The Young Trail Hunters

he range this morning. Which of you w

claimed both in

first," c

I spoke first mys

didn't," re

ikely to become a serious one

nce by taking you both with me. In this

aimed Ned. "We can bot

"Never mind which spoke first. If either of

high in air, as though sniffing the morning breeze, their necks proudly arched, and long manes and tails gracefully flowing to

overed them, they went i

have one to ride? What are you going to do with them?" and a hundred other qu

elegant forms and beautiful color, they became greatly excited, declaring loudly,

ighten the herd which was now close to the enclosure; but finally succeede

he boys mounted the wall, eager to select their ponies. This was soon done: H

orral, lasso in hand. He stood for a moment, waiting his opportunity, and then, swin

ut Manuel anticipated the movement, and gently tightened it; when, with a snort of def

ce and skill, Manuel succeeded in separating her from the remaind

Manuel managed to cast his noose over the mare's head; and, even when this had been accomplished, she seemed disposed to make him

ponies, what are you goin

ride 'em, of cour

ne ride mine, before I

d I. "Come, Manuel, let

ch enabled him to bring her head so perfectly under his control, that, with comparative ease, he made a loop

around her neck. Unable to rid herself of her burden in this manner, she planted her fore feet firmly on the earth, and elevated her hind legs high in the air with great rapidity and fury, forcing the rider

still for a moment, as if to gather strength for a last, grand, final effort f

to again come in sight, galloping madly over the swell of the plain, swerving neither to

k? If she does, I don't want to ride her. Didn't she just fl

hrough with her, you'll find it easi

," remarked Hal. "I wonder if all M

icans in Texas who ride equally well, if

do it," rejoined Hal; "and I

n your black, Hal. She's waiting

ome, let's go and see the beauty," said Hal; and the two started for

tly as though she had been accustomed to the saddle for years. Riding up to

rral. She'll fancy you're the one who first gained the mastery over

a similar experience; and, after that, the boys, with Manuel to instru

ad arrived from the East the night previou

e, and had been sent to Texas that they migh

after the first novelty had worn off, the life was dull and exceedingly tiresome. So monotonous did it become in fact, that it

harness and outfit for the road, complete; and engaged the services of an old Texan named Jerry Vance, as wagon-master for the trip. We also bought a small but well-selected lot of goods, suitable for either the Mexican or Indian trade; laid in a large stoc

rs of the San Pedro, four miles above the city of San Antonio, and their only amuseme

wing morning, Magoffin's train, consisting of seventeen wagons, forty men, and two hundred

s could hardly contain themselves for joy a

will; for there were many things yet to b

put in order and freshly loaded, wagons repacked, and, in fact, a thousand things

boys spent the evening in asking him questions about the route, which were easily answered; for he had passed over it sev

io, Texas, to San Diego, California, as well as some of the a

whips cracking; wheels creaking; and, far above all, I could hear the loud voices of Hal and Ned, now giving orders and endeavoring to instruct old Jerry how to catch a

ere already harnessed, and only waiting the ap

of the teamsters, and the many sounds indicating the approach of a large train. Presently the herd of spare mules was seen, and then the covers of the wagons. We mounted our ponies, old Jerry called

lorious one;-the long line of wagons, each drawn by eight mules, stretching far ahead and following the tortuous windings of the road, their white

wern't Indians enough in the country to whip us; for confirmation of his opinion, appealing to old Jerry, who, how

cident worthy of note. The settlements had all been passed, Fort Cla

istant mountains, leaving us to enjoy the light of our camp-fire, and admire its ruddy glow, reflected on the snow-white covers of our wagons. These were park

ight days on the road, and we haven't seen an Indian. I don't believe there are any. Now what's the us

h, at any rate," said Ned. "And before it gets any

aling to me, "that there's any

ecaution to-night that we have since we left San Antonio? It is impossible to tell how near Indians

seen 'em signalin' all the afternoon, and signalin' allers means bizness with them r

u are always imagining things that never come to pass. I g

aybe you'll know more about Injuns than you do now, and maybe you won't," rejoined

were properly secured, I threw myself dow

mpossible to rid myself of the impression made by Jerry's casual remark. Calling him to me, I asked him

see 'em in so many directions, it's a sure sign that they

s, and ascertain if his men had seen anything to cause them to apprehend danger. I found that Don Ignacio, the wagon-master, fu

what I had heard and cautioning them to keep a sharp lookout during t

f to sleep; but, finding it impossible to do so, conc

have travelled nearly a mile, when I came suddenly upon a

m the herd, I attempted to secure it, with the intention of leading it back; but, to my surpris

proach it without making an effort to escape; consequently, the more I thought of the matter the more singular it seemed. Returning to camp, I fo

nt's hesitatio

bein' a scout, he couldn't have done nothin' else, 'cause it might hev spilt thei

Indian with the

er show themselves when they're on a horse, or in a fight. They just stick closer'n a tick to their hoss's side, and do a heap of mighty g

s, Jerry, hadn't we better rouse the cam

n they would be round here. That's a nice sort of a guard, ain't it?" said Jerry, pointing to Hal, who was slumbering soundly near the fire. "T

lyze the stoutest heart. For a single instant it lasted, and then the most unearthly din that can possibly be imagined filled the air; while the neighing of horses, the braying of

coming towards us, and Jerry and

latter being obliged to give their whole attention to t

or where to go,-only adding to the terrible confusion; until, by Jerry's direction, they ensco