“Well, now, Mr. Lovelace,” said Lieutenant Barr, “you had better not press that invitation too far.  The good time we have had with you discounts rangering for the State of Texas.  Rest assured, sir, that we will not soon forget the hospitality of Las Palomas, nor its ability to entertain.  Push on with the packs, boys, and I’ll take leave of the mistress in behalf of you all, and overtake the squad before it reaches the river.”

CHAPTER XIX

HORSE BRANDS

Before gathering the fillies and mares that spring, and while riding the range, locating our horse stock, Pasquale brought in word late one evening that a ladino stallion had killed the regular one, and was then in possession of the manada.  The fight between the outlaw and the ranch stallion had evidently occurred above the mouth of the Ganso and several miles to the north of the home river, for he had accidentally found the carcass of the dead horse at a small lake and, recognizing the animal by his color, had immediately scoured the country in search of the band.  He had finally located the manada, many miles off their range; but at sight of the vaquero the ladino usurper had deserted the mares, halting, however, out of gunshot, yet following at a safe distance as Pasquale drifted them back.  Leaving the manada on their former range, Pasquale had ridden into the ranch and reported.  It was then too late in the day to start against the interloper, as the range was fully twenty-five miles away, and we were delayed the next morning in getting up speedy saddle horses from distant and various remudas, and did not get away from the ranch until after dinner.  But then we started, taking the usual pack mules, and provisioned for a week’s outing.

Included in the party was Captain Frank Byler, the regular home crowd, and three Mexicans.  With an extra saddle horse for each, we rode away merrily to declare war on the ladino stallion.  “This is the third time since I’ve teen ranching here,” said Uncle Lance to Captain Frank, as we rode along, “that I’ve had stallions killed.  There always have been bands of wild horses, west here between the Leona and Nueces rivers and around Espontos Lake.  Now that country is settling up, the people walk down the bands and the stallions escape, and in drifting about find our range.  They’re wiry rascals, and our old stallions don’t stand any more show with them than a fat hog would with a javaline.  That’s why I take as much pride in killing one as I do a rattlesnake.”

We made camp early that evening on the home river, opposite the range of the manada.  Sending out Pasquale to locate the band and watch them until dark, Uncle Lance outlined his idea of circling the band and bagging the outlaw in the uncertain light of dawn.  Pasquale reported on his return after dark that the manada were contentedly feeding on their accustomed range within three miles of camp.  Pasquale had watched the band for an hour, and described the ladino stallion as a cinnamon-colored coyote, splendidly proportioned and unusually large for a mustang.