Rocky Ford enterprise., 1912-03-15
CHAPTER XIII.

One Sunday. late In the afternoon,
found Daylight across the bay in the
Piedmont hills of Oakland. AS usual.
he was in big motor car. though not
his own. the guest of saltwater Bill.
Luck's own darling. who had come
down to spend the cleanup OF the sew
enth fortune wrung from the frozen
Arctic gravel. 1t was a merry party.
and they had made merry day of 1t.
circling the bay from San Francisco
around by San Jose and up to Oak
land. having been thrice arrested for
speeding. the third time. however. on
the Haywards stretch. running away
with their captor. Fearing that tele-
phone message to arrest them had
been flashed ahead, they had turned
into the back-road through the hills.
and now. rushing in upon Oakland by
a new route. were boisterously dis
cussing what disposition they should
make of the constable.
Well come out at Blair Park in
ten minutes" one of the men an
nounced. Look here, saltwater.
there's cross-road right ahead. with
lots of gates. but It'll take us back
come back into Oakland from the 9TH
er side. sneak across on the ferry,
and send the machine back around
tonight with the chauffeur"
But saltwater Bill failed to see
why he should not go into Oakland
by way of Blair Park. and SO decided.
The next moment, flying around a
bend. the back-road they were not
going to take appeared. Inside the
gate. leaning out from her saddle and
Just closing it. was a young woman on
chestnut sorrel. With his first
glimpse. Daylight felt there was some
thing strangely familiar about her
The next moment. Strengthening up in
the saddle with movement he could
not fail to identify. she put the horse
into a gallop. riding away with her
back toward them. 1t was Dede Ma
son-he remembered what Morrison
had told him about her keeping a rid
Ing horse. and he was glad she had
not seen him in this riotous company
Intervening trees at that moment
shut her from view. and saltwater
Bill plunged into the problem OF dis
posing of their constable. while Day.
light, leaning back with closed eyes,
was still seeing Dede Mason gallop off
down the country road.
On Monday morning. coming in for
dictation. he looked at her with new
interest, though he gave no sign of
IT: and the stereotyped business
passed off in the stereotyped way. But
the following Sunday found him on a
ha, ID "A.
ing through the Piedmont hills. He
made long day of it. but no glimpse
did he catch Of Dede Mason. though
he even took the back-road of many
gates and rode on into Berkeley. 1t
had been fruitless day. so far as she
was concerned: and yet not entirely
fruitless, for he had enjoyed the open
air and the horse under him to such
purpose that, on Monday. his instruc-
lions were out to the dealers to look
for the best chestnut sorrel that
money could buy. At odd times during
the week he examined numbers of
chestnut sorrels. tried several and was
unsatisfied. 1t was not till Saturday
that he came upon Bob Daylight
knew him for what he wanted the mo-
ment he laid eyes on him. A large
horse for riding animal. he was none
too large for big man like Daylight.
In splendid condition. Bob's coat in
the sunlight was flame of fire. his
arched neck jewelled confiagration.
Daylight examined the name and
found It finer than any horses hair
be had ever seen. Also. Its color was
unusual in that 1t was almost auburn.
While he ran his fingers through 1t.
Bob turned his head and playfully
nuzzled Dnylights shoulder.
Saddle him up. and I'll try him."
ne told the dealer. 81 wonder II he's
used to spurs. Nc English saddle.