358 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS 
CHAP. 
the horse, and to follow in pursuit at the highest 
speed upon the trail of the horse-stealer, was the 
work of only a few minutes. The track was plain 
enough in the morning dew, where ten or a dozen 
mules and horses had brushed through the low 
prairie grass. Big Bill went at a gallop, and he 
knew that he must quickly overtake them ; his only 
doubt lay in the suspicion that there might be con¬ 
federates, and that a strong party might have joined 
together to secure the prize, instead of the solitary 
stranger being in charge. However, at all hazards 
he pushed on at best speed in chase; at the same 
time, the horse-stealer, thoroughly experienced in his 
profession, was driving his ill-gotten herd before him 
at a gentle trot, thoroughly convinced that it would 
be impossible to be overtaken, as the owner had 
been left (as he supposed) without a horse. 
At length, after a pursuit of some hours, upon 
attaining the summit of a broad eminence, Big Bill’s 
eyes were gladdened by the sight of some distant 
objects moving upon the horizon, and he at once 
redoubled his speed. 
The stranger, innocent of suspicion, trotted 
leisurely forward, whistling, and driving his newly 
acquired animals with professional composure, with¬ 
out condescending to look back, as he felt certain 
of security, having left his hospitable friend of the 
preceding night with nothing better than his own 
legs for locomotion. 
In the meantime, Big Bill was coming up at a 
gallop ; he was boiling with indignation at the 
