Copyrighted, 1885, by 15nan Arm Amms. Much 1,1835,

' W kl
Voll IV. $2.50 Publxshed as y by Beadle and Adams, F Price. No. 47'

n “"1"- No. 98 WILLIAM ST.. NEW YORK. ""3 09""-

?HE COLORADO BOYS; or, “E ON AN mman PLANTATION.

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR.

J.
1-. '

 

THE TUSKER REARED, MAKING A VICIOUS STROKE 'AT THE COLORADO BOY WHO HAD BASED TH!
DANGEROUS FEAT 0F LASSOING A WILD BOA-Rn

 

The Colorado Boys.

 

_.The Colorado Boys;

Life on an Indigo Plantation:

BY JOS. E. BADGER, JR, r
AUTHOR or “ran mums RANCH,” “ROUND
m cmrmn,” ETC., no" mo.

CHAPTER 1.
A BRUSH WITH THE PIGS.

HIGH noon of a day in June, in the year of
our Lord 187—.

Not a breath of air stirring, not a cloud to be
seen in the sky above, nor the hor.zon round
about, while the sun poured down its scorching
raysasonly the sun of India and like regions
can shine, the intense heat arising from the
sand earth in spite of the grass and stunted
shru bery, wavin , shimmering. causing all ob-
jects near the sur ace to seem afflicted with an
ague chill. .

Alittle cavalcade is pressing straight across
this dreary waste, the eyes of horses as well as
riders being fixed upon the wide-spreading top
of a tree be end—a bhur or pippul-tree: the
sacred fig of t e Hindoos.

A touch of the spurs, a brisk scramble on the
(plurt of the little, thick-necked, coarse-looking

abul ponies, then the grateful shade was
reached, and rein was drawn.

“ Hope you don’t have a very extensive sup-
ply of this sort of weather, cousin Percy,” ejac-
ulated one of the party, dashing the great drops
of sweat from his brow with a dexterous flirt of
theflngers. v

“A fair sample for this time of year, I’m
afraid you’ll fln it, Burt; it will be better after
the monsoon. But I’m really glad to think that
we are better than you seem inclined to be-
lieve-that in one respect at least we can suc—
cessfully rival your beloved America—"

“In what?" was the blunt interruption.

“In hot weather,” laughed Percy. “ You
were complaining of the heat, weren‘t you i”

“ Not a bit of it!” manfully cried Burt,
shrugging his shoulders and pullin the collar
of his ll ht jacket closer around is throat.
“Just th king that we should have brought
along our buflalo—overcoats. Smells a little like
snow—be frost in the morning, I reckon.”

Percy laughed lightly as he dismounted and
gave his pony to the care of the tall, Mongolian-
featured Nepaulese who accompanied the trio
of youngsters. ‘

‘ It musthe a queer country, that America
of yours. Never mind: some day I will see it
in your com any, it not with our eyes. Until
then, let us content with w at we have. It’s
not so had, here. Plenty of sport, for those
who like it-”

“And such as it is!” grumbled the young
American.

“ Wait until you have tried it. cousin, than
sneerif you can. You shall have a run after
the pigs as scones you are fairly rested from
your Journey, or if that is not quite up to your
mark, we can show you a tiger or two—"

,, “Cats and pigs—-well. we mustn’t be too hard

re

 

l

 

on you poor fellows out in heathen—land: you
mean well, no doubt.” '

“Let up, Burt: it’s too hot to listen to your
eternal grumbling," languidly interposed the
third of the youths, who had maintained silence
until now. “Percy will think we are the
heathen, if you rattle on much longer in that
vein.

“He’ll soon get over it,” said Percy, good-
naturcdly. “ I know just how he feels. Though
I was but little more than a bah when we
came here, I was quite as bad. othing was
equal to what we left behind us in old England—
nor am I entirely Cured, yet. But come—Kola-
hala is ready for'us, and I, for one, am quite
ready for him."

While they were talking, the Nepauless shilr-
aree was busied in spreading a substantial
lunch, towhicli the three lads now did ample
justice. For a time they were all too fully oc-
cupied for much talkin , but after a while
Lancelot, the elder of t e brothers Applebee,
broke the silence: ’

“You spoke about pig-sticking: is there any
fun in it?” .

"Lots of fun and still more danger. There’s
no child’s—play about it, when you come face to
faca with a charging old tusker. But you shall
see for yourself, as soon as the crop is taken
care of. Father has promised me a. hunt or
two, and with him in command, we can be sure
of plenty of . ort and excitement. He has the
reputation 0 being the surest spear along the
frontier. I’ll try and get him to take us out for
the old fighting gray tusker—”

“ The what?’

“ That’s the name they have given to an old
boar of these parts. To my own knowledge,
there have been at least a dozen parties made up
for the especial purpose of bagging him, but
without success— ’

“ Can’t they find him?”

“Find him? Yes, too easily for more than
one poor devil,” was the sober reply. “ Oneman
killed, two others crip led, not counting a round
score of horses which ave went down forever
before his charge.” .

“I’d back one of our old razor-backs against

your fighting gray and all his tribe,” snifled

ur . .
“ Say that after ’ on have met the old fellow

—if you ever do. ut come—saddle up, Kola-
hala: there's a long ride ahead of us, and 1 want
the young gentlemen to have time for a look at
their new home before it grows dark.”

“ Your home, maybe—not mine, ” quickly put
in the incorrigible Burt. “ There’s only one
home for me on thisgiobe—back in the States,
in good old Colorado!”

“ That is as you elect, of course,” said Perc ,
gravely. “ The choice is left with you, by t 6
terms ol.’ your father’s will, but I hope you will
think better of India after you have had a chance
to see how we live and fare here. Be sure we
will all do our best to win you over.”

“ If anybody could, you’re the one, old fel-
low!” and there was an unusual softness in the
sturdy lad’s tones as he reached over and pressed
the hand of his cousin, “ But it won’t work.
My heart is over the big water. _I wouldn’t give
my herd of cattle for al the indin in the world

0 /

 

 
 

  
   
  

 
  
  
  
    
  
 
     
   
   
 

l
l
E

The Colorado Boys. 3

 

—WOuldn’t give one acre of old Colorado for all
India, pigs, cats and all thrown in to make good
measure!’

“ Let it drop for now,” said soberer Lance.
“ We are here under orders too im erative for
idle discussion. The horses are rea y: let us be
traveling.”

Mounting their rested nice, the three young-
sters set ofl, closely to lowed-by Kolahala, at
whose heels trotted the half-dozen dogs which
had borne them company from the factory.

Burt Applebee had the talking almost wholly
to himself, Percy wiseliy suffering him to rail on
uucontradicted, only rapping in a dexterous
word now and then in defense of his ado ted
country as a. favorable opening presente it-
self.

For some moments the dogs had shown signs
of uneasiness, making short breaks from the
trail, only checked by the low but stern com-
mands of the Nepaulese, whose oblong eyes he—
gan to glisten more bright] than ever, while
his heav countenance ligh ned and the sus-

icion o a smile curled that corner ofhis mouth

urthest from the brothers.

Watching his chance, he dropped a few words
into the ear of his young master. Percy cast a
swift glance toward his unsuspicious consms.
He dearly loved a cod-natured Joke, and in
addition was an at out devotee of the chase.
True, they were not as well equipped for such
sport as they might be, but Burt “as sadly in
need of a lesson.

The dogs decided the question for the young
indigoplanter. They were still nearer game
than even Kolahala had surmised, and now,
with wild yelps, the little pack broke away into
the scrub, from the midst of which came a con-
fused uproar that would have rivaled pandemo-
nium itself.

The brothers drew rein hastily, their hands,
with true hunters‘ instino‘. seeking the weapons
which rested u on their thighs, but then a short,
contemptuous augh broke from the lips of Burt
Applebee as several small pigs broke from the
cover, dashing away with shrill squeakiugs and

angzrgrunts.
‘ e those the mighty pigs you’ve been tell-
ing about? Those the famous fighting tuskers?
Down our way, a man would be arrested for
slander if he talked of sticking such little runts
withnanything worse than a soft-boned roasting-
earl

A wild chorus of yelping, snarling, grunting,
afierce whoof then over the top of the crub
came the writhing shape of a dog, literally dis-
emboweled. A stifled yelp was all: the hound
was dead ere its carcass touched the ground.

The next instant a huge old boar rushed out
of the scrub almost into the midst of the riders,
stopping for an instant to eye them, as though
counting the cost of a mad charge. Its fishy
eyes shinin redly, its massive jaws chomping
until the w ‘te froth dropped in goats from its
yellowed tushes, its long black hair standing
erect, its tail lashing its horny flanks; in one
word, the very personification of malignant
fury. But only for a moment. Then it wheeled
and lumbered away, whooflng loudly.

“ That’s a fair sample of our igs,” said Percy,
with a short laugh. “One 0 the tamer sort.

 

too. Lucky for us that it was not an old gray-
or we would some of us havs lost the number of
our mess. If we only had a rpear or two along,
I’d show you some sport.”

“ Come on, Lance!” shouted Burt, thrusting
his revolver hack and grasping the lasso whic
hung at his saddle bow. “Let us show them

‘ the way We do things at home!”

Percy uttered a warning cry, but if heard it
was wholly unheeded. Already Burt was crash.
ing his way through the scrub, while Lance,
also on fire at the prospect of sport, was close
at his heels.

Kolahala showed his white teeth in a grin
that was almost savage.

“Let them go, young master!” he muttered.
“They will be wiser before long, unless their
arms are as long and as strong as their tongues.”

“ After them, son of a dog!” sternly cried the
young planter. “ If harm befalls them, neither
you nor I will dare show our faces before the

master!”

Burt was in his glory now. He thought not
of danger. He had hunted wild bogs in the
States, and felt sure that India could furnish
none more dangerous than the gaunt “ razor-
backs” of the southern cane. brakes. His pony
was all fire and energy, entering fully into the
s irit oi’ the chase. The pigs were not far
a iead, with the bounds worrying them fiercely
and retarding their flight. \

“Rope not lead, this time, Lance!” shouted
Burt, as his brother came swiftly on. “Let’s
show Percy that some things can be done as
well as others. We’ll rope a couple and take
them to the factory for is—hurruh !”

Though so clumsy-loo 'ing. the Cabul ponies
were swift of foot when fairly aroused, as now;
and in a ver few minutes they carried the
brothers within reach of the scattered hogs.

Burt ke t his eye on the huge old boar which
had come nto fairest view at the start, while
Lance, not dreaming of serious danger looked
out for another on which to display his skill
and prowess. -

One more touch of the spurs, and Burt felt-
that his time had come. The lasso had swung
swiftly around his head, then shot out in snake-
like coils, settling fairly over the head of the
boar. A powerful wrench checked the pony,
and a heav pluck followed which fairly over-
téirped7 the 03 and made the pony stagger on
i s ee .

Au exultant laugh broke from the lipsrof the
reckless lad, but this was cut short as the ho
scrambled to its feet, and before the bewilderefi
pony could be made to understand what was
required of it, the black tusker was madly
charging.

The ony was well trained to ig-huntlng,
and on y for the foreign element w iich entered
into the sport on this rccnsion, doubtless all
would have gone well. for as the grisly brute
charged, chomping its long. curved tushes
v1cxously, the pony leaped iightgy aside, then
plunged forward in flight, as it ha been taught
to do under like circumstances. * '

Unfortunately an intervening them-bush
obliged it to turn to the right in its leap, and
though the mad rush of the pig was eluded, tl'o
lasso was brought around its fore-legs. one

 

 

4 The Colorado Boys.

 

end was securely noosed to the saddle-horn.
while the other was as firmly fastened around
the neck of the boar, so the result may easily
be surmised. ,

The pony stumbled and fell headlong, casting
its rider far over its head and into the midst of
a thorn-bush, where he stuck for a moment—
long enough for the tusker to regain its feet
and come charging at him with an angry
whoof. »

Plucky as he was proud. Burt scrambled to
his feet, with no thought of flight, frightful as

' the old tusker would have seemed to one less
excited. After all his boasting, to make such a
ridicukus display as this!

Swift as thought the lad whipped forth his
revolver. and fired once, twice. in swift succes-
sion as the monster was almost upon him. Even
in that critical moment h could see the red
blood spurt from between t e eves of the hog,
could see that the shock of the, bullet staggered
it for an instant, and turned its head a trifle to
one side, just as the second shot was fired. And
he saw more—saw that his last shot had cut the
lasso from around the brawny throat of the
b035, as cleanly as though a knife had been
as l v

The only other result of the bullets was to
change the hoarse whoofing into angry squeals,
and then the boar was u on him.

There was no chance or flight now. In that
tangled scrub he would have been quickly ever-
taken and ripped open by those gleaming tushes.
In such critical emergencies the brain works
quickly, and Burt saw that there was but one
chance left open for him.

_ Gathering all his energies, as the boar lower-
ed his has to give the deadly thrust. Burt
leaped high into the air, hOpinE to clear the
brute and then regain the saddle efore the hog
could turn and charge again.
' But, justas he did so,‘the tusker reared, making
a vicious stroke at th daring Colorado Boy, who
had dared the dangerous feat of blaming a wild
boar, the clashing tusks struck the sole of one
boot with such force that the solid leather was
pierced the tremendous shock whirling the

ad end over end, a. dozen yards away, where
he fellupon his head and shoulders with a crash
and a 3' 1r that almost deprived him of his senses.

All this transpired with almost the rapidity
of thought, and though Percy and Kolahala
used both spur and lash. they were yet a score
of ards awa when the catastrophe occurred.

hey saw t e adventurous lad overthrown,
and believed that he had been killed or at least
fatally injured. They saw the maddened boar
4am and charge anew with furious grunts. its
clashi rig tushes threatening the fallen youngster.

Wit‘na ringing cry Kolahala cut in ahead of
his young masters, snatching a curious weapon
from his saddle-bow and whirling it above his
head as he charged.

It was the lohath of the Nepaulese, at once a.
weapon. an ornament and a. badge. In shape
not unlike an auctioneer’s hammer, it differed
from that in being studded With numerous
small, blunt spikes of brass and steel. Attached
to the handle was acuriously-plaited cord, by
which it hung to the saddle-bow, or was slung
to the wrist. The cord was ornamented mt

 

fanc knots and tassels of silk and leather. The
hea was carved and stained with dyes of bril-
liant hue. It is the badge of the mahout, with
which he pounds his ungainly charge into a run.
It is the war-club of the hill-tribes, and it is
frequently used, as now, to discomfit an enemy
beyond arm’s length.

Flashing like a meteor, the lohath shot through
the air, striking the grisly monster fairly upon
the side of the head and knocking it over as
though struck by a thunderbolt.

But the brute had a tough skull. and with an
angrys ueal it regained its feet just as Burt,
confuse and bewildered, was arising.

Percy Applebee charged home, but the pony
he rode flinched at the critical moment. and his
bullet only scored the gaunt flank of the pig,
still further enragiug without in the least disa-
bling the mad creature.

Lanes Applebee had heard the wild yell which
his brother gave as his lasso encircled the throat
of the pig, and turned in his saddle to view the
triumph of the reckless lad. He saw the catas-
trophe which swiftly followed, and thinking only
of rescuing his brother. he wheeled and charged
at full speed to the spot. _

None too soon was his coming, either.

With lowered head the boar, recovering from
the shock of the lo/iath, was charging upon the
half-stunned lad, its ugly tushes ready for the
ripping thrust. So fierce was its rage. and so
great its vitality, that Lance knew by instinct
that even a death-shot could not save his be-
loved brother.

Without touching a weapon he dashed up,
bent low over in the saddle, Comanche fashion.
and rasped the fierce brute by the leg. throw-
ing al his strength into the eflort, and fairly
tossing the monster over on its back. He made
another grasp, as he rode past, at the collar of
his brother, but without success. as his pony
leaped swiftly aside with a terrified short as the
hog squealed in baffled fury.

Before the boar could regain its feet Burt,
fairly boiling over with rage and chagrin.
dashed forward, caught one fore-leg and thrust
his ten-inch bowie-knife to the very hilt into the
heart of the ugly brutel

CHAPTER II.
THE FIGHTING GRAY-TUSKER.

TEE stroke was as sure as it had been swift,
and with its heart fairly cloven in twain, the
black tusker clashed its curved teeth once, then
lay quivering in death, while Burt leaped
swiftly aside, as though anticipating still an-
other charge from the tough beast.

“ Good!” ejaculated Kolahala, his oblique
eyes glittering with that ardor which a true
hunter feels on witnessing a gallant or dexterous
exploit by a. fellow-sportsman.

" Got your pork a] right, boy Burt,” laughed
Lance, ridin back and dismounting to assure
himself that is brother had received no ma-
terial injury in that confused scramble. “ Next
question is. what are you g in to do with 111?".
x Burt brushed the dust an sand from his
eyes, mingled with the blood which trickled
from severalscratches received when tossed into
the thorn-bush, and his ruling passion came out
stronger than ever as he noticed the smile

 

w... ._ .. ._».._.‘..

 

which played around the handsome lips of his
cousin.

“ If we were going to camp out for another
meal, I’d tote it along for supper. It’s small
enough to be young and tender, and we could
draw lots to see which one had it for a mouth—
ful to top oil with. One of your sucking pigs,
ain’t it?’ and Burt turned toward Percy, his
scratched face full of simplicity.

Kolahala was on the round, measuring the
grisly beast at the shou der, and as he heard
this speech, he looked at the lad in utter amaze-
ment. He seemed almost frightened at the
boy, and as Burt noted this, he could carry the
farce no further, breaking into n. short laugh
that quickly enlightened the Nepnulese. A re-
ci ocal grin spread over the ’lartar-like face
0 the shiknree, who was a bit of a wag after
his own sober fashion, and from that moment
Burt had a. friend who would not hesitate to
wade through fire and water to serve him
should ever the occasion arise.

“Old enough to have been weaned, and cut
its eye teeth, at any rate,” laughed Percy, but
adding, with an instant change of voice and
countenance, as he noticed his cousin limp in
walking: “ You are hurt; surely the pig didn’t
ri you?” _ _

$urt doubled up one leg and looked quizzxcal-
ly down at his heavy hunting-boot. The thick
leather had been pierced through and through,
though the sole was more than half an inch in
thickness, then twisted and torn loose from the
upper!

“ Reckon I must have stepped on a. thorn
when I got oil! my horse, over yonder. Team
to me I felt something.”

Kolahala burst into an oily chuckle; then
glided swag in haste after the Cabul ony
which had een brought up short in its ight
by the end of the lasso catching on the thorn
thicket. ‘

Percy was too thankful for the really mar-
velous esc e of his cousin to ress his advan-
tage, just hen, and when in] y satisfied that
Burt had suffered nothing more serious than a.
few scratches and bruises, which a day or two
would set to rights, to led the way back to the
trail which they had so hastily ahandoned when
the “sounder” of pigs was sat afoot.

“ Well, cousin Burt,” he said, lightly as they
rode along, “ you have just been given a speci-
men of our sport. How do you like it, and
what is your opinion of our pigs now f”

“ Sport enough while it lasted, but as for the
pigs—well, I mustn’t forget that this is India,
not America. Over there, a. fellow wouldn’t
dare let such little harmless creatures out of
their pen alone for fear an acorn might drop on
its head and knock its brains out. ”

Despite his ood nature, Percy was just a lit-
tle stung by t is constant disparagemeot of his
adopted country, and there was a. trace of sharp-
ness in his tones as he spoke: I

“ You can tell big yarns, cousin Burt, but you
come from a. big country, and I suppose that ac-
counts for it, N ow out here, we would call that
pig is big one—rather over the average, since it
was a good thirty-four incher. In the old days,
the say that pigs were a great deal larger, as
well, as more plenty and Sewage; but you can't

l

 

The Colorado Boyl.

 

always depend on what on hear. Some fel-
lows seem to take delight n stretching the truth
—not meaning any fling at you, Burt!"

“Of course not—why should you?" and the
big blue eyes grew larger as the lad looked in-
nocently into the face of his cousin.

Again Kolahala snorted aloud, then bent low
in his saddle to lash one of the dogs which was ,
lazily trotting along, wholly innocent of harm.

Perc saw that his shot had missed its intend-
ed mer , and took upthe thread of his discourse
where he broke oil:

“ You’ll hear plenty of talk about fort -inch
tuskers, when on gzt among old pig-st ckers,
but, young as an), I have had a good bit of ex-

erience, thanks to father, and I never yet saw
ut one of that size, and he is still afoot in the
'ungle. That is the old fighting gray tucker, as
e is called.”
“Forty inches long, do you mean?” asked
t

ur .

“No. but measured at the shoulder, as they
stand.”

“Some of our pigs would crowd that mighty
closo when first littered.” -

“Drop your nonsense, Burt. I want to hear
something more about these pigs". interposed
Lance in a tone which he seldom used, but which
never failed to silence his gasconnding brother.
“ You say, cousin, that this hog was anaverago
s ecimen. Do you mean in Size alone, or are
t ey all as uglfy to handle!”

“ He was a air sample of the blacks, for on
must know that we have at least two dist nct
varieties here, the black and the gray. As a ‘
rule, the blacks are the tallest and the e viest,
but they are also more clumsy than the Erays.
They don’t make near as good a fight, i: ough
they are ugly enough When cornered, as you saw
to-dny. They grow to an enormous size, where
they are not much disturbed and father hrs a
head of one that measured a. trifle over four feet
at the shoulders, just after he gave it the 3 ar,
and you can hear tell of others still larger. hey
have a shorter, rounder head than the rays,
and not such long tushes. They are a ways
pure black in color, the two varieties seldom or
never crossing, and so it is an easy matter to tell
what sort of work is ahead of one when the i
breaks cover, whether it is the heav , slu E
black fellow, or the smaller but tw «re-as ugly

gray tuskcr. ’

“The gray is li hter-built than the-black, its
head is a third onger, with a low, fiat skull,
and tushes both longer and sharper. Even the ,
old tuskers rarely measure over thirty-inches in
hight as they stand, but they are chain-lightning
bOlled down when they once get started, uegJ as
sin, always ready for a fight, and never w ip-
pod until they have given their last kick.

“ The king-pin of them all, though, is the old
fellow they call ‘The Fighting Gray.’ Nobody
knows h0w old he is. for he was talked about
when we first moved here, and as you know,
that was a'dozen years ago. He has been huntr
ed times without number, by the best spears
the district can boast,and thou h often wounded,
has always escaped more by as rate fighting
than good luck. On one occas on, I saw him
penned u in a 1Elston of jungle, completely sur-
rounded by a e of elephants and horsemen.

 

 

6 ' The Colorado Boys.

 

Time and again the old gray would break cover,
charge the ele hants and put them to flight. It
crip led two e ephants on that day, for life!

‘ hen it was found that he could not be
'driven from the jungle for good, the dry stuff
was set aflre. Not until it was all ablaze did he
uncover. but when he did, it was to some pur-

At the first rush, the Fighting Gray

' ripped up a horse. then was on the rider before

he could clear himself from the saddle. or any
one else could interfere to save him. Just one
thrust the ugly brute made; but that was enough.
Struck in the throat. the oor fellow was a
frightful sight. His lower Jaw was torn com-

letely out, and the old gray carried it off with
Eizn for forty rods, dangling on its tasks! And
thou h there were not twenty elephants, and
double that number of horsemen in the line, the
old gray gave them all the slip—no one could
tell exact y how.”

“ He is a demon i” muttered Kolahala, casting
a nervous glance about him, as though expect-
ing to behold the grisly monster charging u on
them from out the scrub. “No man can ill
him! Ganesa is his protector l” _

“ Let me once lay my two eves on the critter,
and I wager my head that I bring him info
camp!” cried Burt, meaning all he said, though
it.did sound like empty boasting.

“ Or lose your sole I” laughed Percy, mali-
ciously. “ Seriously, Burt. I wish ynn all luck,
and if you do bag the Fighting Gray, nothing in
India will be too good for you, and if you so
elected, you mi ht have free commons here for
the rest of your ife. And I’m not sure but what
the natives would raise you to the dignity of a
god, by way of reward, for they fear that old
gray more than they do all their legion of de-

' mons and evil spirits.”

“Well, I don’t know anything about your
spears, never having tried them, but I think I
could give a ood account of the gray rascal, if
you 1:185 me ta emy Winchester,” averred Lance,

uie y. .
q “ Look, master, look i” cried Kolahala at this
juncture, his voice trembling, his face turning an
sshen gray color, while the outstretched arm
and hand trembled like a. leaf in a storm.
“ Look! old Lungi-a!” (cripple).

Not twenty yards away, a little to the left of
the nr-mw trail, a gray. grizzl head was pro-
truded worn the dense scrub. n ugly light in
the one twinkling eye, a still uglier look about
the long, flat head and muzzle, broadest where
the two curved tushes rose above the upper
jaw, yellow with age, but still sharp enough,
when impelled by that mass of muscles, to pierce
an thing short of armor of roof.

‘The Fighting Gray! ok out!” shouted

Percy, wheeling his snorting pony and dashing

away, but wrenching up the beast again when
he saw that neither of the brothers made a. move
to follow the example thus set them.

“ Two to one I can knock out that other e e at
the first shot i” cried Lance, whipping fort his
revolver and cooking it, nothing dauntcd by the

sly apparition, in which he saw nothing more
t an a. cross-tempered hog. _ z

“ Don’t shoot! .Hold your fire!” cried Percy;
but he was too late to arrest the shot.

Bpitefully the revolver exploded. and a wild

 

 

snort came from the gray tus‘ker. L‘ance ducked
his head and peered under the put! of smoke, ex-
pecting to See the hog kicking in its last throes,

uta. vastly diflerent spectacle met his aston-
ished vision.

With a loud, angry “whoof!” the Fighting
Gray tusker broke cover and came ch rging
down upon the youth. blood trickling from the
warty excrescenco just above its one eye,
whence the bullet had harmlessly glanced.

“ Wheel and run for it!” cried Percy. “ Give
the pony its head! Merciful heavens! he’s got
it now!

Lance had been a few feet in advance, Burt
riding next to him. As the Fighting Gray
charged, his pony, wild with terror, seeming to
know the grisly demon which so suddenly con-
fronted it, wheeled to seek safety in flight, but
came into violent collision with the horse ridden
by Burt, which was also beyond control of its
rider for the moment. Neither pony fell,
though the shock was Severe enough to confuse
them both, and that one bestrode by Lance shot
ofl at a tangent, plunging into the very middle of
a dense thorn-bush ,where it stuck fast, caught by
the stirrups and bridle reins.

With wonderful swiftness the Figh ing Gray
tusker charged, striking wickedly as i s scarred
snout touched the flank of the plunging pony. A
shrill scream of mortal agony and trig L—theii
boyfl pony and boar all went down in a heap to-
ger er.

This was what drew that wild exclamation
from the lips of Percy Applebee, for he knew
that little short of a miracle could now save

r Lance from falling a victim to those terri-

le tushes, but he came of good stock, and his

presence of mind did not fail him now in the
time of need.

With whip and spur he urged his terrified
pony on, giving it no chance to flinch before he
was close bes1de the struggling mass, and as
Lance cleared himself from the dying pony,
Percy grasped him by the arm and irl y swung
him cleati; of tge gl‘OLlDd :sbhis firse dashed
away, 1 spee quic ene a erce grunt
from the maddened hog. y

For a. few yards thus, than, exerting his
strength to the utmost, Percy lifted his cousin to
the withers of the pony, himself slipping back
out of the saddle to make room for him. v

“Hang fast!” he cried, excitedly. “If the
ugly devil takes a notion to charge us now,
swing yourself into the nearest tree until wecan
draw him off!”

Luckily, perhaps, this emergency did not arise.
The boar was expending its blind riége u n the
mangled carcass of the luckless abu pony,
tearing and grinding it with its enormous tushes,
snorting. grunting and squealing like a veritable
demon, the hideous personification of devilish

fur .

Pyercy wheeled his doubly laden house when
at a safe distance, and looked back, fearful lest
Burt should also run headlong into dangera but
to his great relief he saw that the pony ri den
by that lad was having its own way for the
time, and showed no intention of being taken
any closer to the monster of the bush. _

‘ Don’t let him act foolishl ; call him to us,”
hurriedly muttered Percy to Co. “ He will

lietcn to you. My saying anything would only
~ make him the more headstrong.” .

Lance complied, and as the horse ridden by
Kolahala was hastening to rejoin them, making
a wide circuit through the scrub, the pony with
which Burt was struggling, took the bit in 1ts
teeth and followed its mote.

" Of all the ugly, obstinate hrutes, you’re the
worst l” panted the youth, pale with anger, as
the )ony came to a. sudden halt beside the others.

“ f you only belonged to me, l’dbrcnk you
or break your blessed back in trying! Go to
the Old Boy, and tell him I sent you i”

Leaping from the saddle, Burt turned the
pony loose, but Kolahalu caught the rem before
the animal could avail itself of the llbcrl y thus
accorded. '

“Come on, Lance!” cried the thoroughly
aroused lad. “ We can’t save your nag, but
we can take its worth out of the hide of that
ugly hog!”

“Hold him in check or his blood will be upon
our heads!” cried Percy. earnestly.

“Cool and easy, boy Burtl” warned Lance.
“Time enough. he bug is busy with his meat
over yonder, and he don’tL lool; like a runaway.
We don’t want any more blundering.” _

“ You are not thinking of attacking him, and
on foot!”

“Why not?” was the cool response. “ I don’t
want to run down your stock, but I must say
that of all clumsy, awkward brutcs, they are
the worst Iever saw to shoot from. We can
do better afoot, when' we have only our own
flinching to take care of.”

“But that's the old Fighting Gray I’ve been
telling you about i” persisted Percy, his eyes
staring. I

“ So I judged. and an ugly critter he is, too,
sure enough! But we’ll never have u better
chance to rid the country of the pest. Bcsuics,
he owes me one for that pony.”

“ Cousin." said Percy, earnestly, “I ask' a
favor of you.”

t “granted; unless it is to let that brute go
ree.

“But that’s exactly whatlI do want. You
don’t know the demon as well as I do. You
might kill him, but then again he might prove
the victor just as he bus againstten times the
odds. You may be killed or injured. Father
bade me be very careful. It ought should
happen to you, while under my guidance, I
could never face him again. I would rather
blow my own brains out i” '

Lance hesitated, plainly affected by the carn-
est pleading of his cousin. Burt, less impres-
sionable, said impatiently:

“ Come on! Act now and talk afterward. The
rascal may give us the slip, and then we’ll never
get such another chance. One shot apiecs’ll do
the business for him.”

“ For my sake—in the name of my dead
uncle!” pleaded Percy. pale, the tears starting
into his e es as he spoke. “ It is not so much
that I ale Something tells me that if you re-
fuse, we will all regret it as long as we live.
Let the ugly brute go now, and I pledge my
word of honor that you shall have another
chance at him. when we are in better trim.” and

Q

The Colorado Boys. '

 

.7

 

his hand was placed coaxmgly upon the \lad’s

arm.

" All right, though it looks cowardly.”

“ Put the blame and the shame upon my
shoulders, then " and Perc smiled faintly. “ I
can’t account for it. but firmly believe that
were we to attack that ay now, some one of
our number would be kille .”

Despite themselves, the brothers were im—
pressed with his earnestness, and though Burt
grumbled n. little, he made no’ serious opposition
when Lance bade him mount his pony and fol-
ow.

At a sign from Percy, Kolabala dismounted
and surrendered his pony to Lance, and the
little party hastened away from the spot, leav-
ing the Eighting Gray tusker still goring the
mnngled carcass of the Cabul horse.

Fora couple of hours the little party rode on.
preceded by the lithe shikaree, who experienced
no diificulty in keepinF ahead, the lads convers-
ing together, laying p one for their tuture sport
and enjoyment, even Burt displaying a. degree
of interest beyond what might have been ex-
pected from his former talk. The taste of sport
which had been furnished him that day was al-.
ready beginning to bear fruit.

The afternoon sun was still some distance
above the horizon when the lads were informed
that they were almost at their ourney’s end,
which fact indeed had been ev dent from the
cultivated fields which stretched on either hand
for the last mile or two. . ' .

“ Not more thnn another quarter, and we are
home!" cried Percy; but before either of the
brothers could speak a. shrill chorus of cries and
squcals came to their ears from the mass of
trees and foliage which concealed the factory
from view. V ‘ '

“Don‘t you have anything but pigs in this
blessed country .4” asked Burt, as the nature of

‘ the cries became clear.

“ Hnrl: i” cried Percy. “ There’s trouble at
the house. It’s old Mutldy’s pigs; and that’s her
sweet voice. Come onl”, '

CHAPTER III. ,
A NATIVE ORGAN-emu

Nor fully understanding what was in the
wind, but ready 9nd eager to see all there was
to be seen. Burt and Lance put spurs to their
ponies and dashed on close at the heels of th ir
cousin. Into the shrubbery and along a wind-
ing path which quickly brought them to a con.
sideruble inclosure. formed of bamboo poles set
in the ground, so close togetheras to touch each
other, and rising eight feet or more from the
surface of the earth. From the inside of this
inclosure came that curiously mingled chorus,
and as they rose in their stirrup: and peer
over the barrier, the boys beheld a scene quite
as odd as it was mirth‘provoking.

The bamboo inclosure was nothing more nor
less than a. pig-pen, in which was confined an
old white sow and her promising litter of oung—
ones, barely a month old. Their condi ion, to
fat, smooth and sleek, together with the various
conveniences scattered around, showed that
their value as foreigners—for the most ignorant
in ho: lore could not well have mistaken than

 

\

/

 

 

3 The Colorado Boys.

 

for natives of India—was fully appreciated by
the one in charge. The bamboo fence had been
dogged asa rfect rotection against the at-
m of jac ls and axes, but the enemy which
was now so fully enjoying itself cared little for
such a barrier. ‘
A huge monke , of the ring~tailed s ecies,
had either scaled he fence or else droppe from
the overhanging branches of the trees which
surrounded the pig-pen, and was now seated
astride of the huge o d sow, a fore-paw grasp-
ing each an ear, a broad rin upon its comical
features as it chattered oudly, switching its
long tail from side to side as though it were the
lash of a whip. Squealing frantically, the sow
made blind rushes toward the fence in hopes of
,ridding itself of this waking nightmare, but as

"’ often would the monkey change its course by

stout tugging on its ears, varied now and then
by a vigorous slap over the eyes.

At the heels of their mother ran the sucking
igs, their shrill squeals and grunting adding to
he diabolical chorus. Behind them again Wad-

dled an immensely fat old woman, brandishing
a stout broom of jungle-grass, now cursing,
now praying, now pleading, but all the time
panting, gasping, gurgling as though in the last
stages of exhaustion.

‘ Devil of a monkey, begonel”, panted the old
woman, as she stumbled and fell upon her knees,
and then, too wearied to arise for the moment,
remaining thus and beating the earth with her
househol weapon in an excess of fury as she
reviled the mischief-maker. “ Cease your vile
flanks and let my beautiful pigs alone! Oh!

uneman! Oh! Sugriva! Look down and see
what desolation your evil son is working!
Child 01 a. shaven father! May your tail grow
to be a mile long—may the giants of Lenka
catch you, wra your tail in rags and pitch,
set it aflre, an see it blaze and burn through
all eternity!

“Oh! S ival hear my prayer! Blessed Par-
vati, supreme of goddesses and supporter of the
universe, hearken unto thy unworthy child!
Praise be unto thee, oh lotus-eyed, deity, re-

lendent as burnished gold! Praise be unto
t , oh beloved of Shiva, who createst and
destroyethl Praise be to the. oh monument of
pit and mercy, who pervadest the universe
an art the sole substance from which all female
forms, whether mortal or immortal ori 'natel
Grant th humble, weepin child thy a. d and
save her am this fearful istressl”

Faster ran the ‘ unting sow more shrilly
squealed the terri ed pigs, while the imp of
mischief cluttered more wickedly than ever as
its bony paws twisted the drooping ears of its
an illing charger.

1 course neither Burt nor Lance could un-
derstand what the {at old woman was sayiu ,
but Percy, as well as his choking mirth wou d

 

permit, gave them a running interpretation,
which may not be without its interest to our
boy readers.

, er prafvers were founded on one of the most 1
popular 0 the Shastras, or religious chronicles
of the Hiudoos, known as the Ramayana, an
epic am of one hundred thousand lines, de-

 

scrib nz the life of the god Rania and his wife.

/
/

the lovely Sita. Suzriva was the king of the .

monkeys, Huueman the monkey eneral who
was sent as a spy into the land 0 the wicked
giants, Lenka (Ceylon.) where Ravana, the
demon-king, had carried Sits, in hopes of forc-
ing her to marry him. Huneman was discov-
ered, taken prisoner, and when brought before
the demonkiug. being refused a. seat, length-
ened his tail and coiled it up as a sailor coils a.
cable, until it formed a seat higher than the
throne of Ravens. Here he was questioned,
and his bold answers so enraged the demon—kin
that be sentenced Iiuneman to have his tai
wrappnd in rags and paper, saturated with tar
and oil, then set on fire, which sentence was
duly carried out.

soon as it began to burn, the giants liber-
ated their risoner, to enjoy the novel specta-
cle, when uneman broke through their ranks
and rushed through their fields of grain, over
their walls, houses and granaries, settin all
aflre. To save their city from total des ruc-
tion. the giants chase Huneman, to extinguish
the fire they had started for a very different
purpose, but he seeks refuge in a mighty tower,
and when it is full of his enemies, wraps his
tail around the building and tears it down,
crushing his foes to earth. He then makes his
escape, dips his tail into the ocean, and returns
to Rama.

As the fat old woman ceased her queer prayer,
3. yelping was heard at the further side of the
pig pen, and waddling to a little door, she flung
it open and admitted a. number of shaggy ter-
riers, who made at the monkey with savage
snarls and ye! s.

With an ind gnant chatter, the monkey lea ed
from the back of its unwillin charger, ut
snatched u one of the pigs as it unded to the
top of the ence. from thence into the overhang-
ing boughs of a tree, on]; pausing when the top-
most limbs were reache . ,

Again burst forth the wild supplications of the
old woman, while the mischievous monkey chat-
tered and grinned his defiance alike of her and
her ye] ping, barking terriers below.

Choking with laughter though he was, Lance
felt ity or the distress of the old woman, and
mov ng along until he had a clear view of the
monkey, drew his revolver.

“ The old lady will go into a fit if we don’t do
something,” he cried, to his comrades. “ Stand
read?7 to catch, when the porker drops.”

A ithe form bounded to his side and a slnewy
hand tested 11 on his pistol arm. It was Kola-
hala, who spo e rapidly, in his excitement using
his native tongue.

“ What does the fellow mean!" asked Lance
looking inquirineg at Percy. “ Tell him i
won’t hurt the pig.”

“ It is the monkey, not the pi ,” hastilylre-
plied Percy. “Don’t you know is at they old
all monkeys sacred? That you could hardly
commit a greater sin than to injure one of

[theml Even Kalahala would feel strongly

tempted to slip his knife between your ribs,
were you to shoot that monkey!"

Lance glanced uickly at the face of the na-
tive, and though t e Nepaulese bowed his head
With an air of deprecation. the lad saw enough

\3—‘3. .

The Colorado Boyd. 9

 

to feel that Percy had not greatly exaggerated
the truth. There was a threatening light in
these dark, oblique eyes.

“ Just as you say,” and with an air ofindiifer—
ence be lowered the hammer of his pistol and
returned it to its scabbard. “I only thought it
a pity not to clap a stopper on that ancient fe—
male 5 vjaw before she broke something. She
can’t keep it up much longer without something
giving way I”

“ Look at the monk!” cried Burt, with aburst
of laugh tei‘. “ Playing the Oi'gan,.by thunder 1”

Until the top of the tall tree was. gained, the
monkey carried the pig by the hind legs, but
now settled itself into a comfortable position,
and as though enjoying the shrill squealings
which the luckiess porker kept up, set about
producing more of the music.

Tucking the head of the pig under its left arm,
he grasped hold of its Switching tall with the
other paw, then wrung it round and round,
after t 9 fashion of an organ-grinder, gl'lllniélf
and chattering like a veritable imp of mischi .

Truly it was a ludicrous sight, and by no
means rendered less ridiculous by the irantic
prayers of the old woman, who called upon all
the gods and goddesses of her acquaintance, one
after the other, to rescue her beloved ig.

How long the farce would have asted, or
what new pranks that diabolical ape would have
performed next, can only be surmised, had not
the tortured pig made a. desperate move on its
own account.

Twisting'its head around, it managed to catch
a good mOuthful of the monkey’s skin and flesh
in its mouth, and made its teeth fairly meet.

The chattering was instantly changed to a
shrill cry, as the monkey tore the pig from its
hold, then boxed its ears as savagely and dex-
terously as ever schoolma’am belabored mis-
chievous urchin. The pig seemed fairly wild
with rage, and snapped viciously at the fast—
flyiug paw, at length giving it a pretty sevsre
nip, when, with an angri gibber, the monkey
swung it once around his ead by the tail, then
hurled it from him to fall full sixty feet to the
ground, where the life was instantly dashed out
of its carcass. One more sulky chatter, then the
monkey scrambled away through the tree-tops,
and was seen no more. .

A scream of bitter agony broke from the lips
of the old woman as she beheld the hapless late
of her favorite, and hastening to the spot, she
caught the lifeless shape to her capacious bosom,
rocking to and fro, moaning and wailing as
though the pig had been an onlv child.

The brothers were strongly affected, but Percy
only laughed as he whispered:

“Don’t let sympathy take away our appe-
titlesi 30mins. See how easily she w i be con-
so e . .

Dismounting, he quickly gained the side of
the mourner, and With a few words, dropped a.
silver coin into her lap. I

The effect was little short of marvelous. A
torrent of words broke from the lips of the wo-
man, and arising she kicked the carcass far
from her, all her grief dissi ated: .

.Purry laughed ightly as e reJomed his rela-

tivcs
“ It’s all on the surface with these neonle. and

 

a. little silver salve is a cure-all with them. You

will find Muddpenali a fairsample of her clan.”
“Muddpcnahi What a funny name!” ex-

claimed Bui't. .

. “Yes—the drinker of honey, it means: that

is, the humming-bird,” said Percy, with slough.

‘l‘Gfo’way humming-bird! Fan me with a
knitting-needle ’fore I faint!” gasped Burt, star-
ing after the waddling form of the woman, who
was hastening to close the door. of the pig~pen
er l any of her pets should escape.

“Not much resamblance, now, I admit,
though those who knew Old Mud when she was
young, say the name fltted her well enough
then. Biitlookl onder is fatherl”

A tall figure, ressed in a light linen suit,

thickly spotted with indigo, came hurrying
across the open space, strong emotion imprinted
on his handsome features, and though neither
of the brothers could remember having seen
him before, they instantly recognized their
uncle, their only living relative save Percy.
_ Promptly their hands were extended, but the
indigo planter was not satisfied with that. One
after the other he took them in his strong arms,
pressing them to his heaving chest almost with
violence, than held them off a. little ways, gen
ing into their eyes and faces as thoughstriving
to recognize there some trace of the dearly
loved brother whom he had lost forever.

Into Burt’s face he looked the loo est, until
the lad flushed hotl and drooped his glue eyes.
With a sigh the p anter released him, saying
With a faint smile:

“I couldn’t hel it, boys. It was as though
poor Harry- stoo before me, in the old days
when we were boys together. ”

“Burt has father’s face and complexion,”
said Lance. '

“And you take after your mother. I re-
member her well, though you two were only
babies when I saw her, for the first and last
time. I promised to return and help Harry.
rear you up in the way you should go, but im-
foreseen events prevented me from coming

/

that pledge. And now—” .
The veice rew husky‘oand the planter ab-
ruptly turn aside as t ugh ashamed of be.

trayin the strong emotion which was over-
power ng him. But only for a moment, then
he turned a sin, a smile upon his face which
in turn swift y changed to an anxious not as
he noticed the stained and tattered garments of
the brothers.

“Percy,” he said, turnip to his can. “You
did not forget my caution Yet your cousin:
have seen trouble—”

“ All our own fault, uncle,” boldly interposed
Burt. “ We wouldn’t mind what Percy saidl
and as a consequence we supped sorrow—bu
we had lots of fun, thou hi” '

“You are not hurt! here is blood on your
clothes—” :

“Pig blood, that‘s all,” said Burt, a little
sheepishly. ~

“Uncle,” put in Lance, hastily, “how much
was that pony worth—the one rode, I mean?”

“Why do you ask!" answered the planter,

opening his e es in rise.
“Because Iywant to u him—"
"'Hehyounfortho Kiifyoufanayhim

 

 

10

so much, but I have others much better for you.
What are you laughing at, Percy?” turning
shrug-1y u n his son.

“ hall tell, cousin?” smiled the youngster.

Lance hesitated for a moment, but then
knowing that the truth must out sooner or
later. nodded assent, and Percy gave a graphic
description of the adventures of that day, no t-
ting the whole matter in a far better light than
either of the brothers could have believed pos—

sible.

“Not the old I/wngra f” demanded the colo—
nel, excitedly.
' “ Indeed it was, the Fighting Gray himself—
ask Kolahala.”

“Old Lungra, sure, master,”conflrmed the
shikaree.

“ And the boys wanted to tackle him on foot,
with their revolvers,” added Percy, with a
roguish glance at his cousins. “It was all I

i

The Colorado E eye.

In one word, it was duty which caused them to
leave their far—away home for this strange
clime, not inclination.

Many years ago, the family of Applebee was
a numerous one, but as time rolled on, it grew
weaker and dwindled away, until, some twenty

ears before the date of the record which now
ies before the ho reader, only two brothers
remained to uphol the ancient English name,
Henry and Charles. Brothers in heart and love
as in name, they clung together while the clouds
of adversity- were darkest, and when Henry,
the most impulsive, suggested that they abandon
their native land for the New World, in hOpes
bf renewing their broken fortunes, Charles con-
sented as a matter of course.

The cattle ,ranges of the Far West arrested
their attention, and looking more deeply into

i the matter, the brothers began to believe that

could do to hold them in check. You never '

saw such flre-eaters—”

“That will do,” interposed the colonel. see
in that the youngsters were growing restive.
“ am very lad that you listened to reason,
even from t is hair-brained fellow, my lads.
The danger must have been grea t, it he called
a bait for I cannot always ho‘d him in check.”

“ I had your orders, father.” blushed the lad.

“And I thank you for carrying them. out,”
gravely. .

“ It was only a pig, after all—” began Burt.

“But one of ten thousand, my lad. Old a
spear as I am, I would run for it like a turkey
before I would tackle old Dungra on foot. You
had a lucky escape. It is a marrilihat you are
here alive and unhurt.”

“You haven’t said anything about that
pledge, cousin.”

The colonel turned to his son, inquiringiy,
and Percy made known the promise he had
given to induce the brothers to refrain from at-

\taclrlng the Fighting Gray luster.

“You know you said we should have a big
huntas soon as they can 9, and the crop was
fair] in,” he added, hesitatiugly.

“ fter the Fighting Gray, uncle,” put in
Burt, ea erly. ‘l’m determined to take his
seal tos ow when I get back home again—”

" en on have decided which is to be your
home, be orehandl” gravely said the planter, a
shade falling over his face. “ I had hoped you
would conclude to cast your lot with us. But
let that pass for the present. Time enough
:hen’you have seen how we live and enjoy life

ere. .

“And the old gray? We can take a run
after him?” persisted Burt. not to be shaken ofl".

“Yes. Percy promised, and his word is as
sacr to me as my own. If the old Luugra is
to be ound. we will take him.”

“Good enoughl’? ejaculated Burt. “And on

my part I promise not to leave India. until I
have killed the“ old gray.”

CHAPTER 1V.
um “BLUE nn 1L8.” »
WHO are these youngsters. and why are they
here in India, since it is clear enough from
we let drop that one at least of the, brothers

= their affairs there.

at last they had found the new Dorado.

A range was selected, stock bought, and
Henry settled down as manager, while his
brother returned to England to finally wind up
But his return was long de-

.: layecl, and when he did come back to the cattle
‘ ranch, it was on a wedding tour, for he had

 

is not pusionately in love with the countryl;

married a fair young girl, sole heiress to an ex-
tensive indigo-planter.

Less than a month later, word came that the
planter was very ill, and longing: to see his only
child once more before payinw the debt of na-
ture. There could he no defiay in answering
such a summons, and once more the brothers
parted. '

The indigo-planter died, leaving his property
in such shape that to protect the interests of
his wife, Charles Applehee felt compelled to
visit the far-awe y land. Before matters were flu-
all y arranged to his satisiaction. he grew so deep-
ly interested in the business of growing indi 0,
that he felt he had at last found the work or
which nature had intended him. He wrote fre-

uently to his brother. gradually paving the way

or the pr0po ition which he was almost resolved
to make from the outset, but it was nearly two
years before he once more set foot on American
soil, leaving his wife in England.

There could not have been a. more favorable
time for the indigo-planter to broach the subject
so near his heart, for Henry had just brought
home a. bride, and that new and tender tie
would soften the blow of sundering the old one.

After many a long and serious talk, the ques-
tion was finally decided. Henry was to carry
on the cattlefarm, retaining all the capital put
into the business by Charles as well as himself,
while his brother was to devote his attention to
the indigo plantation. Yearly they were to in-
terchange balance-sheets, and the roflts were
to be equally divided, the whole bemg held, as
it were, in trust for their children.

or the. offspring which were given the broth-
ers, only three sons survived the perils of early
childhood: Lancelot and Burtis, sons of Henry,
and Percy, son of Charles. ’

Then the elder brother died, surviving the
loss of his idolized wife less than a year, and
when his will was opened, the orphan boys were
given an abundance of food for thouiht.

For the first time they learned of t e peculiar
compact which their father And uncle had

}_~.,, .

The Colorado Boys. 11

 

entered into, though the had been aware, in a I
gen eral way, that their ether was interested in
the indigo business. 1

In the will, they were told all. They were,
hidden place the cattle-farm in the hands of a
trusty man, whose name was iven, while they
paid a visit to their uncle, in ndia. They were 
to consult with him, were to carefully note the i
different details of indigo growing. were to try i
and interest themselves in the business, and at 1
the end ofa year, were to decideon their future ’
course in life.

If they found they could take a sufficient in- [
terest in the business to make it their occupation
for life, to cattle-farm was to be disposed of,
and the rocecds invested thus. If not, and ‘
their unc 9 could not bring himself to sell out ,
and hear them company back to America, the ;
bpy‘sdwere to return and carry on the farm as
0 0 .

At the time when they are introduced to
the reader, Lance and Percy were nearly the
same age: nineteen, while Burt was a year’ and
a half younger.

Ea er to please their uncle, and desirous of
eflac ng the unfavorable opinion which they
fancied he had formed from their luckless ad-
ventures of that day, the brothers declared that
they preferred taking a look over the place to
resting from their journey.

It was the busiest time of the whole year, as
well as the most critical, and glad as the colonel
was to see his nephews, he could not stand on
ceremgny with them, as he hurriedly ex-

laine .

p “ I, for one, am glad of it ” said Lance, frankly.
“ You know why we are here—to see and learn
all we can—and though we are given a year in
which to get an idea of the business, we can’t
start in too early.”

The colonel was plainly pleased with this
avowal, and as he led the way, he briefly but
clearly explained the real purport of w hat the
lads saw. '

It was now the middle of June, and time for
the “ Mahye," or manufacture of the d e to be-
gin, as a general rule, though at Ap ebee fac-
tory the first vats had been~“loade " a Week
or more b fore.

, The colonel first led the way to a monstrous
reservoir, built of masonry, and raised high
above the long line of vats. Besxde this was a
huge Persian wheel which may be briefly
described as a revolving drum, carrying an
endless chain of skin buckets, filling themseIVes
in the stream below, then emptying their con-
tents into the tank or reservoir above.

Beyond stretched a long line of vats in which
the bundles of indigo plants were steeped, for
from the leaves alone of the plant is the indigo
manufactured.

The plant, done up in the bundles, not unlike
oats or wheat when they leave the hands of
the binder, are carried from the fields in bullock.
carts, then handed to the “loaders,” who stand
in the vats and stack the bundles on end until
the circular receptacles are nearly full. Then a
layer of bundles are spread horizontally, filling
up all inequalities when all is in readiness for
the pressing, which is done by means of a bam-
boo flooring with cross-beams. and powerful

 

levers. Then the water is turned on and the
,plant left to steep. This occupies from ten to
fifteen hours, according to the state of the
weather, the temperature of the water and
other conditions all of which have to be care-
fully studied and considered.

“This is the first sign which we note,” said
the colonel, us he paused beside one of the vats.
“You see that greenish-yellow tinge to the
water? As fermentation goes on, that will
gradually turn to a. deep blue, the water will

' swell up higher, until the gas-bubbles begin to

break. Then—but ocular demonstration is
much more convincing than flat talk,” and
turning to one of the coolies near by, he uttered,
a tow sharp words.

The almost naked fellow scampered away,
quickly returning with a lighted torch. Taking
this, the colonel passed on to one of the '
middle vnfs, where the liquid was bubbling and
frotbing like a mass of yeast, andlowering the
torch until it nearly touched the surface, a loud
report followed as the accumulated gas ignited,
while a brilliant blue flame shot from one ex-
tremity of the line of vats to the other, with the
m idity and not unlike a streak of lightning.

t was a beautiful as well as curious sight, and
the two boys uttered little exclamations of
delight, with which it was plain the colonel was
not a little pleased.

“One‘of the si ns for which we watch,” re-
sumed the cclone , “is when the water in the/
vat looks hollow—that is, when it is lower in
the center than at the edges. By that, with
other Signs which you will soon learn to recog-
nize, we know that the plant has steeped
enough, and that the vet is ripe—ready-to be ‘
opened. Thrn the Gunta rreo—"

“ The grunting whatl ejaculated Burt,
hugging.
“ he time-keeper; the man who notes the
exact time when the water is turned on each
vat, who guesses how long it will re uire for
steeping, and wholooks at the vat w en this
time has expired. If he pronounces all intendi-
ness, the pin-men knock out the s—whicb
ou see near the bottom of the Va when the
iquor runs out and is conducted into the beat—

ing-tank below.”

“ Exactly—but uncle, in the name of all that’s
frightful, what is the matter down yonder! A
free fight?” exclaimed Burt, as a wild uproar
arose at some little distance from where they
stood, but hidden from view. . .

Yells and shouting, now shrill and piercing,
then gradually lowering until the sounds came
deep and se ulchral, mingled with grunts and
groans an snorting. the cadence abrupt)
changing again and again, until one could ham-
ly be blamed for thinking that all andemt. nium
had been turned loose for a hall ay—and were ‘
having it, too! A

“ That!” laughed the colonel. J‘Ob, thati
nothing but the blue devils at work.” ,

“The blue devils l” ejaculated lance. “ Pray
what are they ’l” .

“Sounds like a lot of boys turned loo-Ola a
cucumber-patch! Come on—l’m gomg to see
the fun!” cried Burt, tahin to he heels and
running in the direction of uproar.

“ Yes, we’ll go too.” said the smiling colonel.

 

 

12

The Colorado Boys.

 

as Lance looked at him. “Time enough to‘,
finish the lecture on indigo, when you young- 3
stars have taken the wireedge off.” i

In a few moments they stood beside the,

“ beating vat ” viewing one of the most curious
, sights connected with the process of manufac-
turing the dye. ‘

In the deep, oblong vat stood a full score of
coolies, all stark naked, ranged in two, rows,
facing each other. Each man held a long stick,
on the end of which was fastened a thin but;
stout circular plate of wood, slightly hollowed

t

on .

At the word given by the leader, the men
dipped these disks into the liquid which reached
above their knees, tossing the stud high above
their heads, but directed toward the coolie
standing directly opposite. As he performed
the same maneuver, at the same instant, the
twin spouts of dye met in mid—air above their
heads, uniting and falling back into the vat in a
sparkling cascade.

Beginning with a slow, measured stroke, to
whic their voices kept time. the exercise grew
faster and faster, until the heaters were com-
pletely hidden from view of the spectators by
fine .dtumbling masses of frothing, foaming

m .

he beating of the ddles, the splashing of
the liquid, the wild ye is with which the weird
song was liberally interspersed, all combined to
form a. noise that was almOSt deafening.

The brothers watched the strange scene with
wide-open eyes. wholly at a loss to understand
its meaning, but when they attempted to ask
the colonel what it all meant, they were unable
to catch the sound of their own voices.

Observing this, the colonel drew them aside,
saying: _

‘ It is too late now to explain the exact phi-
losophy of what you have seen; time enough
for that when you are a little more at home.
You saw that the li nor was of a. yellowish-
green color at first. 1 you watch, you will see

hat as the beating goes on, it will gradually

turn to a dark, brilliant blue, which is the re-
sult of the oxygenation goin on. This beating,
if all goes well, lasts about t ee hours, on the
average, but sometimes the color refuses to
come, and then you would see how a white
planter can turn himself into a blue devil—for

have more than once stripped to the buff and
taken my place among the heaters, to encour-
' age the our rascils. You may laugh—but it
is part 0 the trade, and we can’t aflord to lose
a vatful of the precious stuff.

Forafew minutes longer the boys watched
the weird'exciting scene, and as they saw the
color gradually deepening, the heaters growin
’ more and more furious in their motions, wit 1
the dye streaming over every inch of their per-
sons; the better understood the meaning of the
term “ b no devils.”

Never was a term more appropriately be-
slowed.

From the beating vat, the colonel led them
through the works, showing them many an in-

 

teresting sight, a record of which would form
interesting enough reading, but might be deemed ,
out of place in a sketchv recmd film this I

A hasty synopsis must suffice for the present.
When the liquor has been “beaten” suffi-
ciently, it is carefully skimmed, then left to
settle. This sediment, which is technically

‘ known as mall, is drained 1) letting the waste

liquor of? through a series 0 aduated holes in
the vet, then the mall is eit er scooped up in
gars, or conducted along a trough to the mall-
ank, from thence to the straining-room, where
it is passed through successive layers of wire—
gauze and cloths, until perfectly freed from
dirt. Then it is boiled for several hours, n‘nr
v. Lllch it once more reaches the straining-room
where it is subjected to a still more careful
process.

The mall settles into the straining-sheet, while
the waste water trickles through and is carried
off by a pipe.

Standing over night on the straining-table,
the mall is next ut into presses. These are
square boxes. iron- and, to enable them to re-
sist the great strain which is put upon them,
with perforated sides, bottom and cover, the
latter arrange so as to fit inside the box.
These are lined with loose cloth, much as the
presses for cheese, and when filled with mall,
the cloth is carefully folded over the top. The
mall is now of the consistency of fresh starch.
The heavy beam, worked by two upright screws,
is let down on the cover of the press, when a.
heavy lever is lowered, and the nuts on the
screw tightened. Thus an enormous pressure
is obtained, and every particle of moisture is
squeezed out of the mall, through the cloth and
the holes in the press. ’

When nothing but pure indigo remains, the
presses are opened, the top and sides removed,
the indigo being carried to the cutting-frame on
the bottom board.

Here, by means of an ingenious contrivance
which would take too much space to describe,
the indigo is cut into square cakes. Each cake
is stamped with its proper number, and the pri-
vate mark of the factory, then conveyed to the
drying-house. The cakes are then known as
mychans and remain in the drying-house for
two or three months, being turned at short in-
tervals. While drying, a thick mold forms on
the cakes, which is scraped off, mixed with
sweepings and chips, ground over in a hand-mill,
and sells as dust. 1

October, when the manufacture is over and
the grounds are being again put in shape for an-
other crop, the shipping is done. The cakes are
sorted one by one, the finest bein packed in
mango wood boxes, the remainder ormed into
two different rades. \

All of this t e colonel briefly explained to the
interested lads, who began to see that the whole
world of enjoyment was not comprised in the
stock ranges of far-away Colorado; and then
Percy led them away to the home-dwelling
where they were ready to take a. bath, an
firepare for “ tifiin," after the long and exciting

ay.

“ Lots of fun, it seems,” said Burt at table,
after the keen edge of his appetite was taken off;
“for those who don’t have to do the work, I
mean. But all the same, I haven’t seen any thing
to compare with a good his round-up, on a

The Colorado Boyo.‘

13

 

louizh mustang, where the long-horns are wild
as deer, and you‘ve got all creation to spread
yourself in.”

“ After the work comes fun, with us,” said the
colonel, with a. genial smile. “You shall have
your fill of wild ridiiig before the year is out,
never fear, and after big game, too.”

 

CHAPTER V.
AN UGLY cam.

“ WELL, boys, what is to be the order of the
day?” asked Percy, bright and early one mom-
iiig several days after the arrival of the brothers
at the indigo factory. I

“ Why ask us?” and Burt gave a great yawn
that almost dislocated his jaw. “That’s just
what We’ve got you for: to save us the trouble
of deciding. We’re company, and it is your
duty to amuse us, or see that we are amused.”

“Very well,” and there was a malicious
twinkle in the bright blue eyes of the young
planter, though his voice was under perfect con-
fro], and his face sober enough for a deacon.
“Since you leave it all to me, we will stay at
home and lend the blue devils a helping hand.”

“ Not much we won’t l” bluntly interrupted
Burt, with a grimace of disgust. “ I was fool
enough to try that on yesterday, and I won’t
get the kinks out of my muscles for a month to
come, I’m stiff as an old steer after a fifty-mile
stampede from a northerl”

Lance laughed, and Percy could not help join-
ing him, when Burt quickly saw the point.

“Think you’re awful smart, don’t ye, now?
Knowed you was fooling, allthe time! Couldn’t
begin to get either you or Lance into the beat-
ing-vat if the whole crop was spoiling for want
of an extra hand. Aiii’t got the sand I”

“Well, we’ll always be ready to give you an
engagement as chief of the blue devils, when
we get our Zemats in working order,” laughed
Lance. -’

“ What do you say to taking a walk over to
the Mullah village for a. change?” suggested
Percy. “They have given our. word for a big
drag to-day, and it will be something new for
you—if not quite as interesting as beating in-
di 0.”

{5‘ How far is the village from here? What is
a Mullah, ‘and make a big drag of what 1’” asked
Burt. rather incoherently. .

“ Not more than a couple of miles, and we can
take our guns. There may be a little shooting
by the way. And in this district Mullah means
fisherman. If you like it better, you can ch11
them Muchooah, Gonhree, or Beeu, and they
will answer just as promptly.”

“Nice names to sleep with l” muttered Burt,
with a grimace of contempt. “ But then—this
is India, and that accounts for it all.”

" Further up the country they are called
Nikaree, and down below they answar to the
name of Baeharee,” continued 'Percy, placid] ,
but pausing, as a look_of horror overspread t 6
face of his young cousin. '

“I won't open my headhfor a month, if ou’ll
just say ‘to be continued in our next,’ an let it
go at that. It isn’t fair to pelt a poor devil
with such lingo, so soon after breakfast. I feel
on though lid swallowed allay-stack already I”

 

 

 

After a little more chair Lance interposed.

"What kind ‘of gain-c will we be likely to
find?"

“Nothing very important. Some mallards or
teal, a snipe, and maybe a paddy-bird or two.
Nothing that we cant get away with easy
enough with the shot-guns.”

In a few minutesthe three youngsters were
under way, and as they leisurely advanced
Percy, in answer to Lance, who was full 0
curiosity concerning the marvels—to him—0t
this strange land, gave a few particulars con-
cerning the people whom they were about visit-
, ,

rig.

In India. particular ocoupatlons are restricted
to particular castes. Thus the fishermen are a
class distinct from all others. They live in a
village by themselves, generally situated on the
bank of some stream, or else neah‘ some large
tank where fish are abundant. Of course they
cannot depend altogether on the proceeds of
their nets, but plant their rice-fields, or raise
indi o and other crops, as the case the ,
rarely doing much with their nets until after
the rainy season has fairly set in, and the rice
plants are all set out.

“Looks flshy enough, anvway,” was Burt’s
comment as they came in sight of the village,
and he was rl ht.

In every direction were seen coarse nets of
native manufacture, hen 'ng from bamboo
poles thrust into the earth, rom rude frames of
the same material, from the eaves of the huts,
the adjacent trees—everywhere nets and nets.
Here and there were great heaps of empty mus-
sel-shells, the contents of which had served as
bait, and around which still ~lingered such on
ancient and fish-like smell that Burt grasped his,
nose most expressively. Perched on the trees
around, and lazily circling throu h the air,
were great numbers of vultures and tea, whose
instinct seemed to tell them that a feast was in
course of preparation for them. ‘

The entire village was in estate of intense
hustle and excitement when our young friends
alpproached it, nor did their appearance lessen
t is in the least. The majority if not all of the
villagers had seen the strangers who had come
from such a far-off land, and they were eagerto
make a favorable impression.

At the command of the head mullah, a griz-
zled, wary veteran, the march was taken up to
the tank which stood only a short distance Jon:
the village, where the huge net which was to be
made use of, was already extended and pre-
pared for work.

Selecting a comfortable position in the shade.
where they could command a perfect view of
all that was going on, the cousins seated them-
selves, curiously watching the chief, who was
solemnly gomg through with some mysterious
motions, keeping time with a low, guttural
chant that was anythin but musical.

“ Trying to frighten t e fish so the won’t run
away, or else making them glad die and
leave a world where such doleiul scundsflnd
birth, ain’t he?” ‘muttered Burt.

“ Don’t let the poor devil hear you,” laughed
Percy. “ All this is for your es cial benefit. I
have been at many 9 haul, but hey never bon-
ored me so for-3’ '

 

 

14'

The Colorado Boys.

 

 

“Please the pigsl he's iln'onnh at last!” irre-

vev‘vntiy breathed the 1nd. " it he starts ugum

I’m almost sure my old gun will explode of its ,

OWu accord, and somebody will get well pep-
pered—sure I”

Luckily there was no occasion for this. The
old mullah was satisfied with “what he had
done, and gave the word for the work to begin.

The net, nearly a hundred yards long, was
stretched along the edge of the tank as far as it
would reach, then grasped by the fishermen in
the boats and swung out over the water in a
huge semicrcle. Like all other (li'ngvnets, the
lower edge was heavily weighted, while
the top was buoyed with bamboo poles as
floats, thus making a perpendicular wall in the
water. At each end stout ropes were afiixed,
one extremity being firmly held by the villagers
remaining on shore, while the other was in
charge of the boa tmen far out in the middle of
the tank.

Dozens of small dog outs with men armed
with long, forked and limber poles, were ranged
along the edge of the tank, and at a signal from
the chief mullah, they all hogan thrashing the
lwater before them, striking first to the right,
then to the left, keeping time with a wild chant,
gradually drawing nearer the net. which Was
at the same time being slowly swung around to
bring the outer end to shore, inclosing as great
a space as possible.

“That is to frighten the fish into the net,
where their gills will get entangled in the
meshes,” commented Percy.

Each moment the excitement grew more and
more intense as the net neared the shore, cul-
minating in awild chorus of yells and screeches
a? tbs ropes were landed and the inclosure com-

ete .

p Those in the boats now surrounded the net
on the water side, yelling and thrashing like
mad,’while the net was being dragged ashore
and steadily contracted.

“They’ve got ’em, too!” cried Burt his ex-
citement rising with that of the fls ermen.
“ Look at the fish—”

“Big ones, too i” contributed Lance, his eyes
glittering as a great boil rose in the center of
the net. “Look at that!”

Percy leaped to his feet with a sharp cry of
warning, in the native dialect, but it was not
needed. The mullahs made the awkward dis-
(‘ovsry at the same moment, and wild yells of
frinhtened exgitement arose among them as an
ugly snout shot above the troubled waters, and
then along tail swept swiftly around, cleavmg
the water with a force that sent the spray dash-
ing clear to where the three lads stood.”

‘ A mugger—the old man-eater, by all that’s
holy l” he cried, mechanically raising his an to
his shoulder but lowering it undischarge as he
rfimemhered that it was coded only with fine
a ct. .

“Mug enough—just look at that for an open
countenance i” cried Burt, as the hideous reptile
opened its jaws to their full extent, closing
them with a clashing sound of the might teeth.
“I wouldn'tgive much for that haul of hi”
“ Worse than that—look! I knew itl”, ,
With a and rush the alligator struck the side

 

of the net furthest from shore. shopping Hm
TA.k:.llG$llS though they had bun (IllipOSHl of
nothing but cohwehs. Terrified, the men in the
dug-outs attempted to flee, but an accident oc-
curred directly in front of the reptile. Two of
the cranky boats come into collision as the oc-

- cupants swung them swiftly around, both up-

set, and cast the trembling wretches into the
water, just as the saurian cleared the net.

Aswrt‘t rush, a wild yell of terror, ending
abruptly in a shriek of agon , cut short as the
luckiess wretch was dragge beneath the sur—
face, and the alligator disappeared from view,
leaving a bloody tinge to the waters above it.

Horror-stricken, the three lads gazed upon
the tragedy which they were wholly unable to
avert, while the mullahs, both on land and
water, fled in hot haste from the s 0t.

"‘ Ain’t they going to try and o something
for the poor fe low?” muttered Burt, alittle
huskily, as the villagers disappeared from view.
“ Isn‘t there something we can do?”

“ Not for him—you can {udge for yourself,”
was the reply. “No earth y power could help
him now.”

“But they can have revenge—can kill the
thing that did the work, can’t they l”

Plercy shrugged his shoulders with a. faint
mu e.

“ You don’t know them as well as I do, or you
wouldn’t ask such a question. Not one in the
village but knew the mugger made his home in
this tank. Hardly a month passes but what
one or more women or children fall victims to
that or some other man~eater, when coming
here for water. They weep and wail a little
heap curses on the head of the til-strewn ml
its ancestors all the hard names they can think
of—then settle down in the same old rut, until
some other one is taken of! after the same
fashion.”

“And this is Indiar—thank the Lord is isn’t
my home I”

“ You say it stays in this hole? That it
makes its home herel” asked Lance, his face
pale and hard set.

“One old man-eater does, and no doubt this
is the same.”

“ Then it won’t eat any more men, it there’s
any virtue in powder and lead. I’ll watch here
for a month, but what’ll I’ll kill the ugl y devil 1”

“Me too—it only to show these mggers how
we work things back ina white-man’s country i”
added Burt.

“You will find it slow and tiresome work,
for the old mugger is about as sly and cunning
as any animal ever gets to be,’ sai Percy,

uietly. “Still. it you ,like- that way better
granttpe plan I was about to propose, we will
1 .

x What Ian is that?”

“ To hoo the man-eater and have some sport,
at the same time we avenge the deaths he ha!
caused.” a

“ But can it be done i” asked Lance, doubting-

y.
“ I have helped to catch three—none of them
quite as big as this one, though. If, we work it
right there will be little trouble. We can’t do
anything to-day, for two reasons. The last al-
torwohookodbroks onrhook.and then.

with this meal to digest, the mugger wouldn’t
Lake a bait to-day.” l
“ it must be fun when a big fellow like that ,3
gets fastl”
“ it is-fun alive, not unmixed with danger.”
“We‘ll tryi then,” decided Lance. “ If that ’
fails, we can 0 the other, for I’ll never rest‘
content while that ugly brute lives after what
I’ve seen to—da .”
Leaving the tank, they returned to the vil-g
lage, where they found everything quiet and,
orderly, nothing showing that such a fri htful
tragedy had so lately transpired. Percy ad a
brief conversation with the chief mullah, then
the boys slowLy returned home.

 

 

CHAPTER VI.
noomo A MAN-EATER.

NOT a little sobered by the tragedy which had
so unexpectedly cut short the sport they had
anticipated, the three youngsters returned to
the zeraat or home farm, where they wrought
out their plans for the circumvention and de—
struction of the cunning old man-eater.

Under the instructions of the young planter,
the native blacksmith constructed a strong hook,
with long shank, the eye at the upper and con-
taining a stout ring, to which the nape, serving
as the “ fish-line,” was to be attache . _

This line itself was an object of no little care
on Percy’s part, he overhauling it foot by foot,
to make sure that it had not been weakened in
any way since it was last used. _

‘You’ll have to cut off that bit," said Burt,
pointing to one end of the rope, wherethe sev-
eral strands were untwisted, only being held
together by knots lfilaced at short distances
apart. “ But it w' be plenty long enough
without that.” '

“ Do you think that would be best?” asked
Percy with a curious light in his laughing eyes.

“ O coursel Them loose strands wouldn’t
hold a sick kitten, let alone a ’gator like that ’un.”

“ You talk as though you knew all about it.”

“ Why shouldn’t I?"

“You have alligators in Colorado, then f”

“ Course we have: the back yard’s full of
’eml” was the prompt and unblushing reply.

“ Dropping the long-bow, have you really any
alligato s to compare with the one we saw at
the tan , in Colorado?”

“Lots an’ gobs of ’emi Water out thereis
just alive with the critters—so thick that when-
ever We want a drink we have to uso a musketo—
net for fear of getting choked by some of the
pesky critters slippin down our throats afore
we know it. We cal ’em wigglers an’ polly-
wogs out there; but then it's a mighty bigcoun-
try, an’ everything’s on a big scale accordm .j’

“ Except truth-stretchers, put in'Lance, w 119
Percy resigned all hopes of obtaining the in-
formation esired.

Turnin to Lance, as the most reasonable, he
explaine the meaning of the urithsted end of

r0 e.

if left in one firm strand, the alligator when
hooked would almost certainly bite the rope in
two, thus freeing itself before it could be dis—

The Colorado Boys.

 

patched. As now arranged, the loose strands
would mtangle themselves in the great teeth of

is

 

the mugger, while the frequent knots gave the

re , nearly, if not all of its original strength.
'nat afternoon, when the heat of the sun be-
came somewhat tempered, the lads took their
shot-guns and wandered away from the factory
'n quest of small game which was to be found
in abundance at all times of the year in and
around the tanks and small streams with which

I that district was plentifully watered.

Though not much shooting was done, the
brothers found the stroll productive of no little
interest, from the number of curious and bean-
tiful birds which they now saw for the first time.
Even Percy was surprised, for it was unusual to
find so many diflerent varieties so far from the
hill regions this ear] in the season.

A bit of a nature. ist, thanks to the teaching
of his father, the colonel. Pero was able to
name nearly all of the different irds, and tem‘
porarily satisfy the curiosity of the Americans.

They Were most deeply interested in the dif-
ferent species of parrots, of which there was a
great abundance. Prominent among these was!
one which Percy called the utmogee, probably
the most showy and brillian f all its tribe.

The main ortion of its was of a rich

sen, the ngs were bri ht mson, the throat
is black, the beak of a b ght yellow. It sport-
ed a long, feathery ttaifiknot of bright scarlet.
The upper part of its t was -blue, while the
feathers beneath were sno w ite.

“I’d give a finger for a uty like that lo
take home with me when I go!" muttered Lancc-,
unable to take his eyes from the brilliant vision.

“ You can have it at a much less cost than
that.” laughed the youn planter. “ They are
hard to domesticate, but t has been done, and
can be done again. I will see that you have a
pairignAnd you, Burt? Which one do you fancy
mos .

“ I’ll take a rhinoceros, if it’s all the same to
you. I left oi! parrots when I shed short
dresses, and I ain’t quaker enough to fancy these
dull colors after our bright birds at home. NI:
about poll—parrots—" ‘

“ Cut it short, boy Burt,” said Lance, in: -
tiently. “ You want to get over that ugly be it
of_ yours. or 1-’ll never take on out walking
Without first putting on a tigh muzzle.”

“ if you think on need one, all right,” yawned
the incorrigible ad. “I never found you very
dangerous, though.” '

The youngsters strolled leisurely along the
rush-fringed banks of the little stream. taking
an occasional shot at a lank, melancholy-lookin
paddy-bird, or a snipe as it rose and!" dart
away with cork-screw flight. How and then a
mallard or teal was jumped, reminding the
brothers of home sport.

. p“ There’s a little tank not far away, when we
will be apt to find a few mallrds ” said ’Percy,
as the sun was growing low.’ “I we can crip-
ple and catch a duck it will save a feathered t

or old lllluddpenah. We’ll need one to bolt
mug er in the morning.” ‘

A ew minutes’ brisk walking carried them to
the tank, which was one little disturbed by the
natives, from its evil re utation of bein haunt-
ed, and cautiously s ng at? they behe d quite
alarge flock of ducks near a center, idly m4
mug and preean themselves. '

 

 

16

The Colorado Boys.

 

“ Go around to the other side and give them a. ‘ float of rushes, so hampered that it could not

barrel, Lance.” said Burt. “That will send

dive, though its one sound wing was left at

them out at this opening, and I’ll see if I can’t , liberty.

come the old trick- on understand?” _

Lance nodded an stole away, leaving his
brother and cousin together at a point where an
o nin in the line of trees rendered [it more

an ll ely that the ducks, on being fired into
from the o posite side, would leave the tank by
that route in preferenceto rising clear above the
barrier. ,

“Let me have the first shot, but be ready to
take them as they pass,” said Burt, laying aside
his gun and drawing a revolver.

“But you don’t mean to shoot with that?”

“ You want a winged duck for bait, you said.
Well, I’m going to get it for you,” was the
quiet response.

_ Percy sugsfxected some sort of joke or sell, but
there was me for no more talk as the double-
barrel of Dance rung out, and the survivors of
the flock rose from t e water with wild quack-
ings, taking a short circle, then flying straight
for the opening in the trees, as Burt had fore-

IOOIL /
‘ Swiftly his pistol was raised, and as the ducks
swept past them, he fired one shot, Percy turn-
ing 3;: making a beautiful double, as the birds
awe on. - .
Even as he did so, he felt a heavy thump
against his back, and turning, beheld a mallard
drake fluttering at his feet.
“ There’s your live bait,” said Burt. quietly

slippin another cartridge into his pistol an
return n it to his belt.
“ One nce crippled?”

“ One I shot. Look at its right wing. A single
ball did that. You only heard me fire once.’

“ A wonderfully lucky shot. if you did in-
deed do it,” muttered Percy, still doubtful.

“ If, you like to call it that, all right. But it’s
a sort of luck I can bet on twice out of three
times when the birds fly right, as they did just
now. Ask Lance,” he added, carelessly, as his
brother came up. v

“ Yes, it’s Burt’s bird. I’ve done the same
trick, but I’m free to admit that Burt can give
me odds and then beat me at this sort of snap-
shooting." a

“ I wouldn’t believe it, only for the evidence
of in own eyesight,” confessed Percy.

“l ’s all in practice. I learnt how in shooting
at musketoes over in old Colorado. We’d clip
their win s that way of warm evenings when
we hadn’ an thing better to do, ick 011' the
feathers and s ip them by the car- oad east, to
sell as wild turkeys. Fact—ask Lance.”

Percy turned away in silent scorn to retrieve
his brace of mallards, and when their game was
gathered, the three lads returned to the factory,
putting the wi ged duck in a small coop n
readiness for the morrow. ‘

ht and early they wereafoot. and, accom-

pani halthe colonel, whom they had acquaint-

ed with eir intention, they soon reached the

‘ village of the mullahs, where the chief had a

stron force in readiness for them, when it
shoul be needed.

These were bidden keep back from the tank,

(Juli the  and the three boys advancin
at The uck was secured upon a mii

,/ ' /

 

The hook was passod around its breast, the
shank passing beneath its wing, being tied fast.
Taking advantage of the wind, the duck was set
afloat, the rope being coiled in the edge of the
water, so that it would pay out of itself, then
the “ fishing party” concealed themselves among
the rushes, waiting for a bite with what pa-
tience they could summon.

It was not long in coming; The uneasy quack-
ing of the hampered duc aroused t e man-
eater, and a little thrill of expectation ran
through the watchers as they caught a glimpse
of an ugly snout making a ripple in the water,
a. few yards from the duck.

That unfortunate was equally as keen-eyed,
and renewed its quacking as it struggled to rise
from the water—then came a swift rush, and
the duck, float and all disappeared below the
surface.

“ Not yeti” cried the colonel, but little has
excited than the brothers, who were about to
jerk on the rope. “ Give him plenty of time to
gorge it.”

At a motion of his hand, the concealed mul-
lahs arose, came forward and grasped the rope,
read to walk away with it at the signal. .

“ owl” shouted the colonel, givmg a vigor-
ous tug at the rope. “Now we’ve got him—
hurrah l”

There was not the slightest doubt on that
point. Pricked with the hook, the man-eater
made a desperate rush under the surface, gam—
ing some feet of rope, and tumbling several of
the natives over, but before it could make good
its advantage, the fellows recovered themselves,
and slowly but surel dragged their enormous
ca tive from the mu dy depths.

p to the surface rose the monster, its huge
jaws widely extendedI then closing with a snap
so. vicious that a cold chill runs over the twp
brothers lest the rope be seVered and their
mighty captive escape them after all their
trouble. But then they breathed more freely
as they saw that Percy’s precaution preven d
this. _

Dashing here and there, but always keeping
a tight strain on the rope. 'clashing its mighty
gaws, thrashing the water into a foam With its

ail-like tail, roaring, bellowing like a thorough-
ly maddened bull, now Jerking the coolies back
a foot or two, but as often losing the advantage

ained, the mug er fought like a very demon
gut all in vain. he hook was too firmly seate
in its stomach, the tested rope was too strong
to be broken, the united power of the two-score
arms at the rope too_ great for it to prevail,
enormous as was its might.

Inch by inch, fighting madl all the way the
mugger was dragged toward he bank, until its
short legs could touch bottom; then came the
tug-of-war. Not an inch further could the
mullahs drag it, though the ro was manned
almost to the water’s edge, an every_muscle
was strained to the uttermost, in obedience to
the excitedlshouts and yells of the master and
his oun a lies. _

“yIt’s 8no use,” said the colonel, at length, or-

the utter futility of their tremen ous

/

 

The Colorado Boyl. I."
V "' ”” . ‘- v —
efforts. “ We’ve got to kill him whch he is. i "TM-e his right eye‘ Lance.” mid Burt, draw;
We can’t drag him out without breaking the imam, revolwn “1)” center 1,1310“. At the

rope, and then good—by mugger I”
As he spoke, one of the mullahs left the rope
and running tothe colonel, spoke eagerly, plead-

ingly. _
‘ What does the nigger want?” asked Burt, of

ercy.
“ It was his brother the mugger killed, yester- ‘

day, and he is begging permission to kill the
mugqer in return."

“it’s right enough,” said Lance, turning to ,

his uncle. “ That will be poetical justice. But
how will he set about it? Shoot the critter?
He can have my gun—”

“ He’d be far more a t to shoot one of us,”
laughed the planter. “ hese mullahs known
little about fire-arms. If you are both willing,
he shall do the job, but it must be with his own
weapons.” _

The boon which he craved being granted, the
mullah, a short and fat little fellow, darted into
the rushes and quickly returned with a long-
handled boar spear. Cautiously he advanced
toward the hideous reptile, then made a swift
lunge as the bare skin behind the fore-arm was
revealed. The weapon sunk deep into the flesh,
but before the mu lah could Withdraw it, the
mugger uttered a loud,_ fierce bellow, and
plunged forward with wzdely distended jaws.

With a yell of horror the littleiellow turned
to flee, but his foot slipped in the mud, and he
fell forward upon his hands and knees, just as
that mighty tail swept around.

Struck fairly upon the portion of his body
thus rendered the most prominent, with tre-
mendous force, the mullah uttered a grunting
yell of horror and pain as he was sent end over
end, half-way across the tank, falling into the
water with a loud splash, and sinking instantly
from sight.

Swift y whirling. the mugger made a desper-
ate rush for the tank, plunging in and diving as
though bound to still further avenge the wound
it had received. The natives seemed stupefled
at the catastrophe, and half of them dropped
the rope to take to flight, when the colonel
with strong words in their own dialect, recalled
them to their senses, and the mugger was quick-
ly snubbed, and once more dragged to the sur-
face, just as the little fat fellow reali1 ared,
swimming lustin for the further ban , more
scared than hurt. \

“ Come back and try it overl” shouted Burt,
as well as he could for laughing. “ Bet ye two
to one that old mug can kick you clear across
the drink, next 1‘11?! ’

But the mull was satisfied, if he may be
judged b his actions, for no shonef‘ dld he
reach lan than he fled at top spéed howling at
every leap he made, until the doleful sounds
died away in the far distance.

The same desperate struggle was gone over
again, before the maddened mugger could be
dragged to shore, and then, as bolero, he braced
his mighty paws and could not be budged an
inch further. _

“I’m losing too much time, here,” said the
planter. at length. ‘fUnless you want to finish

in of! at once, I Will have to leave without
stopping for the end.” r .

 

' word—you count.”

Sharp and clear rung out the numerals, and
at the word three, two shots sounded as one,
and with a last, terrible struggle, the mugger
was dead.

 

CHAPTER VII.
THE FIRST smut.

The last vat had been “loaded,” steeped and
drained. For the last time that season the
“ blue devils ” had gone through with their
seemingly insane per ormance in bringing the
desired “color,” and, though there yet remained
much to do before the crop could be called safe
and the process of “ mahye ” completed, Colonel
Applebee yielded to the wishes of the three
youngsters, who were fairly spoiling for a
skurry after the pigs.

This he was more ready to do from the fact
that for more than a week past there had been no
“lchubber”——news or information—brought in
concerning the old Fighting Gray tusker. He
fully intended to keep the promise given tee
boys, but he wanted them to have some litt 0
experience with the spears before he led them
after that ugly customer.

Percy suspected as much, but he and his father.
only smiled quietly as Burt rattled on about the '
mighty deeds he meant to place to his credit
that day, and declined accepting any of the ex-
travagant wagers which the impulswe lad was
eager to lay that he would take the Scalp of the
old Lungra ere the sun set that day.

“ We have to find him first, and that may not
be so easy," laughed the colonel swinging him-
self into the saddle. “ The old tusker seams to
he a good deal easier found when one is not
looking for him.”

“On, we’ll turn him toes up before we take
the back trail, never fear. I‘ feel it in my
bones. I wouldn’t take fifty dollars for my
chance,” said Burt confidently.

At the heels of the party followed a motley
collection of dogs, terriers being in the prepon-
derance, all under the supervision of a couple
of long-limbed, wiry me.th or dog-keepers,
who also led in leash each a braco of lank grey-
hounds, while bringing up the rear came half a
dozen active syces or grooms. ‘

“Dogs enough, anyway,” observed Burt, e -
ing the pack critically. “ We'd ought to ma
a retty big bag with all them.” '

‘ Do you make use of dogs when hunting pi
in Colorado?" asked Percy, with a quiet em
on the side of his face furthest from the young
Munchausen. ‘ ‘

“ Sometimes—when we feel too has todo the
work for ourselves. Not these sot , though.
31M dOgS to find, and point the pigs, and a bull-
dog or two to go in and flush them, whils'We
2321113 ready to take“em on the wing.‘ Lotso’

n / v ,

“It must be!” ejaculated Percy, sober as‘ a
deacon. “ We haven’t got that far along yet,
but maybe we’ll improve, now you are here to’
show us the style.” / ' u /

The party had not ridden far b.foro the con-
fused yelpings of the terriers announced that
game of com Iort‘wu afoot. and the brothers

 

 

 

18

began to handle their unaccustomed weapons 9. .
\little nervously, if the truth must be told, ex-
pectin that a “sounder” of pigs would break
cOVer t e next instant. ;

“ This way I” cried the colonel. riding to a 1
little knoll and drawing rein. “ Game for the
pack, if not for us. An old jackal, I judge, from
the racket. Yes—yonder he goes!”

From their elevated position the lads could i
see a wolf-like creature stealing away from the [
patch of jungle where the excited terriers were

eeping up a most unearthly racket.

“ You don’t mean to hunt that truck for r

‘ game, do you?” and Burt’s nose went up half a ,
dozen degrees in supreme scorn. “A measly 1
Coyote like that?”

‘ It will take the wire-edge oi! the pack,” said

the colonel, quietly. “Yet I’ve had many a

good gallop after the old fellows, when there
wasn’t time to beat up better game.”

This was true enough, but the pack had been
brought along to take ofl’ more Wire-edges, than
their own, and had the two brothers been old
hands at pig-sticking, the dogs would have been
left at home, as a matter of course. The colonel
kli'owing that the main fault to be found with
hisnephews was rashness, hoped to cool their
:rdo‘ii ma. certain degree before the pigs were

oun .

 

ost immediately the terriers broke away
after the old jackal, yelping and snarling like
little demons. At first the animal ran surlily
enough, but then, as the chorus deepened and
came nearer. he ut his long legs to good use,
and Colonel Apple motioned for the mrhter
to turn loose one couple of the greyhounds.

It was a beautiful sight to see those creatures,
so recently slouchingv along with tucked-up
flanks and down hanging heads, the very pic-
ture of melancholy starvation, now stretched
out in full run, their slender legs plying so
swiftly that the keenest eye could no separate
them, or distinguish more than a confused blur
below the glancing bodies. -

The jackal was rapidly overhauled, and one
of the bounds made a pass at it, knocking it
over, almost into the jaws of its mate, whose
ni was so she that the confused and be-

ldered anima turned and ran howling
straight back toward the pack of terriers into
the midst of which it found itself before airly
realizing what had happened.

Their portion of the work done, the grey-
hounds quietly wheeled and trotted back to
their keeper, while the terriers piled upon the
jacks] in a confused, snarling, {elping biting,
tearing mass. The jackal fou t desperately,
leavin his marks on more t an one of the

k, ut it was all in vain, and five minutes
ter the mass dissolved, and the jackal lay on
the sand, dead and almost dismembered.

Brief as was the skurry, it caused the blood
of the youngsters to leap more rapidl in their
veins, and a few minutes later, w en a big
dog-fox broke cover, they were ready enough
toscamper away at the heels of the colonel,
little suspecting what a cunning game the vete-
ran was playing on them.

The run was a hot one while it lasted, but the
odds were heavily inst the fugitive. It
broke cover on a wi 0. level plain. covered

 

The Colorado Boys.

with the dull gray rice-sianle. On evvry side.
though far distant, may be seen the encircling
forest. Near the center, and from which the
fox was jumped, stands a small hill, covered
over with tall grass, mingled with thorn-bushes
and wild rose jungle. A more perfect field for
a chase could not well be found, and with many
a whoop and halloo, away thunder the lads and
the planter, close behind the gallant pack, the
fox in the lead, after him the greyhounds with
the plucky but slower terriers alreadyJ tailing.

Straight on for half a mile, then l e leading
greyhound made its efl‘ort and tumbled the
fox over, but before the rest could fasten upon
it, away went reynard on a. fresh course, run-
‘ ning faster than ever, for he knows that it is do

or die. If he can reach the dense cover beyond,

where the “gaze-hounds” can no longer keep

I  in sight,he may save his brush—but it is not
6.

Once more he is knocked over—once more he
regains his feet and eludes those gleaming,
clashing teeth-—once more he is running for
dear life on a new course—but unluckily for his
chances, the terriers are thrown before him by
this last change, and ere he realizes the dread
truth, they are all around and upon him.

Up gallo s the colonel, beating off the ter-
riers, and t a brush is won.

“Not so had,” said Burt. complacently, for
was he not second only to the planter? “But
all the same, bus an coyotes ain’t hogs, and
l’m hungrv fora good square bite at that old
Fighting ray!”

‘ We’ll be apt to slrike some over yonder,”
and the colonel nodded toward the distant jun-

le. “I wish to speak a serious word with you,

oys, before we tackle the pigs. If I have any
fault to find with you at all, to-day. it will be
because you are too venturesome. It is danger-
ous sport, and you are new bands at the busi-
ness. Until after you get the knack of hand-
ling the spears, I must ask you to keep with
either Percy or me. You give the pledge i”

There could be but one answer, and that was
given freely.

“But when we jump the Fightin
member I’m to have the first whaci
added Burt, anxiously.

“If we find him to-day, you shall take first
spear," was the smiling response, for the
planter felt confident that'the old gray tusker
was iles and miles away, else some of the
scou s whom he had out for a week past, would
have brought in word of his whereabouts.

The ardor of the lads was not long disa -
pointed, for the jungle had hardly been reache
when the terriers ran into a “ sounder " of

pi s. ,

it had been the intention of the colonel to
send back the dogs, as soon as they could steal
away without too plainly telling the brothers
why they had been brought along, but it was
now too late, and as the pigs—a full score,
large and small, of the pure black breed—broke
cover, he_shouted to Percy to stick by Lance.
and set him a good example, rightly surmisiug
that he would have more influence there than
over the rattle-hrained Burt.

“ cool and one , lad!” he shouted in warning
as, With a Wild 0 oer. Burt charged in. “ Pick

Gra , re-
at 1m,”

 

vnur game, keep to the left, and strike low be-
hinrl the tore-shoulder!”

How much of all this advice Burt heard and
understood, can only be surmised, for he had
singled out a huge old boar, the patriarch of
the “sounder,” and plunging the spurs rowel
dee , dashed away through the jungle at break-
nec speed.

Not a little anxiously Colonel Applebee fol-
lowed him, in readiness to lend a helping hand
should the occasion arise, but Burt showed that
he had not been an inattentive pupil when the
art of pig-sticking had been discussed in all its
bearings.

Really a superb, if rather reckless rider, he
soon drew in upon the snortin pig, and as the
well-trained hunter which he estrode carried
him with a rush close alongside the hog, be
shortened his right arm, bent low in the saddle
and delivered his spear.

A ringing cheer burst from the lips of the

lanter as he witnessed the deed, and though

urt flushed hotly, with a keen sense of failure
as the stout spear was torn from his hands
when he attempted to recover it, that cheer
was one of proud commendation, instead of the
derision-he at first fancied.

“ Nobly done, my boy 1” and the lanter rode
up and gras ed his hand so warm y that Burt
felt the tin is clear to his shoulder. “ As neat
a s ear as ever saw delivered 1”

till doubting Burt stole a glance hack, to
behold the huge black carcass stretched out on
its side, the spear-point protruding nearly its
whole length at the throat. So true and stout-
ly had his stroke been delivered that the hog
never uttered a sound after feeling the steel,
and Burt began to realize that he had done a
great thing—but not a sign of this would he
sniffer to be seen.

“Y-a-s, not so bad,” he drawled, with an in-

- nocent yawn. “You see, uncle, we have a few
pig‘s over home—”
he planter turned abruptly away, to con-
ceal the silent laugh which the innocent'brag‘
gadocio brought to his face, and regaining the
spear, he handed it to Burt.

“Do you always drop your spear after de—.
liverin , over home?” he asked, just a little sar-
castica ly.

“ Always-never use ’em but once, ’cause
white kid gloves cost more than spears and it
wouldn’t pay to soil a pair for every pig is fel-
low stuck in a day.”

The remainder of the pigs had scattered in
the dense, thorny jungle, and the colonel de-
cided not to hunt up any more of that gang, es-
pecially as the dogs would be in the way.

Whi a waiting or Percy and Lance to come
up, he gave the dog-keepers a sign to collect
their chargers as best they could, then return
with them to the lantation.

Lance had not on as fortunate as Burt, or
rather had shown more caution, since he waited
on Percy to show him how the spear should be
rightly delivers l. This was not from any per-
sonal fear, for a pluckier lad never drew the
breath of life, but he was one of those who al-
ways liked to be sure he was right, before he
went ahead.

, “ I don’t like you any the worse for it.” said

The Colorado Boys.

 

the colonel, kindly, then laughing: “But this
mighty, kid glowd sportsman has out-done in
all, thus far. Next time, I mean to take first
spear, so be on (your guard, Master Burt.”

Laughing an joking, the little (party rode on
for some time, when Burt notice the absence
of the dogs;

“How’ll we find pigs without them!” he
asked, 'n dismay, when informed that they had
been sent back to the factory.

“ Rest ens on that score. I thought I would
give you a little variety in the way of beating,
and sent the coolies on ahead to where I had
some very good khubber about a sounder of
grays—perhaps the harem of the old Dungra,
himself, who knows? We’ll find them awaiting
our coming, never fear." ,

The colonel was a true prophet. A score or
more of neuer—naked natives met them, and
after a brief talk, the plantar sent them ahead
to beat up the pigs.

The ground here was more favorable for rid-
ing than it had been where the black pigs were
put out, though the jungle is anything but a
paradise at the best for any but a genuine
rough-rider. For the most part the ground was
covered with a heavy growth of grass now
brown and sere, with here and there patches of.
thorn-bushes and “lid-rose bushes. An occa-
sional ditch or dry water-course could be seen,
but these, {or the most art, were not broad
Egough to trouble either orse or rider such as

ese.

‘ One after another of these patches of dense
Jungle were entered by the coolies, yelling.
screaming, beating their old tin pans or cracked
kettlesmunything to make a noise—while the
riders hovered around, restless as though he-
striding saddles of nettles, eagerly watching for
the expected game to break cover.

At last it came ——the coolies elled and
screeched with redoubled fury, ma ing a din
that the strong lungs of the colonel could hardly
overcome as he shouted aloud the warningk:

“Look outl the pigs are ‘afootl Sti by
Lanes, Percy—and you by me, Burt!” c

He had time to say no more, nor the lads time
to make answer. for with loud, angry whaofs,
the “ sounder "of pigs burst from cover, almost
into the very midst of the horsemen are they
saw them, pausing for a moment in surprise
then breaking and scattering as though a shell
had exploded in their ranks. ~ I

The shout of the planter rose hi h above even
that of the excited lads, for the untin -blood
of the veteran spear was up, and for t 9 mo-
ment he saw nothing but the fleeing me, had‘
thoughts for nothing but fleshin tie trusty
steel which he had been forced to let lie idle’so

long. ..

More like deer than clumsy hogs ran the
grays, but there were swift and surofootod
racersbehind them—horses that took almost as
much interest in the sport as their riders, and
strained their muscles willineg enough. with-
out the additional incentive o spur an lash,

No time now to pick and choose one’s way!
If ditches, banks or pitfalls come in the, we ,
they must be taken in the stride or not at a
Through thorn-bush, rose-burr and tangled
thicket-over bush and brae'leaping ditches or

‘1

 

 

 

20

The Colorado' Boys.

 

floundering through hollows—seeing, feeling, the reckless youngster, or aid him in destroying

h'vvinr; thought for naught save the gallant
game which is plowing ilsnpeedy course through
all these obstacles, in sullen silence or with in-
dignant whoof, with stiif bristles on end, with
foam-decked chest and clashing tushes—thus
runs the gray tusker—thus rides the nerve.
thrilled hunter.

Ahead of all rides the planterI his eyes im-
movably fixed on the huge gray whose fate he
has decreed, leaving all else to his admirably
trained horse holding his keenrbladed spear in
readiness to deal the finishing blow the moment
he comes within reach—the very model of an
old-time spear. '

Yonder rides Lance and Percy, still close to-
gether, but each with a separate victim singled
out from the rest, and this time Lines is riding
to win. No second-fiddle will he consent to
play now. Those gleaming tushes must be his
ere that mad, break-neck chase comes to an
end.

Nearer the colonel rides Burt, a little to the ;

rear, for his horse is not quite so speedy, but
the “sounder” is a large one, and there is no
need for two to select the same quarry.

One final burst that strains every muscle and
sinew in its gallant body, then the bay hearsits
master alongside the panting boar. .Bendmg
low down, the planter draws back his strong
arm then thrusts it forward, a wild cry escap-
ing his lips as he feels the keen steel forcing its
way through skin, flesh, bone and smew. Then
a swift jerk, and as the bloody steel comes out
of the gaping wound, the hog tumbles end oyer
end. its heart cloven in twain. dead ere the 1m—
petus of that last leap is lost.

With a proud triumph such as none save the
successful hunter ever knows. the planter drew
rein, removing the covering from his head and
wiping his heated brow as he casts one approv-
ing glance upon his neat handiwork, then turns
tolock after his young charge. whom he has
forgotten for the moment in the wild intoxi-
cation of this, his first run of the season.

An encouragin cheer parted his lips as he
saw Burt, now a most beside his quarry, and
already beating in the saddle to make sure of
his thrust—but at that very instant the pig
abruptly changed its course, and a wondering
exclamation burst from the colonel’s lips as he
saw the lad wheel as swiftly—but in almost the

directly opposite direction.

What could it mean? Hark!

“Whoorayl” came to his cars, and he saw
Burt swing his spear high above his head, in
wild glee. “Take the little pigs if you want
them—I’m for the old Fighting Gray! Whoo-

ra l”

gtill plainer than the words spoke that well-
known shape beyond—gaunt, rim, covered
with scars from a hundred batt es. Standing
at bay for an instant—just long enough for the
colonel to recognize the Fighting Gray tusker—
old a, himselfl-then wheeling with a de-
fiant mat and plunging into the tall grass be-

yond.
‘ Shoutin out a warning, Colonel Applebee
gangedh s urs rowel dee into the flanks of

, startled car, and d ed away to check

I I
1/

the grisly monster.

, But the fates were against him. To gain
3 ground he took a diagonal course, and came
‘ upon a deep, wide ditch, hidden from view by
, the tall, matted grass. The horse saw it too
late, and made a gallant effort but failed. Its
breast struck the further bank, and the shock
broke its back.

CHAPTER VIII.
LANCE IN LUCK. ’

HAVING run his first course warily, closely
watching his cousin to make sure that there
were none of the particular points missed, Lance
Applebee resolved to play a more prominent part
w en the next opportunity ofl’ered. As good a
rider as the host, having full confidence in his
own nerve and steadiness of hand, Lance be-
lieved that he could now deliver as straight and
true a spear as any of the party.

Percy saw that the young ranchero me at
business from the s art, and when the soun or
of rays broke and dashed away, he waited un-
til ance selected his intended victim, and then
himself kept an eye on a gaunt old sow which
took the same course, keeping his hot-headed
“ waler,” or imported Australian horse, a short
length to the rear, so as to leave his cousin
wholly unhampered.

Lance failed to appreciate this thoughtfulness.
He had eyes and thoughts on] for the bris-
tling; animal in his front. A ready he had
mar ed the exact spot where he would plant
the keen spear—already the triumphant yell of
victory was welling up in his throat, as he in
fancy saw the grisly monster gnushing its
1 tushes in futile rage as the biting steel let out
‘ its hot heart’s blood.

Filled with the wild intoxication that is born
of onlya moment like this, his dark eyes nglow,
his cheeks flushed, his lips parted, until the
firmly-clinched,white teeth are visible, Lance
pressed his spurs home, and the slender-limbed,
deer-like, but game and stench little country-
bred colt skimmed through the swaying grass
like an antelope, ranging alon side the Nut-
ing, sullen pig, running low an level, set ough
golgive its rider every chance tomake a success

u coup.

Just how it was, Lance could never ex lain

satisfactorily, even to himself. He coul not
have asked’for a better chance. The ound
was level. the grass shorter than usual, 9 saw
.the precise spot where he wished to plant his
, 1tjlrsItdepear~-l;iut with all these advantages he
l ai e .
Instead of sending his spear through the pig’s
‘heart, he struck too far forward, making an
ugly wound, but having his point glance harm-
lessly from the shoulder blade.

Percy uttered a cry of warnin as he saw the
erring stroke, but it was not nee ed, at least in
the sense which he intended, for Lance was a
true-horn rough-rider.

Perfectly trained to the 011:, the little coun-
try-bred leaped swiftly to t e left as the spear
failed, well knowing that the pig would charge
savagely to avenge its wound. his it did, with
an uzly. stunting squeal or mingled rage and

 

 

The Colorado Boyl.

I].

 

in, but all would have gone well had nofLance

en a novice.

Thinking that his mount was bolting, scared
by its near proximity to the pig, he wrenched
hard upon the curb, almost throwing his horse
upon its haunches. He heard Percy shout out
something, and at the same moment; his horse
whirled around, snorting loudly.

The hear was upon them. and though Lance
threw down the point of his spear, it was too
late. For all he could do, horse or rider, possi-
bly both, would have fallen forfeit to his
natural but unlucky action.

But the country-bred made another side-leap,
just as the pig was throwing up its head, with
the ugly, curved tushes ready for work, and
thus saved itself.

Lance felt a heavy shock, and was almost’
torn from the saddle as his horse leaped for-
ward. There was a sharp, tingling smart in one
foot, but he was too excited to even cast a.
glance down to see what damage had been
done, and despite the lesson just given him, he
wrenched his horse up, to wheel once more on
the pig.

As he did so, Perc shot past him like a flash
meeting the boar, w ich had also wheeled, an
delivering his spear with unerrin aim, full in
the chest burymz blade and a in 1 foot of the
handle a ter it. The weapon was torn from his
hand, but its services were no longer needed.
The hear was killed as suddenly as though a
loaded shell bud burst upon its skull.

Percy wheeled his horse and dashed back to
his cousin, white in the face as a. ghost as he
leaped to the ground and held out his arms to
assist Lance to dismount.

“ What’s up, now?” asked the astonished lad.
“I know it was a. neat job, after my bungling,
but I didn't know it was the custom to hug a.
fellow every time he stuck a pig.’

"‘7 But your foot—you’re hurt—I must ’tend to

“Who said— Well I declarel" and Lance
looked hellfiruefully, half-quizzically down at
his right foot, where only the upper of his boot
remained, both sole and stirrup having been
torn away by the fierce grip which the pig had
fastened upon them as the nimble-footed horse
avoided its mad charge. . h

" Come to think, I did feel a little pinch,”
added Lance. throwing the injured member over
the horse’s neck, and resting his leg on the em-
mel of his saddle while investigating. “ I didn‘t
know as‘there was any damage done, though—
and come to look, reckon I was right, too.”

Not a little to his relief, Percy saw that the
young fellow was right, thong? his had been a
remarkably narrow escape. ad the tusks or
the lg closed an inch higher up, the foot could
bar ly have escaped being ruined for life. As
it was, there Was a bruise, and the skin was
broken in several places. , -

“You can count yourself mighty lucky,
Lance, in getting out of that scrape with no
Worse,” he said, gravely, while thus occupied.
“My heart isn‘t fairly out of my throat yet,
where it leaped whenI saw you pull up your
horse. Never do that again while pig-sticking,
it won value your life!”

 

" Maybe I "didn’t do just right.” was the quiet
reply, “but I was afraid the beast would give
me the slip.”

“Little fear of that, with a gray—they’re
always more ready to fl ht than to run. Clumsy
as they look, they are ithe and active as cats,
when they’re fairly mad.

“There’s only one way to meet the charge of
a pig, and that is With your mount at fullspeed.
If you miss the first pass, never try to pull up
your horse until you know that the pig is no-
where near, or is running on without trying to
charge. Nine-tenths ot the accidents in the
hunting field are caused by just such actions as
yours, a bit ago.”

' art,

Lance received this brief lecture in
for he knew that it was not uttered in a null;-
binding spirit,hut seriously and for his own good.

Considerable time had been lost and
sounds of the chase had died away. The horse-
men were gone, nor could anything be seen of
the heaters. 

“Just my luck!" muttered Lance, with a
frown of disgust. “I hadn’t sense enough to
take a chance when I had it, and now there’s
no show. No pigs, niggers, nor nothing. Racks
on 1 might as well give it up, and call it a day’s
work.” ' ‘

For answer, Perc produced a small whistle
from his bosom, an blew along, shrill blast.

“ Some of the heaters will hear that, and seen
be with us,” he said, in answer to the inquirin
look which Lance gave him. “It is part 0 '
their duty to keep track of the riders, no mat-
ter how Widely they may separate from each
other, and when they come, it won’t belong
before” they set some cunning skulker afoot
again. .

Scarcer had he finished speaking when sev-
eral of the lithe natives came dashing up, and,
receiving his orders, at once plunged into the
nearest patches of jungle; and the former scene,
though on a much smaller scale, was re ted.

“There’s your chance, Lance l” crie Percy,
as a brief glimpse was caught of a gaunt gray
shape. hesitating just within the edge of the
Jungle. “ Take it, but remember what I said
about keeping on the go. Do that, and no pig
glint grunts can get the better of you on t

orse.

At that moment the pig broke cover, frl ht-
ened by the insane yells and outlandish n so:
made by the boaters, few in number, but might
in lung-power. Lance’s horse started forwanf
eager tor the mad chase, but with a snort of
disgust. The young ranchero drew rein.

" Only a sowl You don’t hunt them!”

“Not often. We usually leave them for
breeding purposes; but this is an exception.
Down her it you can!”

“ But I want one that’ll fight back-é”

“And you’ll get it there, never you fear,"
hastily responded Percy, “On, or you’ll lose
her. Quick 1"

Lance obeyed, ving his chafln horse free
rem, but it was With a halt-hearts permission
that Percy saw and understood. Ranging along-
side. he spoke hurriedly:

“I’m not jokin . That old now" will fight
taster and harder t shone-halt ot the hours you

 

.5625;

g; L.

l

.2”... s a? '( $3.75

 

 

The Colorado E‘ -ys.

 

meet. Look at those tushes, if you don’t believe
me.
out a hair 1”

“ But you don’t hunt them—”

“ Only because we want to keep the breed

plenty ” was the swift reply, “ not because there 1

is any ack of fight in them. If we were sure of
finding another boar, I’d say with you, let her
run; but this may be your only chance to day
of making a spear, and it won’t do to let Burt
brag too much.’ .

That concluding sentencesettled the question,
for Lance was only a boy, after all, and pos-
sessed all a lad’s dread of ridicule on being
“ crowed over.”

He quickly saw that there was no more time
to be lost if he hoped for a closer interview with
her grisly majesty on that occasion, for the old
now was barren, gaunt, all bone and muscle,
with long legs and the will as well as the power
to use them after a fashion that would have
filled the heart of a quarter-horse with envy.
Her long nose split the thick grass as a snow—

low turns aside the drifts, and her gait was a
ong~stretching run, not trot nor gallop. after
the usual mode of progrrssion with her race.
A A few minutes of this wild chase set the lad’s
blood on fire, and the little shame which he at
first felt at hunting a member of the female sex
was cast to the winds. After all, victory over
such a racer would be worth boasting of.

“ Take your time, and strike with the stride
of your horse i” cried Percy, as he was thrown
out or the raceb coming u on an abru t break
in the ground w ch opene between im and
Lance, forcing him to make a wide detour, or
else rein in and swing across behind his cousin.

It was both safer and easier to swing to the
right, which he did, but the ditch was of greater
extent than be imagined, and when he reached
a point where it could be crossed with a. leap,
Lance was far ahead, though still within sight,
plying his spurs in his ardor to overtake the
sow and delivar the stroke that would proclaim
him a. “pig—sticker,” with all that proud title
implies.

But that day was fated tobe one of abrupt
changes and out-of-the-wav experiencss for the

oung ranchero, and now, just as he wasstendy-
mg himself in the saddle, lowering the point of
his spear for the stroke, a truly curious circum-
stance occurred.

Finding itsell.’ pressed so hard and close, the

- old sow plunged into a small but dense patch of

rose-briers and scrubhy acacia bushes, which
looked so forbidding that the horse ridden by
Lance cheered to the left to avoid, before that
plucky and straightahead rider could divine its
intention or take any means of preventing it.

An impatient exclamation arose in the lad’s
throat, but before it could pass his lips he was
startled by a wild and confused medley of
sounds coming from the center of the scrub.

A fierce grunt from the sow was minglt d with
ashril-i cry that never found birth in porcine
lungs—the briers shook violently tor a moment,
then were forcibly rent asunder as the pig and
the creature, which it had so unexpectedly run
into, tumbled out where the short grass gave

1 the young ranchero o tolerany fau- view of

them-I

7

Three inches long, and sharp enough to ‘

l

i It needed but the one glance to tell Lance
what new game had been found, and a little
‘ cry of wondering exultation burst from his lips.

That beautifully mottled skin belonged to
game far more rare than gray tuskers, and
th0ugh this was the first of the race that Lance
had ever seen outside of a menagerie, he at
once recognized a leopard, and one of the
largest of its kind.

He wrenched 'his horse’s head around, and

lunged home the persuaders, but the countr -
Ered only tossed its head, snorted, and foug t
to wheel and flee. It would have charged a pig
alone, for that was what it was trained to do,
but charging a leopard was too much to expect.

Neither sow nor leopard paid the slightest at-
.tention to horse and rider. They were rolling
over and over the ground snarling. squealing,
biting and tearininke ma , thcugh it was plain
enough that the old sow was only struiglsigf to
free itself from that death-grip, to see ety
in renewed flight.

Percy was not so far distant but that he heard
the outcry and recognized the voice of the in-
furiated leopard, though the fighting animals
themselves were hidden from his sight by the
clump of jungle. He could see Lance, and
knew from his actions what he was endeavoring
to do. He shouted out a warning, but if Lance
heard, he did not heed. That Wlld chase had
heated his blood to the boiling pitch, and he
was not one to coolly count the cost when fairly
aroused. ’

Twice he sought to bring his horse to the
charge, but each lime was foiled b the trem-
bling, snorting creature. Then e tore the
cloth puggerec from around his head, and bond;
ing forward, dexterously cast it over the eye:
of the country-bred charger twisting it noun,
its neck and knottingit firm y.

Completely blinded, the poor creature stood
trembling like a lea , fearful to stir of its own
accord. Then, with a wild yell, Lance plied
his 5 urs until the red blood followed his heels.
and owering his spear he charged straight at
the two animals which were still locked in a
tight grapple, still fighting and struggling 1111+
ous .

Afiry of horror broke from Perc , who just?
then dashed up, but he was too la to choc].
his mad-cap cousin, or do ought but stare in
wondering anxiety at the strange scene.

Lance was resolved that there should beno
mistake in delivering his spear this time but
the perverse fates Seemed to be against him,
for a swift change in the position 0 the slrug-
gling animals occurred exactly as he made his
stroke, and instead of transflxmg the leopard,
the blade of the or simply tore a slit in the
loose skin of its ank, then buried itself deep
between the ribs of the squealing sow.

The blinded horse stumbled over the animals,
almost fallin . but recovering its footing with
cat-like uic ness, stood trembling in every
nerve, a raid to advance while that strange
darkness ham red it.

For one ins nt Lance believed that his work
was well done, that the spear, which he had
snatched from its quivering sheath of flesh, had
slain the leopard. but he was quickly unde-

 

The Colorado Boys.

 

celved. as the leapurd rngnined its feet, glaring
savagely around with flaming eyes.

Lance was the nearest of the two riders, and
with a yowl not unlike that of an enraged cat,
the leopard leaped straight for the young run
chero.

There was no time for him to level his spear.
and Lance bent low in the saddle us he sent his
spurs home with such force that the blinded
horse made one leap forward, then stopped
short once more. Just in the nick of time it
came, too.

The leopard missed its lea , one fore now just
touching the bent form 0 the 1nd, 115 sharp
claws touring open his jacket and shirt, leaving
a. bloody track several inches long, then fell
upon the ground beyond.

Stung with pain, and believing himself for
worse injured than was the case, Lance leaped
from the saddle and plunged his spear into the
leopard, adding his weight to the stroke, pierc-
ing the furious creature through and tilfullgh,
the spearpoiut sinking so deep into the ground
that it held the death-stricken creature fast as
it spun round and round in agony, snarling and
spitting, malignant even in death.

All this had taken lace with such rapidity
that Percy Applebee urdly realized what his
reckless cousin meditated doing, before all was
ever. At the moment when he uttered his cry
of warning. he struck spurs to his horse and
dashed forward to rescue his cousin or share his
fate, and hardly had that sturdy stroke been
delivered when he grasped Lance by the collar
and dragged him away from the spot.

“Let up!” spluttered Lance, almost choking'
i‘ Thep’critter‘s past hurting any body—let up,

say

Percy took a backward glance, and saw that
this was no more than the truth, when he re-
leased his cousin and checked his excited horse,
then dropped, rather than descended from the
saddle, trembling in every limb, pale as a dead

an.

“ Didn’t I do it up brown?” cried Lance, with
a laugh of wild exultation, which was cut short
as he saw Percy sink to the ground. “You
ain’t hurt—”

“Scared half to death—that’s all,” was the
re-ly, and a faint smile came into his face.

f‘ Scared—not at the out?”

“At you—for you—by you!” a little more
sharply uttered the young planter. “I want to
find father just us soon as it can be donel I
want to resign the charge he gave-me, before

our streak of luck 'ves outl Such blunder-
- lug risks I never saw efore and never want to
see again i” .

“ Ain’t I all right? Ain’t that cat all right—
yes, and the old sow, too! I knew I stack some-
thing hard enou h to count, and it must have
been her I” said once. laughing. .“ When I
turned and saw that leopard shooting through
the air, when I could have sworn he was dead,
I began to think I had run right into a whole
litter!”

Perc bent over the carcass and closely ex-
amine the cuts. .

“ That explains it l” he exclaimed, straigh ten-
ing up. “i could no“. understood how it came
that the leopard attacked the pig. when it must

 

have heard us, and known what was afoot, but
I see now. It was lying there, in hiding, no
doubt alarmed by the noise we madeywhen the
sow run right against it, and cut that gash on
its haunch either by accident or through pure
uglingss. h‘heu muster leopard went in to get
even.

“Either way will satisfy me! I’ve stuck a
pig and a leopard—something everybody can’t
say I” laughed Lance.

“ If it was ever done before, which 'I doubt,”
replied Percy.

 

CHAPTER IX.
BURT TAKES A roman.

BURT heard nothing of the warning cry
which Colonel Applebee uttered, saw nothing
of the accident which so closely followed, result-
ing in the planter’s being hurled from‘the back
of his crip led horse with such force that he lay
without life or motion amid the crushed and
trampled grass. '

Ahead of him ran the gaunt form of the old .
Dungra, the most noted quaviruped in all that
section. if not of entire India, for whose head,
wan in fair fight; many an ardent sportsman
would have giVen a. year of life, and counted
the prize cheaply won at that.

Fora few moments he rode in silence, touch-
ing his willing charger lightly with the 8 ur,’
feeling its mouth with a practiced hand an in
a comparison between the horse and the ol
Fiahtiug-Gray.

Young though he was, Burt had few superiors
in the art of judging a horse, and it did not
take long to satisfy him that speed of foot alone
could not save the are y tusker that day.

Without a. thought of danger to himself, Burt
pressed on, feeling confident that he would that
day cover himself with glo , and go down to

osterity as the man who ki led old Mn 11. so

ong accounted iuvulnerable, if not the 0 d fioy
himself in this historicaldisguise. But that day'
lucl': seemed to come to all in streaks of good and
evn .

For a mile or more the gray tusker paced
straight away fairly holding its own wit the
Arab fleet as it was, and Burt was beginnin to
use his spurs a little impatiently, when the sight
of an old_ water-course at no great distance
ahead drew a glad cry from his lips, and he took
a slight pull on his horse, for he believed that
this obstacle would cause the Fighting Gray to
either/turn at bay, or else sheer abrup y to one
side or the other, when he could take the “ short
cut " and run into him at once.

Straight on, without deviating afoot toeither
side, ran the Fighting Gray tusker and a sud-
den cloud came over the face of the youlxlig‘
rancihero as an ugly suspicion flashed aomss .
min .

“ Confound the pesky critter!” he muttered,
scowling blackly. “ He means to wheel at bu
on the edge of that ditch, so I can only tack 9
him in front, and run the risk of a. tumble over-
board if I charge at speed. But I’ll show him a
trick worth two of that—hello!”

It wasa glad cry, not unmixed with amaze-
ment, drawn forth by the action of the gray
tusker. Straight on t rushed, but instead of
pausing and wheeling when the bank of the dry

 

 

 

24

water-course was reached, the pig rose into the
air like a. born hurdler, shooting across the ditch
with an ease and grace such as few would look
f)!‘ in one of the porcine raco.

“Good jump, old fellowl” cried Burt, as he
saw the hog alight safely on the further bank,
and then, without changing its stride, ress on
into the patch of tall grass and jung y scrub
which lay a few yards beyond. “Good jump,
but I’ll back a horse against a hog any day, so
here goes l”

Not a little to his amazement, the Arab showed
unmistakable signs of flinching, trying to sheer
to the left, tossing its head impatiently as his
strong hand held it to a straight course. The
leap was a‘good one, as far as the tall and over-
hanging grass permitted him to judge, but the
gray tusker had cleared it without seeming dim-
culty, and he knew that the Arab was a. good
jumper from the leaps it had taken with him in
the saddle that day. So. with a fear lest the
quarry which he had marked for his own should
escape him after all, since he could see nor hear
anything of it, Burt forced his mount to take the
leiip straight in the tracks of the old Lungra.

a

r better for his hopes oLcovming himself 1
with glory that day, if the young ranchero had

yielded to the desire of his well- trained charger,
and this he quickly realized.

Scarcely had the Arab alighted on the further
side of the water-course when a savage grunt

startled Burt. and he beheld the Fighting Gray l

tusker break cover not a. score of yards away,
charging upon h' with bristles erect, fish y eyes
gleaming and Ian tushes champingi

Quick as a flash he recognized the cunning I

ruse which the old Dungra. had played, and
realimd that the chances were terribly against

1m.
Leaping the ditch, the gray tusker had darted

into t 9 thick covert close at hand, then wheeled
at bay, ready to take advantage of the moment,

‘ should he be followed, before the Arab could re-
cover itself and resume its stride—a trick which

is frequently la ed b a pig when close pressed.
and one which all old ipears are on their guard
against.

In forcing his mount to the leap, Burt was
obliged to cross his spear on the saddle before
him, and thus it was when the Fi hting Gray
tusker broke cover on its charge. 8 had not
time to reversa and lower it before the savage
boar was upon them. The Arab, taking that
lea so unwfllingly, was thrown out of its stride
an could not recover itself -in time to avoid
that fierce rush. m

With a cry of almost human terror, it sought
to leap aside and flee, but it was too late. The
Fighting Gra darted beneath its uplifted, fore-
legs, and wit a mi hty upward sweep of its
formidable tasks, fair y ripped the luckless crea-
ture open, uttering a fierce grunt of malignant
fury as the bowel; fell upon its head in a blind—
ing hes. .

Burt ew that his horse was disabled, if not
mortally hurt and fearin to be inned to the
earth as it fell, he freed his feet
rups and lea d from the saddle.

In the fall e lost his spear. and fearing to at-

rom the stir- , _
' time glancing hurriedly around for the enemy.

The Colorado Boys.

 

l are he could turn it in defense, he leaped straight

ahead, and was only saved from plunging.head-
long intonthe deep ditch by bringing up against
a stunted thorn-bush.

He heard the savage grunt of the old Mum,
and believing it was close at his heels, he scram-
bled up the bush as far as it would su port his
weight, then hurried] felt for his revo ver.

Luckily for him, t e gray tusker ’had been
blinded for the moment by the blood and en-
trails which gushed from the frightful wound
in the belly of the poor Arab, else Burt would
never have reached even this poor refuge. As
it was he saw the old Dung‘ra charging the very
personification of devilish rage and malignancy.

Up against the bush reared the gray demon,
champing its long, curved tusks until the bloody
froth flew all over the young ranchero, who was
forced to cling to his frail perch with both
hands to avoid being shaken oil? by the heavy
shock. And Burt’s heart leaped into his mouth
as he felt, rather than heard, the bush cracking
beneath the force brought to bear upon it.

Little wonder, after seeing how swiftly and
frightfully the old Ltmgm mangled his horse.
Should the bush give way, before he could re-

ain his feet or strike one blow in defense of his
ife, that ray demon would be upon him—one
stroke of t ose terrible tusks would be sumcient
to end the matter forever, so far as he was con-
cerned.

For a brief space the gray tusker leaned
‘ against the frail bush, trying to reach the oung
,‘ ranchero, but seeing that this was use ess, it
i dropped down and backed a few yards.

Burt saw his chance, and lost no time in im-
, proving it. He drew a revolver and fired at the

grunting animal. just as it came again with a
savage rush. He could see that his bullet
struck, but the gray demon seemed unhurt, as
it rushed against the bush. champing its massive
jaws on the cracked stem, causing both bark
and splinters to fly in a little shower.

Burt felt the bush giving way beneath him,
and fired one more hurried shot, but had no
, time to note the effect, for just at that instant
i the bush broke beneath his weight, the soft
I earth crumbled beneath the feet of the gray

tusker, and both he and it were preciplitated
over the bank into the dry water-course.

Burt fell with a heavy shock that knocked the
breath out of his body, and almost deprived him
. of his senses. For the moment he was unable to
l help himself, his limbs seeming paralyzed, his
j brain reeling, a bloody mist swimming before
i his eyes, and he lay with a vague expectation
of feeling those terrible tasks tear his flesh and
crack his bones with the passage of each instant
—a horrible, night-mare sensationl

Even thus he was conscious of a dim wonder
that the attack was delayed so long, and of
wishin that the old Lung'ra would put an end
to this rightful suspense.

Only for a brief space did this curious a thy
last, then he recovered the use of his odily
powers, and raisin r himself 11 11 one elbow, he
mechanically felt or his revo ver, at the same

l

 

 

i To his horror he found that his belt was gone!

tempt to recover it, lest the 91d pig be upon him i No doubt the buckle bud burst when he tell

I

The Colorado Boys.

from the hush to wherc he now found himsilf.
If so, it must be somewhere near-if the old
Dungra would give him time to find it.

At this thought, the lad started to his feet,
glancing swiftly around him, when his wonder
at being respited thus long vanished as he saw
where he was.

Instead of falling clear to the bottom of the
deep water-course, he had landed upon a rock
which stood nearly ten feet above the level of
the surrounding ground. If the boar had also
fallen upon the rock, it must have rolledoff be-
fore it could make its footing good, for it was
now nowhere in sight. .

Neither were his wen ons, but in the first
burst of his thankfulness, urt did not give them
a second thought. _

Where was the old cripple? Had he run
away, all the fight knocked out of it by that un—
expected fall? Or was it skulking amidst the
dense bushes and briers with which the bed of
the ditch was carpeted? ‘

“Waiting for me to get down, sohe can make
a charge, the ’izen old cuss!” muttered Burt,
with n snort o angry disgust, striving to ene-
trate the dense cover with his gaze. ‘ Con-
found the luck! just as I thought sureI had
him, the old imp of darkness had me—hnd me
bad, tool” . .

Burt was growmg angry, red-bot mad. The
longer he thought the madder he grew. He had
lost a good horse, had lost the quarry of which
he felt so sure only a few moments before, and
worse than all, he would be found in his present
ridiculous position when his friends came to
look for him, as no doubt they would ere long.
Instead of covering himself with glory, nshe
had fondly fancied, he was overwhelmed With
shame. Instead of yielding its coveted head,
the Fighting Gray tusker had once more won the
victory. ' .

“ If I only had my pistols. or if I knevl
whether that infernal imp was skulking in that
cover, I’d give it a try, anyhow! He couldn’t
do any more than kill me, and I don’t believe
that would hurt much worse than to'have to
face Percy and uncle after this—"

Burt was rapidly waxing desperate, and was
on the point of slipping down the rock in 5903'0‘1
of his weapons, when a, lad shout from the
bank above him attracted is attention.

“Thank Heaven! you are safe!” exclaimed
Colonel A plebee. “ But where is the old Lun-
graf And what are you domg there?” I

Instantl tho lad’s natural coolness—or impu-
dence, if t e boy reader thinks that a. more ap-
propriate term—returned, and resolvxng to give

is friends as little handle for raillery as might
bez he replied:

‘ The pesky critter run away and hid some-
where in this ditch and I’m looking for him.
Don’t make too much racket or you may scare
him away.”

Kolahala pointed across to where the dead
carcass of the Arab lay, just visible above the
tall grass, and that, with the surroundin s, ex‘
plained matters clearly enough for the s rewd

planter, for he had known that same trick

play ed more than once on unwary pig-stickers.
“ You are not hurtl. Seriously now.”
“ Right as a top—only I owe you for a horse,

 

I’m afraid. That pesky Lump-a ain’t got no
manners at all—”

“ Never mind the horse; I’d rather lose a
dozen than have you come to harm,” said the
colonel, earnestly, and then he turned and ut-
tered a few words to Kolnhala and the few
heaters who had come up to the spot.

Scrambling down the stee bank, they began
beating the thick cover, on y to find at length
that the gray tusker had fled. Kolahala found
where it had emerged from the water-course,
and sent back word to the 1planter by one of the '
boaters that he would tree it up to its lair, and
leaving a watch there to keep an eye upon it,
would report in person.

While they were thus occupied Burt de-
scended from his perch, and after considerable
search found his belt and pistols, then scrambled
u to where the colonel was waiting for him._

ere, as they were alone together, Burt deemed
it best to give a plain, accurate account of his
peculiar experience, simply adding:

“Don’t make it too rough on afellow when
you tell the boys uncle. I know I was a bull-

eaded fool, but I got bad enough scared to pay
me for that. Isn’t my hair turned gray?”

“It’s well enough to laugh over it now, my
dear boy," the planter said, seriously, “ but
don’t forget to hank God that you are still
alive. It was a frightful peril youran, and
might easily have enJed fatally.”

" Of course I am thankful and all that, but
what a scurvy trick it was for the old sinner to
play on an innocent greenhorn like me! Who’d
a’ thought of such a thing?”

“ l have seen the same thing scores of times,
and I only wonder that your horse did not re-
fuse to take the leap right where the pig led the
way, for it has been trained different.”

“ Don’t blame the poor fellow, for it was all ,
my fault. It tried to circle around, but I was
afraid the old hog would give me the slip, and
forced it to take the leap.”

Colonel Applebee sounded his horn, and after
a short time Lance and Percy came up. They
were greatly surprised to find both the colonel
and Burt afoot, but their own experience had
been so strange and exciting that Burt got off
mugh more easily than he had any reason to ex-
pec

“ The question now arises, what shall we do?”
Raga? the colonel, when Burt interrupted him

as y:

“ Anything but go back home without the old
Lun gra I" -
l'l‘pe planter hesitated for a moment before re-
p yin : a
“I know you will never rest'easy until that
gray demon is killed, and .on one condition I
Will give you another chance. That is, you
gromise me not to run ofl as you di before,

ut stick close to me, and obey all rdors‘un-
questioningly.” ,

“ I can afford to rest on my laurels,” laughed
Lance, “so 1 give you in word unhesitatingly."

“The same here,” ad ed Burt, with a queer
grimace, as his face flushed a little. “I begin
to think that our hogs and your pigs are not of,
the same breed after all I”

“Good boy!” laughed Percy.

“ There’s some

. hope for you, after alll"

 

 

«

CHAPTER. X.
A QUEER TRANSFORMATION.
“ So be it then!” cried the planter. casting all
hesitation aside. “ We are in the field until old
Lungra yields up the ghost, be that one day,
one week or a month. ”

“ On foot, or shall we double up?” asked Burt.

“Neither. Nobody hunts on foot here, save
the natives, and while horses are so plenty as
they are at the factory, no guests of mine shall
ever lack a good mount.”

“ But if we keep on—Burt and I—I’m afraid
Elgar stock will run low,” said Lance, with a

If sheepish laugh.

“ The lessons you are learning are worth more
than the horses, to me, at least,” was the quick
response, but then the colonel as quickly changed
the subject, as he saw the brothers interchange
glances. as though they divined his secret
meamn .

l

8 .
“Kolahala will track the old Lung'ra down,

and bring us reliable khubber when he does
come, he that soon or late. Until then, we can

do nothing but wait, and while waiting, we can ‘

send back to the factory for fresh mounts—well,
what is it, Burt?” he added, seeing the eager
light in the lad’s eyes.

“ Can’t they bring our Winchesters with
them, too? And the box that holds our express
bullets?”

“ You don’t want to shoot the old Lungm, I
hope?” and the brows of the veteran spear low—
ered a trifle as he gazed keenly into the lad’s
face. " That would savor more of the pot-
hunter than the genuine sportsman, and you
would gain very little credit among the pig-
stiokers of this district by so doing. No, no,
Burt. Ifwe can’t bring him to bag alter the
orthodox fashion, why we’ll even let the old
gray tusker run his course until some more for-
tunate or more skillful sportsman carries the
fatal spear. No murder in ours!”

“ I didn’t mean exactly that,” quickly replied
Burt. just a little abashed, “although I didn’t
know that was against the rules here, for we
knock ’em over in America whenever we get a
chance. But I thought ma be the rifles would
come in play somehow, an I feel lost without
one. However, maybe we’d better let them
alone, for if I get run up a tree again, rules or
no rules, I’d try to knock the old imp overl” '

“ You would be justified in shooting to save a
life, of course, but you have your pistols—”

“ And good as they make them, too, but one
might as well blows it-balls through a tin tube
as to waste pistol- ls on that old sinner. Why,
I tickled him twice when he was so close that
the flame from the muzzle of my revolvsr fairly
singed his bristles, and the old rascal really
seemed to like it! I won’t swear that the bullets
flattened out against his hide, but 1 do know
that he minded thz‘m no more than if they had
been so many soft-boiled peas!”

Colonel Ap lebee selected two of the heaters
who were wit '

factory for fresh horses for himself and Burt,
with instructions to also ,fetch the two Winches-
ter rifles and ammunition. '

“ So much settled l” cried the planter, with a

The Colorado Boys.

them, and giving them their in- I
structions, sent them OR at a rapid trot to the '

! decided air of relief, though there was a truce
f of misgiving in his tones, as he added: “ There
are some who would say I am acting very fool-
ishly to persist after the Warnings we have re—
ceived, and if worse harm comes of it, I’ll never
forgive myself for being persuaded against my
better 1judgme .t.”

L “ Te them we bullied you into it,” laughed

ance.

“They’ll be so busy looking at old Lungm
and wishing that they stood in our shoes, that
they won’t have any time to find fault,” added
Burt, with a confident nor] of the head.

The misgivings of the planter were but fleet-
ing ones. He was too thorough a sportsman. to
dwell on the probable cost long after havmg
once decided on his course of action, and, to tell
the sober truth, not even Burt himself was more
eager for another tilt with the Fighting Gray
tusker than was the veteran spear. ,

“ Well, suficient unto the day is the evil
thereof, and we won’t let any maybes take our

for one,” said Burt, with

appetite away—”
" I wouldn't object
a wry grimece. “I don’t oflen get hungry,
: but 'list now I feel as though I could swallow
. old ungra, hide, honfs and all, without over-
loading my stomach!”

“ I' was just on the point of suggesting a lunch.
while waiting,” laughed the colonel. “Shall
we go to the restaurant now i”

“ I’d go most anywhere for a square meal—
except hack to the factory. If I’d only thought
to put a bite in my pocket!” ruefully muttered
the hungry lad.

“We manage better than that, out here in
heathen-land,” smiled the planter. “ Now when
we left the factory I had not the slightest idea
where we would be at luncheon time, and con-
sequently could not give the neceseary orders,
yet so perfect is my confidence in old Aunt
Muddy, that I now invite you to dine with me,
at my summer-house or country retreat on the
shady bank of the tank, ov.r yonder. b0 you
accept?”

The brothers looked at the speaker for a mo-
ment. in doubt whether he was in earnest or
only joking, but something in his twinkling eyes
disarmed their suspicions.

“ We’ll go, of course, but how did you man-
age it? Did Percy tell them where to come to
meet us?”

“No—not a word has been said about the
matter. I haven’t seen anything of Aunt
Muddy’s messengers, if she has sent any, but
all the same, I give you this invitation, and
firmly expect that the needed refreshments will
be waiting for us when we reach the tank.”

“There’s some sell in it, I know,” muttered
Burt, “but we might as well pass the time in
that way, as to stay here in the sun—hot enough
to roast a nigger!”

“But Kolahalal” interposed Lance. “If he
comes back, and we are gone, won’t that be a
1053 of time?”

“I’ll leave sign which he will follow as fast
as his legs can carry him. Besides, we can do
nothing until the syces c0me back with our
fresh mounts.”

Colonel'Applehee hunted around for a broad,
smooth leaf, on which he scratched a few fiz-

 

The Colorado Boys.

27

 

ures, ending by putting it in a split stick which
he thrust into the ground.

While he was thus occupied, Percy was laugh-
ing silently at the eagerness with which Burt
and Lance watched his actions, and trying to
decipher the hieroglyphics on the leaf. Decid-
edly there must be some sort of sell, as Burt
believed.

The colonel took possession of his son’s horse.
while Lance rode his own, as his soleless boot
rendered walking out of the question, leaving
Percy and Burt to trudge along afoot.

They proceeded leisurely, but the distance
was not great, and in half an hour they came
in sight of the tank. Eagerly Burt looked for
some signs of the promised lunch, but in vain,
and he settled down to the sad conclusion that
his suspicion was correct.

Making an abrupt turn as the shore of the
tank was gained, the planter touched his mount
with the spur, and trotted a few yards ahead of
his companion, then halted, smilingly.

"Gentlemen, my confidence was not mis-
placed. Lunch is served, and awaits yoyr
pleasure”

A cry of amazement burst from the lips of
the brothers, and they stared as though unwill-
ing to believe the evidence of their own eye—
sight, for there, spread beneath a shady fig
tree, was an ample repast, neatly arranged upon
a snowy-white cloth, with two sober natives
waiting with folded arms.

“ Is it magic?” cried Burt, pretending to shud-
der. “You’re sure the spooks haven’t had a
finger in the pie?” ,

"Nothing more ethereal than old Aunt Muddy,
and she’s too healthy a ghost to be el’raid of.”
laughed the planter. “ Come—let's take a wash,
and then to dinner.”

For :ome minutes the brothers were tno busy
for-speech, but then, as a couple of bottles of
wine, still dripping from where the servants
had fished them up from the depths of the tank,
were opened and placed before them, their curi-
osity broke through all barriers.

“ Will you explain the mystery?” asked
Lance. .

“Is there one? To me it looks perfectly
simple. Aunt Muddy took a notion that we
would be hungry before the hunt was over, for
she is a devout believer in the popular prejudice
that the old Dun m should be re-rhristened
Old Boy, so she packed up these things and sent
a couple of follows to dog us. They came up to
where we were waiting, and I directed them
here. The result you see.”

“But you said you hadn’t seen nor heard
them I”

“And that was the truth. Old Jugfleroo
made a sign that I recognized. and I spoke to
you loud enough for them to hear and under-
stand. They took the hint, as on see.”

“A practical joker in your 01 age-uncle, I’m
perfectly scandalizedl’ exclaimed Lance, in
mock horror. .

“And I am perfectly satisfied,”_ said Burt,
whose gaze was lazily roving over the glassy
surface of the tank before them, “or I would
be it only— Say, uncle,” and he raised him-
self to a sitting posture. as he spoke. “are the

 

bull-gags which you raise in this country, like
ours

“ Hlow like—what do you mean?” asked the
surprised planter, eying the lad keenly, as
though he suspected an attempt at retaliation
for his neat little jest.

“Are they good to eat? They ain’t poison-
ous, are they!” -

“ No: but why do you ask?" .

“I just haptpened to think that acouple of
nice, &'uicy hiu legs would be a capital thing to
top 0 with. What made me think of it—look
out there, just within the edge of those lily pads
—ain’t he a beauty 2” and Burt pointed out the
filijejct which had put this queer notion into his

ea . .

All saw it, and though there was something
peculiar about the markings, as well as they
could note, for a curled-up lily leaf cast the ob-
ject into the shade, one and all took it for
granted that it was what Burt said, a huge frog,
resting on the surface of the water, taking a
na .

BA dollar to a cent that I can plug it at the
first fire.” cried Burt, drawing a revolver and
cooking it.

P “ It you do, I’ll see that you get it,” laughed
ercv.

With a quick motion Burt raised his weapon
and fired.

Had a thunderbolt dropped at their feet from
the clear. cloudless sky, the young ranchero and
his companions could not have been more ut-
terly dumfoundvd than they now were. '

All were watching the supposed frog closely.
to note the result of the shot, when a fierce,
snarling cry of rage and pain burst upon their
astounded ears, and a lithe form leaped fairly
out of the water, sending the spray high into
the air. and then, wheeling, tore through the
lily pads and up the opposite bankl

Burt’s bulbfrog was a tiger]

The wildest excitement prevailed. The na-
tives danced about, screeching and jabbering.
The horses snorted and tugged at their tethors.
The colonel uttered a sounding onih—the first
which mortal ears had heard pass his lips for
many a year, while the boys stood the perfect
gictures of dumb amazement, seemineg petri-

ed by this really remarkable transformation
of a bull-frog into a tiger. ‘

Old Juggeroo was the first to speak, eagerly

crying:

1‘ Ole bagh he hit, master—hit hard! Me sec
bloOd—he run a little—he lay down—we find
him. sure, master!”

“Will you track him up?” demanded the
planter, his blood all aflre, his hunter‘s instinct
doing stout battle with his fear of endangering
the lives of his young charges. “No, let him
go. We haven’t lost any tiger—"

“I have uncle!” cried Burt, recoverin his
speech. “l know I hit him hard—and nce
stuck the leopard—do let us follow him up, if
only for a little ways!"

“I promised Burt I’d at his game it hehlt
it,” said Percy, with 3 ha f-laugh, but a whole
wish written upon his eager countenanceu
.“You know you said that we might have a
tiller-hunt some time.” '

 

 

spears. Are you all going crazy ’6” cried the
colonel, but the lads saw that he was yielding,
and redoubled their entreaties.

“ On one condition, then,” he said, striving to
mask his own eagerness beneath a guise of re-
luctance. “You are to let me lead. You are
not to go a ste further than I say, and when I
give the wor , you will turn short about and
come back here. Promise this, and we will
take a little look, anyhow.”

In default of something better, the lads ac-
cepted the conditions, and trusted to the chap—
ter of accidents to reward their expectations.

Old Ju geroo, second only to Kolahala in the
arts of t e shikaree, anticipating the yielding
of his master, had already darted away, fol-
lowed b the heaters, and was now on the o -
posite si e of the tank, stoopin g over the groun .
A moment later he raised up, waving a tuft of
grass above his head, and even at that distance
those on the opposite side could see that the
grass was stained with blood.

“ If we were only all mounted, and had those
rifles, I’d run the risk I” muttered the planter to
himself, rather than the boys, as he swung him-
self into the saddle. “Jump up, Burt. We
don’t hunt ti ers here on foot, and I prefer
not to lose 1: of you while such game is
afoot.”

“Hadn’t you better let me get on in front,
then?" roguishly laughed the excited lad. “ That
will be the surest way of keeping me under your
eye all the time 1”

“Too old for that caper, to boy. Double
up with Percy, Lance, and let’s . traveling.”

It was a queer sight which they thus pre-
sented, and at any other time the lads would
have been free enough with their 'okes, but
with such royal game afoot, and poor y as they
were eguipped for the encounter which might be

recipi ated at any moment, little sense or the

udicrous was dis ayed. ”

.The heaters, is by old Juggeroo were some
distance in advance, and Colonel Ap lebee
despite the fldgeting of the impatientlnd ehind
him, would not materially decrease the dis-
tance, knowing from experience what a wounded
ti or is capable of.

" Wait. until the heaters locate him, then we
wi 1 consider what course is the best to pursue.
If he don’t run away entirely, we will wait for
the rifles, and then we can meet him on more

equal terms.
“Look i" cried Burt, excitedl , as a wild yell

arose from the advance, and o d J uggeroo was i

seen leaping frantically back toward them.
“They have found himl
“ Steady i” cried the planter, sternly. “Hold
your horse well in hand, Percy. If the tiger
char es— Hallol”
Ol Jug eroo, whose flight had ceased as soon
‘ as he discovered that he was not followed, had
climbed up a small sapling. peering into the

dense grass ahead, but only for a moment;

Then
ahead
which had fallen dead as it fled, with Burt’s
bullet buried in its brain.

As soon asthe facts of the case were fairly
understood. the whites joined the natives. and

with a loud shout, he leaped down, ran

“ But not on foot, and armed only with bonr- I with proud oxultation, Burt eyed his noble

and paused beside the body of the tiger, ‘

The Colorado Boys.

‘ game, so stranger slain.
‘ “Now crow all you want over your spotted
1 cat, Lance!” he chuckled, full of oyish glee.
, “Reckon a tiger lays ’way over a leopard—
i don’t it, uncle?‘
i “ Either are good enough game, but you must
not forget that Lance killed his leopard in
'hand—to-hand fight, while you were a little
, more favored by good luck. Best call it even
on both sides.”
1 “ Shooting at a bull-frog and hitting a tiger l”
i laughed Percy. “And you such a crack shot—
oh, Burt!” _
“There’s the skin, and it’s mme,” was the
‘ only reply Burt vouchsafed to the jesting
\remark. “But, uncle, what do you suppose
made the critter hide like that?”

“It was rather strange,” replied the planter
as he bade Juggeroo remove the hide, “but i
have heard of other freaks to the full as remark-
able. Perhaps the tiger was scared by our
coming, perhaps he was in the water cooling
off, and only remained still for fear of attract-~
ing attention.”

“Well, it don’t matter much. I’ve killed a
tiger, and there’s the skin to show for it! That’s
enough for me J”

CHAPTER XI.
m FIGHTING GRAY TUSKER AT BAY.

_ AMER the skin was removed from the tiger,
it was seen that, entering at one eye, Burt’s
bullet had passed through the brain, shatterin
the bone opposite so badly that the flatten
lead dropped out as they were examining the
skull. Even Burt was surprised at this evi-
dence of the stron shooting qualities of his
favorite revolver, w ile the planter and his son
could hardly believe the evidence of their eyes.
“That’s nothing,” said Burt, in an oi? hand
manner. “ When the boys were getting out the
timber for our new corral, they came across a
log they couldn’t maul, do their best. When I

first saw them, they had been a ood hour
whacking at one iron wedge, and h only got
it in an inch or two. I made ’em a 81 n, and

they stood aside, while I opened fire. elieve
it or not, just as you choose, but that wedge
went into that log a foot at a jump, and before
, the old pet was through saying er alphabet,
lthere lay the two halves of that log, laned
. smooth as the back of your hand by the its of
‘ lead as they flew from the head of the wedge—
, fact. or I wouldn’t say so i"
‘ “Burt, did you ever hear tell of the sad fate
,which overwhelmed one A-nanias‘l” solemnly
. uttered the planter.
I “ Struck dead for telling a Whopper, wasn’t
he, sir?” and the big blue eyes looked innocently
‘ up into those accusing black orbs.

“ Come—it’s time we went back and finished
our lunch ” said the planter, turning abruptly
away. “ uggeroo will see to the skin. .Come,
Kolahala may be back and waiting for us.”

, Nothing more was needed. So far from being
satiated With the exceptional good fortune
which had befallen them that day, the young-
, sters were more eager than ever to tackle the
‘ Fighting Gray tusker and add his grim head to

i their trophies.

 

r

The Colorado Boys.

89

 

“ Don’t be too sure,” said the colonel, gravely,
when they were once more seated in the shade
beside the tank, for the veteran shikaree had
not yet put in an appearance. “Such a streak
of luck can’t last long. It will break. and then
look out for snags! Surely you two had ought
to be satisfied, it we are. You have won a tiger
and a leopard—”

“ Only side dishes to old Lungra,” quickly
interposed Burt, conveniently forgetting how
recently he had taken the precise converse as
his argument. .

Whatever answer Colonel Applebee might
have made to this speech, was forestalled bythe
abru t appearance of Koluhala, who glided into
the sliade and stood before them, his arms fold-
ed, as cool and calm as though he had just risen
froma leasant siesta. ,

Swift y the colonel interrogated him, but to
the disgust of the brothers, both questions and
answers were in the native tongue, and conse-
quently wholl unintelligible to them.

“ It’s all ri tl” whispered Percy, beneath his
breath. “ olahala has tracked old L’imgra
home, and left a guard while he has hastened
back with the news.” .

The planter was too dee ly interested With
Kolahala to notice this bit 0 treachery on the
part of his son and when he turned to impart
such portion of the tidings as he saw fit, to his
amazement both Lance and Burt were nodding,
apparently almost asleep.

“Well! if ever there were two queer young-
sters, I’m looking at them now 1” he exclaimed.
“ One moment all tire and impetuosity, the next
—wake up, boys! Here’s K0 ahala, with glori-
ous news—"

“Yes, sir,” and Burt 1flamed portentously.
“We heard him, and w en we knew he had
tread the old gray, we thought we might as well
take a nap until our horses came.”

Colonel Applehee glanced suspiciously at his
son, for he was perfectly well aware that neither
of the young Americans understood a dozen
words of Hindoostanee, and perhaps it was for-
tunate for Percy that at that moment the syces
made their appearance with the horses and
n es.

The youngsters forgot their sleepiness as if by
magic and were in the saddle almost before the
animals came to a halt, all ready for the chase
of the old gray tusker. _

The planter was only a trifle less eager, and
ere lon the were trotting along at the heels
of old Eola ala, whose wiry form seemed in-
capable of feeling fatigue. /

"I think I know the place where Kolahala
tracked the old I/wn ra,” said the colonel, as
they rode along. “I Iam right, we Wlll see
trouble before we take his skull, unless I miss
my uess. It is i a sort of marsh, where the
footin is bad for orses, and if we can’t drive
the ol fellow out, to more favorable ground,
we’ll have to work carefully, or we may get the
worst of the bargain.” _

“ I’ll risk the ground, if he’ll only stand and
fight, and not run away or play any more of his
ugly tricks,” said Burt. . _

“Don’t forget that you have remised to be
guided wholly by me.” pointe 57 observed the

 

mentor. “If there is anv chance of success.
you shall have a try at the old fellow, but if I
decide otherwise, there must be no mutin .”

‘f You have ciir promise, uncle,” said fiance,
quietly, “ and I have yet to hear of an Applebee
who forfeited .his word.”

For some time the party rode on in silence,
when all at once Kolahala paused, with a gut-
tural exclamation, his right arm uplifted, his
iiildezfl finger pom ting to a tree top some distance
9. ea .

“A man treed l” cried keen eyed Burt, in ex-
cited tones. “ One of the heaters—by the Lord
Harryl Old Lungra has got in some more of
his prett work i”

“ I be ieve you are right i” exclaimed the
planter, who was making rise of his field-glass.
“ Who did you leave on watch, Kolahala'i”

“ Paulee Singh, master,” was the swift re<

onse. _
“I thought sol” and with a half-laugh the
planter lowered his field-glass, and returned it
to its case. “ That’s him up that tree—but
what he is doing there is more than I can con-
ceive. ,

“ He’s making signs. I reckon old Lungra in-
vited him up a tree for the good of his health,”
lau hed Burt.

“ ell, we’ll soon find out. Kolahala, slip on
ghefici’and see how matters stand. Make haste

ac .

The veteran shikaree stole away, leaving the
lads to exercise their ingenuity over the
em ma.

hey were not kept long in so ense. Five
minutes later Kolahala returned, iseyes glit-
tering, his voice full of suppressed excitement
as he made his report.

“ Ole Dungra there, master! See Paulee
Singh, mebbe, den chase him up tree. He watch
dere by foot, plenty mad, master.” ‘

“ Alone, or is his harem with him?”

“ Plenty pig dere, too; but dey run ’wav when
colonel sahib an’ youn ahibs come. ot ole
Lungm—he got plenty ht to spare dis time!
He run ’nough dis day I”

A few swrft orders from the colonel sent the
heaters scampering away in the lead, while he
and the boys followed more leisurely, looking
to their spears and saddles, for all knew that an
accident when old Dungra was at bay, might
easily prove fatal to man or horse. '

The wild yells, boots, beating of kettles and
other outlandish noises told that the heaters

6P

were at work, and as the pig-stickers ained a'

position from whence the could over ook the
spot where the tree whic now bore human
fruit stood, they beheld the pigs, snorting loud-
ly, breaking away.

3‘ Holdl” cried the planter, as the boys ee red
on the point of dashing ahead. “ Those are only
the rabble. If the Fi hting Gray breaks away,
we will hear old Kola ala. call.”

The next moment there came a change in the
sounds—a series of terrified cries arose from
the boaters, and their dark forms could be seen
in_ headlon flight—then the gaunt shape of the
Fi hting ray tusker shot into view.

he hunters were being hunted!
“ Steady i” cried the colonel. his eyes aglow.

/

 

 

The quorado Boys.

  

 

“ If he comes this way, meet him in full charge,
at] si’i’igly. Burt first, then Lance, as I prom-

“No such luck!” grunted Burt, as they saw
the grisl monster stop short, then slowly re-
treatto is former station at the base of the
tree to which the terrified Paulee Singh still
clung with the tenacity of a monkey. “He
won’t fight I”

“ Fight enough to satisfy even you, I’m think-
ing,” said the colonel, with a grim laugh. “ If
he meant otherwise, he would have broken
away with the rest. He has seen us. and he
knows there is mischief in the Wind. He’ll wait
for us there, never you fear.”

“So much the betterl” gayly declared urt.
“The ground is open enough for good wor —”

“ Wait until you try it. That tree grows on
the edge of a marsh, and a horse will sink above
its fetlocks there.”

The colonel was plainl out of humor. and
the b0 s wisely said nothing more. At his or-
ders, t ey all dismounted and looked to the):

saddle—girths, and made sure that everything .

about them and their mounts was in proper or-

or.

“ There’s only one course to follow, as long ns
he sticks to the foot of that tree,” said the plan-
ter, when the boys were once more in the
saddle. “ We might easily knock him over
with the rifles, but that oes against the grain
with me. If we can’t w ip the old fellow in a
fair fight, let him go!

“ We must charge, one after the other and
do what we can to give him the spear. if he
dodges, or you miss your stroke, keep strai ht
on, at full speed, on i1 you hear me call. 0
trying to stop short for another trial. If a
horse once miSses its stride,'or loses headway in
that bog, old Dungra will hold 'it at it’s mercy.
You understand what I mean?”

The boys nodded. They were too impatient
for words. I

“Very well. You, Burt, will take the first
charge as you have the deepest grudge against
the old fe low, and I gave you my promise.
Strike straight and hard, but for heaven’s sake,
don’t lose your saddle l”

Far more nervous than would have been the
case had he been going to make the charge him-
self, Colonel Applebee watched the preparations
of the. young ranchero. These were short
enough, consisting only of hanging his rifle to
the branch of a tree, settling himself firmly in
the saddle. gripping his boar-spear tightly, then
using the spurs.

Seemingly quite as eager as the rider for the
charge on- the grim enemy, his horse leaped
forward, running level and true, straight ‘at the
old Dungra, who. champin its long, keen
tasks, was eying them vicious .

Burt was within a dosencyar eat the Fighting
Gray tusker before it ma 9 a move, but then
with a. savage grunt and a squeal combined, it
rushed forward.

Burt felt sure of his success now, and a yell
of exultation rose in his throat, but it was
never uttered.

Just as the Bear-point seemed to touch its
throat, the old - ngra made a quick movement

to one side, and the point glanced harmlesst I

from the ten h skin of its shoulder, not even

drawing the load. The next instant the gray
tusker eaped savagely to the right, throwing
up its frightfully armed head, thinking to dis-
embowel the horse, but it was too well trained
to fall into the trap, and with a mighty leap
was away and out o danger.

“Now, Lancel"shouted the lanter. “Before
he goes back to the tree—c arge home—and
good luck go with you!”

Before the words were fairly out of his
mouth, Lance obeyed, dashing with' all the
speed of his good horse, straight at the Fi hting
Gray tusker. who was standing broadsi e on,
1 just where it had halted after being foiled in its

cunning charge at the horse ri den by the
young ranchero.

Success now seemed more certain than ever,
and though a more enemas-hearted man than
the planter did not raw the breath of life, he
caught himself envying the lad his glorious op-
portunity—one for which many an old spear
would have gladly given a flngerl

But the old Lungra had not lived all these
years, fought so many battles, won so many
victories, to be slain so readily now in his grim
old age. He heard the plunging boots, and
wheeled sharply to confront the fresh peril.

Almost too latel Lance felt his spear strike,
1 and flung all his power into the eflort, bearing
’ upon the weapon until it was torn from his

grasp by the onward rush of his horse, and as
‘ he heard a shrill, angry squeal, his heart
throbbed with a fierce, mad glee, for he be-
lieved that the glorious victory was his, fairly

won.

So thought the eager on-lookers. and their
wild, exultant cries rose high on the air—only
to abruptly change their tune, as they saw that
the fight was not yet over.

By that rafiid wheeling, the old Dungra had
received the een spear in his bum, instead of
between the ribs, all who saw the stroke at
first believed. The shock knocked him over,
but as he gave vent to that mad squeal, he re-
gained his feet, twisting his head around and
catching the shaft of the spear in his mouth.
gl‘llgding it in two as though it were only a
rim .

“Your turn, Percy l” muttered the planter.
l L  I” .

Fond as he was of his son, proud of his skill
asa rider, and of his nerve and coolness in
critical moments, it cost the veteran no little
to give the word. Only a true sportsman can
realize the full extent of his generosity. No
man in all India more passionately longed to
add the Fighting Gray tusker to his list of tro-
phies, yet for three times in succession had he
resigned the golden opportunity. Could hu-
man mag-nanimity go any further?

Favorable as had Seemed the opportunity
granted Lance, that which Percy was now
given, was even more ans icious. The old Lun-
gra was still busied with is wound, awayfrom
all obstacles, and with the cuursc clear, it did
not seem possible that the young indigo-flanki-
could fail to make a successful coup. at the
fates had so decreed it. ‘

The Fighting Gray tusker was still grindin
at the stump of the spear which still protrude

 

-—«~»---—+~W--+-—

 

"'r‘whv-‘w‘ww‘hvw 

 
  
  
   
  

  
   

"affinww A  -. -.

The Colorado Boys.

81

 

from its ham, whirling round and round in its
blind fury, not heading the horse which came
thunderingldown upon it, and Percy was draw-
ing back is arm to add force to the stroke,
when his horse, with a sudden access of terror,
lealped swiftly to the left, then dashed on in a
wi d, unreasoning panic.
rAs he saw this unaccountable freak on the
part of a horse accounted perfectly trained to
all such encounters, a cry of indignant wonder
burst from the lips of the planter; but the re-
action came quicklg. It was his turn, now and
with aflerce joy in is heart, showing in his eyes,
his face, his every action, Colonel Applebee
plunged his spurs rowel deep into the flanks of his
fresh charger, and with spear in rest, he charged
down upon the boar. uttering a wild yell as
though to attract the attention of the grim old
cri p 9.
nd such was his desire. A braver man
never lived. At that moment he felt as though
he would gladly give his good right arm for
the pleasure of slaying the Fighting Gray
tusker, but he preferred to meet the enemy face
to face, to give him every chance for life—
;ictory thus won would be doubly precious in
is eyes.

That heroic wish was satisfied. The gray
tusker heard and seemed to com rehend the
meaning of that yell, and whee ing, with a
savage squeal, he charged straight at the
planter.

There was no sign of flinching on the part of
horse, rider nor boar. Midway they met—
straight in the throat sunk the spear—upreured
the gray tusker and lunged out with its terrible
tiishes. With a wild cry of agony the poor
horse stumbled and fell, pinning its rider to the
ground. And the gray tusker, with a spear
protruding from its throat, the hot lifeblood
gushing from the wound in a stream, uttered a
squeal even more savage and malignant than
ever, as it rushed upon its helpless vidtim.

Colonel Applebee was halt-stunned, one leg
pinned beneath his struggling horse, and his
death seemed inevitable, for the gray tusker
was fairly upon him. But he was a man
who would never say die, no matter what the
odds against him, and he caught the spear-
handle as the boar came on, holding the mad
monster at arm’s length, pressing the weapon
still deeper home.-

At that moment came a sharp report and
with a. gasping. gurgling groan, the Fighting
Gra tusker fell over, dead! _

“ couldn’t help it, uncle!” cried Burt, leap<
ing from his horse beside the fallen planter, and
flinging away his still smoking rifle. “ l Waited
until I saw he would kill you if I didn’t shoot,
then let her flicker!”

A short groan broke from the colonel's lips as
he closed his eyes, and fearing he was seriously
injured, Burt put a bullet through the brain of
the dying horse, and then the heaters raised the
animal so that the toys could drag the master
out from beneath the carcass.

THE

l “ Father—dear father—so that you hear me!”

: cried Percy, in an 'agony o dread. “Say that .

‘ you are not hurt—-
“ Hurt? Yes, the worst kind!” groaned the
lanter. “ To shoot it when it was dying—when
had fairly killed it—”

Kolahalduttered a few rapid words in his own
tongue, which seemed to wox k a marvelous cure
for the colonel staggered to his feet, with I! glad
cry—looked for a moment at the carcass of the
old Lungra. then burst into a hearty fit of laugh-
ter at the openAmouthed amazement of the lads.

“ It may be awful funn , making us thhak you
were bad hurt, but if so, can’t see it i” growled
Burt. bluntly.

“But I was hurt,” said the planter. growing
sober. “ Hurt the worst kind, to see you shoot
the old fellow, after I had brought it down with
the neatest spear I have delivered for this many
a day! I know you meant well, my dear boy,
and I thank you from the bottom of my heart—
not for hitting the pig, but for missing it I”

“But I didn’t miss it!” cried Burt, abruptly
pausing as the grinning Kolahala held up the
head of the Fighting Gray tusker, showing the
skull intact, then pointing to a root near by,
 _was terribly shattered by the express

u e . ‘

‘ Lance and Percy roared with laughter, as
they saw the chopfallen countenance of the
young ranchero, but the planter took him b the

and and pressed it warmly, saying joyful y:

“Let them laugh, my bo . You meant well,
and that is more than he] the battle. If the
old I/ungm hadn’t been dying, you would have
saved my life, for I could ave held it 03 by the
“411;, long enough for you to get in a. surer
5 0t.

his tenderest point, and turned away from the
grim carcass with a sniff of supreme disgust. '

Now that the excitement was dying out, tle
planter found that he had not esca d entirely
without ing'ury from that ugly fal .
soft, boggy ground had saved in from serious
hurt, but his leg was badly bruised and
wrenched. _

——

later.

guarded whis _r, to the two young Americans,
“ but-I heard in: talking to. old Kolahalo, this
morning, when they thought no one could hear
ghfim, "and it was about a trip up into the
i s—
“ And that means?” interposed Burt.
“ A bout with the tigers sure I”
.“ Glory to the ram! If he only don’tnhange
his mind i” .

 

fl‘he colonel did not change his mind. The
trip was to be made, and the three youngsters
Were to have a glorious time.

Shall we hear them company, boy reader?

 

END.

Burt made no reply. for he was wounded in V

Once more at the indigo factory, a week

“ Don't breathe a word of it where father can,
hear you,” Percy Applebee was saying. in a'

True. the ‘

 

 

 

 

32 OJtBVO Pages.

Burs 

4.. -e__ ___ 4‘

l Deerhunter, the Boy Scout of the Great
North Woods. By 011 Coomes.

2 Bull‘an Bill, from Boyhood to Man-
hood. By 001. Prentiss Intrrahnm.

3 Kit Cargo n, King of Guides. By Albert
W. Aiken. I

4 Gordon Lillie, the Boy-Interpreter of
the Pawnees. By Ma'or H. B. Stoddard.

5 Bruin Admin, 0]( Grizzly’s Boy
Pard. By Colonel Prentiss Ingruhnm.

6 Deadwood Dick use. Buy. ByEd-
ward L. Wheeler.

7 \Vild Bill, the Pistol Prince. By Colonel
Prentiss Ingrahmn.

8 The Prairie Ranch.
Badger, Jr.

9 Roving: Joe: The History of a. “Bor-
der Boy." By A. H. Post.

10 Texas Jack, the Mustang King. By Col.

Prentiss Ingreham.
11 Charley Skylark. A StoryofSchogl-
Y

da’y Sci-apes and College Capers.
Maj. H. B. Stoddard.

l2 Mmripoea Marsh. ByJ. E. Badger, Jr.

13 [Roving Bell. By John J. Marshall.

14 Spring Steel, King ofthe Bush. By Jos.
E. Niger, Jr.

15 \Vide-Awake George, the Boy Pio-
neer. By Edward Wiiiett.

16 The Boy Wizard. By Barry Ringgold.

17 Peter Peppergrass. the Greenhorn

~ from Gotham. By Noah Nui'f.

18 Adrift on the Prairie. and/ima-
tour [[unters ml the Buffalo
Range. By 011 (homes.

19 The Fortune Hunter; or. Roving
Joe as Miner. Cowboy, Trapper and Hun-

. ter. By A. H. Post.

20 Trapper Tom, the Wood Imp. By T.
«’C. Harbeugh.

21 Yellow Hair. the Boy Chief of the
Pawnees. By Col. Prentiss Ina-rahnm.

22 The'fininv Trail. By T. C. harhmrgh.

23 Old Grizzly Adams, the Bear Tamer.
By Dr. Frank Powell.

24 Woods and Waters. By Capt. F.

Incidents in the

Whittaker.

25 A Rolling: Stone:
Career on Sra and Land of Col. Prentiss
Ingraham. By Wm. R. Eyster.

26 “(591d kRiver Rovers. By C. Dunning

ar .

2'1 Plaza and Plain; or, Wild Adventures
of “ Buckskin Sam," (Maj. Sam S. Hall.)
By Col. Prentiss Ingrehem.

28 The Sword Prince. The Romantic
Life of Col. Monstery. By Captain Fred.
Whittaker.

29 Snow-Shoe Tom. ByT. C. Harbangh.

30 Paul de Lacy, the French Beast Charm-
er. By C Dunning Clark.

31 Round the Camp Fire.
E. Badger, Jr. V

32 White Beaver, the Indian Medicine
Chief. By 001. Prentiss Ingraham.

33 The Boy Crusader. By Captain F.
Whittaker.

By Joseph E.

By Joseph

 

\

BR<®

\

3 5

By Capt. Fred.

5

84 The Chase of the Great White
Stag, and ('mnp and Canoe. By
C. Dunning Clark.

Old Tar Knuckle and "in Boy
Chums. By Roger Stnrbnck.

The Dashing Dragoon; or, The
Story of Gen. George A. Custer. By
Capt. Fl‘od. Whittaker.

Night-Hawk George. By Colonel
Prentiss Ingrahnm.

The. Boy Exiles oi'Si‘berin. By T.
C. Hurbangh.

The Young Bear Hunters. By
Morris Redwing.

Snmrt sun the Lad with a Level Head.
By Edward Willett.

The Settler’s Son. By Ed. S. Ellis.

“’alt Ferguson’s Cruise. By C.
Dunning Clark.

Rifle and Revolver.

Whittaker.

The Lost Boy Whalers. By T. C.
Harbaugh. '

4 Bronco Billy. the Saddle Prince. By
Col. Prentiss lngraham.

4G Dick, the Stowaway. By Charles
Morris.

47 The Colorado Boys; or, Life on an
Indigo Plantation. By J 05. E. Badger. J r.

48 The Pampas Hunters; or. New
York Boys in Buenos Ayres. By T. C.
Harbaug .

49 The Adventurous Life of Ne-
braan Charlie, the Boy Medicine
Man of the Pawnees By Col. Ingraham.

60 Jack. flurry and Tom. the Three
Champion Brothers By Capt Whittaker.

51 The Young Lund-Lubber. By C.
D. Clark.

52 The 1llloy Detectives. By T. C. Har-

bau: .
53 Honest Harry; or. The Country Boy
Adrift in the City. By Charles Morris.

5-! California Joe, the Mysterious Plains—
man. By Col. Prentiss Inguiham.

55 Tip ' reseel, the Floater. By Edward
Wiliett.

56 The Sno\v [In H tors; or, Winterin the
Woods. By Barry (19 Forrest.

." So are the Sailo- '-
)7  By SinW. P’earee. 1 Boy mam
58 The Adventurous Life offaptain
Jack, the Border Boy. By Ingraham.
Burma’s Boy’s LIBRARY is for sale by all
Newsdenlers, flve cents per COPY: or sent by
mail, on receipt of six c we each.

BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers,
No. 98 William St, New York.

//

LI\PIice, Biye Cents. I

 

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