The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-09-27

fI,e Plains of New Mexico-Rtding at
Breakne..k Speed and Only Half Clad.
The Horse Instinct Tested.
After weeks of rounding up" cutting
ont" branding and marking we had
gotten together LOO head of the finest
s+aers To be found on the banks of the
muddy Pecos, in New Mexico. Two days
later the "boss" rode i to camp, consulted
with his foreman, and eight men, includ-
ing the writer were chosen to drive the
snorting, believing herd 10 Springer, N NJ
a distance of $50 miles.
The evening Of the sixth day was cloudy
and cool, and indications Of an approach
ing storm were visible
The writer was on first guard. The cattle
were restless, showing decided disposition
TO run. and instead of walking our horses
around the herd we were compelled TO
travel at a sharp trot. This continued until
the arrival of the second guard, when the
increased forces succeeded in quoting them
somewhat, and the writer and his mate
started for camp guided by the light of the
camp fire, which shone like a star on
little elevation about a half mile away.
THE ALARM
We had scarcely turned into our blan-
kets, fully dressed, as usual, with the ex-
ception of our boots, when a rumble and
shaking of the ground was heard, mingled
with hoarse shouts.
They're runningl" yelled the foreman,
jumping from his blankets. Mount
mount every one of youp' running to his
horse as he spoke, which was picketed
short distance away.
Not waiting TO don boots the writer
sprang to his horse, vaulted into the sad
die and tore off after the foreman, the
Pickering light of the camp fire, fast being
.extinguished by the rain, revealing the re-
naming men hurriedly preparing to follow.
Guided by the thunder of hoofs the herd
was soon overtaken, and in obedience to
the foreman's yell strove to ''get in front
of 'em."
The confusion Of the scene was indescrib-
able The terrified snorts of the cattle
were almost drowned by the clashing of
horns, thunder of the hoofs and shouts Of
the men My oil coat was strapped to my
saddle, not having had time to unfasten it.
tore at the leather straps, succeeded in
Ioosening them, and turning in my saddle
shook it before the leaders, adding my
shouts TO the din around me.
As well try to stop the torrent Of Niagara.
The wild race was unslackened, and from
traditions, knew that a misstep Of my
horse sufficient to throw me or his fall
meant that would be cut to pieces by the
sharp hoofs of the cattle.
Then an unexpected event occurred. The
herd divided into two sections, one Of
which was the sole leader Of while the
other portion galloped of at right angles.
laI fayrv
minutes | could hear their shouts, then
they grew fainter and fainter, and were
finally lost in the gallop of hoofs around
me.
On we thundered. My throat was raw
and swollen from shouting, and my
"slicker" had fallen from my hand. The
tain had ceased, but was wet to the skin
and numbed by the cool air. | thought
the sound Of hoofs was not so deafening,
and as the clouds blew away so that could
see u few yards in front OF me l found that
] was leading about a dozen steers that
had become separated from the herd. |
had just made this discovery when they
ylackened speed and finally stopped, pant
ing and quivering, all the run knocked out
of them. OF what use was a handful Of
steers out of LOOP Riding off few yards
] listened, but could hear no sound of my
companions. Becoming conscious of a Sc
we're pain in my left foot reached down
and found that ] was literally pincush-
Oned with the sharp needles of a cactus,
having ridden through bed of the prickly
stuff, my foot unprotected by boots.
In the excitement OF the run had not
felt it, but now the pain was intense |
plucked such as ! could and then deliber-
ated what was best to do. My lone dozen
steers had wandered away and made no
effort to overtake them, knowing the USE
IeSsness OF the undertaking.
THE HORSE FAILED HIM