The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1911-08-31


merly an officer in the Confederate army. |
The p'ainsman and Neb escape from the
CHAPTER Vl.-(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 op-
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 stray
Cling tn along the street to their right,
on foot and horseback, and the sa-
loon on the corner was being we'll pat
ronized A glow of light streamed
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 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 hundred yards
westward they met, where gully led
directly down toward the river. There
was no longer need for remaining on
foot, az they were 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 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
its black heart, until 1t 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 q ford directly opposite
the cantonment, and another, more
dangerous, and known to only few
three miles farther up stream. Keep
ing we'll within the waters edge, 81
as to thus completely obscure thei1
trail, yet not daring to venture deep fo
fear of striking quicksand, the plains
! man set his pony struggling forward
until the dim outline of the bank a
his right rendered him confident tina
: they had attained the proper point TO
) crossing. He had been that way onl.
: once before, and realized the danger o
. 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 bot
your feet out Of the stirrups. If you
horse goes down hang to his tail. an
let him swim out"
There was little enough to guide b,
merely a single faint star peering GU
from a rift Of the clouds, but Keith
remembrance was that the ford lie
straight out to the center of tn
stream, and then veered slightly tt
ward the right. He knew the san
ridge was only used by horsemen, nc
being wide enough for the safe pass
age of wagons, but the depth of tn
water on either side was entirel
problematical. He was taking bi
chance, yet dare not wait for daylight
Eummoning all his nerve and aler
ness, he urged his horse slowly TO-
ward, the intelligent animal seeming
~ compromising the situation, an
feeling carefully for footing. The a.
tons of the animal gave the ride
greater confidence. and he loosene
his grip on the rein. leaving the pony
instinct to control. The latter fairl
crept forward. testing the sand befol
resting any weight upon the hoof. th
negroes mount following closely. TT
water was unusually high. and as the
kdvanced it bore down against the
IN considerable volume; then, as the
veered to the right, they were cor
pelled to push directly against i
vsiSht In .trussltng toward shcr