the prai'rie; then they burst over, like the foam and spray of a black, stormy wave when a blast strikes it, and wildly swept by us, with manes and tails flaring in the wind. It was magnificent. My heart of a horseman leaped in my breast. "Hurrah!" I cried. "Hurrah 't is!" said Gerrian. 2 2. The herd dashed by in a huddle, making for the corral. Just behind, aloof from the rush and scamper of his less noble brethren, came the black,-my purchase. It was grand to see a horse that understood and respected himself so perfectly. One, too, that meant the world should know that he was the very chiefèst chief of his race, proud with the blood of a thousand kings. How masterly he looked! How untamably he stepped! 3. The herd was galloping furiously. He disdained to break into a gallop. He trotted after, a hundred feet behind the hindmōst, with large and liberal action. And even at this half speed, easily overtaking his slower comrades, he from time to time paused, bounded in the air, tossed his head, flung out his legs, and then strode on again, writhing all over with suppressed power. 4 4. He was an American horse, so they distinguish in Californiä one brought from the old States,-a superb young stallion, perfectly black, without spot upon him, except where a flake of foam from his indignant' nostril had caught upon his flank. A thorough-bred horse, with the perfect tail and silky mane of a noble race. Hard after him came José, the herdsman, on a fast mustang. As he rode, he whirled his lasso' with easy turn of the wrist. 5. The black, trotting still, and halting still to cur'vet and 1 Mag nif i cent, on a grand scale; grand in appearance. ? Hurrah (hỏ rå′), a shout of joy, or triumph, or applause. 3 Cŏr ral, an inclosure or yard, especially for cattle, near a house. 4 Su perb', grand; rich; showy. * In dĭg nant, greatly provoked, as when a person is excited by unjust treatment, or a mean action; angry. 'Mus' tang, the wild horse of the prairies in Mexico, California, &c. 'Lǎs' so, a rope or cord with a noose, used for catching wild horses, and other animals. 8 Curvet (ker' vet), to leap as a horse, when he raises both his fore legs at once, equally advanced, and, as his fore legs are falling, raises his hind legs, so that all of his legs are in the air at once. căracōle,' turned back his head contemptuously at his pursuer. "Mexicans may chase their own ponies, and break their spirit by brutality; but an American horse is no more to be touched by a Mexican than an American man. Bah! make your cast! Dōn't trifle with your lasso! I challenge you. Jerk ǎway, Señor Greaser! I give you as fair a chance as you could wish." So the black seemed to say, with his provoking backward glance, and his whinny of disdain. 6. José took the hint. He dug cruel spurs into his horse. The mustang leaped forward. The black gave a tearing bound, and quickened his pace, but still waited the will of his pursuer. They were just upon us, chased and chaser, thundering down the slope, when the herdsman, checking his wrist at the turn, flung his lasso straight as an arrow for the black's head. 7. I could hear the hide rope sing through the summer air, for a moment breezeless. Will he be taken! Will horse or man be victor! The loop of the lasso opened like a hoop. It hung poised for one instant a few feet before the horse's head, vibrating in the air, keeping the circle perfect, waiting for the herdsman's pull to tighten about that proud neck and those swelling shoulders. 8. Hurrah! THROUGH IT WENT THE BLACK! With one brave bound he dashed through the open loop. He touched ōnly to spurn its vain assault, with his hindmost hoof. "Hurrah!" I cried. "Hurrah! 't is," shouted Gerrian. José dragged in his spurned lasso. The black, with elated' head, and tail waving like a banner, sprung forward, closed in with the herd; they parted for his passage, he took his leadership, and presently was lost with his suite over the swell of the prairie. 9. When we had come in sight of the corral, we discovered, to our surprise, the whole band of horses had voluntarily entered. Gerrian sent in José, who drove all but the black out of the staked enclosure. He trotted about at his ease, snuffing at the stakes and bars, and showing no special disposition to follow. 4 Elated, lifted up; raised by success or pride. 4 Suite (swèt), attendants or followers; a set; a series; a collection; as a suite of rooms. 10. I entered ǎlone. Presently he began performing at his own free will. It was magnificent to see him as he circled about me, fire in his eye-pride in his nostril, power and grace from tip to tip. He trotted powerfully; he galloped gracefully; he thundered at full speed; he lifted his fore-legs to welcome; he flung out his hind-legs to repel; he leaped as if he were springing over bayonets; he pranced and curveted as if he were the pretty plaything of a girl. Then, when he had amused himself, and delighted me sufficiently, he trotted up and snuffed about me, just out of reach. 11. Finally, instinctively knowing me for a friend, the black came forward and made the best speech he could of welcome,— a neigh, and no more. Then he approached nearer, and, not without shying and starts, of which I took no notice, at last licked my hand, put his head upon my shoulder, suffered me to put my arm round his neck, and in fact lavished upon me every mark of confidence. At last, after a good hour's work, I persuaded him to accept a halter. Then, by gentle seductions,' I induced him to start and accompany me homeward. 12. The black would tolerate no one but me. With me he established as close a brotherhood as can be between man and beast. I named him, after the gold mine, my share of which I had given in exchange, DoN FULANO. He represented to me my whole profit for the sternèst and roughest work of my life. I looked at him, and looked at the mine,—that pile of pretty pebbles, that pile of bogus ore,—and I did not regret my bargain. I never have regretted it. "My kingdom for a horse,"so much of a kingdom as I had, I had given. 1 Se duction, act of leading away from duty; means of tempting or attracting. 2 Fulano (få lå no). 2 Theodore Winthrop, an American soldier and author, was born in New Haven, Conn., Sept. 22, 1828. He was graduated at Yale College in 1848, and for the sake of his health visited England, Scotland, 6 WINTHROP.3 France, Germany, Italy, and Greece. He also traveled extensively in this country. He was killed at the battle of Great Bethel, Va., June 10, 1861. He left in manuscript three novels, "Cecil Dreeme," "John Brent," and "Edwin Bothertoft," which, as well as a number of magazine articles, have been published since his death. III. 28. THE CID AND BAVIECA. 1. HE king looked on him kindly, as on a vassal1 true; THE Then to the king Ruy Diaz2 spake, after reverence due, "O king! the thing is shameful, that any man beside The liege lord of Castile himself, should Bavieca ride: 2. "For neither Spain nor Araby could another charger bring So good as he, and certes,' the best befits my king. But, that you may behold him, and know him to the core, 5 I'll make him go as he was wont when his nostrils smelt the Moor." 3. With that, the Cid, clad as he was, in mantle furred and wide, On Bavieca vaulting, put the rowel in his side; And up and down, and round and round, so fierce was his career, 4. And all that saw them praised them, they lauded man and horse, Ne'er had they looked on horseman might to this knight come near, 5. Thus, to and fro a-rushing, the fierce and furious steed, He snapped in twain his nether" rein :-" God pity now the Cid !— 6. And so he led him foaming and panting to the king, But, "No," said Don Alphonso, "it were a shameful thing, By any other mortal but Bivar,-mount, mount again, my Cid !" 1 Vǎs' sal, one who holds lands of a superior, and who vows fidelity and homage to him; a tenant. 2 Ruy Diaz (de åth), Count of Bivar (bè vår) an illustrious champion of Christianity and of the old Spanish royalty, in the 11th century. 3 Castile (kås tèl′), a former kingdom of Spain. * Cer' tēs, certainly; in truth. 6 5 Wont (wunt), used; accustomed. Cid, chief or commander-a name given to Ruy Diaz. "Neth' er, lower. SECTION IX. I. 29. DESTRUCTION OF INSECTS. WANTON' destruction of insects, simply because they A are insects, without question as to their habits, without inqui'ry as to their mis'chievousness, for no other reason than that, wherever we see an insect, we are accustomed to destroy it, is wrong. We have no right to seek their destruction if they are harmless. Our only thought of an insect is that it is something to be broomed or trod on. There is a vague' īdēä that naturalists sometimes pin them to the wall, for some reason that they probably know; but that there is any right, or rule, or law that binds us toward God's minor' creatures, scarcely enters into our conception.* 2. A spider in our dwelling is out of place, and the broom is a scepter that rightly sweeps him away; but in the pasture, where he belongs, and you do not, where he is of no inconvenience, and does no mischief,-where his webs are but tables spread for his own food,-where he follōws his own instincts in cătching insects for his livelihood,-why should you destroy him there, in his brief hour of happinèss? And yet, wherever you see a spider, "Hit him!" is the law of life. 3. Upturn a stone in the field. You shall find a city unawares. Dwelling together in peace are a score of different insects. Worms draw in their nimble heads from the dazzling light. Swift shoot shining, black bugs back to their covert." Ants swarm with feverish agility,' and bear away their eggs. Now sit quietly down and watch the en'ġinery and economy' that are laid open to your view. Trace the canals or highways through which their traffic has been carried. See what strange 1 Wanton (won'tün), unrestrained; sportive. 2 Vāgue, unsettled; uncertain. 3 Minor, inferior; lesser. * Con cěp' tion, the image, idea, or notion of any action or thing which is formed in the mind. 8 |