Ghost and Tex - Part 2

But the sun beating down was taking its toll Red started to fade though he'd given his soul they reached the exchange both were ragged and sore Tex jumped on Blackie and was ready for more Blackie was a young horse so full of spirit he'd catch up to Ghost or at least damned near it Behind them the sun met the earth with a glow casting long shadows as night started to grow Tex was dead tired and sore and his blisters bled lips cracked and dry and a spinning in his head Blackie was lathered, winded and bout to drop they both had heart and neither was gonna stop Rattlesnake Butte was coming close into view that's when Tex saw Ghost pick up a step or two He must have thought there was a change in his luck unaware Tex had saved the last leg for Buck Now Buck was a good hoss though just a tad slow could climb like a mule to where Tex had to go Up the side of that butte they staggered and strained Tex let Buck pick the way and gave him his reins They had nearly pulled up to that stallion's side Tex could see the defiance in that horse’s eye He knew if Ghost reached the top this chase'd be done any chance of catching him would be long gone So Tex took to hope's chance and let his rope fly to hell with the odds, he knew he had to try That rope struck its mark and landed true and right and Tex tied it off to Buck's saddle horn tight They were near the crest when the sun left the sky when Ghost lost his footing and slid down the side Ghost joined Tex and Buck on that one final ride Now all three are runnin’ that range in the sky Tex is now just a note scribbled on life’s page 'bout how him and Ghost were the end of an age There’s many a tale that spreads across the night when the sun o’er the plains yields to campfire light. Tales about Tex, who once roamed free on the plains, scratching a living using his rope and reins. Some tales are happy when it comes time to tell, but the story of Tex is sadder than hell