The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-23
IN A MUSTANGS TOLLS.
An EXCITING CHARGE By A WILD
MONARCH OF THE PLAINS.

swiftly Around the Daring Hunter
and Bound Him Tightly In the
COiIs-Reseued by "a Fellow Rider.
From the St Louis Republic.
OF all the sports that thrill the souls
of men and make the life blood flow with
quicker pulse. and paint the cheeks with
richer carmine. none command a higher
place than chasing the mustang. Now, in
the mellow light of aud lang syne, after
the lapse Of nearly fifty years. it gives
me joy to go In memory back to Mus
tang Slough" i'm Harris county. Texas.
and review TIL incidents of a hunt which
took place there on Oct. and 3. 1913.
Some Of those engaged with me are yet
in the flesh, and will no doubt, recall the
scenes these times recount The mustang,
like the buffalo. had gone to the shades
before the march of civilization. Once he
roamed in Unrestricted freedom and al
most countless numbers over the vast
plains of Texas. Now only a few small
bands remain, in desolate regions, where
they pick a scanty living from the thorny
chaparral of the far southwestern border.
1t was bright, sunny afternoon in the
little town of Harrisburg that saw the
writer mount a favorite horse and start
out on his maiden trip to Mustang
Island,'' situated on the slough above mem
toned. / was a novice at the business,
only eighteen years old, Kentuckian by
BIRTH and with an experience of two
years with the cowboys of San Jacinto
Bay and about Harrisburg, and felt my
self a full-hedged Texan, ready and glad
to contest with anything that gave prom
Use of sport or danger. The way was
about fifteen miles across an open prairie,
small stream. X
Vening.
This creek was sparsely timbered with
a growth of post and pin oak, Which was
richly festooned with the beautiful Span
ish moss that hung in all fantastic shapes
and furnished secure hiding places for IN
Vulnerable squirrels, red, black and gray,
that lived there. Besides these, the woods
We're full of deer, which came in to get
acorns, of which they are especially fond;
Turkey, grouse and the dapper little quail
were also i'm abundance-in fact, ii was a
Veritable hunters paradise enough 10
make a modern Nimrod think himself in
dreamland, and my youthful heart filled
and thrObbed as L rode along and looked
upon the scenes around me.
Jarboe an old and reckless rider, an
nounced his determination 70 eaten Ger
tain dark bay stallion that had long de-
ned pursuit and was still the lion OF MS
tribe, always leading his harem and
showing clean heels to his foes. Others
knew of certain ones they wanted, and
each felt sure of winning.
By sunrise all camp duties had been per-
formed, and we We're ready for action;
Each man had his favorite horse, equipped
with all needful harness to assure sue
cess and 1t only remained to post the
men and await the coming of the game.
The drivers, under Sam Allen, had started
out at daybreak, promising to have the
mustangs with us by the time we we're
ready to receive them.
The island was some half mile long,
stretching up the slough, and the men
were stationed at intervals of about 100
| yards apart, with orders to await the COM
L l. oh, t1,s.ar
| passed their respective stands. This took
| but little time, and now the suspense of
| waiting began. The day was as lovely as
could be imagined. Not a cloud nor a
/ breath of wind disturbed the quiet harmo-
| ny that dwelt in the pacerul situation No
| sound of revelry was there, for all sat
ment to hear the coming of the herd, while
| hope, that sweet counselor, filled all
| hearts with visions of success.
| But bark! A cry! Look out, boys, they re
| coming! A sound like distant thunder is
| borne upon the breeze. 1t grows in vol
| ume-gets louder-its herei A thousand
| flying feet are beating time to hearts fill
/ ed with fear, and natures strongest
| prompter-self-preser wings
| to speed! A grand beautiful panorama
| is passing! A living picture on emerald
| canvass vision, yet thrilling inspira-
| ton from the easel Of reality. All colors
| and ages are present, and, true to custom,
| the famed bay stallion led the band, which
| was strung out some 200 yards in length,
| the younger ones in front and the weak
and aged ones following, in desperate en-
| deavor to escape.
AS they came abreast the 'island," the
| hunters, one, two, three, all-were in the
| chase, and as they came from cover each
! one greeted the frenzied mustangs with a
yell that lent terror and swifter motion
| to their feet.
Jarboe had his stand far down the line,
| and waited till the prize he wanted came
| before him, then with lusty shout and ris-
| ing high in the stirrup, he launched his
| thoroughbred, procured expressly for the
| chase, and, swinging his lasso high in the
| air made at him. The noble brute, al
| Wavs victor heretofore. Seemingly i'm
| pressed with a sense of his importance,
| added new speed to his flight and made
| the running all that Jarboe's horse could
cope with. The sudden drive the hunter
| made had the effect to cut the stallion
| from the herd, a desired result, for now
| the contest meant survival of the fittest,
and his faith was strong that blood and
| skill and courage must tell The scene
was one never to be forgotten, and II
| comes back to me now in its vivid fresh
ness and reality. The mustang was large
| and high formed, and his coat as glossy
| as a mirror His name and tail were
| coal black, and in repose almost touched
| the ground yet as he ran they fioated like
silken banners. The race was fast and
| furious indeed, and miles were measured
ere the gap was closed, but pride and
beauty had their fall; endurance proved
| the better quality, and the fatal lasso
sped with spreading moose to fall encir-
cling the glossy neck of the doomed Ma
zeppa.
Then, as in concert with his masters
| will, the gallant charger slackened his
| pace and brought the rope to tension. Vic
| tory perched a moment ON the hunters
| brow, but ere the chapet settled to its
| place the captive turned and charged or
| his foe. Presto! The scene had changed
| Now, horsemanship, skill and courage
| must contend with fury and despair. The
| trained horse, true to his experience, dodg,
| ed the contact and let the savage beast &c
| by; then, bracing himself to withstand
| the shock, brought the stallion round
again, but only to improve his tactics, for
| running in a circle, he brought the rope
| round Jarboes' back and threw his weight
| upon it. This almost human strategy plac
| ed Jarboe in an intensely critical and
| painful situation. His lasso being fast
! ened to the horn of his saddle, it was i'm.
| possible to release 1t except by cutting.
| This he could not do, for his knife was
| bound in his pocket by the rope around
| his body, and the mustang was using al
| his weight and strength at the other end
| Dsmay and terror now began to assume
/ the place just held by pride, and no time
was left for planning. Assistance, quick
and skilful, was the only hope to save
| him, for his back was nearly broken and
4 he was tied helplessly to an Infatuated
| beast, battling for life and liberty. Al
1 most fainting from the cruel pressure OF
/ fba his d9Zad ar arfr