Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1912-07-04
CHAPTER Vl.-(contInued.)

CHAPTER Vl.-(contInued.)
II was the quiet confident voice OF 4
assured command. OF one satisfied |
with his plans. and the obedient negro. |
breathing hard. never dreamed OF OPP
positiun. 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
tie rail. Success depended on his /
choice. and he could Judge very little !
In that darkness. Men were strag
Cling in along the street to their right I
On foot and horseback. and the sa
loon on the corner was being well pat
ronized 4 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 aud thus create an alarm
Guided by horseman's instinct he
swiftly ran his hands over the animals
and made quick selection.
Here. Nob. take this fellow. lead
him quietly down the bank" and he
thrus, the loosened rein into the
blacks hand
An instant later he had chosen his
owu mount. and was silently moving
In the same direction. although the
night there was so black that the
obediont negro had already entirely
vanished The slope OF the land not
only helped cover their movements.
but also rendered q easy for them 10
ind one another Fully hundred yards
westward they met. where a gully led
directly down toward the river. There
vas no longer need for remaining on
foot as they were a sufficient distance
/ away from the little town TO feel no
fear Of being discovered. unless by
some drunken straggler. Al kciths
i command the negro climbed into his
saddle Both ponies were FESTIVE. but
not vicious. and after a plunge or two
TO test their new masters. came easily
under control Keith led the way.
moving straight down the gully. which
gradually decpened. buryng them IN
its black heart. until II finally de
bouched onto the river sands. The
rotous 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
cluster Of lights. marking the posi-
ton Of the camp OF regulars. Keith
drove his horse deeper into the stream
aud headed northward. the negro fol
lowing Ike a shadow.
There was ford directly opposite
the environment and another. more
dangerous. and known TO only few.
three miles farther up stream. Keep.
ing well within the waters edge. so
rs to thus completely obscure their
lraii yet not daring TO venture deep for
Fear Of striking quicksand, the plains
man set his pony struggling forward.
unlil the dim outline of the bank ut
ms right rendered him confident that
'hey had attained the proper point for
crossing. He had been that way only
once before. and realized the danger OF
attempting passage in such darkness.
out urgent need drove him forward.
Fellow me Just as close as yon can.
ooy he said sternly. "and keep both
your feet out of the stirrups II your
morse goes down hang to his TAIL and
lei him swim out"
There was little enough to guide by.
merely single faint star peering out
IRON rift of the clouds. but Keiths
remembrance was that the ford led
straight out to the center OF the
"'ream. and then veered slightly TO
ward the right He knew the sand
rage was only used by horsemen, not
"eihg wide enough for the safe pass
age OF wagons. but the depth OF the
wafer on either side was entirely
p'oolematical He was taking a big
enhhce. yet dare not wait for daylight
Suihmoning all his nerve and alert
NESS, he urged his horse slowly for
ward the intelligent animal seeming
comprehending the situation. and
"ehng carefully for footing The &C
uohs OF the animal gave the rider
s.eater confidence. and he loosened
nus grip on the rein. leaving the pony's
instinct TO control. The latter fairly
orepl forward. testing the sand before
.esung any weight upon the hoof. the
nesros mount following closely. The
wafer was unusually high. and as they
auFanced IT, bore down against them
~ considerable volume; then. as Ger
'eered to the right. they were com
pened TO push directly against its
"e'sht IN struggling toward shore