The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-09-24

"That's sure some haWsS, he
shouted. keep outer his way
when he does git to movin', fell
lers, because he'll move fast and
quick. Fork this hombre acrost
him!"
A little cautiously, for the repu-
tation of the black stallion was
known to all, the group that held
Dave dragged him to Black
Dawn's side and raised him, fore
ing one leg across and thrusting
the toe of the boot into the STIR
rup. But Black Dawn stood like
a craven image, utterly motion
less, save for a trembling of his
flankS.
Dave wondered, anonymously
enough, why they hadn't bound
his arms. Then he remembered.
A strangling man claws instinct
lively at the rope by which he is
suspended, prolonging the agonies
of death and increasing the a.
musement that his hanging offers.
Dave sat on the black stallion
disdainfully, making no attempt
at resistance. But again he sought
Lois eyes, and again he saw the
girls eyes fixed on his. And all
of a sudden it seemed to him as
if triple understanding had
bden effected-between himself
and the girl and the big. horse.
He felt that Black Dawn recog-
nized his mastery of him.
"Were just about ready, Miss
Lois" shouted Curran. "Just a
moment, though. Bruce yuh,
might as we'll confess as how yuh
murdered Mr.. Hooker, onless yuh
want to go to hell with lie on
yore soul. Got anything to say?
Mebbe a last message for yore
loved and dear ones? Speak loud,
Teller, we're listenin'."
Dave, looking contemptuously
upon the grinning throng, return
ed no answer.
"Yuh amt got nothing to say?"
sneered Curran. "Mebbe you'd
like to lead us in psalm? Well,
yuh'll talk plenty when yuh feel
the rope tightenin'. Which bein'
so, we're ready for yuh, Miss Lo-
is"
Lois moved slowly forward.
With her eyes still fixed intently
upon Dawes, she had the ap-
pearance Of a sleep-walker. She
stepped to Black Dawn's side and
laid her hand upon his neck.
The shouts and curses had died
away into complete silence as the
last scene Of the tragedy came on
the stage. This was the climax Of
the afternoons entertainment. In
another moment Dave Bruce
would be dancing at the end of
the long rope, gurgling, and claw
ing helplessly with his hands in
his effort to free himself.
Then suddenly Lois leaped-
and what happened next was
something entirely unforeseen by
any man in that crowd.
For, with swift bound, the
girl was astride Black Dawn be-
hind Dave, and quick as a flash
her arm shot up. A blade was
seen to CLINT in the light that
came from the front of the Way
side Rest. The rope, severed with
two quick strokes, dropped in a
coil about Dawes shoulders.
A low whistle from Lois lips.
And instantaneously Black Dawn
went into action. With a mighty
leap the great stallion broke
through the crowd, knocking men
right and left. He plunged
through the rearing horses, which
were squealing with terror, while
their riders frantically pulled
leather in order to retain their
balance.
Another instant, and the horse,
bearing his double burden, was
galloping along the street, gather
ing his mighty muscles into an a.
mazing composite of speed and
momentum.
The horse was through the
crowd before any man there had
recovered his presence of mind.
Curran was the first to do so.
stop them!" he howledp "Shoot
the hawss! Shoot quick!"
He loosed his six-gun, and a
rafting volley followed close up
on the discharge. But by this
time Back Dawn and his two rid
ers were halfway the length of
the short street. The punchers
on their rearing horses were
struggling madly to get them I'M
der control. There came a wild
dash in pursuit.
They might as we'll have chas-
ed the wind. Black Dawn was
already past the last light of the
town and outside revolver range
Lois. seated 1lpOn his launches