The National tribune., 1899-05-04

"Let me.see yeur-telescope moment,
Don Tomas" said Serg't Mariel. Il
believe there's pack of tramp dogs on
the other side Of that gully watching
our Stock. Two of those mules are a
bit lame, noticed, and those brindled
out-throats are waiting their chance to
jump them, I reckon. Yes, there's hall
dozen of them," said he, aftera pro
tracted SCRUTINY of bowlder-heap on
the other side of the glen. "1hey are
down in the grass; like cats watching a
flock of pigeons"
The mules had mended their pace in
crossing streak of barren gravel, and
were beginning to browse the bushes
on the other side, when one Of them
raised her head, stood motionless for a
moment and then trotted ahead with
pricked ears, but presently stopped
again, craning her neck like an excited
pointer in sight of game.
"She's seen the mare" chuckled the
Sergeant "now watch them wake up
in a minute. There! they're on the
way .....-..
The bush-browsers had turned to the
right and were stumbling forward
through chaos of scattered rocks to
Join . their leader. In less than a
minute the entire troop stood on the
alert, with switching tails, picture OF
excitement and glad surprise.
We advanced to ledge of cliffs
with grassy interspaces that afforded
glinlpses Of the glen for half mile
ahead, and fair view of little cove
where Erny Chino had tethered our
white mare.
The mules. had resumed their ad-
vance, browsing and staring by turns,
and one had joined the mare, who was
grazing with perfect unconcern, and
only once raised her head with an I'M
patient jerk when the bohtailed v.--tor
was shifting about her face.
"There are II Of them, all right"
reported the boy on his return, "and
one is as safe as if you had her home
already; she's dragging long rope
that keeps catching all the time. Two
of the others are just ncosed, but their
straps don't drag"
"Now, look here" said Lieut.
Safinez, We want you to try and rope
every one of them, and just make them
drag a stick or something that will
keep them from running too fast, if
they should take notion to start off.
"Tou had better let Pancho try,
gentlemen" said the old squatter; I've
tended mules and caught mules enough
to mount a regiment, and l noticed that
a few inches of size in a human eritter
makes a great difference when you
don't want to scare stock. There are
horses and mules that will run like
deer from a grown man, that won't
notice kid at ALL"
"AI right; let Master Pancho see what
be can do," said the Lieutenant. "We
have big bundle of ropes along, ready
noosed, and if they are not too scary
he can lariat them in an easy way, like
fastening a scarf, and tie on drag-sticks
after while, when they fall to grazing
again. And to begin with, We want
him to feed that mare with a hatful of
corn, and stand around petting her, till
they get used TO him."
The Lieutenant then directed Serg't
Mariel to take y of the men around
and post them in circle, in case any
thing should go wrong. alt mightn't
be needed" he said, "but we must take
no risks. Take them about a quarter
Of mile above that mare, Sergeant,
and make them close in slowly and
keep we'll out of sight. Well do the
came down here, and if there should be
stampede, the demon would be in the
dice if we.don't get some Of them any
how. Pick out the fattest if they do
come, and aim at the shoulders"
Pancho and the ambassadors started
together, while some Of our men crossed
the g len to secure the left flank of our
rodeo. That we we're going to get our
troubles worth of mule-meat in some
way or other seemed certain by this
time. With one exception, the mules
were browsing again.
While Pancho approached the herd
with his lettering outfit, the tramp dogs
drew near from the other side, possibly
in the hope of catching one Of the
cripples astray.
ITO be cGntiuusd)