The midland journal., 1945-07-06

miles around. From here his long,
range eyes could see the farthest
moving speck and his razor-keen
sense Of smell catch and identify
all that was on the wind, He went
up the steep sides without variation
Of pace or action, the long smooth
muscles under his shining coat rip
| pling effortlessly.
He stood on the peak, forefeet
planted on the topmost spur OF rock,
his body sloping down. He lifted and
swung his head, but he didn't get the
scent. He went down again and be-
gan circling, nose pointed straight
up, tail high and pluming over his
launches. Above him the deep blue
sky bent low and the solid white
cumulus clouds hurried across 1t as
II they were squeezed between earth
and sky.
The mares and colts grazed
placidly.
The movement of stallion's head
when he is searching the wind Is
something to see-never still mo-
ment. Swinging, lifting high, higher
even straight up to the sky, the
nostrils wide and pulsing. He COW
ers the ground at swift, effortless
trot or canter, always In circle,
so that he misses no inch Of the field
Of scent.
At last Banner, on one Of his wide
circles, caught the unrnistakable
scent of his master, halted, swung
around, and headed for the ap-
preaching horsemen, but wide OF
them and behind, so that, as Rob
kept glancing backwards and to the
sides, well knowing what to ex-
pect, he suddenly saw the stallion
in pursuit of them, coming more Sc
dately now, cautious, with his high
springing trot and his steady eye
fixed on them.
He was full of questions and
looked to Rob for the answers. What
was up? Was he to bring the mares
in? Was the band to be moved to
another pasture? Or was it to be
| just an exhibition?
The men drew rein and turned to
meet him. Both Sargent and Harris
had seen the horse on former occa-
sions, but it was impossible not to
| feel excitement and to respond with
altered expressions as the intelli-
| gent animal drew near, taking in the
| group with pricked ears and an in
vestigating curiosity.
D&L l-I zfk1,. L0xrr Aha
stallion read his thoughts. Possibly
by the swing and tilt of his body as
| he rode. Close observation will dis
close how continuously the body, by
hundred little movements, indi-
Gates thoughts and intentions. Or
possibly, it was by the direction OF
his glances. To a certain extent, Of
course, by his words and the tone
of his voice and definite signals.
''Look at himl" exclaimed Char
ley Sargent. "The son-of-a-gun!"
"Some horse" said Harris.
"Came up behind US"
Rob said, ellis mares are proba-
bly, back yonder." He gestured over
his shoulder. ''No oats for you to-
day, old boy" Banner knew that
already. There were never oats
when his master came a-horseback
only when he came in the auto
mobile. Rob added, where's your
family?" and. turning slowly,
caught sight of the band Of mares
a mile away. He touched spur to
his horse.
''There they arel Want to see
them, Mort?"
81 sure do"
They cantered over the range, the
stallion following, running in half
circles around them, crowding close,
shifting at each Of the horses.
AS they drew rein near the band
of mares, Charley's gelding swung
around to face Banner and they
spoke-half-squeal, half-grunt. Both
of them reared and suddenly Char
ley was having trouble in keeping
his seat as the two began a playful
fight, striking at each other with
their forefeet, nipping over the head,
trying for the neck.
"They're old friends" said Rob,
grinning.
Charley leaned out and made a
swing at the stallion. "Get away
with you, you brute!"
Banner gave great start and
bounded away but in few Sec
onds was back again, this time sniff
| fing at the mare Harris rode,
siding up to her, crowding close.
Suddenly he lunged at her.
Colonel Harris drew her away and
shouted at the stallion. Banner
circled, came back with head low,
shaking along the grass, and Rob
and Charley grinned, pulled up
their horses, and watched.
The mare was receiving COM
mands from two quarters. From her
rider, who held her forcibly back
and commanded her to cease her
play with the stallion and to stand
still-from Banner, whose single
lunge had been enough to tell her