Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-09-27
A NATURAL TRAP.
by FRANK GILLETTE,

by FRANK GILLETTE.
had been riding several hours
through the hot dust of Southern Ari-
iona plain on the trip from Antelope to
the home ranch. had not seen liv-
ing thing except the scurrying lizards,
when l noticed ahead man on horse
back, riding rapidly toward me.
At that point the trail led across a
great cactus plain known as Lonesome
Valley. 1t was not valley at all in the
usual sense of the word, but broad,
level sweep of sandy desert stretching
between two abrupt ranges of mount
aims. There was not tree on it more
than ten feet high, but | will venture to
say that there were more varieties of
cactus, and more of those viIlalnous
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. l had been in
the country scarcely six months, but l
had already acquired a horror of cactus
thorns, and guided my horse along the
trail with a care which did not admit of
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 be was a rather good
looking Mexican, but poorly dressed,
and that evidently he was on journey.
He had with him canteen, a pair of
worn, greasy blankets, and lightly
packed gunny sack. His horse was a
homely, sharp boned animal, built for
speed and endurance, forced marches,
and long stages without water; but at
present he was certainly tired l 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 a quick glance at my
horse, and refined in his own. l halted
also.
"You hat vera fine boss there, senior, -
he said, in tone of the utmost polite
ness.
My horse, which called Montezuma,
n fnpt lorr,,5r and hoE&n, ~ i
animal than is often seen in that coun-
try. had picked him out for that reason
on my first visit to Antelope, and Mt the
time prided myself not a little on my
choice. He was, indeed, horse of ex-
ceIlent appearance and action, but he
had some defects. His very build showed
that he was a Northern or ar Eastern
horse, and not native born, and found
that he was by no means equal to the ma
tive breed in endurance or why strength.
He could not travel as far nor 90 so long
without water, nor was he as sure footed.
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 hat vera fine
boss, senior"
eyes, he's very good horse" l re-
piled, not very cordially, but still with
courtesy, for it seemed to me polite to be
courteous to a man who was probably the
only human being within ten miles.
"He no born in thees countree2 Isee
no boss lika heem in Arizona, nevare.
But, senor," with a glance at his own
sharp boned, painting beast, "there is
one vera eggscellanta Mexi.lna boss.
rida heem now one, two, three day. l
rida heem vera bard, and seal"
He touched the animal lightly with
his spurs, lifted the hand with which he
held the reins, and leaned for ward 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.
"Ah, senior, he is the one boss of one
meellionl He go and go and go, and
nevare stop. He drink only the one time
a Gay, and he eat, ah, so leetle! In one
year he no eat so mucha as burIo. But
perhaps the senor," and here his face
wore a most persuasive smile, twill lika
TO eggschange9 The senior will gif to
to me bees boss, and I will gif to heem
my magnifco chihuahua"
"No; l do not wish to trade horses at
all, " said, with less cordiality than be-
fore, as l began to feel decidedly uneasy
in the presence of this smiling for
eigner.
"No?" he said, in a tone Of regret.
Then, after moment, his face lighting
up, he added: "Ah, but the senior has
nevare tried hsom He does not know
Chihuahua. If he try heem only the
once, he see that l telia heem the
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. Nv horse
had attracted him at first sight. Either
he needed it to help him on his Journey.
or though. he might sell it for a good
sum across the border.
1t seemed to me an excellent plan to
go at once without losing any more
time in useless conversation. | turned
quickly in the saddle, murmured a 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
as to his intentions. As looked back