THE MUSTANG, OR WILD HORSE. 469 



of US, glancing past tlie leafy trunks of the great trees — 

 now in a line like a great spotted snake, arrowy gliding over 

 the green sea of grass. 



They had run their horses nearly forty miles before we 

 got on their trail, and yet our American horses, which were 

 perfectly fresh, were thoroughly used up before we closed 

 with them — but "thereby hangs a tale," touching and strange, 

 indeed — which we cannot stop here to tell. 



The incident strikingly illustrates though, the wonderful 

 powers of this animal. 



The bearing of the stallions toward their families is the 

 very ideal of chivalry — each one seems to consider himself 

 solely responsible for the safety of those he has taken under 

 his protection. He is always on the alert — feeding apart 

 from them on the highest ground, his watchful survey — every 

 moment or two scans the horizon, and if any thing suspicious 

 is detected,* off he dashes, fearless in his might and speed, 

 and circling around the doubtful object till he has determined 

 its character — if it be an enemy, his trumpet neigh gives 

 warning to his dames, who have been quietly feeding all this 

 time, to be off upon their flight ! while he, with proud curvoC 

 ings, follows on as if half determined not to fly at ah , 

 "sometimes he trots as though he told his steps," facing 

 back towards his pursuer, while 



"His nostrils drink the air, and forth again, 

 As from a furnace, vapors doth he send." 



And when a long look and the nearer approach of the enemy 

 has satisfied his curiosity, wheeling again, he flies with sur- 

 passing speed and louder neighing after his retreating herd — 

 while 



" Through his mane and tail the high wind sighs, 

 Fanning the hairs, who wave like feathered wings." 



It is a very common thing, when the hunters with the 

 lasso dash in among the herd, for these gallant fellows to 

 injure them or their horses seriously, by kicking and biting 



