Page:The Prairie Flower; Or, Adventures In the Far West.djvu/64



several heavy Pittsburgh wagvms, some of which were undergoing repairs at the hands of the various mechanics employed about the station. As we drew near them after leaving the carrel], we noticed that several had left their employment and col lected in a group round some object which we could not make out from where we stood, while others had suspended their labors and were gazing in the same direc tion, evidently on the point of joining their comrades. As by this time Huntly and I xere by ourselves, and our curiosity being excited, we eagerly sprang forward, and elbowing our way through the fast thick ening crowd, to our surprise beheld what I shall proceed to describe in the following chapter.

CHAPTER XII.

THE CURIOUS INDIAN PONY ALARMING RU MOR POMPOSITY THE RENOWNED MOUN TAINEER THE AMUSING MISTAKE THE

MYSTERIOUS EQUESTRIENNE.

IN the center of the ring stood an In dian pony of the largest class, and the most beautiful animal I had ever seen. His color was a jet black, and so glossy that it seemed to possess the power of re flection. Every point and limb was per fectly developed, with legs sleek and slim, and a beautifully arched neck, on which was a head that bore the look of conscious superiority and pride. His trappings were in perfect keeping with all the rest. A small, delicately formed Spanish saddle, designed for an equestrienne, surmounted his back, underneath which was a saddle blanket of wampum, most beautifully wrought with fine., shiny beads of all col ors, into various birds and flowers, and which being long and hanging low, almost enveloped him in its ample folds. Even his bridle, martingales, reins, and belly- girth, were worked in the same beautiful manner, with beads of red, white and blue. He was walking to and fro, snuffing the uir, pawing the ground, and occasionally turning his gaze upon the crowd Avith a proud look, as if conscious he was an ob ject both of curiosity and admiration.

Various were the remarks of surprise

and delight which vff-rv, pa c sed upon him by the excited spectators, some of whom ventured to pat his sleek ueck and rub his head. At length one strapping fellow caught him by the bridle, mid placed his hand upon the saddle as if w; th (he inten tion of vaulting upon his back-. But this, according to the pony's notion, T^as carry ing familiarity a little too far; and with a loud neigh, a rear and plunge, be tore himself away, nor would he afterward permit a hand to touch him, although he still remained quietly in the ring.

"By heavens!" exclaimed Huntly, "saw you ever the like, Frank? saw yov any thing of the brute creation so beauti ful?"

"Never in my life," I replied; " and J assure you I am anxious to behold his rider for by the saddle it is a female."

"True; I did not think of that; and it she prove half as beautiful, i' faith I fear I shall find myself in love with her."

"Notwithstanding the lovely unknown eh! Charley?"

"Come, come no home thrusts now,'* answered Huntly, good humoredly. " De not rub a part already too tender."

"Well, heyar's what's seed a good manj sights in my time, but I'll be dog-gone ef ever* I seed any thing o' the hoss kind ar could hold a primin to this critter," said the voice of Black George, who had come up behind us.

"But who and where is the rider?" J asked, turning to him.

"Don't know whar, but spect it's some squaw or other augh!"

"The rider is an Indian female, the most perfect I ever beheld," rejoined stranger at my elbow, and whom I recog nized as one of the speculators .previously mentioned.

"Where is she? where is she ?" cries' several voices, before I had time to respond to my informant; and immediately the stranger became the center of observation

"She is now closetted with the com mander of the garrison."

"Then perhaps she brings important news?" observed Huntly.

"Nothing more proba"ble, sir," was the reply. "There is a good deal of dissatis faction among the Indians, I understand."

"Indeed!" I replied.