Winnetou, the Apache Knight | Page 8

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 your direction; then you show yourself, and they'll turn back towards me. So we'll drive them back and forth till we've picked out the two best horses, and we'll catch them and choose between them. Do you agree?"
"How can you ask? I know nothing of the art of mustang-catching, of which you are past master, and I've nothing to do but follow your directions."
"All right. I have caught mustangs before to-day, and I hope you're not far wrong in calling me a 'master' of that trade. Now let's take our places."
We turned and rode in opposite directions, he northward, I southward to the spot where we had entered the prairie. I got behind some little trees, made one end of the lasso fast, and coiled the other ready for use. The further end of the prairie was so far off that I could not see the mustangs when they first appeared, but after I had been waiting a quarter of an hour I saw what looked like a dark cloud rapidly increasing in size and advancing in my direction. At first it seemed to be made up of objects about as big as sparrows,then they seemed like cats, dogs, calves, and at last I saw them in their own