over the plain.

Away she sped, Manuel still upon her back, now disappearing for a moment
in some ravine, to again come in sight, galloping madly over the swell of
the plain, swerving neither to the right nor the left, but once more
disappearing, to finally become lost in the distance.

"I'm glad I ain't on her," said Ned. "Will she ever come back? If she
does, I don't want to ride her. Didn't she just fly, though? Do you
believe I shall ever be able to manage her?"

"I think perhaps after Manuel gets through with her, you'll find it
easier than you imagine," was my answer.

"I'd like to ride as well as Manuel," remarked Hal. "I wonder if all
Mexicans ride as nicely as he does."

"Many do; and there are thousands of Americans in Texas who ride equally
well, if they do not surpass him in horsemanship."

"Then I mean to learn how to do it," rejoined Hal; "and I won't be
satisfied until I do."

"You may as well commence now, on your black, Hal. She's waiting and
ready for you," remarked Ned.

"Thank you! but I believe I'll wait and see how the bay comes out. Come,
let's go and see the beauty," said Hal; and the two started for the
corral, to discuss the probable relative speed of the captives.

A couple of hours later, we saw Manuel returning; the mare trotting as
quietly as though she had been accustomed to the saddle for years. Riding
up to where we stood, he dismounted; and, handing Ned the end of the
lasso, said,--

"There, youngster, throw this over her head, and lead her to the corral.
She'll fancy you're the one who first gained the mastery over her, and
you won't have no trouble in riding her when you want to."

Ned led her to the corral, and then Hal's mare was obliged to submit to a
similar experience; and, after that, the boys, with Manuel to instruct,
mounted their ponies and took their first lesson in mustang riding.

Hal Hyde and Ned Brown were two boys who had arrived from the East the
night previous to the morning on which our story opens.

They were the sons of two old friends of mine, and had been sent to
Texas that they might learn something of life upon a stock-ranche.

It is not my intention, however, to relate their experience during the
few months they remained on the Ranchee; for they found, after the first
novelty had worn off, the life was dull and exceedingly tiresome. So
monotonous did it become in fact, that it was with difficulty I persuaded
them to remain, even until the fall