Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-16
picture beyond Interpretation.


and the black ate down the distance
between its thin nose and the bob
bling rabbit. The gray stretched along
behind, creeping up trifle at a
time.
They all gained grimly-and the
little jack bounced closer the ground
than ever, little puffs of dust arising
where he touched in crossing shall
low wash.
The horses lost. race as they would.
They were no match for those soft
footed, silent bodies that seemed to
move limbs only to spurn spitefully
the retarding earth,
Now the frail tan beast was nose TO
nose with the black, and their heads
were only half "a length behind the rab-
bit. The white nose of the smaller
dog stuck out a hands breath-half
head, her shoulder showed in the
lead.
From behind stormed the gray,
closer and closer with burst OF driv-
ing speed. until he was with the black
until they
And the three of them rolled in the
grass. dust flyins, tails waving help,
lessly as they Clawed for footing
again.
Hardy could not repress cry of
admiration for the jack as his dark
little body shot off at fresh angle,
covering yards and yards of lead be.
fore the dogs could recover and head
for him, running close together Omi.
nOusly, as determined as ever, but
laboring the least bit.
mo use; steady, Spot Ruth
cried, and turned a radiant face on
Hardy.
Better pull up NOWHERE lost.'
she laughed Il guess he's firing the
dogs, and they'll lose him finally. We
can't do more than keep them in sight
and that isn't worth while"
They drew the breathing horses to
halt and sat there watching the
Gwndling chase.
The rabbit was lost to sight: the
gray dog melted into the prairie; the
black became blur, and only the
white markings OF the littlest hound
made a faint, floating fleck far below
them-for they had topped swell
and the whole world slid downhill
to meet dipping sky.
That's sport-and new one for
me-" Hardy breathed when nothing
was left to see but the uncertain white
speck.
Il thought you'd like il; hoped
you would, for we can come often.
I'm always glad when the jack
gets away though she went on hur.
riedly, cutting off I the gratitude he
wanted to express on her voiced in
terest in him. 1T seems little fairer
little more humane. That's because
I'm getting too highly civilized,
guess"
But Hardy did not answer her sally:
In fact, he scarcely heard it, His eyes
were on a hollow over at their left
where the tops of trees showed above
the skyline, and his pulses were just
a little sharper.
Down that hollow was the hiding
place of Bart Sears--the Nayin ranch.
They had approached it from new
angle, and the prairie, in its mystic
rious way, had deceived him, kept him
ignorant of their whereabouts.
More, a horseman was coming up
that hollow toward them.
Could it be Texas? Or Sam Devort?
II so, and he was found there with
Ruth Mitchell. daughter of big Bob
Mitchell, what might ensue? For an
instant doubt filled him.
Then the horse bore his rider up
over ledge of limestone and against
the silvering western sky. moving in
sharp silhouette.
That's Little Foot Fred Little
Foot" the girl said under her
breath. isn't that magnificent ami.
mali"
With relief Hardy heard her and
looked curl0usly at the horse.
Indeed II was magnificent beast.
moving across before them. with the
sun rays setting fire where they
glanced off his bright sorrel coat
High.headed, with a mass OF name
and forelock that fluttered with every
spirited toss of the regal head; mar.
row between the ears, swelling across
the eyes and tapering sharply only to
flare wide again into full, intelligent,
inquisltive nostlils that turned culver.
ingly toward the two watchers.
The neck was well arched--a true
thoroughbred type, appearing short. |
when in reality 1t was of splendid |
length, and the neck set high on his |
shoulders, at good angle Chest com.
pact and strong. with deep. thick
shoulders. barrel long. on close in.
spection. yet so coupled that it gave
the impression OF shortness that
same. deeeiying quality which appear
ed in the neck
Each one OF the quick moving feet
took the ground well under the body