PRAIRIE LIFE. 



421 



Arab going in at a boar. He seems, in his dash over rocks and 

 crannies, as if he had four spare legs under him so quickly 

 does he change his stride, fling his leaps, and vary his foothold. 

 Now you are past her up flourishes the little Winchester to 

 arm's length, while a shout goes home to her ear and Smoke 

 stops short in a single stride. The wild mare is turned : and 



her head is now for the green and smoother valley, where she 

 and her " outfit " may be managed more easily. Still " she 

 scours the plain like a creature winged, I swear," and Smoke 

 has little respite while he maintains such terms as will prevent 

 her again doubling for the bad lands. So down the rough 

 hillsides and on to. the prairie-dog towns (like so many rabbit 

 warrens) beneath the pace never slacking, but reins loose on 

 neck and everything left to the little horse's honesty. As a 

 matter of fact these prairie-bred horses scarcely ever put you 

 down. Even when going at apparently top speed, they retain 

 such command over themselves that they stop, wheel, jump, or 

 drop quietly down a declivity never hesitating, but moving by 

 a quick unerring instinct that never fails them. You must of 



