The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-11-28

spectator before touched the ground. The collision with the latter was most fortunately face forward, and broke the force of the faii with my hands. l vas pretty badly bruised, however, when got upon my feet. The earth was rock ing in every direction, and surrounding objects were multiplied many times to my momentarily deranged vision did not the least mind there being half dozen mares which gradually resolved them- selves into that one now diabolic figure, standing with dropping head, and blink ing its eyes at me with an air so blandly innocent that it seemed to argue rather sympathy with, than responsibility for my posi- jon. What did mind, however most particularly. were the half dozen horsemen that at first seemed to be com- ing from all directions, but finally melted into the solitary and unwelcome figure of Tim Sanderson looming against the sky on the crest of the hill above. was pretty badly shaken, but there was at least an even chance that Tim had not been a spec ator of the event just recorded, so got up on the m lre again in as agile manner as circumstances would permit. l had, moreover, the uncom. forable and novel conviction that was astrioe, upon beast that could fling me me just as high and just as far and just as otten as ever she pleased. felt the thing was hopeless. The equestrian, whose experiences of the horses vagaries take the conventional form of a rear, a shy, kick, an awkward jump, or what people in England are sometimes pleased to call bucking may possibly sneer at the notion of feeling quite at horse'. mercy. l trust they may never have cause to realize the novel sensation l didn't even take the trouble to sit tight, as jogse1 along with as great an air of unconcern as could muster to meet Tim. thought of Sam, thought of old Mar'se Robert, ap d recalled the terror stricken face of my negro pioughman with sym pathy entirely new. The mare had assumed an entirely changed aspect in my eyes. The remark of Moses recurred to me, "There's bin nothin' like that thing roun' yer since the s'render, nor befo' it, reckon" There certainly had not, an did not intend if could help 1t that it should be "roun' yer" much longer. The phenomen, ,n, too, of the PiOoo WdS uOW kOACVCI duO SnL- isfactorily solved.
 When met Tim he was as solemn as a judge. And he began, more over, to manifest all the symptoms of "a trade. He stopped his horse as we got abreast of one another, took one foot out of the stirrup, hoisted 1t over his horses withers, and Sat sideways upon the saddle. He then took his knife out of his pocket, cut of the end of willow switch he was using for whip, and began to peel the rest of it with care and deliberation that made one regret the futility of such mechanical genius. Such programme was a sure indication in that locality of serious intentions, and felt certain that I'm had been too absorbed in his own thoughts to notice at such distance my adventure with the mare.
 For about a minute Tim was engaged in scrutiny so profound of the redoubt- able animal that thought for once he had let his curiosity get ,e better of that pro- fessional air ot indifference which is the second nature of gentlemen of his per suasion. The only apparent conclusion, however, which thls p ercing investigation enabled him to arrive at was of the most elementary nature.
 So you've got the mar still2"
 "Yes, was keeping her for you"
 "Welp l was sorter lookin' roun' for ridin' horse that could put in shafts once in while, but 1 hardly reckon she'll suit" And saw the corners of the horse-traders mouth begin to twitch slightly, though ominously.) "What sort of ridin' horse is she anyway?'
 "Well, nothing to brag of in the fancy line, but goes very well with a spur"
 "She cuts up nightly at times, don't she p
 Oh, now and again she's trifle fresh, but generally it's the other way on; if anything she's too gentle"
 Tim hoisted his leg back agatn, gath. cred up his reins, sp4t out his quid, fiuog away the now dissected switch, and sat square up in the saddle ready for start "l wouldn't get on that thar mar" said he, "for five hundred dollars. I've handled heap O horses in my time, bu, never seed one cut loose and fling roun' like that ar one did with you down in the crick jes now. Some folks may like be- in his,ed 'way up into the ar and then bursted all to pieces on the high road, put dont believe Tn no such fooltShneSs nor no such goin's on. Nor duyst 1 sell no such hoss as that this side O the Ale ghany mountains anyway, or I'd be befo' the grand jury for manslaughter in less nor month. Well, believe must push on ;the suns gettin' low"
 So Tim and my last hopes of getting rid of the brute vanished. He stayed the next day in the neighhorhood, and took holiday fer the ex press purpose of de- scrbing to the neighbors, with embellish- ments, doubtless, the unlucky incident ot which, as ililuck would have it, he had been spectator.
 The mares reputation as devil incar- nate was now fairly established. Not soul would get on her back. My feel ings as l rode about on her when com- pelled to were anything but of a con6- dent nature, and became less so as the period of three or four weeks, which mys- vsy A.