indows
and doors were broken in, and I do not know what the enraged crowd
would have done had she not made good her escape."

"A low cowardly set, to attack a defenceless woman," said Wycoff, "but
I've drank enough myself to know that under the influence of liquor,
men will do almighty mean things. Every time I've passed the place
where Fleet Foot lays, I have tried to make up my mind to give up
drinking, and pay Miss De Wolf for the horse, like a man; and to-day
I've come to the sticking point; I have promised to give up liquor,
and in a few minutes I shall present Black Hawk to Miss DeWolf."

"Well, she had better mind her own business after this," said Hank
with a sneer. "She has cheated me out of getting a first-rate clerk
this morning. I will not brook her interference in my affairs. Let her
beware, or I'll make this place too hot for her."

Wycoff's eyes flashed, and he extended his clenched fist towards Hank.
"You will, will you?" said he defiantly; "now listen, you Glutter. If
ever you attempt to harm that lady, I swear to you that this fist of
mine shall batter your brains, and on Black Hawk she shall ride over
your lifeless body."

Black Hawk pawed and snorted and turned his firey black eyes very
wickedly upon Hank, as if to enforce his master's threat. He was a
most magnificent animal; coal black, his silken coat, now curried with
special care, shone resplendent in the noon-day sun.

As Wycoff rode off, Hank muttered to himself, "She shall never ride
that horse."

Half an hour later, Hank had the mortification of beholding Little
Wolf flying past his door seated, like a little queen, upon Black
Hawk's back.

"She shall never ride that horse again," said the enraged saloon
keeper, with an oath.

Wycoff had great difficulty in pursuading Little Wolf to except his
present. Indeed she only consented when she became convinced that he
would be seriously displeased by her refusal. Further to gratify the
giver, she took her first ride under his immediate supervision; and,
at his request, she had followed the road by the brewery, making a
circle of about a quarter of a mile.

"Now that's what I call neatly done," said Wycoff, as Little Wolf drew
up, and leaped from the saddle. "You are the first lady that ever
backed Black Hawk," he said, patting the animal's neck. "The fact is,
I had my doubts about your being able to ride him at all. I was afraid
I would have to sell him and get a gentler beast, and I ha