New Britain herald., 1924-09-04

SAID SALLY. .. dawn she was pleased to discover that the trees were becoming more sparse. A few minutes later, as they rode out into an open space, the light about them was Nsibly in- creased.
 The Wreck's' horse ranged along- side Sally's mount without urging and nipped gently at the shoulder of his companion.
 "G'long there" said Sally, good naturedly. Mind your"
 She borke off into little cry and refined her horse sharply.
 Henry Williams" she cried.
 What now?"
 She was staring at the Wreck $ horse.
 'Look--look what you're ridingl"
 'Huh?''' He squinted down through his spectacles at the top of the animals head, as though expect ing to discover, perhaps, that it was an elephant or camel, rather than a regulation Montana mount.
 Its Bob Wells horse!" said Sally, in voice of awe.
 And indeed it was, as the Wreck could now see, with d fair amount of early morning light coming over tho hills. It was the big black animal that even he, to whom most horses looked alike, had come to associate with the sheriff.
 I'll be doggoned!" he muttered.
 Sally sat rigid in her saddle, as though the sight had petrified her. It was Bob's horse, Bob's saddle, Bob's bridle-the whole outfit was there. No wonder she had been able to soothe the frightened animal, back in the darkness. He knew her We've stolen the sherif's horses!" she gasped.
 Found 'em," corrected the Wreck
 "Oh, Henry!"
 well, what of it?"
 But What fin the world does ii mean? I'm all mixed up"
 The Wreck did not have any yer, clear idea of what it meant, but the discovery was rather pleasing tC him. .Cnconsciously he assumed { more jaunty pose in the saddle. . one horse is the same as anothe, to me-" he remarked, You tboueh they were good enough when w, found 'em in the woods. What, the matter with 'em now?" But Bob-his horse-and- Wb, he must have been right close tt us."
 Well, he didn't find us, did he 9 remarked the Wreck, triumphantly He even risked his seat by leaninf forward and stroking the neck O the black horse. Sally glanced at her own mount She could not remember ever havint seen the animal before. It was z medium sized bay, rather easil, gated, but evidently not built fol speed.
 We must have all been brett, close together in the woods" unused sally Think of that. Of course Bob didn't know about us; hc couldn't have. But he must have been pretty hot on the trail of that gang. l suppose that's what Nose, was worried about last night, wher ne and Lefty went down to watcl the main road, What. don't un. derstand is Bob losing his horse. Ht must have been doing some scoutin, on foot and didn't figure on an, storm messing things up. This on, I'm riding, of course, must belong tt somebody in the posse"
 The Wreck grinned down at hi, mount. In some measure the black horse compensated for the loss ot the flivver.
 I'll bet Bob's just crazy" saiC Sally.
 Sure"
 Why, if anything happened tc that horse-whewi He'd sooner le the whole gang get away than, los, his horse"
 Well, he can have it back wheI I'm through with it." said the Wrecl with an airy tone. I'll exchang, , 1t for a flivver any time.''
 And the humiliation of it." con tinued Sally, talking half to herself { Think of sheriff going out t, catch somebody aud having some body else run of with his horse [ Cant you see it, Henry?" a.
 T can see it fine" . And there he is back in tn, , woods there somewhere, witt t nothing to ride. and probably tn, gang laughing at him.
 Well, it's a good laugh" agreed the Wreck.
 r Why. it's awfur" I "ls it?" He looked at he sharply
 . Whats the idea? Do you wan 9 to go back and hand him his plul s and say: Here we are. Take us t l the hoosegow'?"
 Sally shook her head impatiently f "Of course not. We can't Bu e I'm just trying 10 make you under 0 stand what s frightful fix it is for ], sheriff to be in. Oh. he must b simply wild! JAst,imagine yoursel 1 in his place
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