The Press., 1892-10-06

~NSsN more courage, or more curiosity, or more faith. He withdrew from the gregarious commonalty-the naughty aristocrat!- and approached me, circling about as if he felt a certain centripetal influence as if he knew himself 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, tethering him to 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. It was magnificent to see him as he cir cled about me, fire in his eye, pride in his nostril, tail flying like 8 banner, power and grace from tip to tip. No one would ever mount him or ride him, unless 1t was his royal pleasure. He was conscious of his representative position, and showed his paces handsomely. It is the business of all beautiful things to ex- hibit.
 Imagine the scene. A little hollow in the prairie, forming a perfect amphithe ater; the yellow grass and wild oats grazed short; herd of horses staring from the slope, myself standing in the middle, like the ringmaster in 8 circus, and this wonderful horse performing at his own free will. He trotted powerful ly, he galloped gracefully, he thundered 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 q girl; finally, when he had amused him. self and delighted me sufficiently, he trotted up and snuffed about me, just out of reach.
 A horse knows friend by instinct. So does man. But 8 man, vain crea- ture! is willing to repel instinct and trust intellect, and so suffers from the
  which, if he is healthy, are infallible.
 The black, instinctively knowing me for friend, came forward and made the best speech he could of welcome-a 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 1 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 ot confidence. We wero 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. I hailed him.
 "A quien es csc caballo-el negrito?'
 "Aquel diablol es del Senor Gerrian." And he sped on.
 I knew Gerrian. He was 8 Pike of the better class. He had found his way early to California, bought mission farm, and established himself as ran chero. His herds, droves and focks darkened the hills.
 f It chanced that, when I was making my arrangements to start for home, business took me within mile of Ger rian's ranch. remembered my inter- view with the black. It occurred to me that I 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 8 word.
 "No bueno, strangerv said he.
 "Why not? Do you want to keep the horse?"
 "No, not partickler. Thar ain't bet ter stallion nor him this side the South Pass; but can't do nothing with him no more'n yer can with 8 steamboat when the cap'n says, Beat or bust!' He's a black devil, eff thar ever was a devil into horses hide. Somebody's tried to break him down when he was q 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 middlin
 
 that Chinaman them Pikes was goan to hang fur stealing the mule what he hadn't stoled. I've tux a middlin kind CT shine to you, and don't want to see yer neck broke, long CT me. That thar black Il shut up the hinge in yer neck SO tight that yer'n never look up to ther top of a redwood again. Allowin you hain t got an old OK yoke into yer fur backbone yer'n keep off that thar black kettrypid till the Injins tie yer on. and motion yer to let him slide or be shot,"
 My backbone is pretty stiff," said I: s'I will risk my neck"
 s'The greasers is some on hosses, you'll give in, reckon. Well, thar ain't a greaser on my ranch that Il put leg over that thar streak CT four legged lightning; no, not if yer'd chain off for him claim six squar leagues in the raal old Garden of Paradise an stock it with ther best ohort-s sighted