The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-02-01
CHAPTER m
The lkA<e

The coyotes were barking when the
cooks triangle brought Dave from
his blankets. Hart joined hi. trend
and the two young men walked out
20 the remuia together. Each rider
had on the prsviou. night belled tho
mount he wanted. for he knew that
In the morning It would be too dark
to distinguish one bronco from an.
ether. The animals wrr. rim milling.
ecing round and round In a circle 20
escape the iariat.
Dave rode IN close and waited.
rop. ready. his ears attuned to the
sound Of his own bell. A horse
rushed juggling past. Th~ rope snnk
ed out. fell true. frightened over the
neck Of the cowpony. brought up the
animal short. Instantly n sur.
rendered. making no further attempt
70 escape The roper made a half.
hitch round the nose Of the bronco.
swung to Its back. and can,ered back
TO camp.
Sanders saddied. then rode out
upon the mesa. lie whistied sharply.
There came an answering nicker.
and presently out OF tho darkness a
pony trotted. The pinto was sleek
and glossy little fellow. beautiful In
action and gentle az a kitten.
The young fellow took the wen.
shaped head In his arms. fondied the
soft. dainty nose that nuzzied in hla
pocket for sugar. fed ChIquito a hair.
handful Of the deiicacy In his open
palm. and put the pony thru the
repertoire Of tricks he had taught his
pet
You wnnta shake a leg today. old
fellow, and throw dust IN that tin.
horns face" he murfnured TO his
four footed friend. Rentilnr n with
little pats Of love and admiration.
'Adios. Chlduito. I know you won't
throw Off on yore old pal 50 long.
old pieeater.-
Across the m~~a Dave vaflop~d
back. swung from the saddle. and
made a Decline for breakfast. The
other men were already busy at this
important business.
The punchers OF the n Bar Lazy
r were moving n large herd 20 a new
f1lk's IlAt 'ttAAAF Ut1 Uftfn lOlt-t
bedded in n gulch close at hand. the
upper end Of which was scaled by an
impossible cliff.
Expertiy the riders threw the cat.
tie back 10 the mesa and moved them
forward. Among the bunch one
could find the T Anchor brand. the
Circle Cross. the Diamond Tan. and
the XII, scattered among the cows
burned with the ID Bar Lazy n,
which was the original brand OF the
owner. Emerson Crawford.
Sunset brought them 20 IN. Salt
Flats. The foreman gave orders 10
throw off and make camp.
A course was chosen for the race
From q selected point the horses
were 10 run 10 a clump Of mesquite.
round II, and return 10 the starting.
place Dug Doble was chosen both
starter and judge.
Dave watched Whisiey Bill with
the trained eyes of horsefnnn. The
animal was an ugly brute as 70 the
head. It's eyes were set too close.
and the shape OF the nose was de
formed from the effects Of the hat.
tlesnake's sting. But in legs and
body il had the fine lines Of racer
The horse was buiit for speed. The
cowpuncher's heart sank. His bron.
co was fast. willing. and very intel.
iigent. but the little range pony had
not been designed 20 show It's heels
to a near-thoroughbred.
Are you ready7" Doble asked OF
the two men in the saddles.
Ills brother rsid. Let 'cr goi San.
ders nobbed. The revolver barked
Chiquito was OFF like flash OF
light found ia stride instantly. The