Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1891-12-31

DI6IS VI bub hlSSiOu DOlOTeS WlQe, OT6I-
rian and mounted our mustangs and
rode toward the corral.
As we rode on, our ponies half hidden
in the dry, rustling grass of hollow, a
tramp Of hoofs came to us with the wind
"a thrilling soundl with something free
and vigorous in it that the charge of
trained squadrons never has.
THAR they Gomez cried Gerrian,
''thars regiment wuth seeing. They
can't show you a sight like that to the
old states."
mo indeed. The best thing to be
hoped there in the way Of stampede is
when horse kicks through dashboard,
kills coachman, skaters carriage,
ilissipates load Of women and children,
and goes tearing down a turnpike, with
sold to an omnibus awaiting him at the
end of his runawayp
We halted to pass the coming al ny Of
riderless steeds in review.
There they camel Germans whole
band of horses in full careeIl First, their
heads suddenly lifted above crest Of
the prairie; then they burst over, like the
foam and spray Of a black, stormy wave
when blast strikes it, and wildly swept
by nsrssEtla names and tails fiaring in the
wind. It was magnificent. My heart
Of horseinan leaped in my breast.
"Hurrahi" l cried
"Hurrahl t isr' said Gerrian.
The herd dashed by in huddle, max
ing Tor the corral
Just behind, aloof from the rush and
Ecamper of his less noble brethren, came
the black, my purchase, my old friend.
''Ef yon ever ride or back that cur
wolyow," says Gerrian, "Ill eat six
shooter, loaded and capped"
You'd better begin then at once, re-
joined |, ''whetting your teeth on Der
ringers. mean to ride him. and you
shall be by when do it.
1t was grand to see horse that under
stood and respected himself SO perfectly.
One, too, that meant the world should
know that he was the very chiefest chief
of his race, proud with the blood of a
thousand kings How mastery he lookedl
How untamably he stepped! The herd
was galloping furiously. He disdained
to break into gallop. He trotted after,
hundred feet behind the hindmost, with
large and liberal action. And even at
this half speed easily overtaking mis-
slower comrades, he from time to time
paused, bounded in the air, tossed his
head, flung out his legs and then strobe
on again, writhing all over with sup
pressed power.
There was not white spot upon him,
except where fake Of foam from his
indignant nostril had caught upon his
flank. A thoroughbred horse, with the
perfect tail and silky name of noble
race. His coat glistened, as if the best
groom in England had just given him
the final touches of his toilet for a can
ter in Rotten Row. But it seems a sin to
compare such free rover of the prairie
with any less favored brother, who needs
groom and has felt currycomb.
Hard after the riderless horses came
Jose, the yaquero, on fast mustang
AS he rode he whirled his lasso with
easy turn of the wrist.
The black, trotting still and halting
his head contemptuously at his pursuer
Jose took the hint. He dug cruel spurs
into his hoSse. The mustang leaped for
ward. The black gave a tearing bound
and quickened his pace, but still waited
the will of his pursuer.
They We're just upon us, chased and
chaser, laundering down the slope, when
the vaquero, checking his wrist at the
turn, flung his lasso straight as an arrow
for the blacks head.
could hear the hide rope sing through
the summer air, for a moment breeze
less.
Will he be taken! Will horse or man
be victorl
The loop Of the lasso opened like a
hoop. 1t hung poised for one instant a
few feet before the horses head, vibrat-
ing in the air. keeping it's circle perfect,
waiting for the vaquero's pull to tighten
about that proud neck and those swelling
shoulders.
Hurrah?
Through it went the black.
With one brave bound he dashed
through the open loop. He touched only
to spurn its vain assault with his hind
most hoof
''Hurrah!" l cried
"Hurrahl It is" shouted Gerrian.
Jose dragged in his spurned lasso.
The black, with elated head, and tail
waving like banner, sprang forward,
closed in with the caballada; they parted
for his passage, he took his leadership,
and presently was lost with his suite over
the swells of the prairie.
''Mucho malichoF' cried Gerrian to
Jose, not knowing that his California
Spanish was interpreting Hamlet HE
ought to hev druv 'em straight TO corral
But don't feel SO sharp set on lettin yer
hev that black after that shine. Reglar
circus, only thar never was no sich seen
in no circus! You'll never ride him, al
Iowin he's cotched, no more'n you'll ride
a alligator
Meantime, Looping on, we had come in
sight of the corral. There, to our great
surprise, the whole band of horses had
voluntarily entered. They were putting