The Last of the Plainsmen 



with Frank looming white through the occasional 

 pinons. Then all dropped out of sight, to appear 

 again suddenly. They had reached the first break. 

 Soon I was upon it. Two deer ran out of the ravine, 

 almost brushing my horse in the haste. Satan went 

 down and up in a few giant strides. Only the narrow 

 ridge separated us from another break. It was up 

 and down then for Satan, a work to which he man 

 fully set himself. Occasionally I saw Wallace and 

 Jones, but heard them oftener. All the time the 

 breaks grew deeper, till finally Satan had to zigzag 

 his way down and up. Discouragement fastened on 

 me, when from the summit of the next ridge I saw 

 Frank far down the break, with Jones and Wallace 

 not a quarter of a mile away from him. I sent out 

 a long, exultant yell as Satan crashed into the hard, 

 dry wash in the bottom of the break. 



I knew from the way he quickened under me that 

 he intended to overhaul somebody. Perhaps because 

 of the clear going, or because my frenzy had cooled 

 to a thrilling excitement which permitted detail, I saw 

 clearly and distinctly the speeding horsemen down 

 the ravine. I picked out the smooth pieces of ground 

 ahead, and with the slightest touch of the rein on his 

 neck, guided Satan into them. Ho&amp;gt;v he ran! The 

 light, quick beats of his hoofs were regular, pound 

 ing. Seeing Jones and Wallace sail high into the air, 



