"Lower and lower sank the sun, he drew reins at Rocky Run.
'Here those men met death, my Chapo!' and he stroked his horse's mane.
'So shall those we go to warn, ere the breaking of the morn,
If I fail, God help my Bessie!' And he started out again.
"Sharp and keen the rifle shot woke the echoes of the spot.
'I am wounded!' cried Veniro, as he swayed from side to side.
'Where there is life there is always hope, onward slowly I will lope.
I may never reach the cow-ranch—Bessie dear shall know I tried.
"'I will save her yet,' he cried, 'Bessie Lee shall know I died
For her sake!' And then he halted in the shadow of a hill.