The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-02-24
CHAPTER Kill,


Piedmont hills of Oakland. AS usual,
he was in a big motor car, though not
his own, the guest of saltwater Bill,
Luck's own darling, who had come
down to spend the cleanup CT the sew
enth fortune wrung from the frozen
Arctic gravel 1t was q merry party,
and they had made a merry day of it,
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 q 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, We're boiSterously dis.
cussing what disposition they should
make Of the constable.
Well come out at Rlair Park in
ten miputes,' one Of the men an
nOanccd. Look here. Swiftwater,
there's cross-road right ahead, With
lots of gates, but it'll take us hack.
country into Berkeley Then VIC can
come back into Oakland from tie clE.
er side, sneak across on Tic :~.t.
ana send the machine back around
tonight with TIE ch9uffeur."
But Swiftwater Bill failed to see
why he should net go into Oakland
by way of Blair Pyrk, 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 iroi 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 a movement he coul!
mot fail to identity, 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 lid
Ing horse, and he vas glad she had
not seen him in this riotous company.
shut her from view, and saltwater
Bill plunged into The problem Of dis
posing u, their constable, while Day
light, leaning back with closed eyes,
was still seeing Dece Mason gallop off
down the country road.
On Monday nicrning, coming in for
dictaton. he looked at her with new
interest, though ne gave no sign OF
1t; and the stereotyped business
passed off in the stereotyped way. But
the following Sunday found him on q
horse himself, across the bay and rid.
ing through the Piedmont hills. He
made long day it, but no glimpse
did he catch Of Dede Mason, though
lie 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
f"uitlesG, fer he had enjoyed the open
cir and the hCrse under him TO such
purpose that, on Monday, his instruc-
tons were out 10 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
unsGtisfed. 1t was not till Saturday
chat he came upon Cop. 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 a big man like Daylight
In splendid condition, Bobs coat in
the sunlight was a flame of fire. his
arched neck a jewelled conflagration.
Daylight examined the name and
found it finer than any horses hair
he had ever seen. Also its color was
unusual in that it was almost auburn.
While he ran his fingers through it,
Bob turned his head and playfully
nuz2,ed Daylights shoulder.
Saddle him up, 'and I'll try him."
he told the dealer. II wonder If he's
used to spurs. No English saddle,
mind. Give me e good Mexican and a
curb bit-not too severe, seeing as he
likes to rear"
Daylight superintended the prepara-
tiCns, adjusting the curb strap and
the stirrup length, and doing the
cinching. He shook his head at the
martingale, but yielded to the dealers
advice to allow it 10 go on. And Bob,
beyond spirited restlessness and a
few playful attempts, gave no trouble.
Nor in the hours riding that followed,
save for some permissible curveting
and praacing, did he misbchaye. Day
LIGHT WAS delighted; the purchase was
Immediately made; and Bon. with rid
ing gear cad personal equipment, was
C!.i%cacl across tLe bay forthwith
- to~e Up his Qutrters in he stables
Of 'hc Oakland Riding Academy.
The next day being Sunday, Day
lisht We aT1y early, crossing on the
ferry and taking with him Wo1, the
leader Of lis sled team. the one dos
which he had selected TO bring with