The record-union., 1893-03-25
FIERY sTEHDs OF THE PRA1RIEs
A Pioneers Experience With n Herd OF
Wild Horses in Nebraska.

]
Wild Horses in Nebraska.
"The most magnificent display of horse
flesh that l ever saw was on the prairie
near the forks of the Platte River,r said
Charles Mcdonald, an old Western pio-
neer.s .snow living at North Platte. Neb.. to
a New York Tribune reporter Mr.. Nc
Donald is interested with Colonel VIM.
+. Cody in the Wild West Show, which
will be at Chicago during the Columbian
Exposition. The horses were all wild.u
continued Mr.. Mcdonald, land it was
one of the grandest sights l ever wit
messed. Troops of wild horses will never
more be visible to any appreciable extent
on the Western prairies, and there are
only few of us living now who can re-
member the days when these wild horses
roved over the prairies. The spectacle [
witnessed at the forks of the North Platte
River made my nerves tingle. There
We're about two hundred animals in the
drove. The sun had just come up over
the plains when l suddenly came out in
front of them from little grove. where I
had camped during the night. | was
on the back of my own mustang. He
lifted his head high into the air, paved
the earth with his fore feet, and then he
began TO snort in most ariStocratic man
ner. 1t was then | saw the sight that sent
that thrilling feeling through my body,
which / cannot describe. Every animal
lAlLt4 HIS uGGNl Oil uGdIlllR InC cry OF well
come or JOY from my mount, and looking
my way the troop formed in circle and
stood still. one magnificent black stall
lion, who appeared to be the leader. after
looking at me for a moment, came toward
me with an easy, graceful stride from the
opposite side and took up position in
front OF the followers. He was the finest
specimen of horse 1 ever saw. His tail
swept the ground and his name hung to
his shoulders. His body was brilliant in
its glossiness. He looked as if he had re-
ceived the most hattering attention from
an experienced groom. Some of the ami
mails appeared neglected, but the naiori-
ty of them were sleek-looking.
My own animal became so excited at
the sight that made haste to tie him to a
! tree. Soon after l Jumped from my
horses back the black stallion gave his
head a toss and started on a rapid trot
across the prairie, the entire band follow
ing him. Alter going about q half-mile
away the band returned, the MAGNIFICENT
black still in the lead. They came within
one hundred yards of me, and the leader
whinnied as il TO invite my horse to come
and join them.
"Niy poor Jack! felt sorry for him.
He stood looking at the wild rovers. his
lariat drawn taut, and at the invitation,
or call, from the leader, he made frantic
efforts to join the wild band and thus for
ever put an end to his drudgery. Sweat
came from every pore, he was so eX-
cited, and his body was covered with
foam as if he had just finished thirty
mile run. l was afraid he would sue
ceed in breaking away, so 1 fired my
rifle into the air TO frighten the drove,
and the leader took the hint and scamp
cred off across the plain, followed by the
others. / watched them until they were
out of view, and, actually, 1 wished l
were one of them. they looked so con-
tented. l have since looked upon mag
nifcent collection of horses, but that sight
was the grandest of the kind 1 ever wit
nessed."