San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-12-05


than that which he was now experience
ing. Upon his back was slung an old
fashioned muzzle loading rifle.
Pausing on the crest of small hill,
he glanced around him toward the
distant line of hills and then turning his
course in the direction of their nearest
point he resumed his journey He had
gone but short distance when he saw
the first signs of life that had greeted
him that day. As he passed over a
slight rise in the ground he saw large
bullock standing on the slope of the
hill. The animal saw him at the same
moment, and turning toward him stood
looking at the intruder. Soon several
more appeared, regarding him atten-
lively, and then the whole band began
moving slowly across his path, about
aae hundred yards in front of him.
Pushing on his course'he paid no atten-
ton to them, until they again attracted
his notice by the popularity of their
actions The whole band of about
one hundred cattle were now in
sight, and were circling around
him with steadily increasing speed.
1t was evident that he was the
object of their attention, and he at
tempted to brighten them away by
shouting and waving his arms, but
these efforts We're without avail On
the contrary, the animals had drawn
around him in a circle, and were now
approaching nearer and nearer, draw
ing the circle tighter about him every
moment
He saw that it was practically impos-
sible to break through their line, and
yet to stand there and await their attack
was certain death. Their long, sharp
horns cleaned viciously in the sunlight.
CHANGING hastily around, he sought
some tree or rock that might offer some
shelter from their attack. But there
was none within reach; nothing within
that fatal circle to relieve the monotony
of the shining, slippery grass. There
was no time to be lost, for the circle
was constantly growing smaller and the
animals becoming more and still more
closely packed. Quick as thought he
formed his plan of action. Unslinging
his rifle, he prepared to shoot one of
the animals in front of him, hoping in
the confusion that would follow to
break through the line and find shelter
among some trees at the foot of the
hill. Bringing the rifle to his shoulder,
he prepared to make his single shot as
effective as possible.
''Do not shoot! Por, Dios, hombre,
do not shoot"
The voice came from behind him,
and he turned in surprise in that d.
rection. His surprise was considerably
increased when he saw a horse APP
preaching at full speed, and upon his
back young girl, whose long black
hair, loosened by her riding, was
streaming out behind her while she
anxiously urged her horse onward. As
he looked her horse dashed into the
circle and the nearest cattle were
turned and headed down the hillside.
With a dexterity that astonished him
she rounded up" the herd, and soon
had them all started down the side of
the hill after the leaders, and then
halted her horse alongside of him.
The situation was an embarrassing
one for him, and for once in his life he
felt uncomfortable and i'll at ease. To
require assistance in getting out of a
bad scrape was no new experience, but
to have the whole matter taken out of
his hands and to be rescued from his
peril while he stood idly by was I'M
pleasant; to have this done by wom-
an was humiliating. He stood looking
at her awkwardly, while she sat shyly
returning his glance. Indeed, she felt
as uncomfortable as he, though he was
too confused to notice it. Finally he
recovered himself sufficiently to speak.
81 have to thank YOU" he said.
''They would probably have killed me-"
There was no trace in his voice of the
excitement of the situation from which
he had just been rescued.
She looked ut him curiously, for evil
IDENTIFY his mode of address puzzled her;
Where do you come from, senorp
she inquired at length.
The tone of uncertainty and the alb
ruptness Of the question discovered to
him the fact of her embarrassment.
and gave him that feeling of superior
ity that enabled him to regain his self