The Monmouth inquirer., 1920-04-29

at the most---of that running and he
would pull him down to a sane speed
the speed which the blood and bone OF
breeding could hold for hours.
Head we'll up the sorrel ran; ears
stiffly forward, flicking back now and
then to hear the mutterings of the
rider; tail held out from his body in
a floating plume. Playfulness, yani-
ty, were gone from him now. He was
all business, intent, alert, eager for the
task meted out to him.
"Auh-Streak. They will talk
about us, hey? Run, Streak-hyah!
He swung his Quirt until it sang a
shrill, goadtng tune. and the beat OF
the hoofs on the road became faster.
firmer, the roar of the great lungs
louder.
They rounded the shoulder Of the
hill. and the first mile of the grilling
ride was down.
"Auh-Streak Hyah!" aloud. in
a shrill cry of exultation. "They will
stop saying Fred Little Foot is a
worthless drunkard! After tonight
they will stop!"
He cried aloud again, joyful in his
new-found freedom, his visioned want
age place in the eyes of the COM
munity.
The second mile was half down
and the great sorrel, head farther out
now, pace still faster, blew the foam
from his lips with great force OF
breath.
Then out of the darkness ahead
swan a ghostlike blotch. 1t came
nearer, gained distinct outline and
Little Foot, struck dumb, pictures OF
his glory wiped out, threw his weight
on the bride reins. and growled to his
horse.
For he knew that gray horse by
instinct. 1t was Walter Kennedy's.
And of such long standing was his
sdbserviance to the man that his
abandonment of the purpose which
had lifted him above himself came
subconsciously.
The sorrel stopped with seat er,
ing of gravel,
11llllS L EOOl-Nudl III Inc uCNil .
name are you doing here?" Kennedy
cried as the Indian rider hurtled out
of the night and swung to halt be.
side him.
The other did not answer.
"Say, you red-skin scum, answer
mel" he muttered brutally, urging his
gray horse close to the sorrel.
81 just ridin', Walt. Streak here.
give 1t to him hard going to Nayin's;
he gets stiff"
For a long moment the white man
glsred at the sulkins boy.
! 81 don't believe you!" he said be-
tween his shut teeth. You come with
me now. Well ride to town we'll
see what you're up to. Come alongl"
Obediently, with the force of long
habit, the Indian boy faced the breath
ing sorrel about and reversed his
course. He felt the eyes of Kennedy
on him as he rode along, head down,
and he was frightened.
Little Foot ceased to think of the
glory that was to be his; dull, dead
fear clung about his heart. He could
not lie away from this man. Kennedy
knew him too we'll Truth would out
and the white mans punishment
would come.
s"Don't think you've been fooling
ME, you -" Kennedy muttered
when they had trotted half mile to-
ward Kiheka. 1--WE been watching
you-eyer since you came to be such
damned good friends with Hardy!
I've been to Navin's tonight-be-
cause l wouldn't trust you! And it
meant long trip, because rode clear
across to this road for fear / might
meet some one.
That's how much trust you. But
/ want to say this, Little Foot: If
go, you go. II you get funny and let
any of our plans slip, you'll he caught
with the rest OF us. You know what
chance drunken Usage d stand be-
fore Judge, don't your Well-take
care then-take care!"
The Indian rode silently. They
ominous warning further depressed
him. and the fear weighed heavier.
What ii they were caught? Would
they hang him?
And what OF Hardy? He was de-
pending on Streak to stop Gilbright-
and Streak was going back to Kiheka
at trot, abandoning his great chance,
delaying the break with Kennedy. Ii
Hardy failed as well, Lon Gilbright
would ride to his death at Crooked
Ford. 1t was certain as the hills.
Then Kennedy uttered snarl that
shot chill through him.
"Ah! Don't think I'm not on to you!"
he jeered, voice laden with baleful ac-
cusation. Don't think haven't found
out some things.
what was that note you took to
Hardy from Sears?"
Il don't know"
Don't know! Don't know! You
drunken pup-take that"
And he swung his quirt viciously.
1t aimed at Little Foot's hanging
head, but the movement OF his horse
under him spoiled Kennedy's balance.
The stinging lash cut sharply across
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