such a plan.

Crockett's heels were armed with very formidable Spanish spurs, with
prongs sharp and long. The hunter writes:

"To escape from the annoyance, I beat the devil's tattoo on his ribs,
that he might have some music to dance to, and we went ahead right
merrily, the whole drove following in our wake, head up, and tail and
mane streaming. My little critter, who was both blood and bottom,
seemed delighted at being at the head of the heap; and having once
fairly got started, I wish I may be shot if I did not find it
impossible to stop him. He kept along, tossing his head proudly, and
occasionally neighing, as much as to say, "Come on, my hearties, you
see I ha'n't forgot our old amusement yet." And they did come on with a
vengeance, clatter, clatter, clatter, as if so many fiends had broke
loose. The prairie lay extended before me as far as the eye could
reach, and I began to think that there would be no end to the race.

"My little animal was full of fire and mettle, and as it was the first
bit of genuine sport that he had had for some time, he appeared
determined to make the most of it. He kept the lead for full half an
hour, frequently neighing as if in triumph and derision. I thought of
John Gilpin's celebrated ride, but that was child's play to this. The
proverb says, 'The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to
the strong,' and so it proved in the present instance. My mustang was
obliged to carry weight, while his competitors were as free as nature
had made them. A beautiful bay, who had trod close upon my heels the
whole way, now came side by side with my mustang, and we had it hip and
thigh for about ten minutes, in such style as would have delighted the
heart of a true lover of the turf. I now felt an interest in the race
myself, and, for the credit of my bit of blood, determined to win it if
it was at all in the nature of things. I plied the lash and spur, and
the little critter took it quite kindly, and tossed his head, and
neighed, as much as to say, 'Colonel, I know what you're after--go
ahead!'--and he cut dirt in beautiful style, I tell you."

This could not last long. The wild steed of the prairie soon
outstripped the heavily burdened mustang, and shooting ahead, kicked up
his heels as in derision. The rest of the herd followed, in the same
disrespectful manner. Crockett jogged quietly on in the rear, glad to
be rid of such troublesome and dangerous companions. The horses soon
reache