Part 23 (1/2)

But Ryan reckoned without his host Sunger was not going to be caught The going was better now, and the little pony had the advantage of not carrying as er was naturally fleeter

So, though Ryan urged his own steed as he had seldoap between the two animals did not close up In fact it seemed to widen, and when Ryan saw that he became desperate

”Who'd think he could beat ht, could keep his senses after that dose I put in his coffee It won't do hilad of, for after a lad has ht he has I don't wish hiainst hiain in a couple of hours But why doesn't he fall off?”

It was not until some time later that Ryan learned why, and then his admiration for Jack increased For, bad and unscrupulous as he was, Ryan had once been a good rit and fine qualities in others, though he could not exercise theet hi, and then the jig will be up, I fear,” Ryan said fiercely ”They'll say I bungled the job, and they'll try another hold-up, I suppose For those letters are in that alloped on for another quarter of a er was not to be overtaken The louder the hoof-beats of the other horse sounded, the faster the plucky little pony ran, though he was now tiring But he was gaive up while he had an ounce of strength left in him

”Well, there's only one way to end it,” said Ryan aloud He drew his revolver ”I hate to shoot a fine little pony like that,” the ot to stop him somehow, and I can't ride him down It's the only way!”

Carefully he took aier Then he hesitated and lowered the weapon

”No, I haven't the nerve,” he o over, and the boy ainstto do anything like that, and I'll tell the gang so If I can't ride hiet away, as far as I'm concerned I can't do that!”

He shoved the weapon back into the holster, and exclai to make you run!”

He whipped his own horse cruelly, and the animal, in terror, did respond with a burst of speed It came too late, however, for a few minutes later the trail turned, and Ryan kneas near Golden Crossing--too near for safety

”No use!” he

Maybe they can get the letters soe yet, and lots of things can happen on the road I'll tell the gang and we'll think up so new”

He reined in his nearly exhausted horse, and swung back down the trail, riding slowly Sunger, with his unconscious burden, kept on The race was alged out

And then into the very streets of the h the streets, bearing unconscious Jack And those who saondered, though souessed what had happened

Several raced after Sunger, as now abating some of his speed For he saw, just ahead of hioal for which he had striven, and he seemed to realize that the race on

No one atteo And reaching the rail where Jack always tied hi post office, the pony stopped He spread his legs far apart, for he was tre fro fro, and of the strange cries ”It's Jack! So has happened!” she faltered, as she saw the unconscious form in the saddle

”Oh, Mother! He--he's dead!”

Tim Mullane was at the side of the unconscious pony rider

”No, he isn't dead!” he shouted, ”but he's in a bad way Here, soive me a hand and we'll loosen him up, and take him inside Poor lad! He's had a hard time!”

CHAPTER XXI

THE ARGENT LETTERS

They carried Jack inside, and laid him on a couch Jennie and her mother used what simple remedies they had at hand to rouse him from his unconscious state Tier was much in need of rest

”What was it? What happened to the pony Express?” asked several of the crowd that had gathered outside when they had seen the animal canter up with Jack on his back