It seemed impossible to the young scout that a horse could have leaped to the ground below. However, at that moment he heard the sound of a defiant neigh and in a brief time was able to discern the outline of the form of the black horse speeding along a narrow trail which was at least twenty-five feet above the plain on which he was riding.
It was plain that the horse was familiar with every foot of the region. Along this narrow ledge the black horse now was running with confidence unbroken, although the pathway was not more than a yard wide. Indeed in several places it seemed to the astonished Reuben that the width was still less.
Every moment he expected to see the black pony lose his foothold and fall to the rock-covered ground below him. His expectations, however, were not fulfilled, for the sure-footed animal, scarcely pausing in his flight, steadily continued on his way. At one place Reuben saw him leap across a narrow ravine and without any slip regain his footing on the opposite side. Although the young trapper’s admiration of the horse increased, he was now well-nigh hopeless that the animal ever could be taken.
Indeed it was not long before the horse disappeared from sight, and Reuben was unable to determine which of the numerous gorges he had entered, as several converged at the point where the black leader was lost to sight.
It was impossible for Reuben’s horse to attempt to follow. Not only was the leap from the rock one which few animals would be able to make with safety, but also the nearly exhausted condition of his mount made such an attempt worse than reckless. There was nothing to be done except to return and join his companions.
“Did you get him, Reuben?” inquired Kit Carson dryly, as the young trapper, discovering his friend, rode slowly to meet him.
“No, I didn’t,” said Reuben glumly.
“I’m surprised. Still, when we have him broken, I think you’ll enjoy a spin on that black demon as much as any of us.”
“If you ever take him,” suggested Reuben dryly.
“Why,” said Kit Carson in apparent surprise, “you haven’t any question about that, have you? Of course we’re going to take him.”