The Press., 1892-10-06
As he rode he lChJTIcd htS LftssO
DON FULANO.


 After hobnobbing with cracked tum- blers of the Mission Dolores wine, Ger 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 sound! with something free and vigorous in it that the charge of trained squadrons never has. "Thar they comeP' cried Gerrian, s'thars riginent wuth seeing. They can't show you sight like that to the old states"
 ''No indeed. The best tning to be hoped there in the way of stampede is when horse kicks through dashboard, kills coachman, shatters d carriage, dissipates load of women and children, and goes tearing down turnpike, with sold to an omnibus awaiting him at the end of his runaway!' We halted to pass the couEng army of riderless steeds in review. There they camel Gerrian's whole band of horses in full career, First, their heads suddenly lifted above crest of VA1O p4 14AAC SAGA IAOy Ou1SL Ofc1 1IhC CAC foam and spray of a black, stormy wave when blast strikes it, and wildly swept by us with names and tails iaring in the wind. It was magnificent. My heart of horseman leaped in my breast. 'tHurrah!'' cried.
 "Hurrah! t isr' said Gerrian.
 The herd dashed by in a hr1ddle, mak- ing for the corral,
 Just behind, aloof from the rush and scamper of his less noble brethren, came the black, my purchase, my old friend.
 "Ef you ever ride or back that cur wolyow," says Gerrian, ''Tll eat six shooter, loaded and capped"
 You'd better begin then at once," re- joined I, "whetting your teeth on Der ringers. mean to ride him, and you shall be by when do it."
 It 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 8 thousand kings. How nasterly he lookedl How untamably he stepped! Tine 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 his slower comrades, he from time to time paused, bounded in the air, tossed his head, flung out his legs and then strode on again, writhing all over with sup pressed power.
 There was not white spot upon him. except where flake of foam from his indignant nostril had caught upon his flank. A thoroughbred horse, with the perfect tail and silky mane of noble race. His coat glistened, as if the best groom in England had just given him the final touches of his toilet for can ter in Rotten Row. But it seems 8 sin to compare such free rover of the prairie with any less favored brother, who needs a groom and has felt currycomb.
 Hard after the riderless horses came Jose, the vaQuero, on a fast mustang. As he rode he whirled his lasso with easy turn of the wrist.
 The black, trotting still and halting still to curvet and caracole, turned back his head contemptuously at his pursuer. Jose took the hint. He dug cruel spurs into his horse. The mustang leaped for ward. The black gave tearing bound and quickened his pace, but still waited the will of his pursuer.
 They were 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 moment breeze less.
 Will he be taken! Will horse or man be victorl
 The loop of the lasso opened like a hoop. It 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.
 Hurrah2
 Through it went the black. With one brave bound he dashed