The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1913-10-31

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 It over there and see," 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 captive 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
.anger. 1.-The little cuss knows you
Never thought them insects had that
much sense!'
Jimmy Hayes became a favorite in
the ranger camp. He had an endless
store Of good nature and a mild, peren-
NAL quality of humor that Is we'll
adapted to camp life. He was never
without his horned frog. In the bosom
Of his shirt during rides. on his knee
or shoulder in camp. under his blan-
kets at night. the ugly 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 or in witty concep-
tons. he had hit upon a comical idea
and chung to 1t reverently. 1t had seem
ed to Jimmy very funny thing to
have about his person. with which to
amuse his friends, tame horned frog
with red ribbon around its neck. As
it was happy idea, why not perpetu-
ate It?
The sentiments existing between
Jimmy and the frog cannot be exactly
determined. The capability Of the
horned frog for lasting affection is a
subject upon which we have had no
symposiums. It is easier to guess
Jimmy's feelings. Muriel 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 a thou
sand fold. Other Muriels have thus
overbalanced the light attentions Of
other Jimmies.
Not Mt 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
a rangers lie. There are horse thieves
70 trail. desperate criminals to run
down. braros to battle with, bandits
to rout out Of the chaparral. 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
methods of warfare. Therefore the
rangers speculated apart and solemnly
as to how he would stand Urea for.
let 1t be known. the honor am bride
Of each ranger company is thesindi-
vidual bravery OF hts members.
For two months the border was
quiet The rangers lolled. listless. In
camp. And then. bringing Joy to the
rusting guardians OF the frontier.
sebastiano 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 Saldar's men were
like Lochtnvar and were hard
to catch.
One evening about shutdown the
rangers halted for supper after a long
ride. Their horses stood painting with
their saddles on. The men were 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
' diced yells. It was a neat surprise.
Tue rangers swore In annoyed tones
and got their Winchesters busy. but
the attack was only a spectacular
dash of the purest Mexican type
After the dorid 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 so that Lieu
enant Manning gave the word to
tbandon the chase and return to the
amp.
Then 1t was discovered that Jimmy
I ayes was missing. Some one remem-
y red having seen him run for his pony
Y hen the attack began. but no one had
e eyes on him since. Morning came.
nit no Jimmy. They searched the coun-
try around. on the theory that he had
N'en killed or wounded. but without
success. Then they followed after Sal.
lzlr's gang. but it seemed to have dis
Manning concluded that the
willy Mexican had recrossed the river
after his theatric farewell And indeed
no further deDredations from him wara