The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-01-31

NiONig Nv SldNhNItN puCis ~ lbuHl ltll
times did he let me approach him within Il
couple ofhundred yards, without for that be-
ing bit nearer getting hold of him. 1t was
certainly high time TO desist from such u mad
chase, but i never dreamed of doing so; and,
indeed the longer il lasted the more obstn-
ate got. ] rode on after the beast, who Let
me come nearer and nearer, and then darted
OF again with his loud laughing neigh. Ii
was this Internal neigh that made me so say
age-there was something so spiteful and
triumphant in ii, us though the animal knew
he was making Il fool of me, and exuted in
so doing. AT last, however, got so sick of
my horse hunt that determined to make
last trial, aud if that failed, to turn back. The
runaway had stopped near one of the Islands
of trees, and was grazing quite close TO its
edge. thought if were TO creep round the
other side of the Island, and then steal across
it, through the trees, | should be able 10 throw
the lasso over his head, or, at any rate, 10
drive him back to the house. This plan
put i'll eXecuiiOn--rOdc round the island,
then through it, lasso in hand aud as softly
rs if had been riding over eggs. To my
CONSERVATION, however, OF arriving NJ the
edge oftlle trees, and ut the exact spot where,
only few minutes before, ] had seen the
mustang grazing, no signs of him were 10 be
perceived. | made the circuit of the island,
but in vain-the animal had Disappeared
With hearty curse, put spurs to my horse,
and started of to ride back TO the plantation.
Neither the plantation, the cattle, ror my
companions were visible, il is true; but tits
gave me no uneasness. felt sure ] knew
the direction IN which had come, and the
island which had Just left was one which
was visible from the house, while all around
me were such numerous tracks of horses,
! that the possibility OF my having lost my way
never occurred 10 me,and rode on quite wn-
ConCcrnedIy.
| After riding for about an hour, however,
! began 10 find the time rather long. | looked
AT my watch. 1t was past one o'clock. We
had started at nine, and allowing an hourand
n halfto have been spent in finding the cattle
| had passed nearly three hours i'll my wild
and unsuccessful hunt. began TO think that
] must have got further from the plantation
than had as yet supposed.
1t was towards the end of March, the day
clear and warm, just like May-day in tic
Southern States. The sun was now slinn 9
brightly ont, but the early part ofthe morn
| ing had been somewhat ioggy; and as | lad
only arrived at the plantation the day before
and had passed the whole afternoon and cv-
ening indoors, had no opportunity ofgcttlng
acquainted with the bearings of the house,
! This reflection began 10 make me rather mn
easy, particularly when ] remembered the Ell
treaties ofthe negro, and the loud cNhorta-
tons Mr. Neal addressed TO me as / rode "a
way. | said 10 myself however, that could
not be more than fifteen miles from the plan
tntion, that should soon come within sight
ofthe herds of cattle, and thu then there
would he no difficulty in finding my way
But when had ridden another hour without
seeing the smallest sign either of man or
! haaSf | trnt carinpaIt. IA,
thence, ! abused poor Neal for not sending
somebody to find me. His huntsmat. had
heard, was gone To Anahuac, and would not
be back for two or three days; but he might
have sent couple of his lazy negroes. Or,
| ifhe had only fired n shot or two as a signal.
/ stopped and listened in the hopes ofhearing
the crack ola rifle But the deepest Stiffness
reigued around; scarcely the chirp OF a bird
was heard--aii nature seemed to I've taking
the siesta. As far as the eye could reach
was n waving sea of grass, here and there an
Island of trees, but not trace of human
| being. AT last thought had made dis
covcry. The nearest clump oftrces was I'M
doubleday the same which had so much nd
mred and pointed out TO my companions
soon after we had left the house. 1t bore n
fantastcal resemblance to n snake, coied up,
and about to dart upon its prey. About six
or seven miles from the plantation, we had
passed it on our right hand, aud if now kept
it upon my left, could not fail To be going
in right direction. SO said, so done. | trot-
ted on most perscveringly towards the point
of the horizon where felt certain the house
must lie. One hour passed then n second,
then third; every now and then ! stopped
and listened, but nothing was audible, not a
shot or n shout. But although heard moth
ing, saw something which gave me great
pleasure. In the direction i'm which we had
ridden out, the grass was very abundant, and
the flowers scarce; whereas, the part of the
prairie in which now found myself, present
ed the appearance ola perfect flower garden
with scarcely square foot of green 10 be
seen. The most variegated carpet of flowers
/ ever beheld, lay unrolled before me; red
yellow, violet, blue, every color, every tint
was there; millions of the most magnificent
prairie roses, asters, dahlias, and fifty other
kinds Of flowers. The finest artificial gard
Ell in the world would sink into nsignifcance
when compared with this parterre ofnaturc's
own planting. My horse could hardly make
his way through the wilderness of flowers,
and !, for time remained lost in admiration
eff this scene of extraordinary beauty. The
prairie in the distance looked as if clothed
with rainbows, that waved to and fro over its
surface.
But the difficulties and anxieties of nv sit
uation soon banished all other thoughts, and
rode on with perfect indifference through
scene, that, under other circumstances
would have captivated my entire attention.
All the stories that had heard of'mishaps in
these endless praires, REQUIRED invivid color
|. ing to my memory,not mere baclawoodsmen's
legends, but filcts were authenticated by per
sons of undoubted veracity, who had warned
me, before came to Texas, against venttIr
ing, without guide or compass, into these
dangerous wiles. Even men vito had been