The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-24
THE BATTLE or THE HORSES.
4 Band of the Wild Animals cha rged Dy
Sauadron of Army steeds.

squadron OF army N'e'u-.
lust at sundown. and while we were
at sumner a drove Of wild horses num-
tering eighty-eight suddenly emerged
from Thatchers Pass and deployed on
the level ground of the valley. They had
made use of the pass to cross from Gu
max Valley, where grass ana water might
have failed them, or horse hunters had
appeared to give them a fright. They
EN-, rged from the pass in single file, led
bv a spotted stallion whose name reached
almost to his KIN ses and whose tai! touch
ed the ground when he was at rest. lie
wasn't as handsome a. some OF the
drove leaders to be met with In the days
OF the wild horse, but he was yet a king
among horses. OF the remainder OF the
nerd. about thirty were me animals.
The others would hardly be worth the
catching. Three or four were recognized
as cavalry horses abandoned on the
march, and twice that number had collar
marks 10 prove that they had stampeded
from some immigrant train.
When clear Of the pass they formed IN
line and advanced upon us TO within a
quarter OF mile. We had seyenty-fye
horses at the iariat pins, and for half
an hour we had all We could do 10 pre-
vent a stampede. The Wild horses were
finally driven down the valley by two
mounted men, but they did not seem TO
have much fear Of US On the contrary.
the leader OF the drove exhibited such
temper that the men feared they would
have to shoot him. IL was an hour before
our cavalry horses Gained down In the
slightest Every animal seemed enraged
at the sight of the free herd. and the
Captains Kentucky stallion acted as II
possessed by a fend. He had been dOuD-
ly fastened at the beginning OF the ex-
element, and later on this proved a for
tunate thing. He made the most tre-
mendous efforts TO get free, and when at
length he realized the futility OF further
efforts in that direction ne uttered shrill
screams of rage and dashed out with his
heels till no one dared approach him. All
night long he stood on his feet paving
and snortlng. and the camp sentincls re-
ported the wild horses as hanging about
within half a mile Of US
Daylight had come. and the sentinels OF
the night were coming into camp when
the wild horses rushed into view a mile
below us. On the instant we discovered
them, and while four-hfths OF the men
were yet under their blankets the Cap
tains horse uttered q scream which must
have been taken as a signal lie reared
up, shook his head like an angry lion. and
instant every other horse in the command
secured his liberty some pulled up the
pins, some worked their heads clear OF
the straps. and away went the whole
drove down the valley. Ii was not
stampede, as we naturally feared. Even
had our animals desired 10 Join the ranks
of the free they would have been rebuilt
Cd Our horses were punched. and In =
solid bunch they drove right through
the lines OF the wild horses and left four
OF them lying crippled on the grass as
they passed. The prairie drove retreated
up the valley half a mile ana then wheel
ed about in a single line. When our
drove halted and turned there was a
distance OF three-quarters OF mile be-
tween the combatants. We were ordered
10 fall in with a view OF advancing upon
the wild horses and driving them off, but
before we had gotten into line IL was
too late.
The sight was wonderful one. The
two leaders advanced as II they meant
to decide the issue by fight between
them, but when within forty yards OF
each other they wheeled and returned 10
their respective lines. Then we Witness
ed something which only a cavairyman
will credit. Our horses fell into double
line and dressed to the right as perfectly
as II q trooper had occupied each saddle
AMI While we looked the lines suddenly
moved forward on charge. When they
swept past US the alignment was absolu-
tely perfect. with the Captains horse on
the right and leading by about twenty
feet. The line of wild horses bent and
wayered, but did not break until struck
IL was like striking a drumhead with
sledge-hammer. | believe that fully forty
horses went down under the shock. but
an fh1fr
feet again. From this on II was melee,
the whole drove circlIng around. and each
horse biting and kicking and displaying
such ferocity as 10 astonish U.S. The
mob fought past us down the valley and
back. and right in front Of the camp
tho climax carae. The battle had been
raging half an hour. when ~ Apostsd