The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-07-26

SnHSulNS IeeI0 anu eyes ike uraS-
Dn's, she was upon and over them and |
dashed ahead. A dozen mounted men
spurred after us with the act. They
might as well have chased the wind,
feet fell short of their leader. They
dared not shoot lest Uncle Sam should
hear the echo presently and only vast
ell little time for Jack to profit by.
Once clear Of pursuit .Corenca fell of
a little in her speed, but not in. her in
as quickly learned in my
first attempt to jGggle with the reins.
After all, why should not let her have
her way now that no special cause for
speed bursts lay ahead? She was a
tilful child Of the plains. Let her
sweep them to suit her fancy. She
would lose no time and perhaps, better
than l, could judge Of her own endur
ance. So we left the dubious miles be
hind us in pursuit of the miles ahead
that she rapidly found and conquered
one by one. Sometimes the pace was Il
moderate canter, sometimes swift as
the wind. but watched the f1anks be-
meath me in vain for labOred breath.
She seemed to temper her speed to the
limit Of what she could endure without
drawing upon that wonderful reserve
force that made her at once the pride
and the terror of the plains.
So thirty odd miles lay behind us
presently, and the game little beast
had drawn up only once for drink as
she fordcd a stream. Still. more than
one sign now told me that she had
made her run at an awful expense to
herself. Once she began to show ia
ti.ue it seemed as If her dissolution
was to be as rapid as her fight had
been. The willful flirt of her head she
had left miles behind, and she stum-
bled a little sometimes as she still gal
loped faithfully on. Each breath was
a heavc and gasp now. and the white
foam that fell from her mouth was Oc-
casionally colored with red. Should !
dismount and feed her or try to crowd
her through? Back among the noun.
tain canyons could see a kindly, rug
ged face. now stern and resolute, at
bay. Before me, only few miles
ahead, lay Halseyville and rescue. Al
ready could almost see the stately
mayer and few chosen friends rush
ing away OIL their errand OF merry and
Justice. Nor could l quite forget the
sweet faced girl, In whose eye tear
had stood so close behind the laugh she
| had given Jack at parting. And it all
tempted me forward. Still. it would be
foolish thing to ruin all so near my
journeys end by letting my now suf-
fering horse SO off from her feet for
want Of few minutes rest.
Corenca stood quiet enough now,
with head down and heaving sides. but
with the fire still unquenched in her
| flashing eyes. Reluctantly dismount.
ed and loosened the saddle girth lit
tie. Then sight met my eyes that
STAYED my hand at the fastenings while
l looked again. to bring me moment
later back into my seat. For the first
tima that day I urged Corenca beyond
! the limit of her chosen speed. and right
Inolly DID she struggle to respond. Blu,
the heaving sides told their own story
of conquered body still reeling for
ward under the impetus Of an unyield
ing will Poor, faithful servant! II
was, then, to be race to the death
of my horse or my friend-and Il, thai
choice of course the dumb brute hat
to lose.
Now that the decision had been fore
ed upon me spared the use Of neithe
whip nor spur upon Corenca-Corenc
to whom no one had ever before daret
to teach the use of either. No NOR
thought of trying to save her-just t
get the last ounce out Of her before sh
fell. Far ahead, just leaving Halscy
vile. could see queer little red spo
rushing toward us, which I realized t
be the mayors automobile, bearing hin
rapidly away to a neighboring tow
For n few miles his route lay straish
toward me. but presently the ron
Iforked, and the red spot would bea
out of reach the one man whose pres
e,lce would awe Jacks pErsuers int
submission at a word. If could reac
!. those forks in time It would save me
, smart little ride to the town. II faile
I feared me much that all my effort
i were doomed to failure-that the gam
, lIwas up. Well, it would never be G.
renca's fault. As noted her tremblin
and unsteady gait could not but hoi
that when she did go down she woul
! be out Of her misery soon. Again al
! again / urged her on, heartsick as
, felt the futile struggle she was maxim
I under me. 1t was losing race. Sti
|, she lost it by so narrow margin th'
i she won for me.
0 Already. the steel steed was abo'
: tc swing around the curve and lea'
i. me such a few rods behind when c
renca, as though still Obedient to h
4 mconquered will, plunged wildly in
i the air and sank dying to the cart
: Her race was over, but she had be'
o grit to the very end.
II A pair of sharp eyes. not the mayor
). saw the accident and gave in qui
. report. So it happened that instead
i leaving me helpless they presently DIRE
r. up by my side and looked down on I
n erouching by the dumb brute's head.
It wasn't the mayor who first cOl
,r pretended the story I tried to tell the
a If Jack. and it wasn't his voice that I
r. 1nred me into the vacant seat nor
II ! lands that suddenly took control