The Wilmington morning star., 1940-03-19
Partners For Life

Suspicion family stirred within Silver. He
knew hated MAN laid traps; he had escaped
many of them.
Farther and farther away the men were gal
Looping from where Silver had stopped. Even as
he w.tched, his doubts were eHaced, for
FRIEND MAN was urging Nellie to her swift
est gallop, and the rest were doing likewise. Sill
ver.s ears pric. I'd to a sharper angle, as he saw
puts of 2moke and heard sharp reports. He knew
those were guns, and they were meant to harm or
to kill. No longer did he doubt. It was 4 chase.
Silver snorted and plunged to a swift start.
His legs flew over the plain in a way he never
before had covered distance. The grass whistled
beneath the winged-like speed of his body as he
shot along like the tabled h~orse-Pegasus.
The whiz of a bullet passed the Lone Rangers
head, brought him to attention. He, half-turning
in his saddle, urged Nellie to her fastest gallop,
as he returned the FIRE of his pursuers. The BAN
dts increased their speed and their firing.
The first figure, the Lone Ranger, fell. His
horse, Nellie, %slumping beneath him, with a shat
tered leg, finally went down.
They got you, old girl; they got you" said
the Lone Ranger pulling free of the stirrups,
huddled behind his m~ortally wounded horse and
with a look of hatred flashed at the approaching
men, he fondled the horses head. Then, plung-
ing the barrel of one of his guns against the
horses head, he painted, "I've got to do it, Mel
lie. l can't leave you to the prairie, if they get
me-" And he pulled the trigger.
ONE AGAINST FIVE
The outlaws were now almost upon him. The
Lone Ranger swung his guns up and opened FIRE.
One outlaw grabbed his shoulder. swayed in his
saddle, as his startled horse, rearing, tossed its
rider lightly aside, and plunged off over the
prairie.
The other four opened fire. A bullet, from
one tore through the air. The Lone Ranger bent
in pain, closer to his dead horse.
The outlaws did not attack at once, but wait
ed. The figure lay still a minute, then sat up.
His guns roared and two horses toppled beneath
their riders, while another silver bullet caused a
third f0 veil G ho c111rnnad Nuor hic horco1c ocI
and quickly changed his course to the back trail,
only to feel his horse go down beneath him.
The Lone Rangers shirt was wet with his
own blood, and he knew his strength was fast
ebblng. He dared not cease firing long enough
to bind the wound or to stanch the flow of blood,
for fear the outlaws would attack.
Weakly he leaned forward, resting his Shout
der on his dead horses body. Two bullets left,
laws, from behind their dead horses, were send
ing a steady rain of lead at him, and he dared not
attempt to expose his body. But such a move
ment was necessary to get his reserve of bullets.
SILVER TO THE RESCUEl
He saved the two bullets. If he could hold
each of his two shots, maybe the third outlaw
flee without trying to get him first. Rather
a futile hope it seemed. The outlaws, getting no
return fire were cautiously raising themselves to
attack when-like a mighty locomotive thunder.
ing across the prairie, Silver, flashing in the sun
light, came tearing down upon them. Swiftly
they turned and beheld the raging horse. Bull
screamed all about Silver but he did not fear
bullets. He had come to save his FRIEND
MAN. Without stopping for man or bullets he
tore into the outlaws. His hoofs crushed one into
the dirt while another he sent flying far by a
backward kick. A third ran screaming from the
terrifying, Infatuated, demoniacal beast, SILL
YER. His steps were few, for the horse dashed
upon him and beat him into the ground, as a
hits the nail into wood.
Lifting his head and seeing two fleeing from
the scene, Silver would have taken after them,
but a groan from the MAN took Silver over to
the Lone Ranger lay by his dead horse.
Silver, old boy-YOU. I doubted if + would
ever see you again, when you left me-"
His voice broke. The Lone Ranger was shame
lessly sobbing, as he dragged himself up on one
elbow and flung his arms around the ankles of
the foam-Aecked, painting horse.
Silver bent his proud head and gently nudged
his-MASTER. And the Lone Ranger, gently
stroking Silver's nose, laid his tear-wet face
against that of the silver horse. Thus, silently,
bond OF fidelity was sealed between MAN and
Lone Ranger and Silver. They, in
that hour, formed one of the strongest attach
of this earth, the friendship of a noble man
and a proud horse, and became PARTNERS OF
THE PRAIRIE for life. Hi-Yo, Silveri
~ 1oaS IT,. p,na.. T.. Ar Dill n..-.S