The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-09-24
A NATURAL TRAP.
BY FRANK GILLETTE.


zona plain on the trip from Antelope tc
the home ranch. had not seen a iv-
ing thing except the scurrying lizards,
when I noticed ahead man on horse.
back, riding rapidly toward me.
At that point the trail led across Q
great cactus plain known as Lonesome
Valley. 1t was not valley at oil in the
usual sense of the word, but a broad,
level sweep of sandy desert stretching
between two abrupt ranges of mount
ains. There was not tree on it more
than ten feet high, but I will venture to
say that there were more varieties OF
cactus, and more of those villainous
plants to the square yard, than could be
found in any other spot on the globe.
Southern Arizona is the garden of the
cactus, and this desert must have been its
own particular hot-bed. I had been in
the country scarcely six months, but ]
had already acquired horror of cactus
thorns, and guided my horse along the
trail with care which did not admit of
greatspeed
The rider whom saw approaching me
in Lonesome Valley evidently had no
such fear. His animal, which he was
urging forward at rapid lope, swerved
easily to the right and left, threading the
mazes of the cactus growth with the
trained sense of a Mexican pony.
As they approached I made out that
the rider was Mexican. At still closer
view I saw that he was rather good
looking Mexican, but poorly dressed,
and that evidently he was on journey.
He had with him canteen, pair of
worn, greasy blankets, and lightly
packed gunny sack. His horse was q
homely, sharp boned animal, built for
speed and endurance, forced marches,
and long stages without water; but at
present he was certainly tired. I will
not say "tired out," for these ponies are
never tired out until they are dead.
The man checked his rapid pace as We
nearcd each other, and I thonght, was
about to pass with the customary buenos
dias, when he cast quick glance at my
horse, and reined in his own. halted
also.
: "You haf vera fine hoss there, senor," "
he said, in tone of the utmost polite
ness.
My horse, which called Moptezuma,
was, in fact, larger and better shaped
animal than is often seen in that coun-
try. had picked him out for that reason
on my first visit to Antelope, and at the
time prided myself not little on my
choice. He was, indeed, horse of ez-
cellent appearance and action, but he
had some defects. His very build showed
that he was a Northern or an Eastern
horse, and not native born, and I found
that he was by no means equal to the ma
tive breed in endurance or wiry strength.
He could not travel as far nor 60 so long
without water, nor was he as sure footed.
J, However, he made an imposing ap-
pearance, and served me very we'll in my
rides, which were chiefly for pleasure.
He pricked up his ears, and the polite
Mexican said again, "You haf vera fine
hoss, senor."
!: "Yes, he's very good hcrsc," I re-
piled, not very cordially, but still with
courtesy, for it seemed to me polite to be
courteous to man who was probably the
only human being within ten miles.
= s..He no born in thees countreea Isee
no hoss lika heem in Arizona, nevare.
But, senor," with a glance at his own
sharp. boned, painting beast, 'there is
one vera eggscellanta Mexicana hoss. I
rida heem now one, two, three day.
rida heem vera hard, and see"
e. He touched the animal lightly with
his spurs, lifted the hand with which he
held the reins, and leaned forward. The
horse sprang instantly into furious lope,
as if he had but just been saddled for the
first time. The Mexican wheeled him
gracefully in long circle through the
cactus plants, and drew him in again on
his launches by my side.
i. "Ah, senior, he is the one hoss of one
meellionl He 60 and go aud 60, and
nevare stop. He drink only the one time
q DAY, and he eat, ah, so leet!c! In one
year he no eat so mucha as burro. But
perhaps the senor," and here his face
wore a most persuasive smile, twill lika
to eggschange9 The senor will gif to
to me hees hoss, and I will gif to heen
my magnitico chihuahua"
"No; I do not wish to trade horses at
ALL, said, with less cordiality than be-
fore, as began to feel decidedly uneasy
in the presence Of this smiling for
eigncr.
"No2" he said, iu tone Of regret.
Then, after moment, his face lighting
up, re added: "Ah, but the scnor has
nevare tried heem lie does not know
chihuahua. # he try heem only the
once, he see that 1 tella hcem the
truth"
Hc threw himself to the ground and
came toward me, smiling. I now saw
his plan. He was a desperate man,
probably flying to Mexico to escape the
consequences of some crime. My horse
had attracted him at first sight. Either
he needed it to help him on his journey
CT thonght he might sell i: for goot
sum across the border.
It seemed to me IN excellent plan t.
20 at once without losing any mor'
time in useless conversation. turned
quickly in the saddle, murmured some