black that the
obedient negro had already entirely
vanished. The slope of the land not
only helped cover their movements,
but also rendered 1t easy for them to
find one another. Fully a hundred yards
westward they met, where gully led
directly down toward the river. There
was no longer need for remaining on
foot, as they were a sufficient distance
away from the little town to feel no
fear of being discovered, unless by
some drunken straggler. AT Keith's
command the negro climbed into his
saddle. Both ponies were FESTIVE, but
not vicious, and after a plunge or two,
to test their new masters, came easily
under control. Keith led the way,
moving straight down the gully, which
gradually deepened, bUrying them in
it's black heart, until it finally de-
bouched onto the river sands. The
riotous noises of the drunken town
died slowly away behind, the night
silent and dark. The two riders could
scarcely distinguish one another as
they drew rein at the edge of the wa
ter. To the southwark there cleaned
a cluster of lights, marking the posi-
ton of the camp of regulars. Keith
drove his horse deeper into the stream
and headed northward, the negro fol
lowing like a shadow.
There was a ford directly opposite
the cantonment and another, more
dangerous, and known to only a few,
three miles farther up stream. Keep
Ing we'll within the waters edge, so
as to thus completely obscure their
trail, yet not daring to venture deep for
fear of striking quicksand, the plains
man set his pony struggling forward,
until the dim outline of the bank at
his right rendered him confident that
they had attained the proper point for
crossing He had been that way only
once before, and realized the danger of
attempting passage in such darkness,
but urgent need drove him forward.
Follow me just as close as you can,
boy" he said sternly, land keep both
your feet out of the stirrups. If your
horse goes down hang to his tail, and
let him swim out"
There was little enough to guide by,
merely a single faint star peering out
from a rift of the clouds, but Keith's
remembrance was that the ford led
straight out to the center Of the
stream. and then veered slightly to-
ward the right. He knew the sand
ridge was only used by horsemen, not
being wide enough for the safe pass
age of wagons, but the depth of the
water on either side was entirely
problematical. He was taking a big
chance, yet dare not wait for daylight.
Summoning all his nerve and alert
ness, he urged his horse slowly for
ward, the intelligent animal seeming
" comprehending the situation, and
feeling carefully for footing. The &C.
tons of the animal gave the rider
greater confidence, and he loosened
his grip on the rein, leaving the pony's
instinct to control. The latter fairly
crept forward, testing the sand before
resting any weight upon the hoof, the
Negroes mount following closely. The
water was unusually high, and as they
ad yanced it bore down against them
in considerable volume; then, as they
veered to the right. they were COM
PEELED to push directly against it's
weight in struggling toward shore.
The men could see nothing but this
solid sheet of water rushing down
toward them from out the black void,
and then vanishing below. Once
Keith's horse half fell, plunging nose
under, yet gaining foothold again be-
fore the rider had deserted his saddle
A dim darkness ahead already re-
yealed the nearness of the southern
bank, when Nebs pony went down
suddenly. swept fairly off It's legs by
some fierce eddy in the stream. Keith
heard the Negroes cultural cry, and
caught glimpse of him as the two
were sent whirling down. The coiled
rope of the lariat, grasped in his right