"There must be buffalo in this neighbourhood," said Basil, looking to
the ground as they rode on. "These `chips' are very fresh. They cannot
have lain for many days. See! there is a buffalo-road covered with
tracks!"
As Basil said this, he pointed to a trough-like hollow in the prairie,
running as far as the eye could reach. It looked like the dry bed of a
stream; but the hoof-tracks in the bottom showed that it was what he had
called it,--a buffalo-road, leading, no doubt, to some river or
watering-place. It was so deep that, in riding along it, the heads of
our travellers were on a level with the prairie. It had been thus
hollowed out by the water during heavy rains, as the soil, previously
loosened by the hoofs of the buffaloes, was then carried off to the
rivers. Such roads the buffaloes follow at times, thousands of them
keeping in the same trail. They travel thus when they are migrating in
search of better pastures, or water--to which they know by experience
the roads will conduct them.
Our hunters did not follow this road far, as there was no certainty that
it would bring them to where the animals then were. They crossed over,
and kept on for the butte.
"_Voila_!" cried Francois, "what are these?" Francois pointed to
several circular hollows that appeared in the prairie before them.
"Buffalo-wallows, I declare!" said Basil: "some of them are quite fresh
too!"
"Buffalo-wallows!" echoed Francois; "what are they?"
"Why, have you never heard of them, Frank?" asked Basil. "Places where
the buffalo wallow and tumble like horses and farm-cattle."
"Oh, that's it," said Francois; "but what do they do it for?"
"Well, that I don't know. Perhaps Luce can tell."
"Some say," said Lucien, thus appealed to, "they do it to scratch
themselves, and get rid of the flies and other insects that annoy them.
Others believe that they practise this curious exercise only by way of
diversion."
"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Francois, "what funny fellows they must be!"
"There is yet another more curious explanation," continued Lucien,
"which is this:--that the buffaloes make these hollows to catch water
when it rains, so that they may come back to them and drink!"
"Ha! ha! ha!" again laughed Francois; "I can't believe that, brother."
"I would not have you neither," said Lucien; "of course, the supposition
is not true--as the buffalo is not an animal possessing sufficient
intelligence for that. It is only offered as a curious suggestion. It
is certain, however, that the water collects in these holes during
rain-time, and often remains there for days; and the buffaloes,
wandering about, drink out of them. Therefore, it may, in one sense, be
truly said that the buffaloes _dig their own wells_! These often prove
of service to other animals, as well as those who have made them. Lost
trappers and Indians have been saved by finding water in them, when
otherwise they would have perished from thirst."
"How very round they are!" said Francois; "why, they are perfect
circles! How do the buffaloes make them so?"
"By laying themselves out at full length and spinning round and round
like a wagon wheel upon its nave. They revolve with great rapidity,
using their humped shoulders as a pivot, and their legs as levers. They
sometimes continue this motion for half-an-hour at a time. No doubt
they do this, as has been said, to scratch themselves; for,
notwithstanding their thick hides and hair, they are much annoyed by
insect-parasites. They do it, too, for amusement, or to give themselves
pleasure, which is the same thing. You have often witnessed horses at a
similar exercise; and was it not evident that they took a pleasure in
it? Have you not fancied so?"
"Oh, yes," cried Francois, "I am sure horses enjoy a good tumble."
"Well, then, it is to be supposed the buffaloes do the same. Getting
rid of their tormentors, and pressing their hot sides into the fresh
cool earth, is, no doubt, a source of enjoyment to them. They are not
very cleanly; as they are often seen wandering about, so covered with
dirt, that one cannot tell what colour their hide is."
"Well!" added Francois, "I hope we shall soon come across one with a
_white_ hide!"
Talking after this fashion, our young hunters continued their journey.
They had ridden about ten miles, when Basil--whose eye was all the time
wandering around the prairie horizon--uttered an exclamation, and
suddenly reined up his horse. The others, seeing him do so, stopped
also.
"What do you see?" asked Lucien.
"I do not know," replied Basil; "but there is something yonder upon the
edge of the prairie--to the southward--do you see it?"
"Yes; it looks like a clump of low trees."
"No," said Basil; "they are not trees. This moment I saw one apart from
the rest, and I do not see it now. It appeared to move in toward the
mass. I fancy they are animals of some kind or other."
"Buffaloes, I hope!" cried Francois, raising himself to his full height
in the stirrups, and endeavouring to get a sight of them. But Francois'
pony did not give him a sufficient elevation to enable him to see the
objects; and he was, therefore, compelled to withhold an opinion as to
what they might be.
"Should we ride towards them?" asked Lucien, addressing Basil.
"I think they are moving this way," replied the latter. "They extend
more along the horizon, and that may be because they are getting nearer.
Buffaloes! no--as I live," continued he, elevating his voice, "they are
horsemen--perhaps mounted Indians!"
"Why do you think so?" inquired Lucien, hurriedly.
"I saw one between me and the sky. I can tell the shape of a horse as
far as I can see him. I am sure it was one. Look! yonder goes
another!"
"It is," added Lucien; "it is a horse. But see! there is no rider--no
one on his back; and yonder's another, also without a rider. Ha! I
know now--_they are mustangs_!"
"Mustangs!" echoed Francois; "good!--that will be something worth
seeing."
It soon proved that Lucien was right. It was a drove of mustangs, or
wild horses. Basil was also right in saying that they were coming
towards them; for in a few moments they appeared to be within less than
a mile, and approaching at a rapid gallop.
They galloped closely together like a trained troop; and one could be
perceived some lengths in the advance apparently acting as leader. Now
and then one would shy out of the ranks, and rear a moment apart from
the rest, but would return again, and fall in with his companions. It
was a rare sight to see them as they came on; and the ground thundered
under their hoofs as though a squadron of cavalry was charging over it.
When within less than half a mile of the party, they seemed to notice
the latter for the first time. All at once the foremost halted, threw
up his head with a snort, and stood still. The others stopped,
imitating the example of their leader. The latter was still some paces
in the advance; while the breasts of his followers seemed to form a
compact front, like cavalry in line of battle! After standing still for
a few seconds, the leader uttered a shrill neigh, shied to the right,
and dashed off at full speed. The others answered the call; and,
instantly wheeling into the same direction, followed after. The
movement was executed with the precision of a troop!
Our hunters supposed the horses were about to pass them, and part
company without coming closer. They all regretted this, as they were
desirous of having a nearer view of these noble creatures. In order not
to alarm them as they were coming up, all three had taken the precaution
to dismount; and now stood partially screened by their own horses, yet
holding the latter firmly--as these were terrified by the thundering
tramp of the wild steeds.
In a moment the mustangs appeared opposite--that is, with their sides
turned to the hunters; and the latter now saw with joy that they were
not passing away, but _galloping in a circle_--of which they, the
spectators, were the centre!
The circle in which the horses ran was scarcely half a mile in diameter,
and they appeared to be approaching nearer to the centre. In fact, they
were not following the circumference of a circle, but a spiral curve
that contracted gradually inward.
The boys had now a fair view of them, and a beautiful sight it was.
There were about two hundred in all, but they were of different
colours--scarcely two of them being marked alike. There were black and
white ones, and bay and roan. Some were brown, some sorrel, and some of
an iron-grey; and there were others--many of them--mottled and spotted
like hounds! All had flowing manes and long waving tails; and these
streamed behind them as they galloped, adding to the gracefulness of
their appearance. It was, in truth, a beautiful sight, and the hearts
of the boys bounded within them, while their eyes followed the moving
troop as it circled round and round.
But the eyes of all three soon centred upon one--the leader, and a
fairer object none of them had ever beheld. Basil, who loved a fine
horse more than any living thing, was in an ecstasy as he gazed upon
this beautiful creature. It was no wonder, for a more perfect-looking
animal could hardly have been conceived. He was larger than any of the
herd, though still under the size of an English horse. His full chest
and prominent eye-balls--his well-bound flanks and quarters--his light
cylindrical limbs and small finely-shaped hoofs, showed of what race he
was--an Arab of the Andalusian breed--a descendant of the noble steeds
that carried the first conquerors of Mexico. His proportions were what
a judge would have pronounced perfect; and Basil, who, in fact, _was_ a
judge, had already said so. He was white all over--white as the
mountain-snow. As he galloped, his nostrils appeared open and red, his
eyes stood prominently forth, his mane was tossed on both sides of his
neck from his crest to his withers, and his long tail streamed
horizontally behind him. His free, graceful movements--like that of all
his followers--showed that no saddle had ever been laid across his back.
As Basil gazed upon this noble creature, he became imbued with an
irresistible desire to possess him. It is true he already had a horse,
and as fine a one as ever wore saddle; but it was Basil's weakness to
covet every fine horse he saw; and this one had inspired him with a most
particular longing to become his owner. In a few seconds' time, so
eager had grown this desire, that Basil felt as if he would have given
all he had in the world--Black Hawk, perhaps, excepted--to be the master
of this prairie steed. Throwing a lasso, as Basil could, and mounted as
he was, it would strike you that he might soon have gratified his wish;
but it was not so easy a thing, and Basil knew that. He knew that he
might without difficulty overtake and fling his noose over some of the
"fags" of the herd; but to capture the leader was quite another thing--a
feat _never accomplished upon the prairies_, even by the Indians
themselves. He had often heard this, nevertheless, he was determined to
try. He had great confidence in the speed and bottom of Black Hawk.
He communicated his determination to his brothers, in a whisper--lest he
might frighten the mustangs, now circling very near. Lucien tried to
dissuade him, offering as a reason, that it would lead them from their
course, and might separate them from each other.
"No," said Basil. "Go on to the butte, you and Francois. I shall come
to you--perhaps I may be there before you. Do not say a word,
brother,--you need not. I _must have that horse_; and I shall capture
him if it cost me a fifty-mile gallop."
While Basil was speaking, he drew closer to his left stirrup, looked to
the lasso that hung coiled upon the horn of his saddle, and then stood
ready to mount. Lucien saw it was of no use to urge his advice farther,
and ceased to interfere. Francois would fondly have joined Basil in the
chase; but his diminutive pony rendered the idea too absurd to be acted
upon.
During all this time the wild horses had continued their evolutions. At
intervals they would halt at a signal from their leader, and wheel into
line, facing inward towards the little group. In this position they
would remain for a few seconds, with heads erect, gazing with curious
wonder at the strange intruders upon their domain. Some of them would
paw the ground, and snort as if in anger. Then the foremost would utter
his shrill neigh, and all would go off again, circling about as before.
They had got within less than two hundred yards of where the hunters
stood, but it was evident they intended coming no nearer. On the
contrary, they showed symptoms of bearing off. At each fresh movement
from a halt, they turned their heads for the prairie, and then came
circling back again--as though they had not yet quite satisfied their
curiosity.
During their last halt--or what Basil believed might be the last--he
again cautioned his brothers to keep on to the butte, and quietly
placing his foot in the stirrup, vaulted into the saddle. The movement
caused the mustangs to start; but, before they could turn themselves,
the young hunter had plied the spur, and made several springs towards
them across the prairie. He looked not at the drove--he cared not which
way they might go--his eye rested only on the white leader, and towards
him he rode in full charge.
The latter, when he saw this sudden movement, stood for a moment, as if
in surprise. Then giving a wild neigh--far different from any of the
calls he had hitherto uttered--wheeled to the right, and led off in a
gallop, the rest following at the top of their speed. As the rearmost
came round upon the prairie, Basil was not a dozen yards from them; and
in a few springs had got so close that he could easily have thrown his
lasso over some of them. In turning, however, he was left far behind;
but he soon recovered his distance, and spurred on, bearing slightly to
one side of the drove. He did not wish to get in amongst them--as he
believed that might be dangerous, and would only impede him. His object
was to head the drove, or in some way to separate the leader from the
others. This was what he wanted first; and to this task he bent himself
with all his energy.
On flew the wild steeds straining themselves to their utmost speed. On
followed the hunter,--apparently in reckless pursuit, but carefully
guiding his horse as he rode. His lasso hung at his saddle-peak. He
had not yet touched it--time enough for that.
On flew the wild horses, and closer followed the daring hunter, until
miles of the prairie lay between him and the starting-point. In a few
minutes he was no longer visible to those he had left behind.
But the small Andalusian steeds were no match for the Godolphin Arab.
The herd had changed its shape. The horses no longer ran in a body, but
in a long string--each taking place according to his speed--and far in
advance of all, like a meteor, glanced the snow-white leader.
The hindmost were soon passed--each swerving off from the track, as soon
as he saw himself headed by the great dark horse that carried the
strange and dreaded object upon his back. One by one they were passed,
until Black Hawk had forged ahead of the whole drove; and his rider now
saw nothing before him but the white steed, the green prairie, and the
blue sky. He looked not back. Had he done so, he would have seen the
mustangs scattering in every direction over the plain. But he looked
not back. All that he now cared for was before him; and he plied the
spur freshly and galloped on.
He had no need to use the spur. Black Hawk seemed to think that his
credit rested upon the result, and the faithful brute was doing his
best. On the other hand, the wild horse felt that his life, or at least
his freedom, depended upon it, and this was enough to urge _him_ to his
utmost. Both flew like the wind--pursuer and pursued.
As they parted from the herd, there was not more than three hundred
yards between them; and they must have passed over some miles
afterwards, before this distance was greatly lessened. Their line of
flight was as straight as an arrow; and from this it was evident that
the mustang usually trusted to his hoofs to save him from his enemies.
In a race like this, however, the pursuer has the advantage of the
pursued. The latter, always anxious, is constrained to look back; and
is, therefore, less sure of the ground that lies before. He loses his
proper attitude for speed, and is besides in danger of stumbling. So it
was with the wild horse. He did not stumble--he was too sure of foot
for that--but his head was occasionally thrown to one side, until his
large dark eye commanded a view of his enemy behind him. This, of
course, to some extent, retarded him. It was only at these moments that
Basil could gain upon him; and the proofs he thus gave of his superior
powers, only rendered the latter the more eager to capture and possess
him.
After a long chase the distance between them was still two hundred paces
at the least. The young hunter, with a feeling of impatience, once more
plied the spur in a fresh effort to come up; while the other seemed to
spring forward as swiftly as ever.
All at once Basil observed that the white steed, instead of running
straight forward, appeared to go from side to side, moving in crooked
lines! Basil saw this with surprise. He looked to discover the cause.
As his eye glanced along the ground, he perceived that it was uneven--
covered, as far as he could see, with little hillocks. The mustang was
among them. It was this, then, that was causing him to run so
strangely. Basil had hardly made the observation, when he felt his
horse sink suddenly under him, and tumble headlong upon the prairie!
The rider was flung from his seat, though not much hurt. He rose at
once to his feet. Black Hawk struggled up at the same time, and stood
still, his wet flanks rising and falling as he breathed and panted. He
was not in a condition to gallop farther. But even had he been fresh,
Basil saw that the chase was now at an end. The little hillocks, which
he had just noticed, stood thick upon the prairie, as far as the eye
could reach; and among these the wild horse was gliding off as swiftly
as ever. When the hunter got to his feet again, the other was nearly a
quarter of a mile distant, and at that moment sent back a shrill neigh,
as if triumphing over his escape--for he had escaped beyond a doubt.
Basil saw this with chagrin. He saw that further pursuit was not only
useless, but dangerous; for although he had never seen anything like
these little mounds before, he knew very well what they were, and the
danger of riding at a rapid rate among them. He had received a timely
lesson--for he was just entering their borders when his horse fell--
fortunately to rise again with sound limbs. He knew he might not get
off so safely a second time, and he had no inclination to take the
chances of another tumble. He was not going to risk the loss of his
favourite Black Hawk for the white steed, even had he been certain of
capturing the latter. But this was no longer likely. On the contrary,
he might, instead of making a capture, lose his own horse, were he to
continue the chase; and that he well knew would be a terrible situation.
With the best grace he could, therefore, he abandoned the pursuit,
leaving the mustang to scamper off alone. He watched him for several
minutes, until the latter, far, far away, faded like a white cloud into
the pale blue of the horizon.
The young hunter now bethought him of returning to his companions. In
what direction was he to go? He looked around for the butte. There it
was; but, to his astonishment, it lay directly before him, and nearer
than when he last saw it! He had been all this while galloping towards
it; but in his haste had not noticed this. Lucien and Francois must be
behind, thought he, and would soon come that way. The best thing he
could do, therefore, would be to wait until they should come up; and,
with this intention, he sat down upon one of the little hillocks,
leaving his horse to wander about at will.