Spirit's Herd Part II
 
 
	Fire and Fury galloped around the valley in a game of tag. Fury was it. 
	"Can't touch this!" said Fire. 
	"Oh yeah?" replied Fury. He was now and muscular young stallion. His 
ivory mane flew out behind him as he raced to catch Fire. Fire was the most 
beautiful young mare in the herd. Every stallion and colt wanted her as their 
mate. Fury neared her, his legs pumping hard. Fire lengthened her stride, pulling 
ahead again. Suddenly, Fury put on a burst of speed. He caught up quickly, and was 
about to tag Fire, when he was cut off. A large bay mustang charged straight at him 
and sent him sprawling across the grass. 
	"HEY!" he yelled. The bay snorted, he was Devil. Fire flattened her ears. 
	"What was that for?" she asked. Devil pranced, his neck arched. 
	"Oh, nothing. Hey what do say we leave this colt here and go find some fun." 
he said, sneering at Fury. 
	"I have an idea, why we leave you here and go find some fun." she replied. 
Fury stood up. He towered over Devil. Fury snorted and pinned back his ears. 
	"Oh, a smart mouth huh? Mares should know their place." Devil snarled. Then 
he kicked at Fire. 
	"SHE DOES KNOW HER PLACE, ABOVE YOU!" roared Fury. Devil reared and struck at 
him. Fury pivoted on his hind legs and kicked Devil squarely in the chest. The bay 
reared again and slashed Fury's neck. Fury reared and struck him between the eyes. Devil 
reared again. This time, Fury galloped straight into his side, sending the stallion 
flying. Then he stood over him. 
	"Familiar?" he said. Fire grinned and trotted over. Fury held Devil down while 
Fire bit him mercilessly. He whimpered like a foal. Fury turned away in disgust. 
Suddenly, they herd a grand trumpet. The magnificent buckskin himself galloped down 
the grassy hill, his eyes blazing. 
	"GET AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER!" 
	Spirit roared. Devil got up and ran for his life. Spirit chased him away. 
Then he turned to Fury and Fire. 
	"You two would make good herd leaders someday." he said before returning to 
his post. 
	"Thanks." said Fire. 
	"No problem." said Fury. They went back to playing in the river. Fire pushed 
Fury in. He grabbed her forelock and pulled her in after him. They splashed and 
laughed. It was dusk when Rain whinnied for them. Fire cantered easily up the hillside. 
	"Mom, why do I always have to be in the herd at night?" she asked. Rain nickered. 
	"Because the herd is safety. I worry when you aren't here at night. Night is 
when the wolves come out to hunt." she said. Fire sighed. Suddenly, Spirit called to 
Rain. Fury looked over at them. The stood together, gazing up at the sky. All the horses 
in the herd had paired up. Fire stood beside Fury. They gazed up at the sky. A fantastic 
meteor shower was taking place. Fire nuzzled Fury.
 
          The next morning, Fire woke up early. She and Fury went exploring in the forest. 
In a near-by bush, sat several wranglers. 
	"Look at them mustangs. They'd be worth a pretty penny." whispered one man. 
	"Yep. Let's get 'em." said the other. A rope suddenly flew out from one of the 
bushes around Fire's neck. She screamed in rage and yanked back. Fury squealed and 
charged the rustlers. A rope flew out, but missed him. He rushed toward Fire and tried 
to free, but one of the men pulled out a pistol. Fury knew that he would be shot if he 
took one step closer to Fire. The situation seemed hopeless. Suddenly, Spirit, Rain, and 
MoonStar were there. A shot rang out, then another. MoonStar was hurt badly. Fury rushed 
to her side. Rain tried hard to save Spirit and Fire, but the wranglers roped them both. 
Fury whinnied. Fire fought hard. It was all a blur. As Spirit and Fire were dragged away, 
he called to Fury. 
	"Fury! You have to find the Lakotas! They can save us! Follow your nose to the 
scents of smoke and horses and deerskin! Go quickly!" Fury nodded. Rain had alerted the 
herd. They galloped off. Fury admired Rain. Most amres would have continued to try to 
save their stallion. Rain was doing what was best for the herd. Fury branched off on a 
different route. MoonStar limped along behind him. He would save Spirit and Fire, no 
matter what.