Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1933-02-16
He went on. Saunders hard after

Horses We're squealing now. an
kicking more furialsly. lie hear
wood splintered under a hoof an
could see. through the partially opene
doorway. the low cavern of the bar
lighted by angry flames.
lie was into Ii. throwing an arr
owe his face to strain smoke from tn
air he breathed. He caught a distan
osior. though. and through his mins
went one word.
Gasolinel
4 wlndrow Of hay along the centel
OF The building burned. Flakes Of IN.
haies. half torn apart, were sfrewf
there. IL seemed, and they hlazed bright
", orange fronds of flame leaping up
ward TO find hold ON cobwehbed raft
ers as the draft of the ventilators
sucked the gases through the roof
Smoke swirled about the floor and be
stumbled as he ran on. striving TO gain
the rear stalls first.
lie choked as he entered the stall.
bhi grasped the horses name over and
over, putting a hand on the rlnn.
Come on. boy he said, trying TO
speak without excitement. STEADY.
now r."
lhe horse sidled. banged into n stall
sfanehion, leaped the other way. kicked
as flame touched his belly. He broke.
tried 10 run and john went with him.
s~frangling from the smoke. humping
into another led horse, out into the
night.
Aen we're running others were back
In there, shouting ut horses.
"ilow many in theres' John yelled.
grabbing Tait's arm as the barn boss.
CRYING now. ran past him.
All out but two. Prince won't
Gomez"
John saw men struggling with a
horse inside and turned to their aid.
He found a pitchfork and got behind
the horse. striking ii without mercy.
prodding with the tines. They rot
the animal out and Jack TAFT reeled.
gagging with nausea. John backed
from the building. shielding his face
with an appraised arm. Flames were
through the roof now. licking at the
%cornices. melting holes I'm the walls.
AL out, Jack7- he croaked.
Look out /"
The warning shout made John whirf.
He threw himself forward to grab Mt
the rope as the horse shook off fhe
last restraining hand. throwing a man
end over end, and broke for the stable.
screaming shrilly. John could see him.
outlines distorted by wrigglIng heat
waves He crouehed low and rushed in.
He heard the horse scream again
and kick. The terror of the creatures
cry gave him strength. 1t screamed
the third time. and John dropped to
his hands and knees for relief.
He stopped crawling. He had al
most zone ON. across that thing If
felt like a bag of oats. a sack of inert
material. until his hands brushed
flesh
He had come upon d man. living
there. when he sought to save d
horsei !
John grasped the limp arm and
pulled the figure about He got to his
feet and. bent double. ran three steps.
The heat and the burden beat him
down. An eddy brought In a gulp OF
fresh air. He rose again and made q
stride or two and went down,
covering from the terrific punishment
of standing.
Another man was crawling towards
John from the doorway. He found a
hold and they went for the open with
a rush
1t was Jack TAFT who had come In to
help.
who . who's this7r John
rolling the man over
freight fell on the face as a score
VI men pressed about.
Never saw him" painted the barn
Someone began to fan the face with
cap and Jack TAFT plucked at Johns
lrm.
1HE OAG FEtERaG Was 11tfuiIE I'D 81 !
blo~od-stained. That hand had
ust turned the unconscious mans
lead over, had been pressed against
side of the skull.
Get over with Mark !" John ordered
hose about him. Jack and I'll tend
o this lad" /,
The group scattered
The burden that the two carried !,
'as not heavy. They went across the /
snow towards the Office. !
the faster as they neared their
Elective. 4
John lighted the hanging lamp and r
ley stood looking down into that SET n
ice.
"Never seen him" the barn boss
lid. o
Nor did l." :
Gingerly John examined the great a
ark on the skull. tracing 1t out with
fingers through the thick hair. n
whats 1t shaped like2r he asked. ii
oking up. n