Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-11-06


but in the main going steadily north
ward. Up past the brown Maricopas
they worked. across the turgid ella,
skirting Lone Butte desert, up, up and
on until in the distance glistened the
bald peaks of Silver range.
Never before did a horse play such
a dangerous game. and surely none
ever showed such fnesse. Deliberately
trailing behind him an enemy bent on
taking either his life or freedom, not
for a moment did Black Eagle show
more than imperative caution. At the
close of each day, when by few miles
of judicious gallopIng he had fully
winded the cowboys mount, the saga
cious black would circle to the rear OF
his pursuer and often, in the bloom OF
early night, walk recklessly near to the
camp Of his enemy just for the sake of
shifting euriously. But each morning,
as the cowboy cooked his scant break
fast, he would see, standing few hun
dred rods away, Black Eagle, patiently
waiting for the chase to be resumed.
Day after day was the hunted black
called upon to foil new ruse. Some
times 1t was a game Of hide and seek
among the buttes, and again 1t was an
early morning sally by the cowboy.
Once during a midday stop the dun
mustang was turned out to Craze.
Black Eagle followed suit. A half mile
to windward he could see the COW pony,
and beside 1t, evidently sitting with his
back toward his quarry, the cowboy.
For a half hour, perhaps, all was peace
and serenity. Then, as cougar spring
ing from his lair, there blaZed out Of
the bushes on the bank Of dry water
course to leeward a rifle shot.
Black Eagle felt shock that stretch
ed him on the grass. There arrived q
stinglng at the top Of his right shoulder
and numbing sensation all along his
backbone Madly he struggled to get
on his feet, but he could do no more
than raise his fore quarters on his
knees. As he did 80 he saw running
toward him from the bushes, coatless
and hatless, his relentless pursuer.
Black Eagle had been tricked. The
figure by the distant mustang then was
only dummy. He had been shot from
ambush. Human strategy had won.
With one last desperate effort, which
sent the red blood squirting from the
bullet hole in his shoulder, Black Eagle
heaved himself up until he sat on his
launches. braced by his forefeet set
wide apart.
Then, Just as the cowboy brought his
rife into position for the finishing shot,
the stallion threw up his handsome
head, his big eyes blazing like two
stars, and looked defiantly at his enc
my.
Slowly, steadily the cowboy took aim
at the sleek black breast behind which
beat the brave heart Of the wild thor
oughbred. With finger touching the
trigger, he glanced over the sights and
looked into those big bold eyes. For a
full minute man and horse faced each
other thus; then the cowboy in an un-
certain, hesitating manner lowered his
rife. Calmly Black Eagle waited. But
the expected slot never came. Instead
the cowboy walked cautiously toward
the wounded stallion.
No move did Black Eagle make, no
fear did he show. With splendid In
difference worthy Of martyr he sat
there, paying no more heed to his ap-
preaching enemy than to the red stream
which trickled down his shoulder. He
was helpless and knew 1t, but his noble
courage was mistaken. Even when
the man came close enough to examine
the wound and pat the shining neck
that for three years had known neither
touch Of hand nor bride rein the great
stallion did no more than follow with
curious, steady gaze.
1t is an odd fact that feral horse,
although while free even wilder and
fiercer than those native to the prui-
ries, when once returned to captivity
resumes almost instantly the traits and
habits Of domesticity. So 1t was with
Black Eagle. With no more fuss than
he would have made when he was a
colt in paddock, he allowed the cowboy
to wash ard dress his wounded shoul-
der and to lead him about by the hal
| ter.
By a little stream that rounded the
base of a biz butte Lefty, for 1t was
he, made camp, and every day for
week he applied to Black Eagles shoul'
der q fresh poultice Of pounded cactus
leaves. In that time the big stallion
and the silent man buried distrust and
hate and enmlty. No longer were they
captive and captor. They came nearer
to being congenial comrades than any
thing else, for In the calm solltudes or
the vast plains such sentiments may
thrive.
So, when the wound was fully heal
ed. the black permitted himself to be
bridled and saddled. With the COW
pony following as best 1t might they
rode toward Sante Fe.
With Black Eagles return to the
cramped quarters Of peopled places
there came experiences entirely new
to him. Every morning he was sad
died by Lefty and ridden around a
fence inclosed course. At first he was
allowed to set his own gait. but grad
ually he was urged to show his speed.
This was puzzling, but not little to
bis liking; also he enjoyed the oats
twice a day and the careful grooming
after each canter. He became accus-
toned to stall life and to the scent ana
voices Of men about him. although as
vet he trusted none but Lefty. Ever
kind and cOnsiderate he had found
Lefty. There were times, Of course,
when Black Eagle longed to be again
on the prairie ut the head OF Ills old
band, but the joy Of circllng the track
almost made up for the loss OF those
wild free dashes.
One day when Lefty took him out
Black Eagle found many other horses
on the track, while around the In
closure he saw gathered row OH row
of.men and women. A band was play
Ing, and flags were swapping In the
breeze. There was thrill Of expecta-
tion In the air. Black Eagle felt 1t,
and as he pranced proudly down the
track there was lifted a murmur OF
applause and appreciation which made
his nerves tinsle strangely.
Just how it all came about the big
stallion did not fully understand at
the time. He heard bell ring sharp
", heard also the shouts of men and
suddenly fount himself flying down
the course in company with dozen