The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-08-20
ss& 8. 81 ZEXS K DAWN
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broke him. I reckon I've broke
him. But amt workin' here"
"You beast! You coward! He's
my horse!" cried the girl.
In an instant she had scrambled
over the fence and was standing
beside the black, fondling his
head and rubbing the sweat-stain-
ed nose.
And Dave noticed a strange
thing. For the other horses had
gathered about the girl, and were
stretching out their heads to be
stroked and nipping gently at
her. But she took not the least
notice of them, only of Black
Dawn.
What was it all about? Dave
couldn't understand. But he saw
two of the Mexicans move for
ward and begin to let down the
bars of the corral gate, while
neither Ferris nor Curran uttered
announcer WOfQ.
The bars were down now. But
not one of the unbroken herd
made a move for freedom. In
stead, they remained, clustered "a
bout the girl as she stood with her
arm about Black Dawn's neck.
The girl leaped upon Black
Dawn's back. Without bride or
even halter, she guided him to-
ward the entrance by the pressure
of her knees. AS the horse pass
ed through, the rest of the remu-
da followed, one by one, the Mex
leans scattered before them.
Only Curran made movement
to intercept the herd. And the
girl, Lois, leaned forward and
whispered in Black Dawn's ear.
Instantly the horse was once a
demon of fury. He wheeled, neck
outstretched, teeth cleaning.
Curran staggered backward and
collapsed in a heap beside the cor
raj, and next moment the last of
the herd was through.
With the girl leaping on Black
Dawn, the whole herd started at
quick 1ope across the valley,
leaving Dave standing, astounded,
beside his bay. He saw that the
Mexicans were crossing them
selves as they looked after the
horses. Ferris came up to him.
ride? Yeah, you'd best ride!"
snarled the ranchman. 'You tide
hard and fast and keep a'goin'.
1t won't be healthy for you to
show your face in these parts a.
gain"
Don't worry, Ferris. I'm leav-
in you. Where I'm goin' is my
business" Dave answered.
He placed foot in stirrup, threw
his leg abross the back of the bay,
and started along the valley in
the direction that the herd had
taken.
He quickened his bay to a gal
lop. The herd was about a quart
er of a mile ahead. Dave could
see the girl on the black, leading
it, and noticed that every move
ment of the animals was perfect
ly co-ordinated. 1t was as if the
mind of the girl controlled and
directed the mass mind of the
horses.
He rode the bay harder. He was
overtaking the herd now, keeping
we'll outside the clustered mass of
horses. Now he was abreast of
it, and now he was almost level
with Black Dawn in the lead.
If the girl saw him, she SEEM
ed unaware of his presence. She
was Looping steadily on, and the
horses kept their unbroken form
alton behind her. The neck of
the valley was in plain sight, with
the roofs of Mescal not far away.
A wagon trail came into view,
with a branching trail running a.
cross the valley and winding up
toward the heights above.
At the branch, Lois suddenly
pulled in, though she had no reins
in her hands. The herd came to a
stop without word of command.
Lois sat the black, waiting for
Dave to ride up.
He refined in beside her and
raised his hat. He looked into
her face. The hard-set eyes of
gray like his own, flashed like