The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1910-06-11

I
the pebbly stretch which long since has
carried water and diligently she fol
lowed every bend of its course, work
ing gradually upward. her nose uner
nngly directing her toward the source
She was not trying to see the spring
out was letting her highly cultivated
sense of smell lead her to it. With
head held close to the ground she toe
came quickly to the opening that mark,
the gate. There beside the proud white
leader she stood. Raising her head
looking toward the spring, she turned
and touched her nose to that of the
stallion. Like q fash they whirled
and looked down the canyon directly
away from the spring and the gate Of
the trap.
A snort similar TO that of frightened
deer, only far more intense, came from
the stud. Instantly the whole band
ran heedlessly through the timber,
climbing the steep side of the ridge op-
posite me without slackening their pace,
and in mass disappeared over the sum
nit. Critically l questioned myself
Did they hear me? No. l knew they
had not. Did some chance breeze
sweep over me toward them, carrying
even just q little imam" scent? Pos.
sibiy. But l had noticed no breeze.
That they had not heard me was posi-
tive. What. then. could have frighten-
ed them? Once more with blanket
wrapped snugly around me / waited ,
aud quickly my queries were answered,
Tor up the canyon. family at first. but
gradually becoming 10 lder, was the un.
mistakable sound of horses-another
bandl This was what the white stallion
had heard-just baud o. his own, but
that was enough to cause him to leave
and not return that night, even though
they were suffering from thirst
AT a good sharp trot came the second
band of mustangs, glancing neither to
the right nor left. They went straight
through the gate up to the cool delicious
water at the upper end of the field,
totally ignoring the little pond which
is left just inside the gate to tempt the
suspicious and wary ones Through the
clear night air l could see them-first
drinking and supping the water they
craved. then one Of them paved in it,
then another and another. Thep, above
il all, heard q loud splash. which told
me that one was rolling in the mudhole
below the spring.
With more care than was necessary
erawled to the gate and waited for the
band TO come back from the spring
Climbing upon the fence peered over
little raise that was between me and
the horses. Immediately dark form
appeared. then another, followed by a
third came in sight-nine head were
there. all dark in color and approaching
me slowly without the slightest sus-
picion. Until they were within 20 PAGES
Of the gate remained concealed from
view. As they continued to approach
stepped out into sight of the leader. He
stopped instantly. stood as II frozen for
a moment, then with a snort OF terror
led his band at breskneck speed toward
the far end of the field.
stood on tiptoe MISUNDERSTANDING
for the dreaded sound Of break
ing wire, for In that first fearful flight
many bands tear their way through live
strands of heavy wire. even though
limbs of trees be piled against 1t to
make 1t the more visible at night.
They tear not only their way. but
themselves, some times 30 terribly thai
they stagger few rods and die in their
tracks.
1t was for this I listened, for IL
once they hit .he strands in the semi
darkness all caution is discarded; often
the frightened animals hurl them
selves through the fence which is be.
tween them and liberty. only to turn
and in another place plunge back into
the field again. II they strike the wire
squarely while running headlong at II
almost invariably they get through
without much damage to themselves.
1t is when they strike it at an angle
or get a head or leg through that the
severe damage is done.
Standing tense with eyes tightly
closed. depending upon my ears to tell
me the result of the frat fearful stam-
pede, waited. The hoof beats that
came like the popping OF eatling at
first became fainter and fainter. then
ceased altogether. Good They had
halted at the fence. only to turn and
run as heedlessly at the side section.
Again they slackened and on a swift
eallop came directly at the gate where
| stood. AS they neared me l ran q
few steps straight at the leader. He
did not swerve, but instead continued
his hea,llonp charge at me. Each frac-