Coaly-Bay, the Outlaw Horse 
Coaly-bay would escape. ‘Wall, if that’s the best 
you can do, he’s yourn.” 
The hunter handed him five dollars, then said: 
“Now, stranger, bargain’s settled. Will you . 
tell me why you sell this fine horse for five dollars?” 
“Mighty simple. He can’t be rode. He’s dead 
lame when he’s going your way and sound as a dol- 
lar going his own; no fence in the country can hold 
him; he’s a dangerous outlaw. He’s wickeder nor 
old Nick.” 
“Well, he’s an almighty handsome Bear-bait,” 
and the hunters rode on. 
Coaly-bay was driven with the packhorses, and 
limped dreadfully on the trail. Once or twice he 
tried to go back, but he was easily turned by the 
__¥~men behind him. His limp grew worse, and toward 
night it was painful to see him. 
The leading guide remarked: ‘That thar limp 
ain’t no fake. He’s got some deep-seated trouble.” 
Day after day the hunters rode farther into the 
- mountains, driving the horses along and hobblir~ 
them at night. Coaly-bay went with the re: 
limping along, tossing his head and his long sple 
did mane at every step. One of the hunters tri 
to ride him and nearly lost his life, for the hor 
seemed possessed of a demon as soon as the mi 
was on his back. 
To 
