The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1912-04-19
CHAPTER Vi.-(contInued.)

II was the quiet, confident voice OF
assured command. OF n satisfied
with his plans, and the obedient negro,
breathing hard, never dreamed Of OPP
position; 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
Che rail. Success depended IN his
choice, and he could Judge very little
IN that darkness. Men were strag
Cling In along the street to their right.
ON foot and horseback. and the sa-
3oon on the corner was being well pat
ronized. A 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
tthc ponies and thus create an alarm.
Guided by a ~horseman's instinct he
swiftly ran his hands over the animals
and made quick selection.
Here, Neb, take this fellow; lead
him quietly down the bank and he
ahrust the loosened rein into the
blacks hand.
own mount, and was silently moving
IN the same direction. although the
might there was so black that the
cbedient negro had already entirely
vanished. The slope OF the land not
only helped yer their movements.
but also rendered 1t easy for them to
ind one another. Fully a hundred yards
westward they met. where a gully led
directly down toward the river. There
was no longer need for remaining on
foot. as they were a sufficient distance
way from the little town to feel no
fear Of being discovered, unless by
some drunken straggler. At Keith's
command the negro climbed into his
saddle. Both ponies were FESTIVE, but
not vicious, and after a plunge or two,
20 test their @ masters. came easily
undsr control. Keith led the way.
moving straight down the gully. which
gradually deepened, burying them in
its black heart. until 1t finally de-
bouched onto the river sands. The
ytgteus noises OF the drunken town
died slowly away behind. the night
silent and dark. The two riders could
scarcely distinguish n another as
they drew rein at the edge OF the wa
Ter. To the southwark there cleaned
. cluster Of lights. marking the posi-
0on Of the camp of regulars. Keith
drove bis horse deeper into the stream
and headed northward. the negro fol-
lowing like a shadow.
There was a ford directly opposite
the cantonment, and another, nor
dangerous, and known to only a few,
three miles farther up stream. Keep
ing well within the waters edge. SO
as 70 thus completely obscure their
trail yet not daring to venture deep for
fear OF striking quicksand, the plains
IMAM 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 for
crossing. He had been that way only
ence before, and realized the danger Of
attempting passage In such darkness.
nut urgent need drove him forward.
Follow me just as close as you can.
boy" he said sternly, "and keep both
pour feet out Of the stirrups. II your
horse goes down hang to his tail. and
Det him swim out"
Thsre was little enough to guide by,
merely a single faint star peering out
from a rift Of the clouds. but Keith's
renembrance vas that the ford led
straight out to the center of the
stream. and then veered slightly to
ward the right He knew the sand
ridge was only used by horssmen. not
bstag wide enough for the safe PASS
agc Of wagons. but the depth of the
water on either side was entirely
psoblcmaticai. He was taking q big
chance, yet dare not wait for daylight.
Rummening all his nerve and alert
ness. he urged his horse slowly for
ward. the Intelligent animal seeming.
compYehending the situation. and
fsaiins carefully for footing. The &C.
izcns of the animal gave the rider
sreatsr confidence. and he loosened
~ grip on the rein, leaving the pony's
hstinct 10 control. The latter fairly
erspt forward. testing the sand before
uss&ing any weight upon the hooe. the
osgro's mount following caDsely. TAs
SEssr ~ unusually high. md - thoy
o1vansed II bors down against tAsm
= c~rnstAerabas vshms: tAsn. - osy
Voorod u ~ stght. thsy were Gn
800 - puaA directly against ~
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