As it turned out afterwards it was well I did so, as further legal complications would have resulted.

But as I began to think of and remember the time that had been spent and the amount of hard work in collecting these horses, I felt rather ashamed of my action.

And yet, can one be expected to practically throw his life away, not for a principle, but for a few head of young colts not even his own property?
But, as said before, the disputed title influenced me to some extent; that, and the muzzle of the shot-gun together certainly did.
A word about mustangs.

They were very wary, cunning animals, keen of scent and sharp of eye.

Invariably, when one first sighted them, they would be one or two miles away, going like the wind, their tails and manes flying behind them; and be it noted that when walking or standing these manes as well as tails swept the ground.