The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-10-08
A NATURAL TRAP.

l had been riding several hours through
the hot dust of a southern Arizona plair
on the trip from Antelope to the hom,
ranch. l had not seen living thing ex
cept the scurrying lizards, when l noticed
ahead a man on horseback riding rapidly
toward me.
At that point the trail led across the
great cactus plain known as Lonesome
valley. 1t was not a valley at all in the
usual sense of the word, but broad. leve
sweep of sandy desert stretching between
two abrupt ranges of mountains. There
was not a tree on it more than ten feet
high, but 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 gar.
| den Of the cactus, and this desert must
have been its own particular hotbed.
| had been in the country scarcely six months
! but l had already acquired horror OF
cactus thorns. and guided my horse along
| the trail with a care which did not admit
| CT great speed
| 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 Mexican pony.
As they approached made out that the
rider was a Mexican. At a still closer
view | saw that he was rather good look
ing Mexican, but poorly dressed, and that
evidently he was on a journey. He had
with him a ca1een, pair of worn, greasy
blankets, and lightly packed gunny sack.
His horse was a homely, sharp boned an
imal, built for speed and endurance, forced
marches, and long stages without water;
but at present he was certainly tired.
will not say tired out, for these ponies
are never tired out until they are dead
The man checked his rapid pace as we
neared each other, and l thought was
about to pass with the customary buenos
dias, when he cast quick glance at my
horse and refined in his own. halted also
You hat vera fine boss there, senor,"
he said, in tone of the utmost politeness.
My horse, which | called Montezuma,
was in fact a larger and better shaped ami
NAL than Is often seen in that country.
had picked him out for that reason on my
first visit to Antelope, and at the time
prided myself not a little on my choice. He
was indeed horse of excellent appear
ance and action, but he had some defects.
His very build showed that he was north
ern or an eastern horse and not native
born, and found that he was by no means
equal to the native breed in endurance or
why strength. He could not travel as far
nor go so long without water, nor was he
as sure footed
However, he made an imposing appear
ance, and served me very well in my rides,
which were chiefly for pleasure.
He pricked up his ears, and the polite
Mexican said again, You hat vera fine
boss, senor."
Yes, he's a very good horse" replied,
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.
He no born in thees countree2 see no
boss lika heem in Arizona, nevare But,
senor," with a glance at his own sharp
boned, painting beast, there Is one vera
eggscellanta Mexicana boss. | rida heem
now one, two. three day. rida heem vera
hard and see!"
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 a furious lope, as If
he had but Just been saddled for the first
time. The Mexican wheeled him grace
fully in a long circle through the cactus
plants, and drew him in again on his
launches by my side.
"Ah, senior, he is the one boss Of one
r0aallinrf IL and
nevare stop. He drink only the one time
day, and he eat, ah, SO leetlel In one
year he not eat so mucha as a burro But
perhaps the senor," and here his face wore
a most persuasive smile, will Hka 70 eggs
change; The senior viii gif TO me bees
hoss, and viii gif to heem my magnifco
Chihuahua"
NO, 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 foreigner.
Nor" be said, in a tone Of regret. Then,
after moment, his face lighting up, be
added: ''Ah. but the senior has nevars
tried heeml He does not know Chihuahua.
Eff he try heem only the once he see that
tella heem the truth"
BE threw himself 70 the ground and came
toward me- smiling. | now saw his plan.
He was adesperate man, probably flying to
Mexico TO escape the consequences of some
crime. Ny horse mad attracted MIN at first
81 ht Either he needed it TO help him on
his journey or thought ne might sell it for
a good sum across the border.
Ii seemed 70 me an excellent plan 20 90
3. once, without losing any more time in
useless conversation | turned quickly in
the saddle, murRured a somewhat unnec-
essary "GoOd-by." and spurred Montezuma
toward home
The horse was fresh. and started away
In good shape; but IL an instant the MeXi-
can had sprung into his saddle and was
after me. There was no doubt now as 70
his intentions As looked back saw /
that his face had lost it, smile and taken |
on cruel, sullen look He dug his spurs I
into ais horse. and the animal spvang into 4
the same furious galIop thaf I'D seen I,
before
Ny heart sank as | realized that IL was 4
perhaps a race OF life and death The de- I
'ects Ct nv horse came 20 ny mind with I
distinctness- How gladly would /
have exchanged him for the boulest COW /
pony in the county! The Mexican's horse 4
vas not gaining on Us now, for NOntezuuA 4
vas fresh. but could he ourrun that re-
eIciess purSUer on eve nile stretch'
Then what Il MoEiezunA should stun 4
bic and throw ne % the ground head fore
nos;5 At TIE thought of this turned 4
again 70 the front could not afford 20 4
watch nv pUrsuer. / mus keep 8 clear
outlook ahead II / could only guide ny
so-se safely aroGad every hole and stone,
md across ~-erT wash. perhaps we could 1
-ev pull away from the scoun6-el behind
NJ