Этюд в багровых тонах
The Flower of Utah.
Accustomedasshewastodealwithcattle,shewasnotalarmedathersituation,buttookadvantageofeveryopportunitytourgeherhorseoninthehopesofpushingherwaythroughthecavalcade. Unfortunatelythehornsofoneofthecreatures,eitherbyaccidentordesign,cameinviolentcontactwiththeflankofthemustang,andexcitedittomadness. Inaninstantitrearedupuponitshindlegswithasnortofrage,andprancedandtossedinawaythatwouldhaveunseatedanybutamostskilfulrider. Thesituationwasfullofperil. Everyplungeoftheexcitedhorsebroughtitagainstthehornsagain,andgoadedittofreshmadness. Itwasallthatthegirlcoulddotokeepherselfinthesaddle,yetaslipwouldmeanaterribledeathunderthehoofsoftheunwieldyandterrifiedanimals. Unaccustomedtosuddenemergencies,herheadbegantoswim,andhergripuponthebridletorelax. Chokedbytherisingcloudofdustandbythesteamfromthestrugglingcreatures,shemighthaveabandonedhereffortsindespair,butforakindlyvoiceatherelbowwhichassuredherofassistance. Atthesamemomentasinewybrownhandcaughtthefrightenedhorsebythecurb,andforcingawaythroughthedrove,soonbroughthertotheoutskirts.
“You’renothurt,Ihope,miss,”saidherpreserver,respectfully.
Shelookedupathisdark,fierceface,andlaughedsaucily. “I’mawfulfrightened,”shesaid,naively;“whoeverwouldhavethoughtthatPonchowouldhavebeensoscaredbyalotofcows?”
