Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine | Page 9

had seen others do since I had been
in Texas, I passed the noose over my mustang's neck, and left him to
graze, while I myself lay down outside the circle which the lasso would
allow him to describe. An odd manner, it may seem, of tying up a horse;
but the most convenient and natural one in a country where one may
often find one's-self fifty miles from any house, and five-and-twenty
from a tree or bush.
I found it no easy matter to sleep, for on all sides I heard the howling of
wolves and jaguars, an unpleasant serenade at any time, but most of all
so in the prairie, unarmed and defenceless as I was. My nerves, too,
were all in commotion, and I felt so feverish, that I do not know what I
should have done, had I not fortunately remembered that I had my
cigar-case and a roll of tobacco, real Virginia dulcissimus, in my
pocket--invaluable treasures in my present situation, and which on this,
as on many other occasions, did not fail to soothe and calm my agitated
thoughts.
Luckily, too, being a tolerably confirmed smoker, I carried a flint and
steel with me; for otherwise, although surrounded by lights, I should
have been sadly at a loss for fire. A couple of Havannahs did me an
infinite deal of good, and after a while I sunk into the slumber of which
I stood so much in need.
The day was hardly well broken when I awoke. The refreshing sleep I
had enjoyed had given me new energy and courage. I felt hungry
enough, to be sure, but light and cheerful, and I hastened to dig up the
end of the lasso, and saddled my horse. I trusted that, though I had been
condemned to wander over the prairie the whole of the preceding day,
as a sort of punishment for my rashness, I should now have better luck,

and having expiated my fault, be at length allowed to find my way.
With this hope I mounted my mustang, and resumed my ride.
I passed several beautiful islands of pecan, plum, and peach trees. It is a
peculiarity worthy of remark, that these islands are nearly always of
one sort of tree. It is very rare to meet with one where there are two
sorts. Like the beasts of the forest, that herd together according to their
kind, so does this wild vegetation preserve itself distinct in its different
species. One island will be entirely composed of live oaks, another of
plum, and a third of pecan trees; the vine only is common to them all,
and embraces them all alike with its slender but tenacious branches. I
rode through several of these islands. They were perfectly free from
bushes and brushwood, and carpeted with the most beautiful verdure it
is possible to behold. I gazed at them in astonishment. It seemed
incredible that nature, abandoned to herself, should preserve herself so
beautifully clean and pure, and I involuntarily looked around me for
some trace of the hand of man. But none was there. I saw nothing but
herds of deer, that gazed wonderingly at me with their large clear eyes,
and when I approached too near, galloped off in alarm. What would I
not have given for an ounce of lead, a charge of powder, and a
Kentucky rifle? Nevertheless, the mere sight of the beasts gladdened
me, and raised my spirits. They were a sort of society. Something of the
same feeling seemed to be imparted to my horse, who bounded under
me, and neighed merrily as he cantered along in the fresh spring
morning.
I was now skirting the side of an island of trees of greater extent than
most of those I had hitherto seen. On reaching the end of it, I suddenly
came in sight of an object presenting so extraordinary an appearance as
far to surpass any of the natural wonders I had as yet beheld, either in
Texas or the United States.
At the distance of about two miles rose a colossal mass, in shape
somewhat like a monumental mound or tumulus, and apparently of the
brightest silver. As I came in view of it, the sun was just covered by a
passing cloud, from the lower edge of which the bright rays shot down
obliquely upon this extraordinary phenomenon, lighting it up in the

most brilliant manner. At one moment it looked like a huge silver cone;
then took the appearance of an illuminated castle with pinnacles and
towers, or the dome of some great cathedral; then of a gigantic elephant,
covered with trappings, but always of solid silver, and indescribably
magnificent. Had all the treasures of the earth been offered me to say
what it was, I