

O'-.J&Jg^ 



J'*^' 



The Pacing Mustang 



sisting of twenty good saddle-horses, a mess- 

 wagon, and a fortnight's stuff for three men — 

 himself, his ' pard,' Charley, and the cook. 



Then they set out from Clayton, with the 

 avowed intention of walking down the wonder- 

 fully swift wild horse. The third day they arrived 

 at Antelope Springs, and as it was about noon 

 they were not surprised to see the black Pacer 

 marching down to drink with all his band behind 

 him. Jo kept out of sight until the wild horses 

 each and all had drunk their fill, for a thirsty 

 animal always travels better than one laden with 

 water. 



Jo then rode quietly forward. The Pacer 

 took alarm at half a mile, and led his band away 

 out of sight on the soapweed mesa to the south- 

 east. Jo followed at a gallop till he once more 

 sighted them, then came back and instructed 

 the cook, who was also teamster, to make for 

 Alamosa Arroyo in the south. Then away to 

 the southeast he went after the mustangs. After 

 a mile or two he once more sighted them, and 

 walked his horse quietly till so near that they 

 again took alarm and circled away to the south. 

 An hour's trot, not on the trail, but cutting 



240 



