The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-06-25

ticable, decided to remain perfectly i'm.
movable whilst they were approaching.
My horse beng jaded, he too stood por-
fcctly still. We were not discovered until
the advance of the herd had approached
within fifty yards, when snort was given
by the leader, and the entire herd halted. A
line was formed almost as perfect as if
formed by soldiers on parade. With their
heads erect and facing us with ears pointed
forward, and eyes staring, they seemed TO
be perfectly aslonishcd at our singular con-
duct and strange appearance. | was much
struck with the seeming discipline dis
played in forming line. The chief took
his stand on the right wing as they came
up, no attempt being made by those III the
rear to crowd into that part Of the line
already formed.
They remained in line without breaking
ranks fully fifteen minutes, when it seemed
that it was decided that we were not to be
feared, the boss cf the herd had advanced
to within thirty yards, and examined us
very carefully, and after scrutinlzing us
closely few moments he turned to the
herd and [ suppose tho order was given to
break ranks and proceed to refrcshment.
AT all events the line was broken and the
mustangs proceeded to Craze quietly, some
passing to within few yards Of us to get
water. From this time on they seemed to
ignore entirely our presence, l was thus
afforded al excellent opportunity to in
spect the entire herd. They numbered
thirty two, of these two were branded; :;
another had distinct saddle-marks, but no
brand. There was also one mule not
branded, All the others were entirely un-
branded sure indication that they were
undomcsticatcd. as few horses owned by
Texans escape the branding iron.
amused myself by watching the old
patriarch keep his family in order and
satisfying his own hunger at the same time.
Whilst the others were intent alone upon
grazing, scarcely ever raising their heads
from the gras he was constantly on the
alert. When an unruly or imprudent men,
Der of his family would stray off he would
at once proceed to drive him in, q threat
ening attitude was generally sufficient
One young horse wandered al unusual dis
tancc and unfortunately was so intent upon
grazing that he failed to observe The
threatening attitude of his superior. This
incenscd the old stallion so much that he
rushed after his victim and inflicted severe
punishment upon him by his teeth and fore
feet. BY this kind of discipline these
horses are kept together in punches. They
are never seen single or in PAIRS.
Domestic ANIMALS when once admitted
into a herd of wild horses are seldom, If
eve., reclaimed by the owners. This
creates strong feeling of prejudice against
them and the herders resort TO the cruel
practice of shooting them with view to
their determination. How a man can
hoy 4 fl,o AL: nj
those beautiful, harmless animals l cannot
conceive. The Intrusion into his company
of the domestic horse is against his will, as
the following incident will prove. About
three hundred yards east Of the pool two
work horses made their appearance. One
had bell on, and grazcd along quietly
towards the water. and finally they went in
and qucnchcd their thirst, whilst the wild
horses were in and around the pool of
water. The old stallion in the meantime
kept his eye on the strangers, and as they
seemed inclined to stay amongst his herd
longer than it pleased him, he proceeded.
to "cut OUT" and drive them off One was
male and the other female.
OF the many plans and devices for cap
turing wild horses, that OF walking them
down is the only one successfully practccd
On this part of the Texas frontier. TO make
this plan successful it IS necessary to have
a perfect knowledge Of the topography of
the county, and the range of the herd.
Three or more well mounted men are re-
quircd. After the discovery of herd of
desirable horses the hunters all surround it
and begin to drive by starting the horses in
some desirable direction. After following
them sufficiently long to determine the
range which they intend to make for, one
of the hunters only will follow them, keep
ing always in sight of them night and day
and taking care to prevent them from get
ting water, especially. The other men
proceed to station themselves at different
points agreed upon previously. When the
first hunters horse shows signs of fail
ure he manages to turn the herd in the
direction of one of his companions who
now relieves hlm and takes up the chase
on a fresh horse, and ne is relieved by
another freshly mounted horseman. The
unfortunate mustangs are thus pursued
night and day are given no time to Craze
and no opportunity TO get water, and about
the fourth day some of the herd will prOba-
bly, be giving out and are caught, hobbled
and drag rope attached to them, and thus
hampercd arc left to be afterwards caught
at will. The rest of the herd are followed,
and never let rest until all are wearicd
down and finally captured. Sometimes
when led by an experienced and hardy
stallion, the best portion will escape cap
turc. An instance occurred recently of
failure to capture the leader and part of
the herd after having kept upon their trail
seventeen days.