The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-09-24


The horse was fresh, and started away
in good shape; but in an instant the
Mexican had sprung into his saddle. and
was after me. There was now no doubt
as to his Intentions. As I looked back
/ saw that his face had lost its smile,
and taken on a cruel, sullen look. He
dug his spurs into his horse, and the
animal sprang into the same furious gal
/ lop that had seen before.
My heart sank as I realized that it was
perhaps race of life and death. The
defects of my horse came to my mind
with startling distinctness. How gladly
would have exchanged him for the
bonlest COW pony in the country! The
Mexican's horse was not gaining on US
now, for Montezuma was fresh; but
could he outrur that relentless pursuer
on five mile stretcha
Then what if Montezuna should stum-
BILE and throw me to the ground bead
foremost2 At the thought of this I
turned again to the front. I could not
afford to watch my pursuer. I must keep
clear lookout ahead. If could only
guide my horse safely around every hole
and stone and across every wash, per-
haps we could yet pull away from the
scoundrel behind me.
At this moment something struck me
terrific blow in the back of the head. I
thought had been shot, and turned
slowly to look at my murderer. The end
of a heavy, worn lasso was just slipping
off the saddle behind me, and the Mexi-
can, with an exclamation, was reeling it
in, evidently making ready to throw
again. He had seen that my horse was
gaining, and accordingly had recourse to
that most effective long-range weapon,
the lariat. His first throw had missed
me by an inch, and he was cursing him
self for his clumsiness.
Twas not q thrower of the Glass" my
self, but was familiar with its powers.
One of the rough sports of cowboys, after
work, is to ''rope" one another. In a
wild race in and out of the corral one of
them tries to throw his rope so as to en-
sircle the man ahead without catching
the horse at the same time. If success
full he drags him to the ground, more or
less roughly. But is only play, rough
as it is. 1t would be no play to be caught
by the cruel rope which the wretch was
coiling on his left arm.
watched him as if fascinated. He
reached for the loop, opened it wide,
turned sidewise in the saddle and swung
it round his head. If it caught me I
should be dragged headlong to the
ground. If leaned close to the horse
it would close over US both, and we
would go down together. In either
case certain injury or death threatened
me. In utter despair I pulled up my
horse and stopped.
The Mexican rode swiftly up, coiling
his lasso as he came. The hard look
gave way to the same smile that he had
worn before, but thought I detected
something grim in it at this time.
Again, with that horrible politeness, he
said:
"Ah, the scnor is too queek-he no
wait to say adios! But tho hoss, he is
as say, he is vera fast. Will the senor
no try my hoss now4 81, 81, think he
will llka try chihuahua now. Hes hoss
is mucha tired, he lika little rest"
In the same graceful way as before he
threw himself to the ground, and in
stantly caught Montezuma by the bride.
I was entirely unarmed. I had no doubt
that the Mexican was we'll armed and
quite ready to kill me if I attacked him.
1 dismounted slowly, with bad grace.
To my surprise, the Mexican handed me
the brldle of his horse with bow:
"Now, you shall try my chihuahua
There is no more bettare in thees coun-
tree. You will so say, eef you will try
heem only"
But had no heart to mount. I had
little doubt that the beast which was now
lecring at me with vicious eye would
back me off at the first jump. The
Mexican waited q moment out of sheer
courtesy, then mounted Montezuma and
started gracefully of. He did not push
him to his utmost at first, but went down
the road carefully, as if trying him.
Then he turned and came back at some
what better pace.
I stood like O dummy, holding the
bride of his horse, and watching him.
His riding was a magnificent exhibi-
ton, but was not in condition to ad-
mire it.
As if satisfied with the powers of Mon
tezuma, he turned again and came down
past me at full speed. As he passed, he
shouted few words in Spanish to his
horse. The beast jerked back from me,
struck at me with his forefeet, and was
after his master in an instant.
The Mexican had turned in the saddle
and was watching us with interest. As
his horse broke away from me, smile
spread over the mans face which
was more than smile of politeness. aud
he raised his hat in q sweeping bow of
derision.
stood there as if paralyzed, on Lone
some Valley Desert, fifteen miles from
home, aud watched the villain ride my
horse toward Mexico.
But the Mexican cared too much for
theatrical display. His people are the
most perfect riders in the world, and my
enemy was no exception to the rule. But
he made mistake in assuming that all
horses are as sure-footed as he was secure
in his seat. This is true of Mexican
ponies, the only ones he had ever ridden,
but it was not true of Montezuma.
Ae tho Meyican snurred him dcep