The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1890-10-09

truth"
He threw himself to the ground and
came toward me, smiling. l now saw
his plan. He was 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 it for good
sum across the border.
1t seemed to me an excellent plan to
go at once without losing any more
time in useless conversation. 1 turned
quickly in the saddle, murmured some
what unnecessary "Good-by," and
spurred Montezuma toward home.
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
rs to his intentions. AS I looked back
1 saw that his face had lost its smile,
and taken on cruel, sullen look. He
dug his spurs into his horse, and the
animal sprang into the same furious gal
lop that had seen before.
NY heart sank rs l realized that 1t was
perhaps a race of life and death. The
defects of my horse came to my mind
with startling distinctness. How gladly
would l 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 outrun that relentless pursucr
on five mile stretch2 !.
Then what if Montezuma should STUN
BILE and throw me to the ground head
foremost9 At the thought Of this
turned again to the front. I could not
afford to watch my pursuer. 1 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. /
thought I had been shot, aud turned
slowly to look at my murderer. The end
of heavy, worn lasso was just slipping
off the saddle behind me, and the Mcxl,
can. with m exclamation, was recling 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-ranSe weapon,
the lariat. His first throw had missed
inc by an inch, and he was cursing him
self for his clumsiness.
Twas not throwcr of the class" my
self, but was familiar with its powers.
One Of the rough sports of cowboys after
work, is to "rope' one another. In y
wild race in and out of the corral one OF
them tries to throw his rope so rs to en-
sircle the man ahead without catching
the horse at the samc time. If success
full he drags him to the ground, more or
less roughly. But is only play, rough
rs it is. 1t would be no play to he caught
by the cruel rope which the wretch was
coiling on his left arm.
watched him rs 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 /
should he dragged headlong to the
ground. If leaned close to the horse
it would close over us both, and we
would 90 down together. In either
case certain injury or death threatened
me. In utter despair l 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 detected
something grim in it at this time.
Again, with that horrible politeness, he
said:
"Ah, the senor is too queek-he no
wait to say adios! But the hoss, he is
as I say, he is vera fast. Will the senior
no try my hoss now2 81, 81, think he
will lka try Chihuahul now. He's hoss
is mucha tired, he lika little rcst!"
In the same graceful way as before he
threw himself to the ground, and in
stantly caught Montezuma by the bride.
/ was entirely uuarmcd. / had no doubt
that the Mexican was well armed and
quite ready to kill me if l attacked him.
l dismounted slowly, with bad grace.
TO my surprise, the Mexican handed me
the birdie of his horse with bow.
"Now, you shall try my chihuahua!
There is no more bettare in thecs couu-
tree. You Will so say, eef you will try
heem only"
But had no heart 20 mount. had
little doubt that the beast which was now
leering at me with vicious eye would
back me off at the first jump. The
Mexican waited moment out of sheer
courtesy, then mounted Montezuma and
started gracefully off. He did not push
him to his utmost at fist, but went down
the road carefully, as if trying him.
Then he turned and came back at some
what better pace.
1 stood like a dummy, holding the
bride of his horse, and watching him.
His riding was a magnificent exhibit
ton, but l was not in / condition to adj
mire it.
As if satisfied with the powers of Mon
tczuma, 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 jerkcd 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, q smile
spread over the mans face which
was more thaua smile of politencss, and
he raised his hat in a sweeping bow of
dcrision.
I stood there as if paralyzcd, on Lone