The Headless Horseman Part 23

"But why, sir?" asked she, as she jerked the muzzle of the mustang close up to its counter, bringing it almost instantaneously to a stand.

"If we keep together we shall be overtaken. I must do something to stay those savage brutes. Here there is a chance--nowhere else. For heaven's sake don't question me! Ten seconds of lost time, and 'twill be too late. Look ahead yonder. You perceive the sheen of water. 'Tis a prairie pond. Ride straight towards it. You will find yourself between two high fences. They come together at the pond. You'll see a gap, with bars. If I'm not up in time, gallop through, dismount, and put the bars up behind you."

"And you, sir? You are going to undergo some great danger?"

"Have no fear for me! Alone, I shall run but little risk. 'Tis the mustang.--For mercy's sake, gallop forward! Keep the water under your eyes. Let it guide you like a beacon fire. Remember to close the gap behind you. Away--away!"

For a second or two the young lady appeared irresolute--as if reluctant to part company with the man who was making such efforts to ensure her safety--perhaps at the peril of his own.

By good fortune she was not one of those timid maidens who turn frantic at a crisis, and drag to the bottom the swimmer who would save them.

She had faith in the capability of her counsellor--believed that he knew what he was about--and, once more spurring the mare into a gallop, she rode off in a direct line for the prairie pond.

At the same instant, Maurice had given the rein to his horse, and was riding in the opposite direction--back to the place where they had leaped the arroyo!

On parting from his companion, he had drawn from his saddle holster the finest weapon ever wielded upon the prairies--either for attack or defence, against Indian, buffalo, or bear. It was the six-chambered revolver of Colonel Colt--not the spurious _improvement_ of Deane, Adams, and a host of retrograde imitators--but the genuine article from the "land of wooden nutmegs," with the Hartford brand upon its breech.

"They must get over the narrow place where we crossed," muttered he, as he faced towards the stallions, still advancing on the other side of the arroyo.

"If I can but fling one of them in his tracks, it may hinder the others from attempting the leap; or delay them--long enough for the mustang to make its escape. The big sorrel is leading. He will make the spring first. The pistol's good for a hundred paces. He's within range now!"

Simultaneous with the last words came the crack of the six-shooter. The largest of the stallions--a sorrel in colour--rolled headlong upon the sward; his carca.s.s falling transversely across the line that led to the leap.

Half-a-dozen others, close following, were instantly brought to a stand; and then the whole cavallada!

The mustanger stayed not to note their movements. Taking advantage of the confusion caused by the fall of their leader, he reserved the fire of the other five chambers; and, wheeling to the west, spurred on after the spotted mustang, now far on its way towards the glistening pond.

Whether dismayed by the fall of their chief--or whether it was that his dead body had hindered them from approaching the only place where the chasm could have been cleared at a leap--the stallions abandoned the pursuit; and Maurice had the prairie to himself as he swept on after his fellow fugitive.

He overtook her beyond the convergence of the fences on the sh.o.r.e of the pond. She had obeyed him in everything--except as to the closing of the gap. He found it open--the bars lying scattered over the ground. He found her still seated in the saddle, relieved from all apprehension for his safety, and only trembling with a grat.i.tude that longed to find expression in speech.

The peril was pa.s.sed.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

THE MUSTANG TRAP.

No longer in dread of any danger, the young Creole looked interrogatively around her.

There was a small lake--in Texan phraseology a "pond"--with countless horse-tracks visible along its sh.o.r.es, proving that the place was frequented by wild horses--their excessive number showing it to be a favourite watering place. There was a high rail fence--constructed so as to enclose the pond, and a portion of the contiguous prairie, with two diverging wings, carried far across the plain, forming a funnel-shaped approach to a gap; which, when its bars were up, completed an enclosure that no horse could either enter or escape from.

"What is it for?" inquired the lady, indicating the construction of split rails.

"A mustang trap," said Maurice.

"A mustang trap?"

"A contrivance for catching wild horses. They stray between the _wings_; which, as you perceive, are carried far out upon the plain.

The water attracts them; or they are driven towards it by a band of mustangers who follow, and force them on through the gap. Once within the _corral_, there is no trouble in taking them. They are then lazoed at leisure."

"Poor things! Is it yours? You are a mustanger? You told us so?"

"I am; but I do not hunt the wild horse in this way. I prefer being alone, and rarely consort with men of my calling. Therefore I could not make use of this contrivance, which requires at least a score of drivers. My weapon, if I may dignify it by the name, is this--the lazo."

"You use it with great skill? I've heard that you do; besides having myself witnessed the proof."

"It is complimentary of you to say so. But you are mistaken. There are men on these prairies 'to the manner born'--Mexicans--who regard, what you are pleased to call skill, as sheer clumsiness."

"Are you sure, Mr Gerald, that your modesty is not prompting _you_ to overrate your rivals? I have been told the very opposite."

"By whom?"

"Your friend, Mr Zebulon Stump."

"Ha--ha! Old Zeb is but indifferent authority on the subject of the lazo."

"I wish I could throw the lazo," said the young Creole. "They tell me 'tis not a lady-like accomplishment. What matters--so long as it is innocent, and gives one a gratification?"

"Not lady-like! Surely 'tis as much so as archery, or skating? I know a lady who is very expert at it."

"An American lady?"

"No; she's Mexican, and lives on the Rio Grande; but sometimes comes across to the Leona--where she has relatives."

"A young lady?"

"Yes. About your own age, I should think, Miss Poindexter."

"Size?"

"Not so tall as you."

"But much prettier, of course? The Mexican ladies, I've heard, in the matter of good looks, far surpa.s.s us plain _Americanos_."

"I think Creoles are not included in that category," was the reply, worthy of one whose lips had been in contact with the famed boulder of Blarney.

"I wonder if I could ever learn to fling it?" pursued the young Creole, pretending not to have been affected by the complimentary remark. "Am I too old? I've been told that the Mexicans commence almost in childhood; that that is why they attain to such wonderful skill?"

"Not at all," replied Maurice, encouragingly. "'Tis possible, with a year or two's practice, to become a proficient lazoer. I, myself, have only been three years at; and--"

He paused, perceiving he was about to commit himself to a little boasting.

"And you are now the most skilled in all Texas?" said his companion, supplying the presumed finale of his speech.

"No, no!" laughingly rejoined he. "That is but a mistaken belief on the part of Zeb Stump, who judges my skill by comparison, making use of his own as a standard."

"Is it modesty?" reflected the Creole. "Or is this man mocking me? If I thought so, I should go mad!"