524 RINGGOLD BARRACKS 
my will among a herd of frantic wild horses after the 
fashion of Mazeppa, I dismounted and hitched my 
mule to a wagon, and with several others ran with my , 
fire-arms to meet the advancing steeds, which were 
now nearly upon us, led off by a fearless stallion. We 
discharged our arms at them as they approached, and 
fortunately with good effect. The leader was turned, 
and the avalanche of wild animals swept by us like a 
tornado, much to our relief. We held in for a few 
minutes until the herd had passed, when we unlocked 
our wheels and hastened forward to the first of the 
train, which had halted. 
By the time we reached it, the runaway wagon | 
and mules, with those who had been in pursuit, were 
just coming up after a most exciting chase. Fortu- 
nately no one was injured, and our animals were all 
captured and brought back, except one, and that one 
of the most valuable horses belonging to the party. 
This animal was ridden by the wagon-master, and 
when in full pursuit of the runaways, he stepped into 
one of the burrowing places which abound on the 
prairies, fell, and threw his rider over his head. Thus 
freed from restraint, he joined his wild brethren and 
disappeared on the prairie, with his saddle, bridle, and 
trappings. 
As we continued our journey other herds of mus- 
tangs were seen coming from the east, but none ap- 
proached us. Large numbers of deer and antelope 
were also perceived as we jogged along. In the after- 
noon we crossed a deep ravine, the dry bed of the 
Escondida, which bore the traces of recent water; and 
just beyond this the great prairie was on fire = 
