The Pacing Mustaagf 



trying it, but I never seen a mustang creased 

 yet," was Wild Jo's critical remark. 



Sometimes, if the shape of the country abets 

 it, the herd can be driven into a corral ; some- 

 times with extra fine mounts they can be run 

 down, but by far the commonest way, paradoxi- 

 cal as it may seem, is to walk them down. 



The fameof the Stallion that never was known 

 to gallop was spreading. Extraordinary stories 

 were told of his gait, his speed, and his wind, and 

 when old Montgomery of the ' triangle-bar ' out- 

 fit came out plump at Well's Hotel in Clayton, 

 and in presence of witnesses said he'd give one 

 thousand dollars cash for him safe in a box-car, 

 providing the stories were true, a dozen young 

 cow-punchers were eager to cut loose and win 

 the purse, as soon as present engagements were 

 up. But Wild Jo had had his eye on this 

 very deal for quite a while; there was no time to 

 lose, so ignoring present contracts he rustled all 

 night to raise the necessary equipment for the 

 game. ' 



By straining his already overstrained credit, 

 and taxing the already overtaxed generosity of 

 his friends, he got together an expedition con- 



239 



