PRAIRIE LIFE. 



421 



Arab going in at a boar. He seems, in his dash over rocks and 

 crannies, as if he had four spare legs under him — so quickly 

 does he change his stride, fling his leaps, and vary his foothold. 

 Now you are past her — up flourishes the little Winchester to 

 arm's length, while a shout goes home to her ear and Smoke 

 stops short in a single stride. The wild mare is turned : and 



her head is now for the green and smoother valley, where she. 

 and her " outfit " may be managed more easily. Still " she 

 scours the plain like a creature winged, I swear," and Smoke 

 has little respite while he maintains such terms as will prevent 

 her again doubling for the bad lands. So down the rough 

 hillsides and on to the prairie-dog towns (like so many rabbit 

 warrens) beneath — the pace never slacking, but reins loose on 

 neck and everything left to the little horse's honesty. As a 

 matter of fact these prairie-bred horses scarcely ever put you 

 down. Even when going at apparently top speed, they retain 

 such command over themselves that they stop, wheel, jump, or 

 drop quietly down a declivity — never hesitating, but moving by 

 a quick unerring instinct that never fails them. You must of 



