Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-06-12

| the location of camp, dogs and men.
and laying plans for attack. AS usual,
a few sheep were getting to their feet
land beginning to milf nervously. IN
another minute the kiotes were all on
one side of the bunch-the far side.
lchattering like a sewing circle; then
| fell sudden dead silence; then a
quick, bleating connection. I sprung
| to my pony's back, calling to the dogs
with one subdued word. word they
knew well-"Kiotesi' With that we
were Off, running in wide circle be
yond the edge of the background.
The beasts must have been very
hungry or very intent upon their
slaughter. We got within thirty yards
before they took account of US. At
that distance 1 could just discover
their duil-colored forms against the
brown background of the sand in the
lclear, tnoonless darkness. In an instant
they dropped their noise and struck
out across the plain. three thin, dusky
streaks, Guiding the eyes as Il dim
5ircAn eludes the waking senses
Alone, I should have lost them at once;
but the dogs We're ADLER. l should
have lost the dogs, too, but for 4 lucky
circumstance. The collie and the
hound ran as Destiny and Death are
said TO run, Voiceless, saving their wind
for the business in hand: but the mon
grel was q fellow of eXuberant en-
thusiasm ana barrel-chest. He
couldn't keep still when things We're
happening; he'd hay with one lung and
run with the other, leaving behind him
a resonant wake of sound. That was
the trail I followed.
1t was Il jelly run. ] let the bridle-
rein go. charging al headlong speed
straight against a blank wall of dark
ness, behind which lay unknown ac-
cidents to limb and life-listening for
the enCOura ging voice of the clamorous
dog, and guiding the trained pony by
Il hands touch against his neck.
Danger? Yes. but the outdoor heart
leaps to meet the dangers of the chase.
Somewhere in the blackness We're three
kiotes. running for their lives: Wow
wow" beloved the excited dog,
Here they are, Come on, man! What
are YOU loafng for?"
l think the pony enjoyed it too;he
flung himself forward with utter
abandon. luiVering. his round chest
Itetl NiIS With biit- AclISlFl VI ENti lLJii III
the cool air his happy feet pounding
4 swift tattoo upon the sand He was
q stranger to the neighborhoOd, know
ing none of the paths: but with
beautiful loyalty he leaped straight on
the way chose for him, willing TO
fare with his riuer in all things. The
earth was but Il wide ObScurity, blOtted
With vague patches Of mesquite, cactus
ana saeehrush. Nothing was defined,
save the frantic cry Of the dog, himself
unseen. once my mount stumbled
badly over a thicket of brush; once
coming abruptly 10 the edge of shelly
ing gulch. he stopped just in time,
gathered his sturdy feet beneath him
and cast himself out into space in 4
wide, arching bound. I didn't know
where he was going: and ] didn't care,
as earth and sky Whirled together
passionate recklcSsneS5 was upon me,
and it was almost a disappointment to
have him find his footing again on the
other side Eut regret was shortliyed.
We had run perhaps mile when we
came to = bit of rocky ground, Jagged
and Weather-rutted-iIst the sort of
place q hunted wolf would be likely to
seek, where pursuit was impossible.
loose just ahead; the mongrei's roliick-
ing solo was merged into a thunderous
chorus. allegro. fortissimo, becoming
then an intricate fugue movement
mongrel, collie ana staghound, with
onother voice doing some lively or
blieato work over all. y kiOte. brought
to Il stand amongst the rocks, Was
giving good account Of himself.
When 7 rode up there was 4 Whirling
mass of legs, bodies and tails-an in
exJricabla 'tangle. from which sight
could not separate the details of form
III the lhick dusk, nor could ear catch
vocal particulars. 1t was a Fourth of
July pinWheel, done in flesh and blood.
Kut such frantic fighting could not
last. Soon the tempestuous eyrations
slacIiened. then tailed off into quiet. as
q buZz-saW comes TO rest. and the three
dogs sat in sasping group about
mOtionlCsS form.