The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-01-03
LEGEND OF THE BLACK HORSE,
IF. R. Amp, in Phillipsburg rim.s.1

| A&G& AAAN@ VT A&@ ~ &@9A&1A 1ASGN9 kDs IF. R. Amp, in Philiipsburg Times.I In the years that have gone hy there was, ranging on the western prairies, a large cavallada of wild ponies that had a wonderful leader, who led them in their reckless races over the plains from Solo mon river in Kansas to the French river in Nebraska He was the monarch of the wild horses of the west. His equal was never known. He has been described as large, handsomely formed and black as a coal-not white hair having ever been found on him. When seen at the head of his band leading them over the wide, rolling prairies he looked ever inch king and spurned every effort of cow boy or Indian at his capture.
 A reward of fifty thousand dollars was offered for his capture alive, and the writer has heard old plainsmen tell of weary days and nights passed in efforts to walk him down" and when it seemed that he must give up, that flesh and blood could no longer sustain the travel and excitement forced upon him, his keen eye would discover a chance of es- cape from his foes when, like some dark spirit from the neither wsTld, he would break through their lines and with fee, so light they seemed almost to spun the ground, and movements graceful beyond description, would sweep away out of sight, his flowing mane and tail seeming to wave defiance to pursuit. The fieetest horses on the plains were pigmies in speed compared to him and, strange to say, he was, even when chased the hard est, never known to break from the trot never seen to runl
 He vas one Of the mysteries of the great west concerning which there is the folio wing Indian legend:
 Years ago, when the red man had full control of this region, and Kansas and Nebraska were alm ost unknown, a family of brave people had crossed the Big Muddy" to push their way west far up into the Solomon valley.
 They had with them a considerable amount of stock, and among the rest a black stallion.
 Among the savage tribes roaming this land was one whose chief was called Gray Wolf. He was the most cruel and treacherous chief ever known in the west. He one day discovered this little train and with few warriors rode up under the guise of friendship to fad out their strength. Among the people in the train was young lady said by the Indians to have been beautiful beyond description. Noticing the eager eyes of the chief fixed on large black stallion tied to one of the wagons she stepped out to the horse and laying her hand gently on his neck said, Prince" and he that had been be- tore all life, motion, and Testlessness, be- came quiet and gentle as a dog. Then facing the interpreter standing by the chief, both of whom were awed by her manner, she said: If you come in peace we greet you kindly, Prince and |, and will ever be friends to tho redmeu. But should you prove false we will come back from the spirit land and your tribe shall meet our vengeance"
 Gray Wolf and his braves lcft tho camp promising eternal friendship. only to re. turn in the early morning to massacre and plunder every person the young lady with the rest being killed, and all their stock captured except the stallion.
 Alter this Gray Wolfs band began to meet reverses. His tribe dwindled away. Disease and pestilence thnned their ranks and finally the tribe was almost annihilated and Gray Wolf was killed by the United States troops.
 The story is told by few who escaped destruction and assimilated with other tribes, and it is said a member of Cray Wolfs tribe never looked at the black stallion without being overcome with fear, and declaring he could see the mas sacred white girl riding on his back and guiding his every movement
 For years this matchless horse roamed the prairies untouched by mortal hand defying constant endeavors to capture him. He finally fell victim 10 human cruelty-just as did his owners and fair mistress. A cowboy on the head waters of the French river undertook to "crease him, but his shot went too low, and his bones, too, were left to whiten on the western prairies.
 His memory and the legend still exist among the savage red men, and the face of many brave has blanched as, when on some murderous expedition they see noiseless, black, but swiftly heeting stallion trot by win the speed of the wind carrying on his back the form of lovely white lady with her delicate hand mutely threatening vengeance.
 Decline of the Duello.