Crawford avalanche., 1891-08-06

The Wild Horse of the Texas PrAi-
rie and His Fate.

rlo ana HIS rate.
We were encampcd In valley about a
mile long and half mile wide--a cove,
you might call it, which was surrounded
on three sides by the walls OF the Guada-
lupe Mountains of Texas, and the fourth
side was open to the green prairie which
went rolling away to the east for hum
dred miles without a break. II was
bay OF lako-a nook sheltered from
everything but the skies above. II was
summer time, and the mountain sides
were covered with green to hide the
ugly rocks; cascades of the purest and
coolest water poured down into the val
ley ut intervals. and the carpet which
nature had spread out for our feet was
beyond the handiwork OF man. The
grass was about six inches high. Of q
dark green. and mingled with it in the
grardest proiusion we're the flowers Of
the Western prairie in endless variety.
while here and there the grass blushed
with patches OF red strawberries
One morning, when we had been in
camp about week, and just as the sun
was rising out of the prairie and sending
a flood Of golden light into the valley to
kiss away shimmering dew-drops, we
we're startled 10y u shrill neigh and the
sound of galoping hoofs, and we turned
out to behold one OF the grandest sights
of prairie life--a wild horse He was all
alone, and he had come from the open
prairiD to investigate us and treat us to
such an exhibition as only the oldest
plainsmaa ever saw.
He was black as midnight sixteen
hand coal black horse, with flowing name
and tail. perfect model. with blazing
white star on his forehead. This star, or
spot, was so white by contrast that we
at first believed it to be some artificial
mark. He came laundering down
straight upon us until about two hun
dred feet away. then he swcrved to the
left with snort of alarm and ran across
the valley. Our horses were hobbled be-
hind the tent, and as one of them neighed
welcome to the stranger he came
galloping back. The sight of human
Ceings was no novelty to him. He came
within ahundred feet this time, and then
stopped suddenly and reared up and
snorted and paved the air. No one
thought ofdoing him harm, but everyone
settled down to enjoy the sight.
After a moment the horse began a cir
cult about three times as large as a circus
ring. And for half an hour he pranced.
trotted, cantered and galloped as if he
carried circus rider who desired to
show off his PAGES. With head held
proudly erect, with name flying on the
breeze he created-with tail sweeping
the flowers as he moved, he presented
oaserSd Ssn'S MN Sgauu ~ anu asa again Now he
rushed around the circle he had marked
out as If under the whip and spur of a
jockey-nUw ambled and danced-now
reared up and shook his head in a play
full way and challenged us TO catch him.
Our horses neighed and snorted and
strained at their stout hobbies, anxious
to enjoy his freedom, and one would
have thought from his actions that he
was taunting them with their bondage.
BY and by, as we continued to watch
his antics, we became aware that cloud
was rising of the prairie. 1t came up,
seemingly from the green grass, no larger
than a mans hand, and even us il
climbed up the horizon it grew in size
very slowly. At sea it would have been
called an "ox-eye," or squall There
was dash of raiI In it, and il had that
ugly green look which tells of bolt or
two Of lightning stored up to wreak
vengeance upon something. We had no
fear, however, and had turned again to
the horse when he stopped his play and
stood facing the cloud. His head was
fSath hsld high Rls sazA y yqEkse hack and
citemen. as he lifted his right foreleg
and paved at the grass. Nearer came
the cloud, and the horse uttered snort OF
defiance, wheeled around two or three
times, and suddenly reared up until
we thought he would 60 over and paved
the air.
Crash! Crack. There was flash
which blinded us-a shock that threw
every man to the earth, and for thirty
seconds no one moved or spoke. Then
we struggled up, confused and be.
wildered, to see the gallant horse lying
prone on the grass. We went out to him
and saw he was quivering in the agonies
of death. The white spot on his fore
head had disappeared-scorched and
withered by the thunderbolt which
had aimed for il and found the target.
We could have shot him down as ne
gambolled in front OF lis, but we would
not even raise stick to frighten him.
-Ah.aazlerkalt- hal -boan- -rpcrciiess-r
and more; 10 had selected one of
natures noblest type of animal life for
its victim and .smote him down at on c fell