Datasets:
Qilex
/
BabyLM_Small_Chunked

Dataset card Data Studio Files
xet
 Community
1
text
stringlengths
21
20.4k
He kept below the crest of the ridge and walked fast, until he had gone even farther than told to go. Finally he crept up the slope, and like his director, removed his hat and cautiously looked over the summit of the ridge. He as well as the antelope was in sight all the time, and Shagbark and Alden did not allow any o...
The largest of the animals, evidently a buck, was cropping the grass a few yards nearer the negro than were the other two animals. The three remained thus employed for some time after Jethro had left the base of the ridge. That which caused the exclamation of Alden was the action of the buck. He suddenly stopped grazin...
From their elevation the couple by using care could peer over the crest without drawing the attention of the game to themselves. Looking down on the colored youth, as he was partly revealed, it was evident he had noticed the action of the prongbuck. Jethro had ceased moving, and sank so flat on the ground that the game...
The signal had hardly been set in place, when the buck flung up his head again. What induced him to do so cannot be told, unless it was that mysterious “sixth sense,” which some believe belongs to men and animals alike. There had not been the slightest noise, and it has been said that what little breeze was blowing cou...
“Why doesn’t Jethro fire?” asked Alden impatiently; “the antelope is within easy range, and he can bring him down dead sure.” “I’ve been wondering over the same thing,” said Shagbark; “he can shoot from the grass or stand up and pick off the critter afore he turns. That’ll send the others this way and _we’ll_ pick ’em ...
The most forcible exclamation that Alden Payne had ever heard from the lips of Shagbark was uttered at the astounding sight. The terrified buck had turned and dashed off with the speed of the wind in the opposite direction, running so swiftly that he drew away from his two charges. “Don’t stir,” whispered the guide; “I...
In the same instant that the new peril flashed upon him, he veered abruptly to the right, still skimming the prairie with amazing speed. “Now!” whispered Shagbark, pressing the trigger of his weapon. There was only a second or two between the reports, and it is enough to say that each shot was perfect in its way. Like ...
“Of all fools that I ever saw you’re the champion!” “How’s dat?” asked Jethro, still smiling. “When you had the best chance in the world to bring down that buck why didn’t you do it, instead of running away from him?” Jethro shook with exulting laughter.
“You can’t fool dis chile; I reasoned out de whole thing. Mr. Shagbark tole me how dem critters chaw and stomp and bite a feller; I knowed dat if I brunged down dis one, it would make de oder two so mad dey’d come at me afore I could load up ag’in, and you wouldn’t hab any Jeth any more. So I luft; dem antelopes am wer...
Alden was so amazed that at first he suspected his dusky friend was jesting, but there could be no doubt of his earnestness. Jethro was confident that he had saved his life by his own brightness. “It’s too much for me,” commented Alden with a shake of his head. When all three were in their saddles, they rode out to whe...
Presto! the squall ended as quickly as it began. At the close of fifteen minutes not a flake was in the air. The ground was covered with a thin white sheet which speedily melted in the warm rays of the sun. The radius of the curious flurry was so slight that it was speedily left behind them. Jethro led his pony alongsi...
“What’s he gwine back to de ridge fur? Does he wanter shoot some more antelopes?” It seemed to Alden that the hunter had turned from the direct course, but the youth knew he had good reason for doing so. “If you will look to the right you will see that he isn’t riding toward the ridge.” “Don’t make no difference; we’ll...
“If you think best, you might point out his mistake to him.” “Gorrynation! he’s too touchy for _me_ to put in my oar; you am de one to set him right.” “I must first know that he is wrong; wait until then.” Accordingly Jethro held his peace, though he often muttered to himself. He was silent, however, when the circle of...
The forenoon was not half gone, but Shagbark decided that the party should rest until after the midday meal. As has been explained, there was no need of haste, and the occasional halts did the oxen and horses good. They could crop the grass at their leisure, and though capable of long continued strain, the cessation wa...
Far ahead towered the Laramie range, the peaks, softened by the intervening miles, gradually taking on a clearer view, as the separating distance was lessened. To the northward country was undulating or level, mostly covered with the billowy, succulent lush grass, which makes the region one of the finest grazing ground...
“That’s what it is,” said Shagbark; “ye’re looking at the Medicine Bow Mountains, which lay a good many miles south; afore long they’ll fade out of yer sight; see anything else?” Alden raised the glasses again and studied the section. “I see the white tents of an emigrant train well to the southwest and several miles b...
“It isn’t possible, Shagbark, that either of those trains is the one to which Mr. Chadwick belongs?” The veteran guffawed. “Ef it war Jeth that asked that tom fool question I shouldn’t be ’sprised, but I didn’t look for anything like it from yerself, younker. How could the company ye’re speaking off, which war a purty ...
The hunter looked curiously at his young friend, but said nothing. The simple minded fellow was not without a natural share of curiosity, but he asked no question. What may be called a rude delicacy restrained him. If Alden chose to tell him more, he would listen, but it rested with the young man himself. The latter wa...
“Thar’s one thing that may comfort ye, younker.” “What’s that?” “Most of the companies that’s tramping ’cross the plains do as we done,――that is they don’t hurry, which ain’t never a good thing unless thar’s no help fur it. Them folks that ye want to see will stop to rest while we’re pushing on, jest as we done.” “That...
“Yas; long afore we get that fur.” “I am glad to hear you say that.” “And I’m mighty glad that ye are glad,” grimly commented Shagbark, who proceeded to explain that the Laramie Range would be crossed some fifty miles to the south of Fort Laramie. A depression there made an easy passage through the rugged spur, whose w...
The Wind River Mountains display that remarkable fact which is probably familiar to our readers. Rain falling in a comparative brief area divides so that some of the drops flow westward and find their way into the Columbia and thence to the Pacific. Another part of the rainfall or melted snow winds its way ultimately t...
“Shouldn’t be ’sprised, but thar ain’t no way of telling without making a call.” “I think I shall ride over just before dusk and find out.” “Nobody’ll object to that; will ye go alone?” Alden hesitated. His first intention was to ask Shagbark to accompany him, but the uncertainty of his sentiments caused the youth to d...
Sometime later, Alden dropped back to the main body, where he turned over his pony to the care of Jethro, and entered the wagon in which Mrs. Fleming and several of the women were riding. He apologized for intruding, though he was ever welcome. He explained that he wished to do some writing. Seating himself with his ba...
“ALDEN PAYNE.” Alden read this belligerent message and smiled. He was pleased with it. “Those last words will hit him hard. A fellow would rather be called anything than a coward. I can’t say he showed any sign of wishing to sneak out, and when I remark that his uncle didn’t have any trouble in lugging him off, I suppo...
A few minutes later the halt for the night was made. Alden told Jethro he intended to visit the camp in front and wished him to go along. “I ’spose you’ll wait till after supper?” inquired the servant. “Of course; I know how much it would hurt you to miss a meal.” “I’m allers ready to take keer ob you, Al,” remarked th...
What a fatality often attends small things! Jethro had no suspicion that the company in advance was the one from which the two visitors had come the night before. Alden did not aim to hide the fact from him, but simply omitted to mention it. Had Jethro known the meaning of this evening call, he would have forced his ma...
Little or no notice was taken of the two horsemen until they rode up to the nearest wagon. The animals were guided to one side where the big camp fire threw out its rays, which were reflected from the ponies and their riders. “I’ll stay on Jilk and wait fur you to come back,” said Jethro; “I doan’ think any ob dem folk...
“In what way can we serve you?” “I have a letter which I shall be glad if you will hand to a member of your party.” Alden drew out his note book and took the folded paper from between the pages. “Perhaps it will be better if I give it to Mr. Chadwick and ask him to hand it to his nephew Ross Brandley. I owe a call to M...
The two men glanced in surprise at Alden. He of the shorter statue was about to reach out his hand to take the missive but refrained. “I do not recognize the names you mention.” “The elder is Garret Chadwick and his nephew, who I judge is nearly my own age, is Ross Brandley. The note is for the younger.” “Sorry, but I ...
“Then,” said the disappointed Alden, “they cannot be members of your party.” “They are not; we have never met either.” “I beg your pardon for my mistake; you will excuse me for not remaining. I thank you for your courtesy, and you and your friends have my best wishes for a pleasant journey to the other side of the cont...
“Too bad,” he muttered, “but I shall meet that fellow before many days.” He was right in his surmise, but little did he dream of the circumstances which were to attend that memorable meeting. CHAPTER XII A NOT UNCOMMON INCIDENT
It would be interesting to trace the progress of the emigrant train westward for the following weeks, but, there would be a certain monotony in the narration. The routine went on for days with little variation. Making their way through the Laramie range, they went northward along the western slope, over the course of t...
The African failed to catch the point of this significant remark, though it caused smiles on the part of the other listeners. Shots had been exchanged with prowling Indians fully a score of times. It was extraordinary that although there were many narrow escapes on the part of the white men, not one had been so much as...
The guards were placed with the usual care and every man was on the alert. It was about midnight, when Fleming the leader heard a soft whistle from somewhere among the rocks which towered on their left. He recognized the signal and answered. The next minute Shagbark emerged from the gloom, made a few inquiries and wait...
“If ye run agin a grizzly,” said Shagbark, when the incident was told him, “ye won’t have no doubt of it. Besides you hain’t reached the region yet where ye’re likely to tumble over them little playthings.” Alden naturally was anxious to shoot a grizzly and hoped he would do so long before reaching Salt Lake. Jethro’s ...
“This is the worst luck we have had for over a week,” commented the dissatisfied Alden. “Dere’s no saying what we’ll git afore we goes back to camp,” replied Jethro; “I has a sort ob feeling dat we’re gwine to run into a flock ob grizzlies.” “Suppose we do, what is your plan?” “Jest load and fire as fast as we kin till...
“I think you’ll do the scooting before you bring down a grizzly, but Shagbark told us that we are not in a section where we are likely to meet any of those animals.” Being well convinced on this point, Jethro could afford to pose. “It gibs me a big pain to larn dat, ’cause I’se been reckoning on getting one ob de bigge...
Jethro who was riding beside his master, looked in a scared way at him. “You doan’ think dat kin be so!” “He is an old hunter, but not too old to make a mistake now and then. Sometimes too wild animals leave their habitats and wander far afield.” This high sounding sentence was framed purposely for the mystification of...
“What am a _habitat_? Do you mean a rousing big grizzly?” “The habitat of an animal is the region where he makes his home: sometimes a wild beast takes it into his head to stray a good many miles from where he has been brought up and educated. There would be nothing wonderful in our meeting a grizzly bear this minute.”...
“O yas, I ’spose so, but Mr. Shagbark spoke about another kind ob bear dat he said was almost as bad as de grizzly.” “What is its name?” “He called it a _nutmeg_ or _clove_ bear――I disremember which.” Alden broke into laughter.
“You mean a _cinnamon_ bear; yes I have heard they are ugly customers to drive into a corner.” “’Spose dey dribe _you_ into a corner, eh?” “That would be worse, but we have a gun apiece and know how to use it.” “Dat am so, but Mr. Shagbark said as how it sometimes took a dozen shots to bring down one ob dem grizzlies.”...
“That must be because the aim was poor. One bullet sent right will drop an elephant.” “Am we likely to see any elufunts?” asked the amazed Jethro. “Hardly, unless he is an estray from some menagerie, and there isn’t any temptation for menageries to visit unsettled countries,” said the amused Alden. At the time of this ...
The trail followed the right of the gorge and was broad enough to allow any emigrant train to move freely without stringing out to a dangerous degree. The slope was steadily upward for a fourth of a mile, when it reached a nearly level plateau, and wound in and out among rocks, stunted pines, gnarled cedars, and ravine...
“A Pony Express Rider,” said Alden, “and he’s coming our way.” Such was the fact. Despite the slope, the man’s horse continued on a gallop until he came alongside the couple. Then he reined up and rode with them. “I can’t well afford to wait,” he explained, “but it won’t do to push my pony too hard. I am glad to have c...
The man who addressed them looked no older than themselves, but he was more than twenty years of age. His face was smooth shaven, his complexion clear and his eyes bright. His weight could not have been much above a hundred pounds, and a glance revealed his perfect horsemanship. Alden noted the mail pouches strapped on...
“You are approaching a dangerous region; I have had two scrimmages with Indians within the last month.” “Gorrynation!” muttered Jethro, eager to turn back without advancing another step. “I thank you for your advice, but it is so pleasant to have your company we shall ride a little farther with you.” “My name is Dick L...
Alden gave his own and that of Jethro and then asked: “How far have you come?” “From the last station eight miles back; I have more than twenty miles to go.” “Not with that pony?”
“No; it would be too great a strain on him; our stations are some ten miles apart and at each we change horses. I ride ten or a dozen miles more, then change again and keep on to the second station which is the end of my run. There I meet the return rider and another chap takes my place for the next thirty miles.” “How...
“That is almost railroad time,” replied Alden admiringly. “It beats the railway trains in many places.” “But you are always in danger.” “That’s what adds to the fun; the speed itself gives a man a thrill and the possibility of ambush, a treacherous shot or an open attack sets the blood tingling.”
“And you keep at it all the time?” “That has to be done; rain, snow, hail, cold, heat, night, day,――makes no difference. This,” added Dick Lightfoot in his cheery voice and with his pleasant smile, “is the _rush line_ across the continent.” “Do you never lose your way?” “Impossible; every horse knows his route; this an...
There could be no mistake as to the young man’s enthusiasm. During the brief conversation his pony, like the others, kept walking briskly. At the top of the incline the rider waved a good bye to his new acquaintances, and the horse of his own accord struck into a gallop which speedily carried him out of sight around a ...
“Dere ain’t no sense in doing dat,” growled Jethro, who dared not leave the side of his comrade and master. Less than fifteen minutes later the two rode round the bend in the path. Alden passed slightly ahead of his companion, but his pony had taken less than a dozen steps, when he sharply drew the rein with a startled...
“THAT’S JUST LIKE HIM!” Alden Payne and Jethro Mix stared in silence for several seconds. Then the terrified negro gasped in a husky voice: “Let’s run like blazes!” The appeal roused his master. He glanced from the pony and the prostrate rider to the opposite bluffs, and at every hiding place of an enemy in his field o...
There was the vast, precipitous gorge along the side of which wound the broad path that had been traversed by hundreds of men and animals, and along which the Express Riders had galloped at headlong speed times without number. There were scores of places among the towering rocks and piles of stone that would hide a hos...
Without a word, Alden Payne slipped off his horse and stooped over the body. “Dick” did not notice him, but kept up his snuffing as if begging an answer. Alden reached down and grasping the shoulder, carefully turned over the still warm body. An Indian arrow driven with infernal force and accuracy, had done its work. T...
The probability of such purpose failing led Alden to search the clothing. He took out a small gold watch, several letters and a trifling amount of money which he carefully placed in his own pockets. The sad duty finished he straightened and was on the point of remounting beside his trembling companion, when a thought f...
“I’m going to ride his pony to the next station and deliver the mail for him.” Even then Jethro was bewildered by the words of his companion. “W-what you driving at, Al? Talk English, won’t you?” Knowing that in this case actions were clearer than words, Alden spoke gently to Dick, rubbed his nose, patted his neck, and...
“You doan’ mean dat _you’s_ gwine to try to ride to de next station on dat horse!” exclaimed the astonished Jethro. “I shall try it, Jeth; you will take Firebug to camp and tell Shagbark, Mr. Fleming and the rest what I have done.” “You can’t mean it, Al! What’s de matter wid you; I knowed you war a fool but nebber tho...
“You heard Lightfoot say his pony knows every foot of it; I shall leave that part of the business to him.” “But――but,” sputtered the African, “what’s gwine to come ob _me_?” This after all was the crucial question. Jethro was alarmed more for his own safety than because of anything else. Despite the tense situation, Al...
“You have a better chance than I; I’m going into danger and you are going out of it; off with you without another word!” Alden turned the head of Firebug down the trail and slapped his haunch. The animal started away at once on a brisk trot, knowing what was required of him. Then his master handed his rifle to Jethro. ...
“Now, Dick, show what you can do!” Everything was clear to the sagacious animal, who sped away like an arrow for the station miles distant. “Ob all de disprobous treatment dis am de wust I eber had,” growled Jethro, who started Jilk down the trail after Firebug, who was now a number of rods distant. That the dusky hors...
It was like running the gauntlet, when the endangered one expects a fatal blow at every step and is pretty sure to receive it. Jethro glanced to the right and left, over his shoulder and in advance. The incline made the traveling easy. After reaching the level, there was no reason why the headlong pace should not be ke...
“Gorrynation!” gasped Jethro drawing on his bridle rein; “dey am on ebery side; de only way out ob dis muss is for Jilk to climb up de sides ob de rocks.” Could he have believed he was not in plain view of his enemies, Jethro would have leaped from his saddle and hidden himself. He thought of doing it as matters stood,...
He reflected that the missile had passed in front of him, so that it looked as if he were placing himself nearer the path of other similar missiles. But he was going all the time, and the next one would possibly go behind, or more likely through him. It will be remembered that he had a loaded rifle in either hand. Had ...
Firebug was naturally fleeter than Jilk, and having no burden to carry, easily held his place some yards in front. He was traveling with a speed which caused mane and tail to stream out, while the loose stirrups dangled and flew about against the ribs of the animal. Jethro’s hopes rose with every rod passed. “Dem sarpe...
“_I’m hit!_” he exclaimed faintly; “dey hab sarbed me de same way dat dey sarbed dat Express Rider; dey’re after my scalp but I’ll stick in de saddle till I reaches Mr. Shagbark, ef I doan’ die afore.” In the ecstasy of terror he glanced down his breast, for he had partly straightened up a moment before he felt the pai...
A half mile was speedily passed and not another throbbing yell reached his ears. Jethro sat upright in his saddle, and a few minutes later shifting the two guns to his left hand, reached his right around to grasp the shaft of the arrow and draw it forth. To his amazement he could not feel it. He was able to grope with ...
“I hain’t been hit at all!” he exclaimed with a new thrill this time of unalloyed bliss; “it must hab been de rheumatics dat shifted to my toe.” Certain it was that he had not been so much as grazed by any of the arrows that the prowling redskins had discharged at him. Ten minutes later as he swept round another turn i...
“What’s the matter? What does it all mean; whar’s the younker?” “Dead!” was the fearful reply. “How did it happen?” Abner Fleming and several others caught sight of the African and rode hurriedly forward.
Jethro had halted his panting animal and replied: “Ain’t sartin he’s dead, but dere ain’t much doubt ob it.” “What bus’ness have ye to be here if anything went wrong with the younker?” thundered the hunter, with a dangerous glitter in his eyes; “why did ye leave him?” “He made me come back wid Firebug, Mr. Shagbark,” e...
Finally, after a score of questions, Jethro made plain what had happened. Every one listened with breathless attention. When it was understood, Shagbark chuckled: “So the younker took the place of the Express Rider, eh? Wal, he’ll git through all right, but I say that’s jest like him; there’s good stuff in _that_ chap....
Meanwhile Alden Payne had entered upon the most stirring experience of his life. In a twinkling, as may be said, he was transformed from an emigrant plodding his way across the continent to a Pony Express Rider, whose sole effort was to skim over the dangerous ground at the topmost speed to which his swift pony could b...
The riders of course used spurs though they were not often necessary. The animal knew what was expected of him and gave it willingly. Covered with foam and dust, with his sides heaving, he thundered up to the station where rest was awaiting him, after which he was ready to bound away on the wings of the wind again. Oft...
“Very few of the old Pony Express Riders ever carried a rifle of any description from start to finish. I once purchased a Spencer from a deserter from Fort Bridger, paying him $20. This was in 1861. The weapon was a breech-loader with seven shots. I always carried a Colt’s revolver with two cylinders, and often had to ...
When he glanced across the ravine, he saw his man, or rather two men. The warriors had risen from behind an immense rock, the head and shoulders of one showing while the other stood fully revealed in the open. It looked as if he despised the youth and was challenging him to do his worst. That one quick glance showed Al...
As it was, the bullet struck the forearm of the Indian and inflicted a sharp wound. It was the arm which was grasping the middle of the bow, and the hurt caused an involuntary twitch that spoiled the aim of the archer. The arrow, instead of speeding straight for the heart of the youth, whizzed high in air, circled grot...
It is more than probable that the second Indian launched an arrow after the skurrying horseman, though Alden Payne had no means of knowing. A grim fancy came to the youth that if his enemy had done so, the pony outran the missile. A brief dash carried Alden beyond sight of his enemies, though he was likely to encounter...
Almost in the same instant that the pony’s hoofs hit the plateau, the graceful limbs struck an astounding speed. Alden had no means of knowing the rate attained, but it must have been twenty-five miles an hour. It seemed more than bone and muscle could hold, and yet such was the animal’s perfection of form that he show...
Alden reflected that the distance from his starting point to the next station westward was eight miles or so. He calculated that it would be covered in the course of the next half hour, always provided no “obstacle” was encountered. “No matter how fast we go, this mail must be late; there is no making up the time alrea...
This was on the supposition that the men connected with the service would permit the youth to finish the task he had voluntarily taken upon himself. It would seem that they would forbid the innovation, when all the circumstances are remembered, but that remained to be seen. Sufficient unto the hour was the work before ...
The incline grew steeper. Alden pulled harder and the pony dropped to a walk, but plainly he did not like it. “No use, Dick; I shan’t let you kill yourself; you forget that I’m heavier than your late master and it is cruelty to allow you to gallop up hill.” The rocks became so plentiful that the rider could not see far...
With Dick on a walk, Alden scanned each point of the compass, not forgetting the instruction of Shagbark always to look to the rear, for in that part of the world, danger comes from one direction as often as from the other. While scrutinizing the ridge which showed a considerable growth of dwarfed pine, Alden was start...
The natural supposition was that if this finger of smoke was a signal from one party of red men to another, something would show in the nature of a reply. He swept every point of the horizon with the instrument, but that which he dreaded to see he did not discover. Still this fact might signify nothing. Alden could not...
“I may be wrong,” he reflected, “but I’m too merciful――” To his amazement, Dick at that moment suddenly came to a full stop. Not only that, but he threw up his head, thrust his ears forward and snorted. He had made some alarming discovery. What could it be? The startled Alden glanced ahead. The rocks and boulders still...
“He knows a good deal more than I do,” said the youth to himself. Then, yielding to an impulse natural in the circumstances, Alden deftly slipped from the saddle and ran a few paces to the nearest rock behind which he crouched. The pony thus relieved of his burden, swung around as if on a pivot and dashed toward the pl...
Alden drew a bullet from his pouch with which to repair the blunder, and then when he tried to force it down the muzzle, he made a terrifying discovery. He had failed to take the pouch from the body of Dick Lightfoot. His own bullets were too large for the bore of the smaller weapon, which was of no more use to him tha...
Moreover, Dick Lightfoot’s revolver was with his body. Still the youth had his own small weapon which he carried at his hip, where he could draw it the instant needed. Besides this he had his hunting knife, which would be of little help in the circumstances. He might do something in the way of defense with his pistol, ...
Before he could guess what the curious noise meant his eyes told him the truth. An enormous bear, dark in color, came swinging forward from the direction of the ridge. His waddling, lumbering gait, and his vast bulk left no doubt of his identity. In any circumstances he would have been a most formidable foe to meet. “I...
“By gracious!” gasped Alden, who now lowered his head and peeped round the side of the boulder, “he has scented me.” It did have that look and dropping his rifle, he drew his revolver. “I wonder if he will mind a little thing like this. Shagbark said it took several rifle bullets to slay a grizzly. If that’s so, he’ll ...
The bear suddenly raised his head and dipped his snout forward in several directions one after the other, snuffing as if he knew something was in the wind. Back and forth the huge front swayed until in a minute or two it remained pointed directly at the boulder! It suggested an immense canine that had flushed its game....
Uneasy over the stillness, Alden slowly straightened up until he could once more look over the top of the boulder. Could he believe his eyes? The bear was not ten paces distant and swinging straight toward him! The fact that just then he emitted another of his whiffing grunts made it appear that he had seen the youngst...
He was on the point of wheeling and dashing off, with no clear idea of the direction to take, when another report rang out. It was that of a rifle, whose bullet went straight to the seat of life. With a snarling growl, the bear reared on his hind legs and clawed at the wounds made by the revolver bullets, as if he thou...
“A young fellow in need of the help you gave.” “How comes it you’re on foot and in this fix?” Alden hastily explained. “So Dick Lightfoot’s dead, eh? Too bad; where did you leave him?”
“Two or three miles back; he was shot from his pony by an Indian arrow.” “Where’s his pony?” “He made off when I sprang from the saddle and hid here.” “Umph! never run from a bear like that.”
“I never met a grizzly before.” “And you didn’t meet one this time: only an ordinary black bear. Why didn’t you use your rifle?” asked the rider, with a glance at the weapon on the ground. “My bullets don’t fit.” The horseman scrutinized the gun.
“Why it’s Dick’s; you didn’t think to take his bullets; I can let you have a few; you may need ’em before you reach the station.” He deftly extracted a half dozen which he passed to the grateful Alden. “Don’t lose any time in reloading, which reminds me.” And he proceeded to recharge his own weapon.
During this brief chat, it struck Alden that the man resembled in looks and voice the rider who lay on the ground several miles away. The alert manner and crisp way of speaking were the same. “You are about the weight of Lightfoot and have much his appearance.” “Umph! I ought to; I’m his brother.” He snatched out a sma...
“I’ll be hanged! I’ve lost six minutes; I must be off; bye-bye.” He touched the flanks of his pony with his spurs, and the animal bounded away at full speed. Almost immediately he disappeared. To put it mildly, Alden Payne was surprised. Here was a man who received the news of his brother’s death without a sign of emot...
It was too late now. The opportunity was gone and the youth must think for himself. Six or eight miles remained to be traversed through a dangerous country and he was on foot. The pony had fled and he doubted whether he could be recovered. “He has the mail with him and may take it into his head to go to the station wit...
It would be interesting could we know what whims passed through the brain of the animal which was one of the most intelligent of his species. The Express Riders used so many horses and were forced by circumstances to shift so often from one to the other, that not often was any special affection formed between the human...