Mariposa Democrat., 1857-07-02

III FAILS was Slarteu ny InS iiiiShaP, NV ie'o q"
was his pugnacious antagonist, who fled away
with the speed of the wind, followed by the
flock. Falls fired by way of revenge, but it
was all in vain, their active legs had placed
too wide distance between their ugly foe.--
It would be impossible to describe the bolster
GUS whoops Of mirth when this ludicrous oc-
currence was first beheld. In vain Falls tried
to explain, no one would listen to his explana-
tions, the scene was too supremely ludicrous,
the antelopes had been revenged-the hunter
was foiled-the Har-la-su were safe.
Passing along over clayey soil, we came to
the Lone Tree, and after refreshing our beasts
with dirty water, found in the bed of the
stream of Mariposa Creek, we reached few
scattered knolls, and suddenly came upon a
band of antelope, after which we gave chase.
This sport we enjoyed exceedingly, beng fine
ly mounted and having fair view of the
chase. We were congratulating ourself upon
seeing the fun without any exertion, when the
Har-la-su taking turn passed before our
horse, when away went our steed after them
as though the devil had kicked him in the
stern. Pulling and coaxing were Of no avail
on he went in the pursuit until he came up
with the herd And then, and not till then,
did he stop and neigh for his less fleet com
panons to come up and witness his victorious
fight with us, on the banks Of the Chow
chilla. Here we spread our blankets and
after hearty supper retired to rest, with the
stars quietly twinkling over our tired forms.
Next morning we awoke before day, and six
Indians were sent TO drive the mustangs into
the corral, while the rest Of the party were
stationed at convenient distances to aid the dri-
vers when the mustangs should come in sight.
1t was the last we saw of the Indians until late
that evening, when they returned stating that
the mustangs had left for the banks of the San
Joaquin River. All those placed on guard were
found asleep, when Howard came to the corral
to announce the failure of the hunt. The cor
raj has two wings, both one mile in length,
widening as they extend from the circle Of the
corral, which is about sixty feet in diameter,
and enclosed by strong fence some ten feet
in height, with two short wings running to-
wards the center wing, to prevent rush OF
the confined animals towards its entrance
On our return home, tho Indians gave chase
to a band of mustangs, and that was the last
saw Of them, for leaving friend Howard await
ing their return we hurried back to the ranch,
wearied with the long and rapid ride.
The mustang-the wild horse of the plains,
is probably the fleetest most enduring and
best winded animal of all quadrupeds His
habits are PECULIAR his sight far reaching, his
scent delicately accute. Every band is con-
trolled and protected by some hardy stallion,
who has won his supremacy in hundred bat
ties. During the summer months the mus
tangs begin feeding at early noon, and continue
to rove until four o'clock, P. NJ, when they
seek the stream to water. Yet some hunters
say that they have no fixed hours for feeding
or drinking, and usually loiter near stream
towards evening" and seek the shelter of the
trees about noon. When band Of these ami
mails first espy the hunters, they become very
restless and uneasy, especially the leader Of
the herd. As soon as he winds the hunters,
he begins snorting and neighing, evidently to
warn his flock of approaching danger, and to
command their attention. With head and tail
erect he trots around the mares-then stopping
and surveying the dangerous intruders with a
scrutinizing gaze, he suddenly starts off in the
direction in which he wishes the band to fol-
low. The mares, obedent to his neigh, follow
at command and away they go over the plains
at furious pace, the stud leading and the
mares and colts moving with equal swiftness
at his heels. Now rings the startling whoop
of the Indian in their affrighted ears. The
forms of their pursuers grow more distinctly
visible to the flying fugitives whose speed is
increasing at every jump-with distended nos
trils, floating names and soaring tail, these
noble denizens of the plains are cleaving the
wind and spurning the ground. On they
move, running in promiscuous crowd and
marking their course with cloud Of dust
The hunters have as yet gained nothing upon
them in the chase ten or dozen miles have
been run, over the hardest of soils. The stud
now stops and again surveys the approaching
enemy, then turning his piercing eye upon
the band he Immediately detects the slightest
symptoms of fatigue in any of the mares oil
colts. But his rest is but momentary, for he
again gives the signal to start, and marks the
course by leading off in brisk trot then cir
cling around the herd as they run, he stations
himself in the rear, and woe be unto that mare
that fails to keep up with the fugitive band
Like floating shadows on the air, the forms o.
the excited Indians linger before the sight o.
the stud and mares. The horses of the pur
suers share the excitement of the chase, strain
ing every muscle, bracing every nerve, and
outstanding every breath, the domestic horse
urges his sinewy limbs to their utmost, and
then trots along with exhausted strength but
with fury flashing from his eye By this time
on1v soma trantv or thirty miles nf distanef