Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-21
THE ALFALFA SOLD,
But tho Bear and Stallion Fight Was
tho Thing,

But tho Bear and Stallion Fight Was
tho Thing.
Written for The Evening Star.
A unique fight, not down on the program
for the day. was witnessed by Capt. Jacob
q. Galbraith and a detachment Of the first
cavalry. United States army. stationed at
Fort Bayard, N. NJ, early in the season.
It Is a doubtful coincidence that every
summer, as soon as the first cutting Of the
alfalfa crop is gathered In by the small
farmers of that section, bloodcurdling ru-
mors Of Indian depredations become prev
alent. The neighboring country is popu-
lated by old soldiers, who have. with wise
foresight, retired from the service and mar
ried Mexican women Of property; and the
motto Of these thrifty veterans is: Raise
alfalfa and then raise Hill" That troop
er dearly loves his horse the farmers well
know. and they feel sure the freshest al
falfa will be found none too good for tire
some journey.
Whispers Of curling smoke. lost cattle.
cleaning tent fires. ambushed forms, fresh
trails ETC., filled the air about the fort the
last days Of May. Captain Galbraith was
wary, however, and did not heed reputed
danger. He knew the keen tricks of these
people.
One morning a wild-eyed messenger,
mounted astride a bareback. rough-coated
loosening the faded scarlet handkerchief
knotted about his sun-burned throat, cried
cut breathlessly:
Los Navajos. Capitano-los Navajos!'
death and capture was SO well told that
the captain recognized the necessity of
speedy action. The call was sounded, the
command given, farewells were quickly
said, stalwart. handsome Lieutenant jerks
sang a final tenor solo to the disconsolate
ladies, hastily dropped line and two tears
to his divinity at Ell Paso, and inside of
few hours all were well on their way.
known to the natives as the Muggione
mountains, between the ella and Rio
Grande rivers. they halted to scan the land
scape for recreant redskins. Not cloud
hecked the deep blue sky. the pure air was
crystal clear. In the distance objects
showed up with clean-cut precision. The
atmosphere seemed to magnify.
Down in the green valley below, hedged
In by scrub oaks. pines. sage brush and
candelabra cacti. q herd Of thirty or forty
wild horses were grazing. The soldiers
bounding gracefully. rushing wildly in pur-
suit of each other, or quietly at rest.
There's scene for Rosa Bonheur," eI-
claimed the captain, who has half an eye
for art.
Suddenly q huge cinnamon bear was seen
to emerge from a chaparral and furtively
glance about. He was a fine specimen-any
geological garden might have been proud
he expressed it, done little taxiderming
myself, when was q boy" sighed to stuff
him and pose him on a sanded board. A
second who had trained animals oncet,
his own, and teach him to dance. The OH
GERS guessed by his fierce aspect. that he
was hungry-and they guessed right. He
was in visibly bad humor, this bear, and
he had o Frenchy notion just then for a /
juicy horse steak Watching his chance,
he waited Until a prancing colt, all una
ware OF 1anEer, drew near, and with a
bound forward fastened on the creatures
tender launches. Mad confusion among the
herd ensued. They had not before perceiv-
ed the enemy. but now stampeded wildly.
Even on the instant their leader, a heavy
black stallion Of massive build. glossy coat
his first impulse, with human second
thought" and charging back attacked the
bear. biting him SO f1ercely in the side that
he released his prey. The colt staggered
off in the direction Of his fleeing compan-
ions. Then began struggle on which
bets were lost and won. The bear rose up
right. and clawed the glossy hide Of his
adversary till the flesh hung loosely as
rags, and the dark blood spurted. FraR-
ments Of furry skin torn out by the sharp
teeth Of the stallion strewed the ground.
Whirling swiftly about the mad leader
turned, and the troopers who bet on the
bear were about to claim a victory. Not
so. however; the horse simply reversed his
position, and letting fly both hoofs into
the empty paunCn OF MS antagonist Knock
ed him fiat. trampled on him, then with
nostrils dilated. neighing, VIGOROUSLY gal
Hoped off to rejoin his rapidly disappearing
herd.
Quite ten minutes elapsed, in which time
bets were settled and explanations ten
dered. The ex-taxidermist viewed the re-
mains wistfully; the ex-trainer mourned .
possible good waltzer." To the general
surprise, the bear was observed to eau
tiously raise up and lean on one paw, with
the air of melodramatic actress recover
ing from a faint at the moment when she
murmurs: Where am II"
With q grotesque turn Of the head. he
surveyed the surrounding country, SEEM
ingly, to impress the place on his memory
as one to be avoided in future. then slowly
dragged himself OF into an adjacent thick
ct sadder-wiser-and with his foreign
taste for horse steaks all unsatisfied.
The mentally refreshed troopers refrain
ed from parting shot and went ON their
way rejoicing.
Not hostile Indian was sighted
The alfalfa crop sale, however, was q
great success.