TWENTY YEARS IN THE ROCKIES. 93 



brushes cleared away the burrs and drrt, showing his glossy, 

 bay coat, his heavy jet-black mane and tail,, altogether a 

 noble looking animal. His bridle and blanket were quickly 

 adjusted, and, with his large eyes shining like diamonds, 

 he evidently understood what was expected of him. 



All was excitement among the Indians and whites alike. 

 When the order was given Snail made a plunge in the air, 

 with head and tail erect, and the Indians began to wonder 

 what he would do. The Indian rider would not turn his 

 horse square around, and kept him sidewise, first on one 

 side then on the other, but was obliged to give up this trick. 

 Both ponies were good runners, but Snail's first leap meas- 

 ured twenty-two feet. He kept ahead all the way around 

 and came out forty yards in advance. 



The Indians stood rooted to the spot as if stunned* 

 while the boys raised a yell that cannot be described. Some 

 of the vanquished cried, while others laughed, saying: 

 "Pony heap good." The boys were more than recom- 

 pensed, for the cash value of the bets amounted to from 

 twelve to fifteen hundred dollars. Some of the squaws 

 were barefooted, and the boys took pity on them and gave 

 them back their moccasins. The Indians were so thorough- 

 ly outwitted they could not bear to remain in that part of 

 the country, but as quickly as possible withdrew to the 

 agency. 



Indians are very good judges of horses and seldom 

 lose a race. Their riders are always well-trained boys of 

 light weight, but this event for a long time put a stop to 

 racing in that section of the country. 



