On reaching the summit of the hill,
the mustang came to a stand, and, with head high in air, screamed back a series of wild whighers, as if uttered in mockery or defiance.
There was but one horse on the ground capable of capturing that mustang; and perhaps only one rider who could have conducted him to the capture.
Though laying myself open to the accusation of an inordinate vanity, I must specify the horse and the rider thus alluded to. The first was my brave steed Moro the second was Captain Edward Warfield, in command of a free corps of rangers.
An early practice of hare and fox hunting in my native land continued by the chase of the stag over the forest-clad slopes of the Alleghanies had given me a seat in the saddle firm as its tree, and close as the skin that covered it; while a still later experience on the great western prairies, had rendered me habile in the handling of that wonderful weapon of prairie and pampa the lazo .
Habit had accustomed me to deem it almost as essential as my bridle; never to go abroad without it; and ever, while riding at the head of my troop of half guerilleros, half-regular cavalry a coil of thin shining rope composed of twisted hair from the tails of horses, might have been seen hanging from the horn of my saddle.
I esteemed it an arm of equal service with my pistols, whose butts glistened in the holsters beneath. It could be seen in Corral Falso hanging over the withers of my steed, as he stood among the others quietly munching his maize.
My dismounted lieutenant had noticed it, and turned towards me with an appealing look, impossible to be misunderstood.
He liked the appearance of the steel-grey mustang; and had become inspired with an insatiable longing to bestride it.
That longing could only be gratified by its capture; and this could only be effected by myself and Moro.
I understood the lieutenants look. Perhaps my comprehension was quickened by the pride or vanity that fluttered up within my bosom at the moment a desire for even that trifling triumph of distinguishing myself in the eyes of my own men.
I perceived that their eyes were upon me; and, ordering my horse to be bridled, I leaped into the saddle, and started off in pursuit of the escapado .
Story 1, Chapter XVIII A Horse-Hunt
I rode cautiously up the slope, keeping as well as I could under cover of the cactus plants, in hopes that I might get near enough to fling my lazo without fraying the animal I wished to capture.
There was but slight chance of my being able to accomplish this without a gallop.
The riderless horse was roused, and could not be approached unless by a ruse, or after being run down.
I could think of no trick beyond that of stealing upon the mustang through some trees near which he had stopped, and I rode towards them.
It was to no purpose. The animal having the advantage in position, could see me as I advanced up the acclivity. Before I had got half way to the trees, it turned tail towards me; and, uttering a shrill scream, disappeared over the crest of the ridge.
Giving Moro a touch of the spur, I hastened on to the spot lately occupied by the escapado.
On reaching the summit I saw the mustang once more, but at a rather discouraging distance. It had made good use of the short time it had been out of sight being now nearly half a mile off, and still going down the slope, which declined in the direction of the Rio del Plan.
I hesitated to follow. The pursuit might carry me far into the heart of the country, and away from the main road. My time was precious. I had orders to report at head-quarters at an early hour of the evening. Cavalry were at that time scarce in the American army; and even my irregulars might be required for some duty. I had not much discretionary control as to my movements; and, with these reflections crossing my mind, I determined to return to my troop.
Rather should I say, I was about determining to do so, when a circumstance occurred that decided me to go on.
As I sat in my saddle, watching the fugitive mustang expecting it soon to disappear into the woods at the bottom of the hill, all of a sudden the animal came to a halt, and, turning around and tossing its head high in the air, once more gave utterance to a shrill whigher.
There was something in the neighing of the creature, as well as the movement that accompanied it, that seemed to say, Come after me if you dare!
At all events, I interpreted it
as a challenge of this kind, and, in the excitement of the moment, I determined to accept it.
I was influenced, also, by the presence of my comrades, who were watching me from below.
Duty should have determined me to ride back to them, and resume our interrupted march; but the chagrin which I should have felt in so easily abandoning a project I had taken up with such a show of determination, outweighed my sense of duty; and, without further delay, I launched myself down the slope in pursuit of the fugitive horse.
As I drew near, the animal started off again; but, instead of taking to the timber as I expected it would have done it kept along the edge of the wood, in a south-easterly direction.