Semi-weekly herald., 1911-05-15
trail; I pledge you that Come. bsy.
~x.v rlns~ With me-"

trail: pledge you that Come, bsy.
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 op-
position; all instinct Of slavery held
him to the dominion Of this white mas
ter. Keith leaned forward. staring ut
the string Of deserted ponies tied to
the rail. Success depended ON his
choios, and he could Judge very little
in that darkness. Men were suax.
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 strsamed
forth from its 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 startls
the ponies and thus create an alarm.
Guided by horseman's instinct he
swiftly ran his hands over the animals
and mSde quick selection
Here, Nsb, take this fellow; lead
him quietly down the bank" and he
thrust the loosensd rein into the
blacks hand.
own mount, and was silently moving
In tho same direction. although the
night there was 80 black that the
ohedient negro had already entirely
vanished. The slope of the land not
only helped cover their movements,
but also rendered It easy for them to
md 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, a. they were = sum cient distance
away from the little town to feel NO
fear of being discovered. unless by
some drunken straggler. At Keith'n
command the negro climbed into his
saddle. Both ponies were restive, but
not vicious. and after = plunge or two.
to test their new masters, came easily
under control. Keith led the way.
moving straight down the gully, which
gradually dsepened. buryiRs them in
its black heart. until 1t finally de-
bouched onto tho river sands. The
ristous noises Of the drunken town
died slowly away behind. the night
silent and dark. The two riders could
scarcely distinguish one another ~
they drew rein at the edge OF the wa
ter. To the southwark there cleaned
cluster Of lights, marking the posi-.
ton OF the camp Of regulars. Keith
drove his horse deeper into the stream
and headed northward. tho negro fol
lowing like \ shadow.
There WIS . ford directly opposite
the cantonment. and another, more
dangerous, and known TO only q few,
three miles farther up stream. Keep
Ing well within the waters edge, so
as to thua completely obscure their
trail. yet not daring to venture deep for
fear OF striking Quiokssnd. 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 ss you can
boy" he said sternly. and keep both
your feet out OF the stirrups. II your
horse goes down hang to his tail. and
let him swim out"
There was little enough to guide by.
merely single faint star peering out
from . rift OF the clouds. but Keith's
rcmembrsnoe 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 safa naAa.