The San Francisco call., 1909-02-21

twigs across the rocks upon which
was seated. Ny mule laziIy standing
upon three legs. with head dropped and
eyes half closed. now suddenly raised
her head. pointed her long taperins
ears forward and looked toward the
mountain on which the mustangs had
been feeding I looked. A mile below
the spot they had occupied I saw a
long ribbon OF dust stretching out far
in front of which was a stream OF nov
ing objects, appearing at that dis
tance to be no larger than the ants
at my feet Through my glasses. away
up and back Of the mustangs. I could
see small dark object which seemed
to be falling through space. every
moment going faster. II was the half
breed Indian boy riding like a hend
his blood afre with that pent up hunt
er's instinct, his game ahead OF him
and such noble game-nOt one single
animal. but 80 big. strong. feet. wild
horses, running as only a scared wild
animal can run; his nimble pony keen
for the race. leaping down those awful
slopes without reserve, every moment
making less the distance between him
and the terrified horses ahead NV
mule had been nervously paving.
reached for the bride reins that were
lying between her feet. and placed them
across my knees. Rolling a cigarette.
brought them nearer to me. but until
the leader crossed the ridge upon
which I sat there was nothing for
me to do.
The mustangs were coming exactly
as I wanted them to cOme-just as we
thought they would The pace was
terrific; miles meant only few min
utes. Thus 1t was not long before my
opportunity came to join the race. The
leader, a big. fine. red sorrel, with
light name and tail, crossed few hun
dred yards below me. Stringing out
behind him came the rest, their sides
heaving. their coats shining with per-
spiration. AS they were passing me,
I had tightened my cineh. and now
climbed into the saddle. The mule
keen for the run, champed upon the
bit and nervously tried to starti my
legs were close to her sides and
through them I could distinctly feel
the pounding of her heart The exact
moment for me to start had not yet
arrived. but the end Of the mules pa
thence had, so with a bound she leaped
out from behind the wall Of rocks and
charged directly at the long string OK
mustangs
'sWhoopt WhoopH I shouted. and
again there was race. Tho last mus
tang was about 100 yards ahead OF
me. but the sight OF that long cared
creature and the bowling demon on
its back added fresh terror TO the
band, and with renewed energy they
tore down hill toward the canyon which
contained the corral turned my mule
loose and more from exuberance OF
spirit than from need I wound my
romaI around her hanks. The surprise
and sharp pain caused her to increase
her speed; every jump brought me
closer to the frightened horses ahead
IL. =
and masses Of loose rock at every
bound and the very steepness OF tho
slope added to my speed I found my
self trying to count the horses ahead
of me as they ran felt a lurch. then
a sinking sensation; knew was fall
ing. 1 tried to "clear"-too late,
struck among the stones and brush.
then upon me came the mule Ny spur
caught IN the saddle; I could not free
myself; together we went rolling down
the HILL When we stopped the mule
was lying on top OF me, pinning me-
fast, her weight seemingly crushing
the very life from me.
was thoroughly dazed and consid-
erably hurt, but IN the melee 7 had
grabbed my bride reins. The mule
was now struggling to her feet, 50 7
did likewise, and in another moment
we were again racing furfously down
the HILL The wild horses had all dis
appeared from sight, but a blind man
could have followed the trail they LEFT.
I rode on to the corral There I saw
two little colts running excitedly about
and an Indian whom had left to guard
the gate was sitting rather stupidly
on his pony There were no horses
in the corral. there were none In the
canyon, no men were in sight I could
not understand 1t. so called to the IN
dian, Where are the mustangs?" He
pointed to the trails we had blocked
with the trees and said. He 20 thaf
way"
The leader had bIindly followed thu
trail At the last moment, unable -
stop instantly. he lowered his head
ana crashed into the tree which lodged
on his back. With a mighty fnrrb -.
struggled forward and lifted the tree
from its place In the rocks. TINS ra-
moving the barrier Every one of IN.
band followed him and escaped