456 RECREATION 
clumsy bulk. To have fallen into the midst 
of that bears’ brawl could have resulted in 
nothing less than quick evolution from man 
to grease spot. And yet, though the twisted 
and thorny old mesquite was once or twice 
shaken as by a terrible quake of the earth, 
from the impact of the fighting grizzlies, 
the Don had the wits to remark one thing— 
they caterwauled not unlike a couple of big 
cats before they came together; now they 
growled like the thunders of hell. Ah! how 
they growled—like the thun 
There was a shock, as though the mes- 
quite had been struck by a shell from a 
howitzer—the Don was catapulted into the 
friendly chaparral rods away, and straight- 
way for him all was still. 
The fight was short, very short, the 
‘gorged first-comer yielding, in decent time, 
and going off just a little bit the maddest 
grizzly that ever was—and, fortunately for 
the insensible Mexican, taking a course 
away from where he had fallen. The victor 
lingered to enjoy his well-earned repast, 
but the fight had so disturbed his nerves 
that to merely stand and eat was mad- 

dening; so he smashed things generally 
and went off in almost as big a huff as his 
enemy. 
By and by Don Ramon recovered con- 
sciousness, and, more dead than alive, tore 
off his clothes and rid himself of the terrible 
pests. He was stung on every inch of his 
body, was swelling rapidly and feeling as if 
his senses would again leave him. ‘They did. 
And had not his henchmen saddled up 
promptly as they did when his pony came 
galloping in, they might have found him 
dead; for the gray ants had returned to his 
naked body from the clothing which he had 
cast aside, and as it was they pretty nearly 
finished him. The scared peons hustled the 
Don to town and got a doctor to him, but 
he fell into a fever and was very ill for 
many weeks. 
When he finally recovered, after a visit 
to the padre Don Ramon decided to 
leave off cattle stealing. Now he sticks 
close to smuggling and selling mescal to 
the thirsty railroaders, and if you know 
him very, very well, and ask him about it, 
he will tell you it is because he considers the 
hazards that attend earning an honest 
living in the back country worse than the 
chances of a term in jail from the Mejicano 
River Guard. And if you can appreciate 
this bit of delicate Mexican humor, perhaps 
he will spin for you the tale of that great 
bear fight. In that event you will hear a 
bear story so vivid, so thrilling and so pal- 
pably real that you will understand why I 
have not attempted to retell it. 
SOME RULES OF HORSEMANSHIP 
BY CAPT. JAMES W. DIXON, LATE U. S. A. 
ORSEBACK-RIDING is more generally 
indulged in now than ever before, which 
is accounted for by the vast improve- 
ment of the streets, roads and byways throtigh- 
out the country. Undoubtedly the bicycle 
craze of the last decade of the nineteenth 
century was a potent factor in the improvement 
of the roads, and for this, at any rate, we should 
be grateful. The automobile, while it has its 
many votaries, will never supplant the horse. 
The saddle-horse affords greater pleasure 
and imparts more benefits to its rider than does 
any other means of locomotion. Those only 
who have learned to ride know of its many 
exhilarating pleasures. The fire and spirit of 
the horse are quickly communicated to the 
rider and a certain magnetism exists that is 
mutually enjoyed. This must be experienced 
to be appreciated, as it surpasses all power 
of description. 
The tyro requires exact rules of guidance 
in the selection of a saddle-horse. 
First, the height of the animal must be con- 
sidered; the tendency is too much in the 
direction of ponies or cobs. Nothing imparts 
to a long-legged man a more uncouth and 
awkward appearance than a mount too low 
for him. For a man or a woman of average 

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