130 NEIGHBORS WITH OLA WS AND HOOFS. 



me unawares. In a half-mile I reached the station, and 1 

 was cautiously greeted by a man who sat by the barn-door 

 with a rifle across his knees. He had seen me come over 

 the plain, and had also seen the Mexican horse fall. Not 

 knowing but he might be in league with the robbers, 1 

 gave him a careful glance before dismounting, and was 

 completely reassured by an expression of terror which had 

 possession of his countenance. 



20. I sprang to the ground and threw off the saddle, 

 and, after a word or two with the man, who proved to be 

 the sole occupant of this station, we fell to work upon 

 Kaweah, my cocked pistol and his rifle lying close at hand. 

 We sponged the creature's mouth, and, throwing a sheet 

 over him, walked him regularly up and down for about 

 three quarters of an hour, and then taking him upon the 

 open plain, where we could scan the horizon in all direc- 

 tions, gave him a thorough grooming. I never saw him 

 look so magnificent as when we led him down to the 

 creek to drink. His skin was like satin, and the veins on 

 his head and neck stood out firm and round like whip- 

 cords. 



Clarence King. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

 THE ALARM-BELL OF ATRI. 



AT Atri, in Abruzzo, a small town 



Of ancient Roman date, but scant renown 



One of those little places that have run 



Half up the hill, beneath a blazing sun, 



And then sat down to rest, as if to say, 



" I climb no farther upward, come what may "- 



