|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 47
Having formed this crude plan, and believing that Se�orita had been
allowed sufficient time to recover her breath, he began to urge her to
a better speed, but, to his surprise, she failed to respond. Neither
words nor spur served to move her from the slow walk into which she had
fallen. Such a thing had not happened since the beginning of their
acquaintance in far-away San Antonio, and the young trooper dismounted
to discover what had gone wrong.
He had not far to look, for, as he touched the ground, a red trickle of
blood caught his eye. The plucky little mare had been hit by one of
the beef-riders' shots, but had given no sign until now, when her
weakness could no longer be overcome. So copious was the flow of blood
that it was evident an artery had been severed, and already had the
loss been very great. In vain did Ridge strive to stanch the cruel
outspurt. He had no proper appliances, and the evil was too serious to
be remedied by his simple skill. Even as he made the attempt the
gallant beast swayed, staggered, and then sank with a groan to the
ground. Almost sobbing with grief and dismay, Ridge flung himself
beside her and threw an arm caressingly across her neck.
"Poor old girl! Dear old girl!" he cried. "To think that I should
have brought you here just for this. It is too bad! too bad! And what
shall I do without you?"
Then with a sudden thought he sprang to his feet and began an eager
search on both sides of the road for water, but found none.
Disappointed and heavy-hearted, he returned to Se�orita. She lay as he
had left her, but motionless and with closed eyes. Again he knelt at
her side, and at the sound of his voice the loving eyes were once more
opened. At the same time, with a mighty effort, the proud head was
uplifted, as though the mare were about to struggle to her feet. Just
then came a shot from behind them, and, with a bullet intended for her
young master buried deep in her brain, the dear horse yielded up her
life.
The shot was so instantly followed by a clatter of hoofs, that Ridge
had barely time to snatch his rifle and fling himself to the ground
behind Se�orita's body before the beef-riders appeared charging up the
road, yelling and firing, as they came.
With his rifle resting across the mare's side, Ridge took quick aim and
fired. One of the advancing horsemen threw up his arms and fell over
backward, but the young American did not see him; for, without waiting
to note the effect of his shot, he dropped the rifle and seized his
revolver. It was a self-cocking weapon, and as rapidly as he could
pull the trigger he delivered the contents of all six chambers at the
guerillas. Whether or not they fired in return he did not know, but as
the smoke from his own fusillade cleared away he saw one man lying
motionless in the road, and another dragging himself into the grass at
one side. From that direction also came the furious plunging of a
horse. Of the others who had pursued him nothing was to be seen.
Hastily reloading his revolver, and throwing another cartridge into the
chamber of his rifle, Ridge nervously awaited further developments.
Would they again charge upon his front, or would they seek to outflank
him by crawling through the dense growth on either side? The latter
would be the safer move, and could be easily made.
As our young soldier realized this, he decided to forestall the attempt
by taking to the grass himself, and in another moment he was cautiously
creeping on hands and knees amid the hot brown stalks that grew many
feet above his head. Fearing that his movement might attract
attention, he did not go far; but, after making his way for a few rods
parallel to the road, he again gained its edge and halted at a place
where, peering between the grass stems, he could see his dead horse.
Here he lay motionless until he became convinced that his enemies had
beaten a retreat and would trouble him no more. Thus thinking,
impatient of delay, and painfully cramped by his position, he was about
to rise when the long silence was broken by a low cuckoo call close at
hand. Was it a signal or the note of some strange bird? As Ridge
hesitated, the call was answered from the other side of the road.
Again it sounded from the side on which he lay; then, from the opposite
side a man's head came slowly into view, low down among the grass
stems. After hasty glances both up and down the road it was withdrawn,
and the cuckoo notes were again exchanged. Then two of the baffled
beef-riders rose boldly to their feet and stepped out in full view,
close beside the dead horse. The young trooper could not distinguish
their words; but, from their angry gestures, they were discussing his
disappearance and the advisability of a further attempt to capture him.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|