WILD PONIES OF THE PLAINS 



When spring came, the boys with a number 

 of other neighbors started on a final "run 

 down," determined on capturing the long- 

 sought mare. Each was mounted on his best 

 horse, with a long lasso-rope coiled around the 

 saddle-horn. They rode in the direction of the 

 ponies' range, keeping well under cover of the 

 hills much of the way. Several women, includ- 

 ing the teacher, were in the party ; they were 

 bent on witnessing the capture of the famous 

 and much admired mare. The band was ob- 

 served feeding upon a slight elevation when 

 the party emerged from the cover of a friendly 

 canon. All riding at top speed, were soon in 

 the midst of the band, the teacher's admirer in 

 the lead. He spurred his horse to its utmost 

 speed as, with lasso in hand, he rushed among 

 the surprised and rapidly scattering band in 

 pursuit of the black mare. She, with the stal- 

 lion by her side, was almost aimlessly running 

 with long, graceful strides. The women, shout- 

 ing with excitement, followed in the distance. 

 Long Bob and the boys were in pursuit of 

 the beautiful mare and her gallant defender, the 

 gray stallion. As they sped over the prairies 

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