The Wahpeton times., 1916-08-24

AVopeIS. .anG Wnat was 1t mad been
sa.i?
"Ihe Gringo is always drunk. He
ts harmless. Do not kill him."
Santos had kicked him contemptn
ous'y and ridden on his way. But
Kane remembered now. He remem
bered the whispered colloquy. No.
body knew that he understood much
Spanish. for he seldom spoke to any.
one. But Kane had gathered that the
troop was to raid the American camp
at sunup.
Slowly the realization of this crepa
into his mind. He heard again the
laughter Of the Mexican, leader, his
boast Of what he would do to the
Gringos, his talk of the American
women then slowly. like q
flower, Dorothy's face unfolded before
his eyes against the fading West.
kane staggered to his feet and
looked about him. Tethered to near.
by hut was fine stallion. the prop.
erty Of Santos, which he had left there
till his return on the morrow, not wish.
ing to risk it in the impending fight, Il
fight there was to be. Nobody was
guarding it.
Kane crept toward 1t. He saw the
saddle and bride at the door of q
nearby hut. In moment he had
placed the saddle on the animals back
and fastened the girth.
He fitted the bride, hearing shouts
as the Mexicans saw him and OWNED
his purpose. Men ran toward him.
Kane cut the halter and leaped on
the stations back. In a moment he
was away, galloping along the road
that led toward the border. Behind
him he still heard the cries Of ths
stupefied Mexicans.
III.
Once out Of sight Of the village hs
moved slowly. for before him, miles
away, outlined against the hori-
zon. he saw the cavalry of Santos
marching. The day died and the stars
came out. Kane rode along the de-
serted road.
It was midnight when he saw far
off the winding Rio. Looking down.
he saw the camp of the raiders at the
foot Of the hill. A high bank on either
side Of him. rising into the mountains,
cut off all possibility Of detour. He
must ride through the camp.
He gave his horse a rest; then,
mounting, he continued, very cautious
~, until. topping the last hill. he saw
the pickets under him. Then he put
his horse to the gallop.
Faster and faster he drove the stal.
lion down the hill. He heard the
shouts of the guard, he caught vision
Of men, risen from sleep, staring a
him; and then he was running the
gantlet between two lines of Med.
cans. He heard their excited shouts.
Bullets whizzed past him. He felt a.
1t were the sting Of a bean through the
forearm. through the shoulder. His
right hand, pierced. dropped nerve
lessly from the reins. He felt the
blood stream down him.
Then he had passed them, and as his
snortins horse gathered itself together
beneath him he heard the troop, with
IL
river glistened before him. The cur,
rent ran fast and strong. Only mo-!
ment he heSitated; and, as he did So,
he felt another sting under the arm.
Then he drove the stallion into the
river.
The bullets whipped the water about
him. Kane felt his senses leaving him.:
and an awful faintness. He felt the,
icy water wrap him round like a
shroud. Behind him his pursuers had
halted. No ordinary horse could swimj
from the south to the north bank Of.
the Rio in food time.
The current was sweeping him
away. But before him he saw, white
against the night. the tents of his own
people. With last effort Kana
spurred the tagging beast beneath the
water. The stallion screamed and sud-
denly began to tread upon the river
bottom.
Spla.hins and p!unging, it gained
the American side aud rushed up the
bank. Behind him thu Mexicans were
still tiril.s, but now the bullets went
wild. kune was IN no danger If only
he could pull himself together and
reach his goal.
He refined in the stallion with his
last Reserve strength. He wai.ied it
slOw'y through the ehtr"nce to the
camp. Men We're already alert,
aroused by the shots. and filling in.
Kane heard III" colnne!'S VOICE. He
saw woman siin:iing nj his side. He
stopped the ii 'l>c in font Of the COM
manding officer.
"Santos is leading party to attack
the camp. Sir, !. faltercd. II came
tO-war:i you-'
And Kane fell from his horse into
the arms Of the colonels orderly.
They carried him into the colonel's
house. Kane opened his eyes after q
long interval. to see faces looking into
his. He saw the doctor shake his
head. A sense of supreme Joy thrilled
him. 1t was good to .iie-it was good
that this should be ended-aId be end
ed thus.
Aud among the faces he saw that Of
the coloners wife Her tears fell ovee