Winnetou, the Apache Knight | Page 8

something on hand more interesting than surveying."
"What is it?"
"You'll see. Get your horse ready; we're going to ride."
"And how about the work?"
"Nonsense! You've done your share. However, I expect to be back by noon, and then you
can measure as much as you will."
After arranging with Bancroft for my absence, we started; and as Sam made a mystery of
the object of our expedition, I said nothing to show that I suspected what it was.
We went back of the ravine where we were surveying to a stretch of prairie which Sam
had pointed out the day before. It was two good miles broad, and surrounded by woody
heights, from which flowed a brook irrigating the plain. We rode to the westerly

boundary, where the grass was freshest, and here Sam securely tied his horse - his
borrowed horse - and let him graze. As he looked about him an expression of satisfaction
shone on his rugged face, like sunshine on rocks. "Dismount, sir," he said, "and tie your
horse strong; we'll wait here."
"Why tie him so strongly? " I asked, though I knew well.
"Because you might lose him. I have often seen horses go off with such companions."
"Such companions as what? " I asked.
"Try to guess."
"Mustangs?"
"How did you know?"
"I've read that if domestic horses weren't well tied they'd join the wild ones when a herd
came along."
"Confound it! you've read so much a man can't get the best of you."
"Do you want to get the best of me?"
"Of course. But look, the mustangs have been here."
"Are those their tracks?"
"Yes; they went through here yesterday. It was a scouting party. Let me tell you that
these beasts are uncommonly sharp. They always send out little advance-parties, which
have their officers exactly like soldiers, and the commander is the strongest and most
erperienced horse. They travel in circular formation, stallions outside, mares next them
inside, and the foals in the middle, in order that the males may protect the mares and
young. I have already shown you how to catch a mustang with a lasso; do you remember?
Would you like to capture one?"
"Certainly I would."
"Well, you'll have a chance before noon to-day."
"Thanks, but I don't intend to catch one."
"The dickens you don't! And why not?"
"Because I don't need a horse."
"But a real frontiersman never asks whether he needs a horse or not."
"Now look here, Sam; only yesterday you were speaking of the brutal way the white men,

though they do not need meat, kill the buffaloes in masses, depriving the Indians of their
food. We agreed that was a crime against beasts and men."
"Assuredly."
"This is a similar case. I should do wrong to rob one of these glorious fellows of his
freedom unless I needed a horse."
"That's well said, young man; bravely said. Any man, any Christian worth calling so,
would feel thus; but who said anything about robbing him of his freedom? Just put your
education in lasso-throwing to the proof, that's all."
"That's a different thing; I'll do that."
"All right; and I'll use one in earnest, for I do need a horse. I've often told you, and now
I'll say again: Sit strong in your saddle, control your horse well when you feel the lasso
tighten, and pull; for if you don't you'll be unseated, and the mustang will gallop off,
taking your horse and lasso with him. Then you'll lose your mount and be, like me, only a
common footsoldier."
He was about to give more advice, but stopped suddenly, and pointed to the northern end
of the prairie. There stood a horse, one single, solitary horse. He walked slowly forward,
not stopping to graze, turning his head first to one side, then to the other, snuffing the air
as he came.
"Do you see?" whispered Sam. "Didn't I tell you they'd come? That's the scout come on
ahead to see if all's safe. He's a wise beast! See how he looks in all directions! He won't
discover us, though, for we have the wind towards us."
The mustang broke into a trot, running to the right, then to the left, and finally turned and
disappeared as we had seen him come.
"Did you see him?" cried Sam admiringly. "How wise he is! An Indian scout could not
have done better."
"That's so; I'm surprised at him."
"Now he's gone back to tell his general the air is pure. How we fooled him! They'll all be
here shortly. You ride back to the other end of the prairie, and wait there, while I go
towards them and hide in the trees. When they come I'll chase them, and they'll fly in