HORSE HUNTING. 137 



and yards, were all arranged so as to offer every facility for their 



capture. 



295. — In the mori]iii<>-, relays of first-class well-trained 

 horses and horsemen were directed to different parts of the run, 

 so as to relieve each other in the arduous exhausting chase. 

 Clouds of dust could be seen here and there, now nearer and 

 now farther from the station, and before noon one large cloud 

 steadily approached the homestead, with a noise of hoofs more 

 rapid than of a charging troop of cavalry, and with the crack of 

 silk ended whips, louder than the report of a rifle. Every thing 

 had been well planned for their reception, not a dog or pig was 

 loose, and every sack, hide, or sheep skin had been removed from 

 their track. As the way grew more narrow and the fences higher 

 the leaders snorted, stopped, hesitated, and essayed to turn back, 

 but it w^as too late. The steaming horses, the excited men, and ^ 

 the serpent-like whips, flying high in the air, and cracking like a 

 rending forest, were close upon them, and it was soon evident 

 that many in that beautiful herd of truly wild, though well-bred 

 horses, had seen the last free and happy day of their life. 



290. — The immensely strong and high yard was well tried, 

 as the timid powerful mass pressed from side to side, to get as far 

 as possible from the human forms that conveyed so much terror 

 to them. About twenty-five horses were drafted into a small 

 yard surrounded with a top plank for a man to walk on. A rope 

 was adjusted to the end of a long light pole, and a running noose 

 skilfully dropped over the highest head. A single turn of the 

 other end of the rope was taken round a strong post and held 

 with give-and-take enough to save the horse's neck. A gate 

 now opened into an adjoining little yard, into which ti-.e loose 

 horses ran, leaving the captive alone. He makes a frantic pull 

 backwards, and threatens to smash himself to pieces against the 

 strong timber, but the merciful rope has cut off' the supply of 

 oxygen to his brain, so that it no longer issues its mandates to 

 the powerful muscles. The legs bend under the load, and the horse 

 sinks helpless to the ground. One man is instantly at his head, 

 two lean over his back, his legs are hobbled, the rope is slackened, 

 .and he returns to consciousness to find himself dejtrived of the 



