The Pacing Mustang 



was rank with drowned prairie dogs and mice. 

 Here was the new trail the animals were forced 

 to make by the pit. He selected a sedgy clump 

 near some smooth, grassy ground, and first 

 firmly sunk the post, then dug a hole large 

 enough to hide in, and spread his blanket in it. 

 He shortened up the little mare's tether, till she 

 could scarcely move ; then on the ground be- 

 tween he spread his open lasso, tying the long 

 end to the post, then covered the rope with 

 dust and grass, and went into his hiding-place. 



About noon, after long waiting, the amorous 

 whinny of the mare was answered from the high 

 ground, away to the west, and there, black 

 against the sky, was the famous Mustang. 



Down he came at that long swinging gait, 

 but grown crafty with much pursuit, he often 

 stopped to gaze and whinny, and got answer 

 that surely touched his heart. Nearer he came 

 again to call, then took alarm, and paced all 

 around in a great circle to try the wind for his 

 foes, and seemed in doubt. The Angel whis- 

 pered ' < Don' t go. " But the brown mare called 

 again He circled nearer still, and neighed 

 once more, and got reply that seemed to quell 

 all fears, and set his heart aglow. 



265 



