Largo

Bought him of the Navajos—shadow of a pony, Over near the Largo draw, runnin' up and down; Twenty pesos turned the trick—broke me cold and stony; Then I set to figure as I rambled into town. 'Fore I had the feel of him, twice he like to throwed me; He did n't have to figure sums 'cause he was n't broke; Then he took to runnin' and unknowin'-like, he showed me Speed that was surprisin' in a twenty-dollar joke. Wiry little Navajo, no bigger than a minute; Did a heap of restin' up when he got the chance, But...ever stop a pin-wheel just to locate what was in it, Findin' unexpected you was settin' on your pants? That was him—the Largo hoss; did n't take to schoolin'; Relayed out of Calient' into Santa Fé; Fifty mile of kickin' sand and not a wink of foolin' When he hit the desert trail windin' down that way. Once they put a blooded hoss on the trail behind him; Passed me like a Kansas blow; Largo did n't mind, Kept a-runnin' strong and sweet. Reckoned that we'd find him Like we did, in twenty mile, busted, broke, and blind. Ever see a Injun race? Times I could 'a' sold him For a dozen cattle—a most interestin' price; Set to figurin' ag'in—bought the mare that foaled him: Shucks! Her colts they could n't beat a herd of hobbled mice. Took the brush and curry-comb—thought he'd understand it ... Him a-loafin' lazy with his nose across the bars; Reckon dudes comes natural; as hard as he could land it, He druv home his opinion while I gathered up the stars. That was him—the Largo hoss; never saw another Desert hoss could beat him when he started out to float. Pedigree? He had n't none; a pony was his mother, And judgin' from his looks I guess his father was a goat. That's him now a-standin' there, sleepy-like and dreamin'; Sell him? Thought you'd ask me that. Northern mail is late Just three hours. No, not to-day, pardner. Without seemin' Brash—from here to Santa Fé we'll wipe it off the slate. Bought him of the Navajos—broke me cold and stony; But I got a roll to-day—tell you what I'll do— Ridin' south? Well, pardner, I'll just give you that there pony, If we ain't in Santa Fé three hours ahead of you.