32 A WILD-HORSE HUNT. 



of horsemen, the nearest hunter hastens to encounter 

 them, and, terrified by his unexpected presence, con- 

 strains them to retrace their steps. 



My readers will understand the excitement and tumult 

 of the spectacle I am weakly endeavouring to describe. 

 They cannot conceive a more splendid sight than this 

 herd of horses galloping to and fro, with flying manes 

 and outstretched necks, and breathing through their 

 nostrils in abrupt and hasty snorts, which the surround- 

 ing echoes have scarcely time to repeat, and to transmit 

 from one mountain to another. 



The Pawnees, who had hospitably entertained me, now 

 fastened their baggage-horses to trees and posts, lest, 

 under the influence of the example of their congeners, 

 they, too, should take to flight. Fifty Redskins, with the 

 chief of the tribe at their head, glided along the woods 

 which lined the hills on the right, leading their chargers 

 'by the hand. An equal number moved to the left, on 

 the other side of the brook ; and a third body proceeded, 

 by an immense circuit, to take ambush in a line parallel 

 to the lower part of the valley, with the view of connect- 

 ing the two wings, and of drawing close and filling up 

 the circle, within whose area the wild horses were to be 

 confined! 



This skilful manoeuvre was executed with wonderful 

 precision ; the third line speedily joined itself to those 

 on the right and left, and the manade evinced some symp- 

 toms of alarm. They neighed repeatedly ; they breathed 

 violently; they cast around them furtive and anxious 

 glances. Soon, at a gentle trot, they disappeared behind 

 a leafy clump of cotton-trees. 



