The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1912-07-05
CHAPTER vI-tcon,lnuedj


Il was the quiet. confident voice Of
assured command. Of one satisfied f.
with his plans, and the obcdicnt negro, I
breathing hard. never dreamed OF op.
position. all instinct Of slavery held
him to the dominion Of this white ma6.
ter Keith leaned forward. staring at
the string Of deserted ponies tied 20
the rail Success depended ON his
choice. and he could Judge very little
In that darkness. Men were ftrag
Cling IN along the street 90 their right
on foot and horseback, and the sa
loon on the corner was being well pat.
runlzcd a glow Of light strcamcd
forth from itsswindows, and thcr" was
the sound of many voices But this
narrow alley was deserted. and black
The fugitive stepped boldly forward
afraid that otherwise he might s'artle
the ponies and thus create an alarm.
Guided by horscmau's instinct he
swiftly ran his hands over the animals
and made quick selection.
Here. Neb. take this follow. lead
him quietly down the bank" and he
thrust the looscned 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 30 black that the
obcdlcnt negro had already entirely
vanished The slope of the land not
only helped cover their movements,
but also rendered Il easy for them TO
lind ono another. Fully hundred yurds
westward they met. where a gully led
directly down toward the river. There
was no longer need for remaining on
foot, as they were q sufficient distance
away from the little town TO feel no
fear Of being discovered. unless by
some drunken straggler. AZ keith's
command the negro climbed into his
saddle. Both ponies were rcstlyo. 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 deepCncd, buryinE them IN
IL black heart. until II finally de-
bouched onto the river sands. The
rlotous noises OF the drunken town
died slowly away behind. the night
silent and dark. The two riders could
scarcely distinguish one another a.
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, the negro fol
lowing like shadow.
There was ford directly opposite
tho cantonment and another. more
dangerous. and known to only q few,
three miles farther up stream. Keep
ing well within the waters edge, 80
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 Tor
crossing, lie 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,
hoy" he said fternly, "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 peerlng out
from o rlit Of the clouds but Kolth's
remembrance was that the ford led
straight out 10 the center af the
streum. and then ycorod slightly 10.
ward the right, lie knew the sand
ridgr was only used by horscmon. not
being wide enough for the safe pass.
age of wagons. but the depth OF the
water on either side was entirely
pgobcmuJlcal He was taking big
chance, yet dare not wait for daylight
Summoning an 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 ac'
tons Of the animal gave the rider
greater confidence. aud he loosened
Lis 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 hooi, the
Negroes mount following closely. The
water was unusually high. and as they
advanced II bore down against them
IN considerable volume, then, as Gar
voored to the right, they we're com
PEELED to push directly against its
weight IN struggling toward shore