“We headed for the lagoons, which were known to a few of our party, and when we came within ten miles of the water holes, we saw fresh signs of a band—­places where they had apparently grazed within a week.  But it was the second day before we caught sight of the wild horses, and too late in the day to give them chase.  They were watering at a large lake south of our camp, and we did not disturb them.  We watched them until nightfall, and that night we planned to give them chase at daybreak.  Four of us were to do the riding by turns, and imaginary stations were allotted to the four quarters of our camp.  If they refused to leave their range and circled, we could send them at least a hundred and fifty miles the first day, ourselves riding possibly a hundred, and this riding would be divided among four horses, with plenty of fresh ones at camp for a change.

“Being the lightest rider in the party, it was decided that I was to give them the first chase.  We had a crafty plainsman for our captain, and long before daylight he and I rode out and waited for the first peep of day.  Before the sun had risen, we sighted the wild herd within a mile of the place where darkness had settled over them the night previous.  With a few parting instructions from our captain, I rode leisurely between them and the lake where they had watered the evening before.  At first sight of me they took fright and ran to a slight elevation.  There they halted a moment, craning their necks and sniffing the air.  This was my first fair view of the chestnut stallion.  He refused to break into a gallop, and even stopped before the rest, turning defiantly on this intruder of his domain.  From the course I was riding, every moment I was expecting them to catch the wind of me.  Suddenly they scented me, knew me for an enemy, and with the stallion in the lead they were off to the south.

“It was an exciting ride that morning.  Without a halt they ran twenty miles to the south, then turned to the left and there halted on an elevation; but a shot in the air told them that all was not well and they moved on.  For an hour and a half they kept their course to the east, and at last turned to the north.  This was, as we had calculated, about their range.  In another hour at the farthest, a new rider with a fresh horse would take up the running.  My horse was still fresh and enjoying the chase, when on a swell of the plain I made out the rider who was to relieve me; and though it was early yet in the day the mustangs had covered sixty miles to my forty.  When I saw my relief locate the band, I turned and rode leisurely to camp.  When the last two riders came into camp that night, they reported having left the herd at a new lake, to which the mustang had led them, some fifteen miles from our camp to the westward.