The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1912-12-19

Look at that blame insect" said
one Of the rangers with grin. I've
seen plenty of them horny frogs, but
never knew anybody to have one for
side partner, Does the blame thing
know you from anybody else?"
Take 1t over there and sea" said
Hayes.
The stumpy little lizard known as
the horned frog is harmless He has
| the hideousness Of the prehistoric
monsters whose reduced descendant he
is, but is gentler than the dove.
The ranger took Muriel from Hayes
knee and went back to his seat on a
roll Of blankets. The cSptive twisted
! and clawed and struggled vigorously
in his hand. After holding it for a
moment or Two the ranger set it upon
the ground. Awkwardly. but swiftly,
the frog worked its four oddly moving
legs until 1t stopped close by Hayes
| foot.
"Well, dang my hide!" said the other
| ranger 1.-The little cuss knows you
Never thought them insects had that
| much sense!"
Jimmy Hayes became u favorite in
| the ranger camp. He had al endless
store Of good nature and mild. peren
NAL quality of hu1nor that 10 well
adapted to camp life. He was never
without his horned frog. In the bosom
of his shirt during rides. on his knee
| OF shoulder In camp, under his blan
kets at night. the ngiy little beast
never left him.
Jimmy was humorist OF a type
that prevails In the rural south and
west. Unskilled In originating meth
| DDS Of amusing q in witty concep
tons, he had hit upon a comical idea
and chung to it reverently. 1t had seem
ed to Jimmy very funny thing to
have about his person. with which to
amuse his friends, a. tame horned frog
with q red ribbon around its neck AS
it was happy idea, why not perpetu
ate itf
The sentiments existing between
Jimmy and the frog cannot be exactly
determined. The capability Of the
horned frog for lasting affection is
subject upon which we have had no
sympOsiums 1t is easier to guess
Jimmy's feelings. Mnriel was his chef
d'oeuvre of wit, and as such he cher
ished her. He caught flies for her and
shielded her from sudden northers
Yet his care was half selfish. and when
the time came she repaid him thou
sand fold. Other Muriels have thus
overbalanced the light attentions of
other Jimmies
Not at once did Jimmy Hayes attain
full brotherhood with his comrades.
They loved him for his simplicity and
drollness. but there hung above him
a great sword Of suspended Judgment,
To make merry in camp is not all OF
rangers life. There are horse thieves
to trail. desperate criminals to run
down. braves to battle with, bandits
to rout out of the chaparrai. peace and
order to be compelled at the muzzle
Of six shooter, Jimmy had been
"most generally cowpuncher.' he
said: he was inexperienced in ranger
rangers sreculated apart and solemn,
as to how he would stand fire, for
let it be known. the honor and pride
Of each ranger company is the indi
vidual bravery Of its members.
For two months the border was
quiet The rangers ~IoIled listless, in
camp. And then. bringing JOY to the
r,Isting guardians of the frontier.
SebnstianO Saldar an eminent Mexican
desperate and cattle thief crossed the
Rio Grande with his gang and began
to lay waste the Texas side. There
were Indications that Jimmy Hayes
would soon have the opportunity to
show his mettle. The rangers patrolled
with alacrity. but Saldars men were
mounted like Lochinvar and were hard
TO catch. ~ -
One evening about shutdown Fthe
rangers halted for supper after long
ride. Their horses stood painting with
their saddles on. The men We're fry
ing bacon and boiling coffee Sud
denly, out of the brush. Sebastiano
Saldar and his gang dashed upon them
with blazing six shooters and high
voiced yells. It was neat surprise
The rangers swore In annoyed. tones
and got their Winchesters busy. hut
the attack was only spectacular
dash of the priest Mexican type
After the forid demonstration the raid
ers galloped away. yelling. down the
river. The rangers mounted and pur
sued. but In less than two miles the
tagged ponies labored 80 that Lieu
tenant Manning gave the word to
abandon the chase and return to the
camp.
Then it was discovered that .Iimm.
Hayes was missing. Some one remem
bered having seen him run for his pony
when the attack began. but no one had
set eyes on him since. Morning came.
but no Jimmy. They searched the coup
try around, on the theory that lie had
been killed or wounded. but without
success. Then they followed after Sal
dar's gang. but 1t seemed to have dis
appeared. Manning concluded that the
willy Mexican had recrossefl the river