San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-02-04


commonalty-the naughty aristocrat!-
and approached me, circling about as if
he felt certain centripetal influence
as if he knew himself a higher being
than his mustang comrades-nearer to
man and willing to offer him his friend
ship. He and / divided the attention of
the herd. He seemed to be, not their
leader, but rather one who disdained
leadership. Facile princeps! He was
too far above the noblest of the herd to
care for their unexciting society.
Islipped quietly down from my little
Mexican caballo, and, lettering him to
bush with the lariat, stood watching
the splendid motions of this free steed of
the prairie
He was an American horse-so they
distinguish in California one brought
from the old states-a superb young
stallion, perfectly black, without mark.
1t was magnificent to see him as he cir
cled about me, fire in his eye, pride in
his nostril, tail flying like banner,
power and grace from Zip to tip. No
| one would ever mount him or ride him,
unless it was his royal pleasure. He was
conscious of his representative position,
and showed his PAGES handsomely. 1t is
the business of all beautiful things to ex-
hibit.
Imagine the scene. A little hollow in
the prairie, forming perfect amphithe-
alter; the yellow grass and wild oats
grazed short; herd of horses staring
from the slope, myself standing in the
middle, like the ringmaster in a circus,
and this wonderful horse performing at
his own free will. He trotted powerful
ly, he galloped gracefully, he Numbered
at full speed, he lifted his fore legs to
welcome, he flung out his hind legs to
repel, he leaped as if he were springing
over bayonets, he pranced and curveted
as if he were the pretty plaything of a
girl; finally, when he had amused him
self and delighted me sufficiently, he
trotted up and snuffed about meS just
| out of reach.
A horse knows friend by instinct.
| So does man. But man, vain crea-
turel is willing to repel instinct and
| trust intellect, and SO suffers from the
attempt to revise his first impressions,
which, if he is healthy, are infallible.
The black, instinctively knowing me
for friend, came forward and made the
best speech he could of Welcomes
neigh and no more. Then, feeling dis
appointment that his compliment could
not be more melodiously or gracefully
turned, he approached nearer, and, not
without shying and starts, of which l
took no notice, at last licked my hand,
put his head upon my shoulder, suffered
me to put my arm round his neck, and
in fact lavished upon me every mark OF
confidence We were growing fast
friends when heard sound of coming
/ hoofs. The black tore away with a
snort and galloped off with the herd
after him. A Mexican vaquero dashed
down the slope in pursuit. hailed him.
"a quien es csc caballo-el negrito?'
"Aquel diabloi es del Senior Gerrian."
And he sped On.
| knew Gerrian. He was Pike of
the better class. He had found his way
early to California, bought a mission
farm, and established himself as ran
chero. His herds, droves and focks
daykened the hills.
1t CHANGED that, when l was making
my arrangements to start for home,
business took me within a mile of Ger
rian's ranch. l remembered my inter-
view with the black. 1t occurred to me
, that l would ride down and ask the ran
chero to sell me his horse for my journey.
found Gerrian, lank, wire drawn
man, burned almost Mexican color.
lounging in the shade of his adobe house.
told him my business in word.
ssNo bueno, stranger" said he.
"Why not? Do you want to keep the
horse?'
''No, not partickler. Thar amt bet
ter stallion nor him this side the South
Pass; but / can't do nothing with him
no more'n yer can with steamboat
when the cap'n says, Beat or bustP
He's black devil, eff thar ever was
devil into a horses hide. Somebody's
tried to break him down when he was a
colt, an now he won't stan nobody goan
near him."
"Sell him to me, and I'll try him with
kindness"
'No, stranger. I've TUX a middlin
shine to you from the way you got off
that Chinaman them Pixies was goan to
hang fur stealing the mule what he
hadn't stoled. I've TUX a middlin kind
er shine to you, and don't want to see
yer neck broke, long er me. That thar
black II shut up the hinge in yer neck so
tight that yer'll never look up to Their top
of redwood again. Allowin you hain't
got an old OK yoke into yer fur backbone.
ya,,l1 Laa,, off that thar black kettrypid