We thunder behind the mad herd. My singing whip swirls like a snake. Hurrah! We swoop on like a bird. With my pony's proud record at stake-- For the shaggy, swift leader has stride Like the last of a long kingly line; Her eyes flash fire through her hair; She tosses her head in disdain; Her mane streams wide on the air-- She leads the swift herd of the plain As a wolf-leader leads his gaunt pack, On the slot of the desperate deer-- Their exultant eyes savagely shine. But down on her broad shining back Stings my lash like a rill of red flame-- Huzzah, my wild beauty! Your best; Will you teach my Ladrone a new pace? Will you break his proud heart in a shame By spurning the dust in his face? The herd falls behind and is lost, As we race neck and neck, stride and stride. Again the long lash hisses hot Along the gray mare's glassy hide-- Aha, she is lost! she does not respond. Now I lean to the ear of my roan And shout--letting fall the light rein. Like a hound from the leash, my Ladrone Swoops ahead. We're alone on the plain! Ah! how the thought at wild living comes back! Alone on the wide, solemn prairie I ride with my rifle in hand, My eyes on the watch for the wary And beautiful antelope band. Or sleeping at night in the grasses, I hear Ladrone grazing near in the gloom. His listening head on the sky I see etched complete to the ear. From the river below comes the boom Of the bittern, the thrill and the cry Of frogs in the pool, and the shrill cricket's chime, Making ceaseless and marvelous rhyme. But what of his fate? Did he die When the terrible tempest was done? When he staggered with you to the light, And your fight with the Norther was won, Did he live a guest evermore? No, friend, not so. I sold him--outright. What! sold your preserver, your mate, he who Through wind and wild snow and deep night Brought you safe to a shelter at last? Did you, when the danger had end, Forget your dumb hero--your friend? Forget! no, nor can I. Why, man, It's little you know of such love As I felt for him! You think that you feel The same deep regard for your span, Blanketed, shining, and clipped to the heel, But my horse was companion and guard-- My playmate, my ship on the sea Of dun grasses--in all kinds of weather, Unhorsed and hungry and sometimes, he Served me for love and needed no tether.