Page:Peterruggmissing00austrich.djvu/35

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THE MISSING MAN.
29

ence. They were equally beautiful to behold, alike in color and height, and as they stood side by side, they measured from heel to fore feet within half an inch of each other. The eyes of each were full, prominent and resolute, and when at times they regarded each other, they assumed a lofty demeanor, seemed to shorten their necks, project their eyes, and rest their bodies equally on their four hoofs. They certainly discovered signs of intelligence, and displayed a courtesy to each other, unusual even with statesmen. It was now nearly 12 o'clock, the hour of expectation, doubt and anxiety. The riders mounted their horses; and so trim, light and airy they sat on the animals, they seemed a part of them. The spectators, many deep, in a solid column, had taken their places; and as many thousand breathing statues were there as spectators. All eyes were turned to Dart and Lightning and their riders. There was nothing to disturb this calm except a busy woodpecker on a neighboring tree. The signal was given and Dart and Lightning answered with ready intelligence. At first they proceed at a slow trot, then they quicken