rth. Hanging by the belt of his sabre upon
a high picket was the major, kicking and struggling with all his might.
The waist-strap, tightly drawn by the bulky weight of the wearer,
separated his body into two vast rotundities, while his face was
distorted and purple with the agony of suspense and suspension. He was
loudly bellowing for help, and several soldiers were running towards
him; but, from the manner in which he jerked his body up, and screwed
his neck, so as to enable him to look over the stockade, it was evident
that the principal cause of his uneasiness lay on the "other side of the
fence."

The truth was, the major, on the first appearance of the enemy, had
galloped towards the rear of the corral, and, finding no entrance, had
thrown himself from the back of Hercules upon the stockade, intending to
climb over; but, having caught a glance of some guerilleros, he had
suddenly let go his bridle, and attempted to precipitate himself into
the corral.

His waist-belt, catching upon a sharp picket, held him suspended midway,
still under the impression that the Mexicans were close upon his rear.
He was soon unhooked, and now waddled across the corral, uttering a
thick and continuous volley of his choicest oaths.

Our eyes were now directed towards Hercules. The horsemen had closed
upon him within fifty yards, and were winding their long lazos in the
air. The major, to all appearance, had lost his horse.

After galloping to the edge of the woods, Hercules suddenly halted, and
threw up the trailing-bridle with a loud neigh. His pursuers, coming
up, flung out their lazos. Two of these, settling over his head, noosed
him around the neck. The huge brute, as if aware of the necessity of a
desperate effort to free himself, dropped his nose to the ground, and
stretched himself out in full gallop.

The lariats, one by one tightening over his bony chest, snapped like
threads, almost jerking the mustangs from their feet. The long
fragments sailed out like streamers as he careered across the prairie,
far ahead of his yelling pursuers.

He now made directly for the corral. Several of the soldiers ran
towards the stockade, in order to seize the bridle when he should come
up; but Hercules, spying his old comrade--the horse of the "Doctor"--
within the inclosure, first neighed loudly, and then, throwing all his
nerve into the effort, sprang high over the picket fence.

A cheer rose from the men, who had watched wit