Neither was running so fast or furiously as when last I had seen
them.
The horse, as he approached me, I could see was laboring hard; yet
he kept gamely to his task, and Nobs, too. The splendid fellow was
driving the quarry straight toward me. I crouched behind my bush
and laid my noose in readiness to throw. As the two approached my
hiding-place, Nobs reduced his speed, and the stallion, evidently
only too glad of the respite, dropped into a trot. It was at this
gait that he passed me; my rope-hand flew forward; the honda, well
down, held the noose open, and the beautiful bay fairly ran his
head into it.
Instantly he wheeled to dash off at right angles. I braced myself
with the rope around my hip and brought him to a sudden stand.
Rearing and struggling, he fought for his liberty while Nobs,
panting and with lolling tongue, came and threw himself down near
me. He seemed to know that his work was done and that he had
earned his rest. The stallion was pretty well spent, and after a
few minutes of struggling he stood with feet far spread, nostrils
dilated and eyes wide, watching me as I edged toward him, taking
in the slack of the rope as I advanced. A dozen times he reared
and tried to break away; but always I spoke soothingly to him and
after an hour of effort I succeeded in reaching his head and stroking
his muzzle.
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