The Osceola times., 1880-05-01
Ouray as y Horse Jockey.
Denver Tribune.

Five years ago, when the Utes and
Nayajoes were not warring with each
other or investigating the firmness with
which the white mans scalp was attach
ed. they devoted themselves to horse
racing, betting blankets, ponies. a
their sduaws even, upon the results Of
the contests. Now, although there is no
horse-fesh in the world that can leave
Ute pony behind, when climbing the
rough and rugged mountain trails or
holding out for long Journeys is concern
ed, they are not fast runners on level
ground. SO, however moriiiying the
confession was, after week of daily
races, the Utes were obliged TO acknowl-
edge that their horses were inferior to
those of the Navajoes; but by the time
that they were convinced of this fact
they were nearly bankrupted. The
Navaioes gathered up their spoils and
departed for their tents, while the Utes
went to Ouray with their tale of woe.
Sapavanaro, Shayino, and Cojoe were all
heavy losers, but, at the council which
Ouray called, could suggest no plan 10
retrieve their losses except TO follow the
victorious Navajoes and by force deprive
them of their booty. To this PROPOSE
ton Ouray would not assent, saying that
such a deed would stain the name of
their tribe, and dismissed the council,
telling the Utes to challenge the Nayajoes
to another series OF races two months
from that time, September, 1874, and he
would attend to the rest. Through III.
| +. Bond, the agent, Ouray, having raised
| 81 800 by the sale OF some of his stock,
sent TO st. Louis and purchased Mem
brino racer, bay, and had him brought
TO his house Ouray caused it to be
given out that he had brought pony
from Utah to contest the races, and the
Navajoes were on tip-toe of expectation
as he was brought forth. When the
| blankets with which he was covered
from head to foot were removed, and,
painted all over to present the appear
ance of a half-starved pony, the bay
| appeared, shout OF derision rent the
! air from tn, throats of the Navajoes, and
they began TO bet odds against his
winning. The Utes said nothing, but,
instructed by Ouray. took every bet that
was offered, even If they risked their
last blanket.
The course used by them was about
| three miles long. level mesa. Wachita
was ridden by his owner, and the bay
by the son o. Sapavanaro. The word
was given, and the horses started amid
an anticipating shout of victory from the
Navajoes, which quivered away into a
groan as they saw their favorite beaten
by a neck as they crossed the line. But
they did not give up. The close race
made them think that The defeat oil
Wachita was due to the bad riding of his
owner. In the twinkling of an eye he
was pulled off the horse by dozen
hands, and Matho-kaTf, a sub-chief OF
the Naygoes, put on the back of Wachita.
This time the betting was heavier than
at first, the L es betting eagerly and the
Navajoes desperately. Sapayanaro's boy
gave the bay his head. and he came
across the line nearly a quarter of mile
ahead of WachIta. The Navajoes were
busted" and the Utes rich. They not
only recovered what they had before
lest, but their tepees were filled with
blankets and buffalo robes, while each
Navajoe was the poorer by pony. So
completely broke were they that the
Utes tell with glee how they rode 10
their homes, some riding double and
others walking. This incident greatly
increased Ouray's influence over his
tribe and caused all Of them to look up
to him as wise man. The bay Is owned
now by the chief, who uses him as a car
riage horse, and could not be induced to
part with for any consideration.