Archilde is fascinated by a mare he finds in a field of abandoned ranch animals, no longer considered "useful" to ranchers. Without understanding why, Archilde is drawn to this particular mare and spends hours trying to catch her.

"He clucked to the skeleton and shook the oats. He meant to put a rope on her, feed her, and trim her tail. It was the least thing a creature of feeling could do. the mare would not be caught." (238)

McNickle, D. The Surrounded. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press. (1936)