Part 45 (1/2)

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

A WILD NIGHT-RIDE

”Yes, Bart,” said the Doctor, ”we have a horse now for a er, but I dare not send you; and if you lent Black Boy to the Beaver and sent hiovernor would never respond to my appeal for help

I should be doubtful even if I sent Joses”

”Black Boy would not let Joses mount him, sir,” replied Bart; ”he never would”

”I dare not send you,” said the Doctor again

”Why not, sir? I could find o and tell the governor such a tale that you will see he will send us a squadron or two of lancers, and horses and cattle for our help”

”I do not like sending you, Bart,” said the Doctor again, shaking his head ”No, ait and see howwent on merrily, and universal satisfaction was felt by the people, ere too busy to think of the rate at which provisions were failing; but the Doctor thought of it deeply, and he knew that help must be sent for if they were to exist

They had ht up large quantities of sale pieces of virgin silver; and after the last excursion it had been deter of the Indians, and work the rich deposits of silver belohen, the very nextof the Apaches

”And now,” he said quietly to Bart and Joses, ”the Beaver's young ht that,” said Joses, ”and I'er in the task”

The Beaver nodded and smiled and went his hile Bart joined the Doctor, as eagerly watching the coes as they rode slowly across the distant plains

”Bart,” he said at last, shutting up his glass, ”you are very young”

Bart nodded

”But I find erous errand”

”To ride on to Lerisco, sir?” said Bart proo?”

”Not so fast,” said the Doctor, serness ”You must make some preparations first”

”Oh, that will soon be done, sir; a few pieces of dried bison- of ,” said the Doctor, ”that I ought to have sent you off before the Indians caht that it is better as it is, for we knohere our eneht have ridden right into their o?”

”If I send you, Bart, it overnor, one which, I am sure, he will respond to, when he hears froo and consult with the Beaver as to the track you had better follow so as to avoid the Indians I ainst attack, for they seeht on, and I sadly fear that they mean to invest us now”

Bart found the Beaver, atching his natural foes, the Apaches, along with Joses, as they talked together in a low tone

”I a to ride back to Lerisco for help,” said Bart suddenly

”You are, o too”

”But you have no horse, Joses,” said Bart sh fellow sood,” said the Beaver in his cal men would like to ride with you, but it cannot be”