The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-07-06

Inen two Of them must pe,onv :,
as; come on, boy"
he ran forward. crouchinr beh,n,
every chance cover, and keeping wei
BACK behind the line of shacks !
snsnt depression In the prairie helne,
conceal their movements. ana ne..,a
spoke until they were crouchinR 70
setner beside the wall of the shon
Tnen Neb. teeth chattering. manage,
to blurt out:
TO de Lawd's sake, yer don't actin
any mean ter steal dem hosses?"
Keith glanced about at the other,
dim, black shadow.
Sure not; just borrow EN-"
But OATS hangin' Job in dis yert
country, Massa Jack"
Sure 1t is II they catch us. But
we'd be strung up anyway. and We
can't be hung twice. Besides there 1,
chance for US with the ponies. and
none at all without. An hours start
IN the saddle, Neb, and this bunch
back here will never even find our
trail; pledge you that. Come. boy
stay close with me-"
1t was the quiet, confident voice OF
assured command, OF one satisfied
with his plans, and the obedient negro
breathing hard, never dreamed OF Cd.
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 xtrag-
Cling In along the street to their right.
on loot 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 be 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 II easy for them to
End one another. Fully hundred yards
westward they met, where a gully led
directly down toward the river. There
was no longer need for remaining on
foot, as they were sufficient distance
away from the little town to feel no
fear OF being discovered. unless by
some drunken straggler. At Kcith's
command the negro climbed into his
saddle. Both ponies were FESTIVE. but
not vicious, and after a plunge or two,
10 test their new masters, came easily
,Hnder control. Keith led the way,
snoving straight down the gully, which
gradually deepened. buryiRg them in
its black heart until 1t finally de-
ecuched onto the river sands. The
rietous noises of the drunken town
died slowly away behind. the night
scarcely distinguish one another Is
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 toll
lowing like q shadow.
There was ford directly opposite
the cantonment, and another, more
dangerous, and known to only few.
three miles farther up stream. Keep
Ing well within the waters edge. so
as to thus completely obscure their
trail, yet not daring to venture deep cor
tear of striking quicksand, tho plains
man set his pony struggling forward,
until the dim outline of tho 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
passage in such darkness,
but urgent need drove him forward.
Follow me Just as close as you can,
boy" he said sternly, and keep both
your feet out OF the stirrups. II yeur
horse goes down hang to his tall. and
let him swim out"
There was little enough to guide by.
merely single faint star peering out
from a rift of the clouds. but Keith's
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