The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-11-29
Ho.u Bobby Trapped
the Horse Tlieues
BY MADELINE eRANsoN

Bobby was a little boy just
twelve years old. His father
owned a small ranch. down in
Texas. and kept about five hun
dred government horses. These
horses were very valuable. and Of
course IL any Of them were mis-
sing, Mr.. Smith (for that was his
name) was blamed for it.
Lately a band OF robbers had
been getting many of the horses
and disposing of them. They
had been trying to get them. but
they were 80 shrewd that they
could not find out where they hid
their stolen horses.
One day Bobby was going out to
see IL he could find some CLAIMS
along the sea shore in the caves
and cliffs.
He got into one of the caves
hunting the clans when he heard
faint neigh. He was not sure
Of 1t at first, but there 1t was
again. He was sure of it this
time. He thought of the saying
that the rocks were haunted, he
thought Of his fathers horses.
many more Of which had been
taken a few days before. he thou
ght of many more things. but the
horses was the most appealing to
him. he thought If 1t should prove
to be them, he would make a great
effort to save them. He went
outside of the cave to look around
but he heard or saw nothing: he
went back into the cave and heard
that faint. clear neighing again.
He was sure that the horses were
in some of the caves next to the
one he was In.
He went outside again and climb
ed up on top of the rocks. He
crept around on them for some
time. every once in while put
ting his ear on the ground and
listening intently. Once he thought
he heard that faintest neigh,
but he was not sure.
He went on walking around till
he came to a small hole, just big
enough for a human body to 60
through. Looking down into it.
he saw a ladder. Bobby went
down the ladder very fast and
when he reached the bottom. there
were the one hundred horses that
had been stolen.
Bobby's heart leaped with joy.
He pattcd the horses who knew
him and were very glad to see him.
They neighed joyfully. Bobby
thought he had better hurry and
notify his father, but as he started
up the ladder he saw three men
start down. Bobby's heart fell.
He looked about for other means
of escape, and, to his great joy he
saw faint outlines of a tunnel. lie
went to it joyfully and found it was
a small tunnel just large enough
for the horses to pass through.
Bobby decided that this was the
way in which the horses had been
brought into the cave. Bobby ran
on through the tunnel till he came
out in the large thicket that was in
the pasture where the horses were
kept. He hurried toward the house
to tell his father all about it.
Mr.. Smith was very much sur
prised. of course, in hearing this.
He called up the sheriff, who was
soon out there with about five
other men Bobby led the way back
to the cave where they all came
upon three very much surprised
men.
After a short struggle, the three
men were Overpowered and taken
to prison. The horses were then
restored to their keeper.
A few days later Bobby was COM
ing up through the pasture, when
he saw a strange automobile come
up to the house and two men get
out and enter his home.
Bobby hurried in and learned
that they were two government
men. They saw Bobby pass the
door and called him in.
"You certainly have been very,
very brave to catch these robbers
that no one else has been able to-"
said the tall man opposite his