good twenty feet above the water, which boiled white in a most
disconcerting manner through a gorge of rocks. If anything fell off
that log it would be of no further value even to the curiosity seeker.
We got over all the horses save Tunemah. He refused to consider it,
nor did peaceful argument win. As he was more or less of a fool, we
did not take this as a reflection on our judgment, but culled cedar
clubs. We beat him until we were ashamed. Then we put a slip-noose
about his neck. The Tenderfoot and I stood on the log and heaved while
Wes stood on the shore and pushed. Suddenly it occurred to me that if
Tunemah made up his silly mind to come, he would probably do it all at
once, in which case the Tenderfoot and I would have about as much show
for life as fossil formations. I didn't say anything about it to the
Tenderfoot, but I hitched my six-shooter around to the front, resolved
to find out how good I was at wing-shooting horses. But Tunemah
declared he would die for his convictions. "All right," said we, "die
then," with the embellishment of profanity. So we stripped him naked,
and stoned him into the raging stream, where he had one chance in three
of coming through alive. He might as well be dead as on the other side
of that stream. He won through, however, and now I believe he'd tackle
a tight rope.
Of such is the Trail, of such its wonders, its pleasures, its little
comforts, its annoyances, its dangers. And when you are forced to draw
your six-shooter to end mercifully the life of an animal that has
served you faithfully, but that has fallen victim to the leg-breaking
hazard of the way, then you know a little of its tragedy also. May you
never know the greater tragedy when a man's life goes out, and you
unable to help! May always your trail lead through fine trees, green
grasses, fragrant flowers, and pleasant waters!
X
ON SEEING DEER
Once I happened to be sitting out a dance with a tactful young girl of
tender disposition who thought she should adapt her conversation to the
one with whom she happened to be talking. Therefore she asked
questions concerning out-of-doors. She knew nothing whatever about it,
but she gave a very good imitation of one interested. For some occult
reason people never seem to expect me to own evening clothes, or to
know how to dance, or to be able to talk about anything civilized; in
fact, most of them appear disappointed that I do not pull off a war-jig
in
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