u a' - . Entered at the oat Office at New York. N‘.  as Second Class Mail Matter. Copyrighted in 15:51 by BLADLE um ADAMS;
"illyr. _ _'_‘Z:“:"‘ fi‘#_#' H>>grhm". V, H I: 
' PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, m P1169, '
we on“.

Sln le
No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK.

V131. I. Nuln I.

THE PRAIRIE RANGH; 01‘s TheY0U_NG CATTLE HERDERS.

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR.

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HE‘BENTLOW IN THE SADDLEKAKINGAS‘UR‘E GRASPATTBELAD’SBELT. ANDTEEN,WZTBA SUPERBUMANE
BEARING WITH am 818 COUSIN, THUS nmovsnv SNATCKED mom MOST CERTAIN DEATH.
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2

The Prairie Ranch.

 

 

“The Prairie Ranch; 

The Young Cattle Herders.
‘ BY JOS. n BADGER, JR.

. THE STOCKTARM.

“ WHAT under the sunl"

With which exclamation the two lads sat
bola upright in bed, etarlng blanltly at the nar-
row. barred window, through which came the
diabolical alarum that bad so unceremonioust
cut short their sweet sleep.

‘ A hoarse, discordant braying—a. series of ex
plusive grunts and snorts, the like of which
neither of the “ city boys " had ever hewrd be«
fore; then the huge. crooked cows-horn was
loosened. and a mum], good natured face was
‘visi la at the classless opening.

“'I‘urn out, boys! don‘t you hear the break-
fast hell?" and once more the battered old ham
sent forth a trump that might have roused the
dead.

There was. no more thonght of sleep. The
day was dawning. Time was precious. There
Was so much to see and do. In less than five
minutes the two brothers were dressed and fol—
lowing their cousin Walt into the eating-room.
As thzy brexkfxst, a word or two as to who
thev are and what they look like.

Walter Hnrvey, the eldest, is the Only son of
one of the largest siock growers in Colorarln.
His mother died within a year of his birth, and
since then—now nearly two‘score years—the
too: of a white woman has never crossed that
threshold. People cull Frank Harvey n misogy-
nist, because he wil not take another woman
to fill the place left vacant by his idolized v ifc.
Outwarny he is cold and stern, but his heurt
is us sore and lender as it wns that day so long
ago, when he laid his fair young wife beneath
the «xi. On'y Walt knows what a wealth of
love is hidden beneath that 001 l cxfe7ior, and
be is proud of his father as the father is of his
50:). v

Tall, stout built, yet active as a panther,
Vl'alt is u pruflcient in every manly sport and
accomplishment of the plains; has had a good
common school education; is fairly good-lock-
ing, and has a bold, manly carriage, learned in
Nature‘s school.

Arthur and Ross Duncan are brothers, who

have come to spend the autumn‘and winter
with their cousin. They are fair specimens of
city youth, and though this is their first visit
west of the Mississippi, their grocnnesu will
quickly vanish before the rough breath- of
experience. Therojs true metal in them bozb,‘
and Walt Harvey is .just the boy to bring it
cvqu .
They had arrived at the ranch near the mid-
dle of the night. before, after a long and weari-
wme ride behind a mule team which conveyed.
their baggage, and with a brief greeting, had
tumbled into bed, nor moved a limb uniil-
arousod by the unearthly serenade at their
window. Hence all was n'ewnnd strange to',‘
them this morning, and everything ym eyed
with interest. ‘ _ ' .

The long, low-coiled room, With it! mud-

colored walls and floor; the clodllesu table 'of
elbow-polished oak; the rude benches which ran
along film sides of the board und served as
chairs; the Mexican man-cook; the manifold
wagons and articles of horse furniture hanging,
upon the walls—all had their turn of curious
impecuion. _
, “ Eaten enough?" asked Walt, usthe brothers
refused a fresh supply. “All right; we'llgo
and take a. look at the colts. I picked ‘out a
dozen or so, and put them in the little corral;
where they‘ll be handy. You unlock them
over and take your choice. You‘ll need a
good, tough horse to carry you through to-
morrow."

"There, we are in time!” exclaimed Ross.
“ Art, here, would have it that we were too

 

lute.”

“ So you would have been, only I insisted on
keeping one herd for your especial benefit,”
laughed Walt. “ The , mdea, .as we call it,
Mexican fashion, begun ymterdoy, and will be
about wound up to day. I knew you would
be too tired for much hard work this morning,
and you w ill be all the better prepared to enjoy
the fun, if you get thoroughly acquainted with
your nngs to-day.” ‘

While speaking Walt led the way to a small
incloaura formed of stout mils, and letting
down the bars}, motioned his cousinsto enter,
himself following them.

“A neatdot. if Ido say it,” and Walt nodded
approvineg as the high-spirited colts retreated
as far as the fence would allow, then faced the
intruders, snorting and pawing the ground us
in defiance. “Any one of them will do his
mile in three minutes, fresh from the grass.
Look thsra once, and take your choice. I’ll
Stir Them up.

In sill-nae the brothers watched the noble
animals as they rushed to and fro at the crack
of Harvey’s whip. A Chaim was indeed difll-
uult, but Arthur selected a dappled gray, and
Ross chose a jetty blur-k.

“ All right!” laughed Walt. “Now, we’ll
see how they perform under the saddle. Come
over to the stable and have a look at the furni-
ture. You’ll iln‘l it a little different from that
in use down your way.”

For the first time in their lives the brothers
looked upon a. genuine Mexican or Californian
saddle, u startling contrast to the flit, E iglish
saddle upon which they had learned to ride.

The pornmel was six inches above the seat,
and surmounted by a. flat, circular di<k. tare:
inches in diameter. The cautle was nearly as
high. The saddle-tree was heavy and stout,
covered with tightly stretched raw-hide. Over
this was slipped a huge cover of sole leather,
beautifully stamped in red and black, and
richly ornamented with silver-headed nails.
The stirrups Were oblong blocks of wood, about
six inches by four, and three in thickness.
Over these hung stumped leather tappadoes, to
protect ihe feet from mud and thorns. The
whole affair would weigh from twenty-five to
thirty pounds.

The bridle was no less a curiosity to the
boys. The head-stall was all cf'bralded horse-
hair. I The bit was without a joint, hudliu the
center was doubled back so as to form ‘a long
letter U. A half-circle of iron was fastened to
the arms of the bit, which closely encircledthe
lower jaw of the horse. The ends of'the bit
drop several inches below the nose of the horse,
and a. light but stout steel chain, which serves
for rains, is secured to each end. By pulling
upon the reins, the doubled portion of the bit
forces the mouth of the horse open. While the
iron ring compresses its . lower jaw, so that

with little exertion a rider can break 

horse’s jaw. _ , .

“That
to bear in mind,” added -Walt. “ You
must ride a. light hand. The faintest
pressure w stop a bridle-win horse—if you
pull too harl,,he will Whimself over buck-
ward, running'the risk .5: breaking his own
and your neck to save bk juw." 3 -

“I dont see whyyon uso' Inch cruel jaw-
breakers, then,” observed Arthur. .

“It: mostly habit, I suppose. A common
curb—bit would almost always serve the pur-
pose. come on, '1 um~going to rope your horses.
I want you to see how we‘ fasten on the sad-
dle." " , ' '
‘ Walt” entered the cox-ml and q’uickly' sepa-
.ra%o,dlp§le-gruy from the mt and lassoed
it. 'moment the um closed around its
neck, the creature, from appearing the wildest
of the 'wild, became as staid and quiet as an old

‘ back.

“ He hasn’t forgotten the lesson I gave him
this lflnl} spring," smiled Walt. “ It cost me
fu‘l half a. day to break him in, but I didn’t he-
grudge the trnublv."

Leading the horse outside. he placed a soft
sheepskin upon its back, then flung cnlthe sad-
dle. The girth was of horse-hair, u foot wide,

is the principal thing for m

and three feet long, witha stout iron ring in
either end, oneof which was already fastened
to cutout strap. Raising the free endof the
girth, or chain, to give it the local mule, Walt
slipped the end of a strap through the ring,
then through a smaller ring attached to the
saddle, repeating the act until the strap was
three double. . He drew the  as tight as
he could, then passed the end of the strap
through the upper ring, from the inside,’ upon
the right hand. Next he passed the sirap un-
der the ring, from the carbide, on the left hand,
passing the loose and through the loop thus
formed and drawing it tight. With this ine-
tening, the girth cannot give or become lease,
since the greater the strain upon it the tighter
the knotris drawn. . ». j '

Slipping on the bridle, Walt vaulted. into
the saddle without touching the Stirrup; The
bridle chains hung lome, and he put the gray
through its paces by the pressure of his heals,
the swaying of his body and an- occasional
word of command.

“He is perfect—take my place, Art,” said
Walt, dismcuuting. “ Mind—4i light hand and
a firm sent.”

' Arthur mounted, but could not adjust his
feet to suit him. He looked toward Walt, who
was smothering a laugh.

“I knew you would find it out for yourself.
Right therelies the great diflerence betueen
an English saddle and ours. You sit upon a
flat saddle, while you sit in ours. Ynu are
used to ride with stirrups hung three inches
before the center of your saddle, while lire-m
are hung precisely in the middle. If you ride
ailat saddle. and your home gives an unex-
pected side leap, you cannot help loing )our
balance, to a certain degree, because your seat
only braces you against a forward leap. With
this, you are guarded against every shock, 0.x-
pected or not. Straighten your legs, just as
though you were standing upon solid ground--
so!” ‘

By closely following their cousin’s 'adi'icg
the brothers, long before noon, felt patiently
at home in the new saddle, and exprefeed
themselves ready for the next day’s work.

They were just leaving the stable. for din-
ner, when there came the rapid clatter of
hoofs, then a wild ringing yell.

. “Hurral now you'm‘u see some funi" cried'
Walt, his eyes sparkling. “ That‘s the buck»
m I”

. THE “BUCKARO.”

WONDEBIKG who or what the “buokam’
could be,.Arzhur andvRoss Duncan follmved
the eager steps of their cousin from the stable
to the front entrance of the long, lOW, rumbling
ranch. It must be! something far beyond the
ordinary run of things that so excited Walt
Harvey. '

"Ll‘herel that‘s him—and you can‘t find his
equal betweth t’wv oceans!" muttered Walt,
his eyes aglewlwith enthusiasm.

Ammo-10.0305 black». mustang, dripping uilh
perspiration, stool before the door. Its rider
sat with one leg thrown carelessly over the
high pummel, lighting a cigarro at a coal
handed him by the obsequiously bowing Mex}.
can cook. A dashing, dcbomrlr looking iellcw,
whose gaudy \dresa we.l matched his lithe;
graceful flgu e—graceful and picturesque even
in that carelefl auoitude. - _

“ if he’d Only‘ ‘ buck ’ now I" muttered Ross
who, after so much horse talk, naturally
enough imagined that Wham was, or‘bnd
something te (1-) with u, lurking—horse. "It‘d
be good as a circus to see that dundified frilcw
play leap-frog from the saddle.”

Justus though the black mustang lie-“Yd "-114
understood this whiep'rrd wish, it gove‘u sud-
den sidelong leap, followed up Ivy n swri't sue.
cession ol’ perpendicular jumps and furiuza
plunges such as few horsemen could have sno-
cessfully bufll ‘11.

Walt laughed triumphantly.
stored in speechless amaznnent.

The rider aclually apiea r. duncousvions trim

The brothers

 

his hair-sewers doing anything out of the way.

a

Only one foot rested in the stirrup, the other
leg thrown carelessly arena.) the pommel.

The bridle chains were untouched. His whole
mind was apparently given to the proper
lighting of his cigar. The wild, eccentric
navel-ting of his horse did not stir his seat a
hair’s breadth, more than if he had been glued
into the saddle. It was a splendid exhibition.
of skill, all the more impressive from its being,

apparently, wholly unmeditated. .

Satisfied with his light, the' horseman flung
aside the coal, and then, seemingly, became
aware of the presence of the three young
men for the first time. Swift as thought, his
right foot sought the stirrup, and the black
mustang stood before the cousins motionless, as
though cast in bronze, while the rider dofl’ed
his broad sombrero and bowed low in the
saidle. " ’ '

" Glad .to see you, Psdrillo," cried Walt, .
elasping the long brown hand. in his own.
“ Been-expecting you for two hours and more.
Better late than never, thong ”

“ I had to ride over to senor Gordon’s this
morning; that made me lots,” was the response,
in a low, but remarksth clear and musical,
voice. " You have a little job for me?" ,

“ A higjoh, rather/K laughed Walt. " If you
do it in less than threehours, you can take my
hat. ’Light, and turn your horse to the fodder.
We’ll have a bite of dinner before tackling old
Man-eater."

While the Mexican —for suchwas .Pedrillo-
was following his advice, Walt gave his cousins
a brief and hasty explanation.

The buckaro is a professional horse-breaker,
generally a Mexican or Texanfl His principal
business is breaking and training wild and un-
ruly animals for the less skillful or more busy
among the stock-raise“ and traders. There is
no animal so wild and vicious that be dare not
mount it and once mounted. the, creature must
yield or die. Another brunch of his trade. is the
picking up of unruly horse-s or ponies, eta. mere?
ly nominal price, to be broken, carefully train-
ed, and then sold at a profitable figure. The
buckara is a king of the saddle in more senses
than one. " He is welcome wherever he goes,
and a favorite with all, rich and poor. He is
the postman and news-carrier o! theyast cat-
tle-re. , ..

Pedrlllo did not appear to as good advantage
upon foot as in thcsnddle. Constant riding, al-
most from birth, had stunted and 'bovisd his
legs. His walk was a. shuffling shamble, like
one just  from _a_ slight touch of
paralysis. But this did not been the umpoken
ladmiralion of the cousins. His eysry word
was listened bwithmspwhandhis wanton:
the table carefully anticipated. “ ,

His dress was that peculiariohis is, only
more costly than the generality, for ¥edrillo had
made a fortune in his business, hind the'bank of
aMexicau is his back and belly. A glazed,,gold- "
banded sombrero; an embroidered and spath .
jacket of rich crimson velvet, open from the
throat and barely reaching his waist; two shirts, ’
the inner ol the finest muslin, the other of sky-
blue silk, both richly embroidered; 3 china craps .
flash around his middle, knotted at the right
side,‘and supportinga long, slender knife and
N806 91 pistols; scarlet velveteen breaches .
WWII Water, gold andsilrsr; heavy Texan
begins at buckskin, thickly beaded. wrapped
tightly around the legs and tied witha thong,
just be 0W theknea. not buttoned; short bootsof
stamped leather; huge spurs with rowels over,
three inches in diameter, ‘ H _, .,’ f

the color of smoked

A long, nerrow face‘of
bacon; deep-695 sinuous.  nose; a straight'
at sparse pair 01,,

slit for a mouth; a long
mustnches. and pointed imbue the“.
0-  "famous

items, and you have P

o. . ,  

Immediately after dinner Walt loathe, way
to a small corral, the  “NVth were of
unusual hightand strength._ There was bot‘one
animal inside—a large,,magnificently-furmed
iron gray stallion, that constantly circlvdround
the tends as though, seeking. an opening for 93-
cape. -

 

The Prairie Ranch.

3

\

 

“He keeps thatup night and day,” began
Walt, when, as though infuriated by the sound
of his veice, the stallion flung itself against the
fence, pawing and, striking with its hoofs,
screaming most viciously.

“I’ll need both saddle and bridle to tame
him,” was the quiet remark made by Pedrilio.
“ We’ll need three lassoes besides mine." ”

“ All right. I kept one man besides the cook.
Come along, boys. You’ll see more ofAthe fun
on horseback." ,

By the time Arthur and Ross had their mus—
tangs saddled and bridled, all was in readiness
for the battle of man against horse.

Walt stood by the bars of the corral, ready
to let them down and give the wild stallion
egress. Twenty yhrds beyond, Pedrillo was
waiting; further on were his two assistants.

Pedrillo nodded. Walt flung down the three
upper bars. then sprung into the saddle, barely
in nine. '

With a wild, piercing scream, the stallion
cleared the remaining bars, but ere he could
taste the Sweets of liberty the snake-like coils
of Pedrillo’s lasso settled over his head; a vi—
cious pluck -and the desert king was thrown
upon his back in the dust.

At the same instant Walt and the servants
spurred forward and made their casts. Each
lasso closed around a leg, and being drawn
taut, the horse was unable even to struggle.

Dismounling, Pedrillo caught up the extra
saddle and bridle which lay in readiness,“ and
approached the fallen king. At a sign, his
well trained mustang leaned hard against
the lasso, forcing the stallion to open his
mouth to escape suffocation. With swift
dexterity Pedn’llo inserted the bit and
buckled the heal stall, than wound his sash
tightly around the animal’s eyes. Waving his
hand, the lessees were gradually slackened, and
the blinded stallion struggled to his feet.
With some didiculty the saddle was strap-
ped upon the animal’s back, and Pedrillo
sprung lightly into his, seat. The three men
closed in, and their slackened lassoes were
quickly kicked ed by the prancing stallion.
Walt loosened the lasso from the saddle of re-
drlllds ho , and the blwlsaro drew this in,
fastening the lam end around his waist. All
being in readiness, he tore off the blinding sash.

The stallion crouched low to the ground,
with a shrill scream—then the air seemed full
of flying boots andgle‘aming tooth. ,But Pe—
drillo met each attempt at biting with a heavy
kickluntil the animal's mouth was covered with
blood. named in this, the stallion flung itself
upon one side, rolling over and over, but Pe-
drlllo'wasnOt to be caught napping, and the
moment the mad beast arose, he was settled
firmly in the  " ,

With an almost human scream of rage, the
stallion‘wheeled and sped toward the fence of
the corral, no doubt hoping to, free itself by
crushing its rider against the heavy rails. Then
the brothers were given a proof of the terrible
powers ofvthe Mexican bit. ‘

The bucllaro gave a short, sharp
stallion  upright, thou, madly pawln the
air, fell heavily over backward The Maxwell,
cat-like, alighted upon his feet; dear of the
fallinganimah For nearly a minute the crea-
ture' lay trembling, the breath driven from its
body by the terrible she/ck, but the moment it
scrambled to its feet the biwkaro was in the
saddle. , ,

limiter, Pedrillo Lad contented bimgelf with
baffling the stru ice. of the stallion, but, now
his tactics chang V Spurs and lasso were

swiftly succeedihg plows. ,The home plunged
furiously, here and there, its can?» being, so
ra‘pid that the eye could scarcely” Willem.
Twice the animal was thrown upon its back by
means of the jaw-breaking bit, yet no sooner
did’ it arise than the fierce contrast was re
sewed with unabated fury.

But. after nearly an mum: this hot work,

the stallion gave}: piercing dream and darted:
away over-the plaln’like’ an snow  lrom

ils bow. ’

jerk. .The‘

 

“ It's all r’ght now!” exclaimed Walt, with
a long breath. “That’s the leginning of tha\
end. The brute will run until it falls, either
dead or thoroughly broken." ,

“ it was exciting to look at,” said Arthur,
thoughtfully, “ but it is barbarous, after all.”

“But it’s the only way an aged horse can be
thoroughly’broken ,withont a great waste of
time. Come! let’s take a breather over the
prairie.” ,

 

THE nouns.

LONG before the stars were through twink-
ling, Arthur and Ross Duncan were awakened
by a repetition of the particularly disagree-
able serenade with which their first day at the
stockth had' been ushered in. 'And then
the cheery voice of Walt Harvey cried aloud:

“Tumble out, boys! There’s just time to
swallow a bit and sup before we must take the
saddle.” ,

No more was needed. The brothers jumped
out of bed and into their clothes, through the
eating-room and out into the cool, fr-osty air
where cousin Walt was breaking the ice and
clipping water from a huge barrel into the two
horse— buckets which he set before the boys, my-
log:

" Rain your head and arms inlo that. It‘s
the only medicine we need or use on this
ranch.”

-0bedienoe required no little courageon that
cold. frosty morning, but the boys had resolvad
to do as those around them did, let the cost be
what it might, and after the first icy shock,
they felt fairly grateful to Walt. It was as
though fresh blood had been infused into their
veins. They, were full of life and all aglow
from head to foot.

But a few minutes were spent_at the table.
All, both men and boys, weretoo eager for the
sport ahead for them to waste the moments on—
necessarily. Thus, half an hour from the dis-
cordant braying of Walt’s born, he, the broth.
ers, the buckaro. the cook and four herdsmenr—
two of whom had been sent by Mr. Harvey to
assist the youngsters in their " rounding up "—
were in the saddle and galloping briskly over.
the prairie. ‘

Neither Ross nor Arthur had much to say,
simply because they had their hands full. ‘
Their mounts were overflowing with life and
spirits, and though the boys had not forgotten
\Walt’s instructions, their hands were too heavy
upon the jawbreairing bits. And to one ac-
customed to the English method of sitting up-
on a‘horse—well back in the saddle, with the
stir-rupee full foot in advance of the center
line of the body—4t requires time for oneto
grow used to the Mexican seat.

Cousin Wall.i rode between them, and his
tongue was rarely idle. 'Much good advice
and valuable hints did he give them, together
with some interesting information, a portion
of which,~for the better understanding of what
isto follow, may be given here, in a cone
densed form. I , H ,

Mr. Harvey and two other men, whose cattle.
ranges formed a. huge triangle, had formed a. '
sort (I confederation for mutual as well as in—
dividual good. If one rtquired help, the others
assisted him. Their cattle, and, stock mingled
togetherhat will. Twice each year there was a.
grand inspection; In the fall of the year, a
rodeo was ordered; that is, everybody turned-
out to drive up' the cattle, to corraland iden-
tify them; to. mark the calves and brand

, _ _ ,used‘ such, of thastock as had escaped at the last
fresh. the' rawhide coils falling heavily in,

gathering.‘ In the 'spring, another rodeo was
called, forfithe purpose of branding the cams

marked in‘l’tha‘ tell. .

All this infringement was ’eOpied after that.

   
 

month; v, of among the Californian stock-

 e'oonfedsrates also made use or the
j l.  éffilllbyedhi‘ theml- which ex-
‘ is w' be fougwedin this series. '

“Until you get the hang of the thing, you
fellows wantytovwa "u instead of going in
on your own hoakfsgsaih Walt, lmprthfvuly. .
‘ “ Our Texas longih‘orns are not much like the

    

4

The Prairie Ranch.

 

 

cattle you have in the States. When they
take a. notion to go, go they will, if it is
through a stone wall. The only thing that
will cow them is a whip: and not always that."

As he spoke, Walt swung the long lash for—
ward, with an almost imperceptible twist; of
his wrist. A crack like that of a heavily
loaded pistol followed, and the cook, with a
little yell of amazement, jerked his head back
so qudenly that his sombrero fell to the
grin-ml. A little shower of sparks betrayed
th» truly dextrous feat. Riding in a gallop
lhe young rauchero had plucked the cigar
born between the cook’s lips with the lush of
his whip.

Stooping low, Walt picked up the hat and
handed it, together with a fresh cigar, to the
cook, then resumed his position between the
brothers.

"You see now why I ask you to keep out of
therhick. When you learn to handle a whip
like that—when you can put the cracker within
an inch or two of the spot you aim at, every
time, then yO'i have nothing to fear from the
long-horns. You can ride through and through
the wildest herd that ever lived. But today
you must promise me that you will keep out of
the rock. To give you a fair specimen of the
work, I kept out one of the wildest herds of
the whole range.”

“ Don‘t be uneasy,” and Arthur laughed alitv
tle shortly. “ We’ll have our hands full
learning how to manage with these blessed
saddles and jaw-breakers, without playing bull-
fight " .

Despite the annoyance and positive discom-
fort caused by tho—40 them awkward saddle
and bridle, the brothers really enjoyed that
wild scamper through the early morning. The
air was so keen and pure, their horses so full of
life and vigor, dashing through the frOSt‘Stlf-
toned grass, up and down the gentle slopes,
snorting, tossing their long manes and enjoying
the frolic quite as much as their riders. The
mm who does not feel better and purer for
such a mad scamper, is too good for this world.

The sun was just clearing the eastern swells,
when the cattle were sighted, some feeding,
some reposing on the long slope of the hill.
Without a word the buckaro, who was in the
lead, b Ire sharply to the left and Swept on to
guard against the cattle breaking away, tail on
end, in the direction contrary to that in which
they were to be driven.

“Now mind," hurriedly cried Walt, as they
sped along, “ I’ll put you in position, and you
must wait until we give the word and charge
in. Don’t crowd them too close, and be ready
to wheel either side, in case any of the brutes
snould take a notion to charge you. You can
dodge them easy enough, if you keep a cool
head."

Wth stationed Ross first, then, nearly a
hundred yards further on, he left Arthur,
spurring on to secure his own position. ’

The cattle were now upon the alert, crowd-
ing together, clashing horns and boots, lowing
uneasily, snorting and pawing the ground.
Thus the main body. Others, generally bulls,
with an occasional rampant steer, were scat-
tered around, their flanks like skirmishers, with
tails erect, with hair bristling the wrong way,
their eyes aglow, the personification of fiery
rage or sullen fury.

Arthur and Ross eyed them with anything
but. easy composure. It looked likea serious
task, for nine men to drive two hundred such
burned and hairy brutes.

Nut so with the experienced harder. Walt
sounded his horn, and yelling, booting, scream-
ing like so many lunatics, they charge the
herd, their short-handled, long-lashed whips,
sending forth a neverending volley of pistol-
cracks.

Tho cattle crowded closer, those outside seek-
ing to climb over those next them, lowing and
routing llke mad. Then the daring horsemen
were upon them, plying their Whigs with
merciless skill. Each touch of the seasoned
raw-hide cracker cut out a bit of skin as neatly
as though with a knife. A gaunt, brindle bull,

and galloping along after the retreating herd.

 

stung to madness by the stinging lash, wheeled
sharply upon the buckaro with an unearthly
bellow. But an old stager was before him.
The trained mustang leaped swiftly aside, and
with a backward sweep, Pedrillo split open the
bull’s nose with his whip. Again and again
the blow was repeated, swifter far than the eye
could follow the motions, and then, thoroughly
cowed, the hull, with a loud roar of pain and'
terror, turned and thundered down the slope.

Like magic all resistance ceased, and the en-
tire herd followed his lead. At Walt‘s shout,
the brothers followed after, and were soon
close upon the skirts of the herd. There was
no giving the hard time to recover from its
sudden panic, That would be but to do- the
work all over again. They were headed in the
right direction, and must be held to it.

With four men in the rear, the other five
scattered along the flanks to guard against a
change of course, on swept the long—legged
mass at a rate that opened the eyes of Arthur
and Ross. It seemed more like chasing a herd
of elks, than driving cattle. If they could run
so fast in a. crowded mass, what could one do
with a clear field? A Texan long-horn is to one
of our cattle, what the prong-horn is to a tame
goat.

Not for long did the brothers remember the
repeated warnings of the young ranchero, and
carried away by the wild excitement of the
hour, they pressed closer upon the heels of the
flying herd, plying their whips with more
energy than skill. Arthur managed to get in
several good strokes upon a gaunt, blue steer,
and the animal, stung to madness, Blackened
its pace enough to get its head clear of the rear
rank, then turned sharply, with a furious bol-
low, charging upon its tormentor.

If left alone, the mustang would easily have
avoided the headlong rush, but Arthur instinc—
tively bore hard upon the reins, and with a
scream of pain the home reared and fell back-
ward. More by good luck than management,
the lad fell clear of the animal, and though
bruised, sprung to his feet almost instantly,
only to face the threatening horns of the beast
he had thoughtlessly goaded into madness.

Fortunately for him, Walt had kept an eye
upon the brothers, and seeing that his warning
shout was either unheard or unheeded, at once
sped to the rescue. He saw that Arthur was
too bewildered or else too much hurt to dodge
the charge, and so took the one risky chance of
saving him from the threatening horns.

Riding straight at the steer, he lifted his
horse and buried it bodily against the side of
the brute. The shock was terrible. Horse and
rider and steer all went down in one confused
heap, but like a cat, the young ranchero sprung
to'his feet, whip in hand, as the steer arose.

Walt sprung back to a distance more effective
for his weapon, and throwing the whole of his
strength and skill into the effort, ruined a
storm of blows upon the furious animal’s front
so rapid and stinging that the creature was
blinded and perfectly helpless, roaring under
the lash that drew blood at every stroke.
Then, unable to‘withstaud that terrible weapon
it wheeled and sped after its companions.

Beyond the scare, no serious harm was done,
and a. minute later the cousins were mounted

THE SENAL. '

“ WHAT do you think of our long-horns,
now?” and the young ranchero grinned broadly
as he turned to Arthur Duncan. ,

“I've known just such horns put to worse
use, and I‘d rather face the points, than the
butt with you at the other end of it."

With a laugh Walt raised the long, silver-
mounted born to his lips and sounded a pro-
longed, musical blast. '

“ There’s music in it, if one only knows how
to blow it out. When you hear a dozen of
them coming from as many different direo
tions, out of the early mom, and mingling with
the bell-notesof the bounds, then you will un-
derstand what I mean."

 

 

~4

“ It must be delicious,” granted Ross, as his
mustang stumbled. “ We heard, the sound of
your mellow horn in the early mom for the
past two days, and, if you have no objections,
for the future please send an old he donkey to
bray our slumber away, for, sure’s your
your breath sounds mighty bad in a horn.”

The young ranchero made no reply, for he
saw that mischief was brewing. That others
were equally upon the alert, a sharp, warning
mot from' the horns of the herdsmen upon
either side of the drove, plainly proved.

“ You two slack up!” cried Walt, sharply,
to the brothers. “Hold your horses well in
hand, ready to dodge—if they crowd you
close, use your revolvers—and shoot to kill!”

Arthur and Ross stared at each other in
amazement. What could he mean? Was
there danger of Indians—of cattle-thieves? As
far as the eye could reach there was no living
object in view save the herd of cattle, the
horses and their riders. In their ignorance,
the brothers never suspected that the danger
was in that fleeing herd, yet the signs were
easy to be read by an experienced eye.

Their speed was decreasing. Those upon the
outside were crowding upon the compact can“
tor, but their long-horned fronts were turned
outward and shaken with short, explosive bei-
lows. And scarcely had Walt finished his
word of warning than, as by one accord, the .
cattle broke ranks and scattered in every
direction, despite the stinging lashes and furious
yelling of the borders.

Then the brothers realised their danger, but
it was too late to wholly avoid it. Ere they
could turn their horses to flee, the hairy mon-
sters were upon them.

Arthur, taking counsel of dear experience,
left his horse to itself, and as a conseqence the
nimble, knowing creature bore him unschthed
through that headlong, unreasoning charge.
Not- so Ross. A long-legged steer with lowered
head seemed bent on fairly running him down.
If left to itself, the mustang, which was bololy
facing the animal, would have dodged the
shock, but Ross pulled hard upon the left rein,
and, unable to resist the jaw‘breaking bit, the
horse wheeled, 'just in time to receive the full
force of the shock upon its right side.

Horse, steer and rider went down together,
just as with a shrill yell, the young ranchero
rushed up. He bent low in the saddle, making
a sure grasp at the lad’s belt, and then, with a
superhuman eflort, rose erect in the saddle,
bearing with him his cousin, thus dextrously
snatched from almost certain death.

A dozen leaps and they were clear of the
ruck. Ross was dropped gently to the ground
and the next moment Walt almost fell from
the saddle, white and wan as a ghost, entirely
overcome by the danger his cousin had run and
the terrible strain upon his powers of mind and
body.

There were few words spokén. The danger
had been too great and was still too recent. A
long, warm clasp of the hand, an interchange
of deep, earnest glances; no more. '

The black mustang was lying motionless ina
pool of its own blood. The long, slender horn
of the steer had entered just behind its fore-
leg, passing through and emerging at the left
breast. Death had been almost instantaneous.

There was no time for conversation. Pedrillo
and the others had succeeded in taming the
leaders of the herd, and the rest were flocking
around them. Ross clambered up behind Walt,
and as they swept arbund to the rear of the
cattle, the young ranchero summoned the coo:
and bade him give his mount to Ross and fol-
low on foot with the furniture of the dead mus-

tang.

Ross would have protested, but Walt would
not hear him. They were only three miles
from the big corral, and the man would be only
too glad to escape his'share of the work at the
expense of so short a 

A few minutes later they came in sight of
the huge corral, or rather cluster of corrala,
and at the clear blast of Walt’s horn, near a
hundred horsemen were seen forming in two

 

 

The Prairie Ranch.

1 5

 

 

long lines through which the cattle were to be
forced into the corral.

Now came the tug of war. The cattle appa-
rently remembered their past experience upon

similar occasions, and fought fiercely for liber- _

ty, but in vain. Wherever they turned there
was a horseman with his terrible whip. Blood
followed every blow, and the pistol-er cracks
were unceasing.
Slowly the cattle were forced down the lines,
and each moment’set more men at liberty to
force them on, until, with a headlong rush, the
foremo<t of the herd plunged through the open-
ing into the corral. The others followed in hot
haste, the bars were replaced, and the‘first act
was done.
Uncle Frank came up and cordially greeted
his nephews, for he had not been at home since
their arrival. He led them to where they could
overlook the proceedings, and explained all that
occurred. ' _.
As for Walt, he was in the midst of the wild
scene, glorying in the mad, dangerous turmoil.
As previously stated, the main object of the
autumn rodea, is to collect all the cows that
t have young calves in order to mark the cattle

so that there may be no doubts as to the owner-
' ship of each, when the spring rodeo. takes place,
’ which is for the purpose of branding the year-

hngs. .

At the fall gathering the calves are still un-
weaned, and, of course, stick closely to their
mothers: The sanal, or mark upon her ears,
shows towhbm each cow belongs, and the calves
are given the same mark. Every stock-raiser
has his peculiar serial; together with his brand,
duly recorded. A case of counterfeiting seldom
occurs. .

The first move was to separate the com and
calves from‘the male cattle. Besides the bars
through which the herd had entered the corral
there Were three others, one upon each side and
end, each opening into another corral. '

Before each of these three openings stood two
men, armed with whips. A score of others
were in the corral,‘ similarly armed, whose
duty it was to separate the bulls, steers and
yearlings from the cows and calves, one or two
at a time, and force toward one of the open-
ings, when the guards would step aside, and
the cattle, seeing liberty apparently before
them, ‘would' dash through the bars, only to
find that they had exchanged one prison for an.-
other.

The scene was as exciting as it was danger-
ous. Few animals have more of the devil in
their composition than these same long-horns.
They are treacherous in the extreme. An old
and apparently broken-down ox will suddenly
and without visible cause, cast off the shackles
of age and infirmity, and “run a muck ” with
all the dearly fury of an insane Malay. How
much worse, then, are a. hundred of them, in
the prime of age and condition, goaded to fury
by the yells and the cracks of the cruel whips!

It calls for cool courage and thorough self-
reliance in the man who would face them, upon
feet and armed ly with a whi p, especially

when surrounded y trampling hoofs and clat—'

toting home—horns that Would slip through
one‘s body as easily as a spear or saber.

Arthur and Ross Duncan watched the excit-
“8 scene with glowing eyes and thrilling
nerves. Each moment they expected to wit-
ness some bloody tragedy, but as often Were
they agreeably disappointed '

By twos and threes the male cattle were
driven into the other cerrals, until only the
cows and calves were left. Then all save the
outer set of bars were securely fastened, and
the work of applying the renal was com-
menced. " ‘> '

Several of the cows were separated from the ,

rest, and almost as quickly their. cale were
beside them, panting and quiverin ,with fear
and fatigue. The guards stopped as e, the ani.
mals rushed forth, bellowing with 1637, As
many horsemen were in waiting, and riding
elongs'lde,’saw how the cows were marked.
Then a cast of the lasso secured the calf. The
marker ran forward, and kneeling upon its

s,

neck, quickly cut the serial upon one or both
ears. as the case demanded, then removed the
noose, leaving cow and call to flee until fatigue
or a sense of safety induced it to stop.

Before the hour of noon, all the calves were
marked, and the men, after a wash from the
barrels of water hauled to the spot for that
purpose, gathered beneath the shade of the
corral—fence to eat a cold dinner. ' ~

The peculiar care which both Arthur and
Ross betrayed in seating themselves, called
forth many good-humored jokes, but these were
changed to expressions of sympathy, when
Walt narrated the accident which had occur-
red to each of them.

Uncle Frank looked grave, but the cousins
came_i;o the rescue and absolved Walt from
even the shadow of carelessness. They had
forgotten his repeated advice, and suffered the
consequence.

“ Now then,” said the young rancher-0, when
an hour had been passed in rest, “you’ll see
the choicest part of the whole, business. Of
course, since you don’t know how to manage
the lariat, you can’t take a very active part in
the sport, but you must mount, and I warrant
you’ll enjoy it as muchas anybody. Come onl”

 

THE gIERRO.

“WHAT'S in the win i, now?"
naturali'nquiry put to the young ranchero by
Arthur and Ross, when they noticed his grow-
ing excitement. '

There‘s fun ahead, and plenty of it! Come
on. I’ll explain 'it all while we are rigging
out our horses.” . ‘

Now, neither Arthur nor Ross felt very keen
for the saddle, for sundry reasons, but 'they
had' left their home to learn what everyday-life
was upon a stock-farm, and a few inches of
tender skin should not cow them thus early.
With this secret resolve, they followed their
cousin’s example and prepared their mustangs
for work. ' While thus occupied, Walt gave
them an idea of what was coming.

Where one’s cattle are numbered by then-
sands, and the grazing grounds measured by
the league, it is not so strange that a goodly
number of calves should escape the fall mark-
ing and the spring branding both, though,
sooner or later, they must bear the badge of
servitude.

At this rodeo. the number of “volunteers”
was unusually large, and nearly two hundred
unmarked, unbrauded‘yearlings had been sepa-
rated from the rest and penned in a side cor-
ral, being reserved as a fitting conclusion of
their three days’ labors. Them were to be
marked and branded.

“But how can you tell which is which?"

asked Arthur, as be rather gingerly settled him-
self ln the saddle. ‘ ' '

“ We can’t; so we'each take one-third of the
lot, and call it square. Come—there‘s father
beckoning tons. _ Let’s see what he wants.”

Uncle Frank led the way to the fence ofithe
corral which contained the unmarked cattle,
and appeared to be pointing out certain peculi-
arities among them to his nephews. Instead,
he was speaking to his son.

. “Make a run or two, if you like, Walt, but
don’t overwork 'your horse. There’s another
job on hand, that will need a fresh horse and
I  n

“ Better speak to Pedrillo, then-J’

“ There it is!”’and Uncle Frank’s brows can'-
tracted. “Warren has made sure of him, al-
ready. You see, this is the way of it. We
found among the cattle an unusually fine six—
year-old bull, without mark or brand, and of
course saved him to be marked with the nest.
Just before dinner, Warren bantered Jones and
I to choose a. man each, and ride for the bull
and a hundred dollarsycash.’ We couldn’t well
refuse, and so the match was .mede. Now
here comes Pedrillo, and tells me that Warren
had secured him to ride,,befqre he proposed
the match.” ‘

“Rather sharp practice, seeing the biwkrwo

 

is in your employ," laughed the young ran—

was the'

 

.chero. " I’ll do the best I know, and if you
lose, ‘twill not be .my fault}?

The boys were eager to see everything, and
Walt led them over to where his father’s men
were gathered. One man, with bare arms and
in a blacksmith’s apron, was bending over a
brazier filled with glowing charcoal, in which
were several lorghandled irons. At a word
from Walt, he pulled one out and held it up
before the brothers. .;The branding-iron at-
tached was pretty fairly described by Ross,
when he declared that it looked more like a
huge spider that an elephant had trod on than
alight else he could think of.

A loud blast from an ox-horn gave notice
that the work was about to begin, and hur-
riedly placing his cousins where they could see
all without being in the way, Walt took up his
position a. few yards irom the bars of the cor-
ral, lasso ready curled in his band. Two men
kept close in his rear, the duties of which were
soon made clear.

The guardians of the opening sprung aside,
and three fine yearlings charged through and
made a desperate dash for liberty.

According to the arrangements made before-
hand, he who rode for Frank Harvey was en—
titled to the choice of the first lot; second
choice of the next trio; the lust of the third;
first of the fourth lot set free; thus alternating
to the end, by which means each owner was
favored alike.

Walt quickly made his choice, and dashing
forward, sent his lasso curling through the air.
The instant the cast was made, his horse wheel-
ed half-around, planting its feet firmly and
bracing itself against the coming shock. “fill:
a sharp twang the lariut.straightened out, the
young heifer was flung upon its haunohes, then
pulled over upon its side. _ The two assisianis
rode forward, displaying no less skill with the
lasso than theiryoung master. One noose se-
cured both hind legs, the other caught the
right fore-foot, and a moment later the heifer-
was lying perfectly helplem, the three la:soes
pulling strongly in as many different dilec—
tions.

A man, armed with a keen knife, ran for-
ward and kneeling upon the animal’s neck,
quickly put the serial, or mark of his master,
upon both ears. , ' . ‘

Close upon his heelscarne the blacksmith,
bearing the dull red branding iron. Touching
this to the damp sand, tempering the heat with
the judgment of one well skilled in his art, be
pressed the Mew-o upon the heifer’s hip, hold-
ing it there until the blue smoke and the sick-
ening smell of burning hair and hide scented
the air. With a about that signified his work
was performed, he remOVed the iron and bar-
ried to place it in the hrazier. The marker
who through this had knelt upon the heifer’s
neck,'now flung. off the ropes, and retreated.
The animal staggered to his feet, gave one
mighty shake, and with tail on end and a hole
low bellow, plunged away at breakneck speed.

This description will suffice for all the repe-
titionscf the capture, marking and branding.
In a few cases there were temporary failures,
some amusing incidents, but through all there
was a similarity tnthe above that would render
a detailed description tedious. Enough that
Walt retired to the fide of his cousinsafter his
second ones, and with them enjoyed the excit—
ing scene, Two hours lathr the last animal
was marked,» branded and turned loose to run
at will. r ' '

Upon ordinary occasions this would be the
signal for breaking up and starting for home,
but there was still the “ Maverick” to be dis-
posed "of. Warren was in high feather, and,
feeling assured of success, thanks to his fore—
sight in securing Pedrillo as his champion,
kept pressing bets upon everybody alike.
Jones, the other of the three rancheros, fought
shy ofhis offers. But not so Uncle Frank.
At a and from Walt, he accepted the wagers
whenever oifered, until, renderedy’uneasy by
such cool confidence, Warren his offers
and insisted upon the 'match taking place at
once.

. 6

 

Meanwhile’Walt and his cousins had taken a
good look at the bull. it was shut up in a. cor-
ral by itself, and was the p'ictnre of sullen fe-
rocity, slowly pacing around the inolosure, oc-
casionally giving the stout fence a vicious dig
with its horns. A huge, doepred animal, all
bone and muscle, with a stiff, wiry mane. [is
back and shoulders bore the scars of many a
desperate fight, and one horn had been splin-
tered half—way to its base. '

“ Do your best, Walt,” muttered his father,
“ I’ve got over fivehundred dollars onthe re-
sult."

'“You will be that much the richer in an
hour. Pedrillo is going to ride his black. I
found that out before I gave you the signal. It
is faster than my horse, but I’ll win sure!”

The terms of the match were announced.

I The hull was to be turned loose, and given five
minutes’ law. Then, at the word, the three
champions 'were to follow. The one whdte
lasso first closed upon the animal was to be the
victor.

Aa the bars were lowered the bull dashed out
and away, but as be cleared the crowd, his
speed slackened; he stopped, and for a minute
seemed to deliberate whether or no he should
not avenge the insults he had received upon the
gathering. Prudence prevailed, however, and

/with a sullen bellow he trotted leisurely away
alter the distant cattle. '

Walt took occasion of the wait to say to his
cousins:

“ Followafter us as close as you can, and
you’ll see some fun." .

There was no time for any answer. The
moment for star-gin; was close at hand, and
the three champ ons drew abreast, ready for
the word. 4 ‘

It came—mud as by one impulse, the trio
plunged forward, the crowd following ha‘rd
behind. For a hundred yards the champions
rode even, then, inch by inch, Jones’s champion
began to drop behind, and, cm half a mile was
covered, it was evident that he was out of the
race. Not so the others. Neck and neck they
faced, and there was no visible change in their
poxiti Ins, until they were within three hundred
yards or the fleeing bull. Then, with a low

‘ laugh, Pedrillo touched his black with the spur, _

and it shot ahead, one, two-- half a dozen

lengths, But Walt only smiled. He felt that.

his turn was near at hand. ,

Less than a hundred yards ahead of Pedrillo
was the bull. The buoka'ro was gathering up
his lasso in readiness for the winning cast. He
glanced over his shoulder at the young " ran.
chem; but he exulted too soon.

Walt utterod‘a sharp, peculiar whistle. ,As
though by magic, the black mustang, dropped
to the ground, and, taken utterly by surprise,
Pedrillo was flung over its head, and as Well:
dashed past him, a mocking laugh filled his
ear. Quick as a out, he leaped to his feet and
sprung into the saddle, as his mustang arose,
but it was only to ace the lasso of his young
rival settle over the bull’s head.

Ere the animal could arise, two more lussoes
were last, and than wound around its legs in
such a manner as to hold it helpless until the
knife and branding-iron had done their work.

‘ “ Turn about is fair play i” muttered Walt,

' in the buckaro‘s ear. “ Shin gave me a‘ tumble

from that same horse, and ’tried to make me

believe it stumbled accidentally. ‘ But I caught
your signal, and vowed I’d get square.”

“ I'll pay the debt, senor~und with interesti”
muttered the home- breaker, his black eyes
glittering. '

Walt laughed, carelessly, but he was fated to
remember these words, at no distant day.

 

CHASING THE Paouo-uonus.

A warm or two paused quietly away after
the rodeo was brought to a. successful conclu’.
slain/during which Arthur and -Ross‘.l)uucan
faithfully carried out their resolve of learning
the everyday routine of life upon a'stock-farm.
These little details were interesting ‘enough to
five through, pos'sessing as they did all the

 

The Prairie Ranch.

 

charms of novelty, but the reader, would find a.

literal record rather dull reading.

Enough that the brothers familiarized them-
selves with the Mexican saddle and bridle, and,
through persistence, gained their “ riding
breaches.” That is, they Could ride from morn
till dawn without especial fatigue, or flinching
whenever they sat upon the hard benches
around the supper table. .

Cousin Walt was an‘oracle to them, save on
one point. “When he, spoke of catching the
swift-footed antelopes, or prong—horns, by
means of horses and bounds, they scouted at
the idea. They had read too much to swallow
such a marvel. The wind itself could not keep
pace with the “ goats.” .

“You wil learn your mistake, some day,”
was the quiet reply. “You will see dogs pull
down a prong-horn, and, if you like, I will take
one alive with the lari'at.”

As a natural consequence, this Wordy but
amicable dispute resulted in an expedition, the
main object of which was to forever settle the
contested question. '

The day had not yet dawned when the little
cavalcade of five persons rode away from the
ranch. Pedrillo, the lmckaro, and a lithe, wiry
half-breed bore the cousins company.

Hard at their heels followed half a. dozm
dogs, four of them being pure-blooded gray-
hounds, the others being Irish stag~hounds, of
fair blood and appearance, though the critical
eye might detect a far—away cross of the for
hound, especially about the head.

They were well trained and under thorough
command. At frequent intervals a jack—rabbit
would be kicked out of its form by some one of
the dancing, prancing horses, and dart away
after its own peculiar fashion, making huge
leaps, its legs as straight and nnbending as
though jointless, its nose thrust out and long
cars lying flat along its shoulders. Then it
would come to an abrupt halt, several hundred
yards away, and its huge, black-tipped cars
would pop up above the grass in a listening at-
titude. The dogs would whine appealiugly
and look up into'the face of their young mas-
ter, but the asked-for word did not come, and
their heads would droop as they trotted silent-
ly along.

The fates seemed adverse to the hopes of the
hunters during the first part of the day, (or
note. prong-horn was sighted, though usually
so plenty. To and fro, quartering the prairie,
paying a visit to "every hollow and “draw,”
the young rauchero led the way, resolved to
“find,” though he searched till dark.

Reaching a depression in the soil, around
which upon every hand rese the prairie swells,

the party divided and each one rode toward a ‘
chosen point, to view the land beyond. Pedril—

10 was the successful one, and the boys saw him
bend low in the saddle and hastily retreat down
the hillside. That was enough. They knew
that the longvsought-for game was found, and
eagerly flocked together.

“ A dozen goats, aenor,’_’ said the buckaro, his
dark eyes glowing. “You can send the dogs
over, and we can see the chase without any
trouble.

Walt "sprung from his saddle and directed
the half-breed to put the stag-hounds in leash.
When this was done he motioned the gray—
ho‘unds to (chew, and with them at his heels

he glided up the slope, sinking low as heap»

proached the summit, until he was completely
hidden in the tall grass.-

Presently his hand was visible, motioning the
others to advance, but ere they reached his po—
sition, he arose to his feet with a clear ringing
yell. , ,
A moment later the party were brought to-
gether upon the ridge, gazing eagerly at the
chase, which swept along the side of the slope.

“I wanted you to see the start,” said Wait,

“ but the goats took the alarm, and so I had to
send the dogs in. ” _ '
L “ They’re gonemout of sight!” cried Arthur,
greatly exoited'by the momentary glimpse of
the chase, so swift, yet so smooth and graceful.
“ Come on—"

the ground is not a dead-loyal.

 

, “ Cool and easy, boy,” laughed Walt, though
he mounted as he spoke. ,“You’ll see all you
went, right from here. Didn’t I tell you so?"

Even as he spoke the antelopes appeared in
view, over hall“ a mile away, upon the ridge,
and sped on, the greyhounds barely fifty yards
behind them, keeping upon the highest ground,
as though bent on regaining the spot lrom
whence they started. ,

The antelope is a slave to one habit that is
frequently taken advantage of, to its sorrow.
That is, like the hare ‘aud jack—rabbit, it wiil
frequently double upon itself whenever it if:
chased. It will do this when upon a perfectly
level plain with a clean course before it. A
hound that is well broken to the chase will take
advantage of this, by taking a. “short cut,”and
antelopes are not unfrequently killed by dogs
far their inferior both in sped and bottom.

Another habit is no less dangerous, where
The prong-
horn will invariably keep to the highest ground,
as'though they wished to guard against run.
ning into a trap. Nor was this case an excep-
tion to the general rule. Straight around the
edge of the vast basin sped the graceful cred;
tures, but swift though they were, they barely
held their vantage—ground against the long
gaunt grayhounds. . .

" Down the hilll” cried Walt, setting the ex-
ample. “ If we hand ‘them of! here, they’ll
out across to the next ridge.”

The antelopes paid no attention to the horse—
men, but flashed past the spot so recently occu-
pied and began their second circuit or the basin.
The entire chase was viewed by thebrotbers
with thrilling enthusiasm. Never before had
they soon a sight like this. ' ,

But Walt was determined to bring the affair
to an end before the greyhounds were quite
knocked up, and taking his lasso, he bade the
halt-breed follow him with the stag-hounds still
in leash. Keeping well covered by the rank
grass, he crept up to the ridge, and there lay
in wait for the oncoming chase.

That was not long, though the prong-horns
ran slower and with lens elasticity than at first.
Unsuspectiag the ambush, they drew within
range of the lasso. Witha about as warning to
the halt-breed to let slip his bounds, the young
ranchero sprung up and made his cast.

His aim was true, and he jerked the leader to
the ground. The others crowded together in
bewildered surprise. The next instant they
were assailed from front and rear, and each
hound claimed its victim, dragging it to the
ground with as muchiapparent ease as a cat
masters amouse. ;

The four survivors, losing all instinct in that
terrible moment, darted down the slope almost
directly for the little party ofhorsemeu, whose
rifles and pistols rung out sharply and addedto
the slaughter. But one of that 'fated herd es-
caped with life, three falling to lead, one to the
lasso, and six beneath the jaws of the bounds.

“ Will you believe my story now?" laughed
Walt, when the party once more came together.
“ I, admit that such a wholesale haul is‘ a. rare
occurrence, but with good dogs you can take
an antelope or two any day, by putting in
fresh hounds when the first are tired out.”

6‘ We’ll admit anything and believe every-
thing. But how are we going to get all these
home?" , L I

“ We eou’d carry them, but as We’re a dam
miles from the ranch}; move we send back
for a. wagon, while we go into camp over on
the creek. There’s plenty of fish, and I’ve got
hooks.” I .

“But Mr. Jones spoke for the dogs for to
mom-ow.”

“ They can go, too. We’ll not need them.
How is it!" /

“’Just as you say; I’d like to camp out, for
one . .

” And I," prom:th put in Ross.

“That Botticelli, then. The creek is lea
than two miles from here. We’ll clean the
goats, and carry them- over there. Pedrillo
and Marco can take the dogs home, and fetch
out a team early in the morning.” .

The Prairie Ranch.

‘1

 

 

So it was settled. Walter, Peddllo and the
halbbreed quickly disembmmled the antelopes,
and stufled the hollows full of green grass.
Then, tied two and two, by the legs, the car-
casses were hung upon the‘ horses and the party
struck over the ridge for the clock; the winding
Course 0! which was clearly indicated by the
dark fringe 01 timber and undergrowth along
its banks.

This reached, and a neat little glade selected
as the camping ground, the antelopes were
hung upon lorv branches out of the way. Then
the budan and Marco, with the bounds,.took
their departure, the former calling out, signifi-
cautlv:

“Remember, senor, what we heard about the
hnrseihieves. Those three horses would be
worth running some risk tor.”

“ They will get more lead than horsefiesh, if
the dogs pay us a visit,” laughed the young
ranchero. “ Come, boys, let’s rig up a shanty.
The nights are too cold now to sleep without
some cover.” .

 

v

NOO'I'URNAL DISTURBANCES.

Born Arthur and Ross Duncan sprung will-
ingly to work when the young ranchero called
upon them, and under his guidance the shelter
for their night’s encampment quickly uroee.
Thmgh rude, it Served the purpose admirably.

Two low-branched trees, a dozen feet apli t,
were used to support the ridge-pole—a dead
sapling. Poles and decaying limbs were placed
with one end resting upon this, the other reach-
ing the ground at an angle of‘thirty degrees.
Over this were placed leafy twigs and arml'uls
or dried grass until the roof was impervious to
dew, it not to rain itself

Satisfied with this, more gram and dry leaves
were collected to form material for a bed,
them

“ Now out you a light pole apiece, and tie on
these lines, while I look up some bait,” said
Walt. ,.

He was promptly obeyed, though the boys
bad a quiet laugh over the rude tackle, and,
like all youthful fishermen who have been
trained to the reel and fly, felt that the catch
would be but light indeed with such weapons.

Walt soon found what-he was in search of:
an old rotten stump, fairly boneyoombed by
borers. A sturdy kick shattered the thin shell,
and from the crumbling mass out rolled downs
o! red-headed grub-worms, "crawly ” to ban-
dle, but the most killing bait known to rural
fishermen.

Filling 0 large leaf with the grubs, Walt re-
turned to his comrades. Together they reached
the creek, asnmll, quiet stream, but little more
than a succession of holes or pools, connected
by miniature rapids, where the water bubbled
and murmured over the clear, pebbly sand.

“You needn’t be so careful,” and the young
ranchero laughed softly at the caution with
which his cousins approached the water.
“ There are no trout here to be frightened by a
shadow. Make as much noise and show your.
selves as much as you please; our country fish
are rather sociable than exclusive. What is
lacking in delicacy is more than made upin
variety. You may catch half a dozen varie-
ties out of this little hole, and each one of them
has a difl’erent way oi taking the bait. At the
first nibble I'll tell you what kind or fish is at
the bait. Now watch,” and as he spoke Walt
dropped his baited book near the middle of the
pool. “That’s sun-fish.” he cried, as the paint-
ed float disappeared are the weighted book had
mmwflnksfwtudbepnued out a small
fish Weighing only several ounces. “ Good
eating, but small and lull 01 bones. This kind
only takes the bait while it is swung. There’s
another—the mow-mouth perch, no we call it,
o! the same family, though-that waits mm
the bait is still, then quietly gorges it, and in
nine cases out of ten you never know the dif-
ference until you get tired 0! waiting tor a
bite, and go to change the position of your line.
There’s the chub—long, white, as round as your
fingers-that bites freely, but skims your cork

i

‘ to wait.

 

along the surface, instead of pulling it under.
The led-horse, built like the chub, but bright
pink and vermillon around the throat and up-
per belly, gives two or three short bobs, then
darts away like an arrow. The pun-pout-or
bull-head, as we call them—takesF its time, gives
a gentle dab or two at the float, then waits a
bit. A stranger would believe it had gone
so ay, but not so. When a big-beaded cat smells
at the bait, he is yours, if you only know how
PerhAps a minute later comes another
bob; he is taking the bait in his teeth, but does
not attempt to swallow it until he is swimming
away. If you pull up now you will lose your
fish. He draws the float slowly along the top
of the water, so gently that not a ripple is
made, then the float sinks under at a sharp
angle. The bait is swallowed, and all you have
to do is to pull in your fish.”

Thus the young rauchero discoursed, and his
hands were quite as busy as his tongue. The
fish bit eagerly, and the bank behind was quick-
ly mivo with the flapping victims. One thing
puzzled Arthur and Ross. 80 long as their
cousin‘s book was in the water, not a fish would
touch their bait, though their tackle was the
same sort and they used the same kind of bait.
Walt could not explain why this was so, nor
have I ever found one who could: nevertheless,
it is a We'll-known fact.

llull’ an hour sufficed to catch all the fish
they could eat for supper and breakfast, and
Walt set about cleaning them, while the bro-
thers collected' wood for the tire, which they
intended to keep burning through the night.
This was necessary for comfort. Though it
was then the lovely Indian summer, and the
clays were sometimes uncom‘ortably warm,
the nights were keen and cold, with sharp
frosts, ice forming to the thicknem of window
glass.

With fish and antelope-steaks roasted before
the glowing fire, the boys ate heartin with an
appetite such as the prairie air alone can give.

I [This over, and the horses brought nearer to the
camp, they stretched out/under the lean-to, and

chatting merrily. Walt was enjoying his pipe;
the brothers did not use the weed.

Arthur and Ross eagerly drunk in the words
of their cousin, as he told them about the many
interesting incidents of his prairie life. In the
days gone by, stick-growing was far less pleas-
ant than now. Cuuuiug Indians and no leseJo
be feared white thie‘ves gave the rancheros am-
ple work, and, young as he was, Walt had
taken more than one long and hard ride alter
the bold robbers, when the trail was almost
certain to end in a. hard fight, bloodshed and
even death.

He was in the midst of one of these adven-
tures, when the night air was rent by a wild,
weird sound—a short, snapping yelp, dying
aWay in a longdrawn, lugubrious wail,
caused the brothers to involuntarily draw near-
er together, a cold chill playing along their
spinal column. r _

The young ranchero laughed as be kicked the
glowing butt of a limb further into the fire.

“ You’ll get used to that kind of music
before long When the snow comes, it will
drive them in to the settlements, where food is
more glenty.” , ' ,

“It was a wolf, then?"

“Xx—an excuse tor one. A coyote; about
asdangerous as so many rats. If they were
timber-wolves, now, we would need to look
after the horses. But even with them, unless
in the middle of an unusually severe winter, a.
man in safe enough, notwithstanding all that
the sensational writers tell you.”

Walt resumed his narrative where he had
broken off when the coyote began its serenade,
but it no longer held the attention 0! the bro
there. ' They were listening to the dOieiul
sound of, the coyote—nolouger alone. Like
echoes came thasounds of other yelping walls,
growing nearer and more numerous with each
passing moment, until it seemed as though
both prairie and timber ware alive with the
creatures. Despite the assurance given by

Walt, the brotherswerel’arirom beluga“,

. cottonwood, yonder.

 

Their excited brains would recall all the horri-
ble stories they had read of the ravenous crea-
tur’w, until ,each fluttering leaf was a wolf
stealing up within leaping distance to bury its
thirsty fangs in their throats.

The young ranchers saw this, and said all he
could to banish their unfounded fears, but only
with partial success. '

' “ They smell the blood of the goats,” he
said, carelessly. “ They’ll hang around until
we leave in the morning, and than fight for the
scraps we leave. There! look at the foot of the
You see those bright
spots“! They are the eyes of the brute that
started this sweet chorus. Just watch me spoil
his fun.” .

Without raising his body, Walt rested his
revolver upon his hip and with rapid aim,
fired. As by magic the unearthly concert was
stilled. Only the faint moaning of the wind
among the treetops, the soft trampling of the
feeding horses,‘ with an occasional half sneeze.
All other sounds were stilled. ~

Walt arose and walked overto the tree, then
returned bearing a small, dirty yellow creature
with a bulletrhole between his eyes. The
brothers examined it curiously, as the first of
its kind they had ever seen. As a natural
result, they were ashamed at having allowed
their fears to get the better of them on account
of such insignificantdooking creatures, and
casting the carcass into the brush, they lay
down to sleep. . ‘

Just as they were dropping 03 into a done,
the diabolical chorus again burst forth, and
sleep fled disgusted Irom their eyelids. Not so
with Walt. He was snoring away in placid
slumber as though the hideous concert was but
the soft lullaby 0! his dead mither.

Uneasin the brothers rolled and tossed.
Thcy could not sleep, and felt angry as they
listened to their cousin’s nasal accompaniment
to the lupine serenade. '

Then a quuvering, indescribable wail rose
upon the night air. The brothers started up,
and so did the young ranchero, as wide awake
as though he had never closed his eyes in
slumber. He slowly shook his head in answer
to the inquiring looks of the brothers.

“1 don’t- know what it was,” be said, softly.
“I was dreaming when it awoke me. But
whatever it was, it has shut up the wolves.”

"It sounded like an Indian’s yell, to me,”
ventured Ross. .

“ They don’t give notice, like'that,” laughed
Walt. “ It may have been a timber-wolf. It
I had only been awake, I could have told-—
hark!”

One of the tethered horses snorted loudly
and pawed the ground, as though in angry
alarm. '

“There’s something wrong going on,” mut-
tered Walt, as he picked up his rifle. “Look
to your guns, but don’t stir from here until
you hear from me."

Without another word he left the lean—to and
passing around the fire, vanished amidst the
weird shadows cast by the flickering flames.

Then, from so close that the brothers shrunk
back, arose that strange, unearthly sound.

What could it be?

UNWELCOME VISlTO ‘

THE wild, wailing sound arose from up- .
patently within arm‘s length, yet nothing .
could be seen save the shifting shadows 'as' the
night wind caused the flames of the camp-fire to
dance and flicker, no sound save that Weird,
unearthly cry, the moaning among the tree—
tops, the suspicious snorting and angry paw-
ing of the startled horses.

Then it was that Arthur and Ross Duncan
showed the good blood that filled their veins.
Back to back they stood before the lean—to,
with ready pistols and knives, awaiting the at—
tacks: the unknown toe. Ittheir faces were
pale'r,iitheirhcartsbeat taster unusual,“
was through excl not tear.

Adarksbape came toward them, and the
turning word from Arthur, tworevolvenow-

 

8

The Prairie Ranch.

 

 

ered it, but are the triggers could be pulled,
the shadowy figure vanished, and the low voice.
of their cousin was heard: _ °

“ Don’t waste your powder and lead on a
friend, boys. I’ll show you something a heap
better’n that to shoot at, if you’ll let me ofl! this
time.” .

. “ You ought to be more careful, Wait,” and
Arthur’s voice was far from steady as he
spoke. “I had you covered, and in another‘
moment—”

“ That's all right. Give you my word, I ex-
pected to find you hid under the blankets, be-
wailing the unlucky stars that led you out here
to fall untimely victims to this Horrible
Howler of the Pathless Plains. I’m glad to see
you’re better grit—”

“0h, drop that nonsense—what in thunder
is it all about, anyway?" impatiently cried

" I was just thinking—I don’t know What I
said,” and the young ranchcro laughed shortly.
“It’s all right, though, now I know you are to
bedepended upon. Take your rifles and do
just as I do.”

Ross gave an impatient snort, but the
brothers did as hidden. ‘

“ I'm going first,” added Walt. “I’ll make
for that tree, where I shot the wolf, and you
must follow when I whistle. If the critter
jumps me, don’t risk a shot unless you’re sure,
but wade in with your knives. Understand!”

“ What critter? Can’t you speak out! You
say shoot and stab, and all that, while we don't
know whether it is a grasshopper or a buck m-
jun we‘ve got to look out for."

“I don’t know much more. It is some sort
of an animal, but whether timber wolf or
something worse, I can’t say. I caught just a
glimpse of it sneaking around, after the fresh
meat, l reclmn." .

Walt waited for no more, but glided swiftly
toward the tree indicated, his weapons ready
for use. They were not needéd, just then. If
seen by the prowling animal at all, he was un-
molested, and uttering the agreed upon signal,
he was soon rejoined by the brothers.

“ All we can do is to wait here and watch,”
he muttered, with a slow, searching glance
around. ‘ I“ We might find too much if we went
skirmishing around in the dark—”

. The sentence was never finished. From close“
behind them came that wailing cry, followed
by a faint rustling. among the bushes, then all
was still. ,

“That’s interesting," muttered Walt, with a.
forced laugh. “Ten feet further and We would
have been close enough to have shaken paws
witkhis bashful majesty! Well, it settles one
question; he is not overly anxious to come to
close quarters minus, any way."

Neither Althur nor Ross spoke. They Were
new to such experience, and though their feel-
ings were not those of fear, they could not trust
their tongues to utter commonplace Words. '

“ I see-,himl” soltly muttered the young rant
chem, after a few minutes of silent waiting and
watching. “Just to the right of that stunted
elm—hal” ‘ ‘ I ,

Even as he spoke, a long, gaunt body shot
through the air, over the glowing camp fire,
and struck with a heavy shock against the
hanging carcasses" of the prong-horns. A mo»
mentary swaying to and fro, then the fasten—
ings gave way, and both fell heavily to the

grotmd.

“Now!” grated Walt. “Take him behind

I the forcing, But wait until' I' give ‘ the word.

Ready l tire !"

‘ As one explosion the triple report rung out,
and the cousins sprung to one side, Glear of the
smoke, revolvers in hand'; but there was no
need ofa second volley.

At the report the wild beast reared upon its
hind feet with an ear-splitting screech, puwing
the air furioust for“ a moment, then leaped
high up, turning'a half summemt and falling
head~first into the fire. A spasmodic kick that
scattered the blazing brands in every direction
rolled the creature out of the fire, Where it'lay
quivering in death. ' '

 

The boys advanced slowly, but their caution
was needless. The formidable creature was
dead; two bullets entered behind its right
shoulder, emerging upon the left side of its
neck, while Welt had planted his lead‘back of
the ear,_into the beast’s brain.

“It is a panther, I reckon,” and the young
ranchero laughed a little proudly as he arose
from the examination. “i did not believe
there were any in these parts. There hasn’t
been one killed near here since loan remember.
We’d better skin it. now; it’ll be easier work
than in the morning, even if the wolves were
to let it alone. We‘ll need the skin to show
when we tell the story, too.”

The brothers were willing enough, but Walt
soon begged them to leave the work to him,
lest the hide should be ruined. '

“You don’t reckon there’s many more of
them around, do” you?” suddenly asked Ross, as
a low, mournful howl came to their ears.

“There’s your answer,” laughed the young
ranchero. “ When the coyotes give voice, you
can swear that there is nothing more dangerous
around. You might range these diggings until
you were grayeheaded, and never meet another
of these gentlemen. He strayed down from
the mountains, I suppose; but he woke up the
wrong family when be tackled US." '

Boys will be boys, and, under the circum-
stances, we can’t blame the young fellows if
they indulged in not a little boasting and self—
glorification. .

The panther was skinned and stretched tem-
porarily between two saplings. Theu,'chang-
ing the horses' position once more, and renew-
ing the fire, the cousins returned to their
blankets and bed of leaves. '

But not to sleep. [Possibly their recent ad-
venture had something to do with it, but the
constant yelping, barking and howling of the
prairie wolves was doubly irritating now. The
pestiferous brutes seemed bent on making am-
ple amends for their brief silence when the
lonily panther was prowling around. Each
wolf seemed possessed of a dozen throats, each
throat emitting a never-ending sound more

diabolical than all the rest combined. Even -

Walt, accustomed as he was to these prairie
concerts, could not sleep, but turned uneasily

from side to side, finally sitting up with an ‘ex- '

plosive sentence far more fercible than pious.

“Worse than the panther, a blamed sight!”
muttered Ross, disgustedly. “ I’m going to
spoil a thousand or two of them screeching
wh‘elps, if my poWder only holds out!”

"‘ Don’t you do it,” interrupted Walt. “ It‘ll
only be time and ammunition wasted. l'll
show you a little trick worth a dozen of that.
Strange I didn’t think of trying it before.
Better late than never, though. Take your
knife and out off a chunk of goat meat.”

Wondering what new kink the young ranch-
ero had got hold of now, Ross obeyed. '

“Now out it up into chunks about the size
of a hen’s egg,” continued Walt, turning out
the contents of his pockets upon the blanket.
"Look out‘ for eyes, and whene‘var you see R
pair, throw a piece of meat at it."

“You don’t mean to quiet them by feed-
ing?" and Arthur opened his big eyes in as-
touishment.

“I mean to stuff one of them so full he
won't want anything more to eat in a hurry,”
laughed Walt. '

“ What’s one, where 'there’s seventeen hun-
dred million of the pesky brutes?" sniired
Ross viciously hurling a piece of meat at a pair
of glowing eyes. ' .

“Just give me a chance, and I’ll provs that
I’m not quite the fool you seem to think.
‘ There’s more Ways than one to kill a cut.’ ”

While speaking the young rancher-o was not
idle. F. om an old cap-box he extracted half
a dozsn fish-books, and bound the shanks firmly
together in two bunches, so that they termed a
miniature grapnel. He thrust the barb of one
book-firmly into a piece of meat, then With'a
bit of string bound the shanks in 11sec. The
other grapnel was secured in a like manner to
the opposite side, but so that the two uncovered

 

barbs turned in the contrary direction to the
hooks first secured. '

“Now then, ' my infernal machine is all
ready,” and Walt laughed aloud at the puzzled
expression with which the brothers regarded
his'contrivanoe. “Give the four-legged night-
ingales a fresh bait, now.”

Three bits of meat, among which was the in-
ternal machine, went flying out among the
bowling wolves. There was a scume, a snap-
ping snarl or two, then the hungry beasts
squatted upon their haunches just upon the
edge of the circle of light. I

“ Well, I don’t see anything—” began Ross,
but then he did seel

One of the coyotes started/forward with a
most unearthly howl, clawing at its open mouth
with frantic energy. As this did not relieve it,
it darted away as though striving to run from
the biting devilin its throat, yelling at every
leap, closely followed by the rest with such a
deafening din‘that the boys involuntarily stop»
ped their ears. ‘

“ That poor devil will run until it chokes to
death, and the rest will follow. By morning
there’ll not be a wolf, big or little, within fifty
miles of this. You can sleep now all you want,”
said Walt. '

His words were true. Not another yelp of
wolf was heard that night, and ten minutes
after the hideous chorus died' away in the dis-
tance the boys were soundly sleeping.

 

A CUNNING THEFT.

As though some hidden but powerful spring
was suddenly touched, Arthur Duncan sat up,
never more wide awake than at that moment.
Yet he rubbed his eyes-again and again, as
though reluctant to accept their testimony.
The homes were not where they had been left
when they lay down no sleep, after disposing of
the howling coyotes.

Like a revelation came back to him the
memory of Pedrillo’s warning and the wild
adVentures narrated by Walt Harvey only a.
few hours before. The horse-thieves hadbeen
at work, and they were left afoot upon the
prairie. ' -

With that he gave ‘Ross a punch in the short
ribs with his fist and Walt a vigorous kick,
crying: .

“ You’d lay there snoring and let them steal
the teeth out of your head, I do believe! Wake
upwthe horses are stolen!" I

That was enough. The young ranchero arose
with an exclamation that‘sounded very much
like an oath, and one glance showing him that
the three‘ horses were not where he had left
them just after the death of the panther, he
sprung toward the spot, closely followed by
the‘brcthers. - -

“ Keep back a little,” he muttered, then bent
low over the torn and trampled ground, as
though he would read the sign and thus solve
the mystery. . ,

He made a rapid survey of the. ground, then
nodded for the brothers to advance.

“Think they were stolen?" questioned Ar-
thur; ' - l

“ Looks that way, don’t itl" was the short
reply. » . -
“' aybe they broke loose‘and strayed away
——sort 0’ stampeded, like," Ventured Rose,

“ They couldn’t have done that without
making noise enough to have aroused us if we
had been dead drunk, instead of only iii-ed.
No, they were helped away; and by old hands
at‘ the business,.if I hin’t mistaken. Look——
the picket-pins have been pulled up, not over
to one side, as a horse would have done. Here
are the footprints of the fellow that did it-.—a
white man, almost certainly, because he wore
boots with high heels. New here, again. There
are three sets of tracks, each one leading those
of a horse. That shows there were at least
three men in the business—4’

“Or that 0119 man led the horses away one
at a time, to to! us into thinking there were
three," said Ross, with a dry little laugh.

9

 

The Prairie Ranch.

 

“That may be,” and as he spoke Walt met
a keen glance at his cousin. “ Get your tools
andwe will follow fora waysandsee which is
right.”

Though the day had not yet fairly dawned,
the boys found little dimculty in following the
trail over the moist ground as fares the creek,
where it entered the water and was lost. It
did not cross directly, nor could they discover
any signs along the bank above nor below to
show where the stolen animals had left the
water.

“No fool planned this job,” said Walt, at

length. . “I move we go back to camp and
have breakfast. It won‘t be so very long until
Bedrillo comes, and he can double discount me
on a blind trail. I believe our shortest way
will be to wait for him.”
‘ “I don‘t know about that,” and Ross spoke
in the same dry tone that had attracted the
young ranchero’s attention before. “You’re
too modest by half, cousin Walt.
against Pedrillo, in this job.”

“Thanks for the compliment, even though I
don’t deserve it.” .

/“ The trouble is, you’re entirely too modest,
cousin Walt. How I« don’t often bet, but in
this case, I’d lay my Sharp against your Colt
that you could. if you would, tell us exactly
where those thieves have taken our horses.”

“ What are you driving at, anyway?” and
Walt stared open-eyed at his cousin. “One
would think' you were hinting that I stole the
animals!” ‘

“Ididn’t say so, but, just for hin~didn’t
you move the horses after we went to sleep,
last night?" '

“ I pledge you my word that 'I did not touch
the horses after we lay down and went to
sleep, last night. Hark! turkeys, as I’m a aim
ner. .

From the further side of, the creek came the
loud gobblegobble, tweet-tweet, followed :a
moment later by a confused fluttering and
flapping of wings, as though the birdshad just
detected the proximity of dangerous neighbors,
and had taken to wing.” -

“ It’s a pity,” observed Ross, stirring up the
fire.‘ “If we only had our horses, we might
have one of those turkey-chases you have said
so much about." . ‘

“I said I never touched the horses, but I
own up to touching the lariats after you went
to sleep,” said Welt, with a half;sheepish
laugh. “ I thoughtvl’d hide the horses and give
you a little scare. They’re hitched a few rods
down the creek. We can have a try for the
turkeys yet, though it Would be better it we
had dogs.” ' .

“I knew you did it, and I'll tell you why,”
laughed Ross. “ When you pulled up, the picket
that held your horse, you knelt downlon ,your
right knee, and left a plain imprint of that hole
in your pants. Then I saw that. your foot was
the same size as the track, and that the left
heel was a little turned over. These tools,
taken with your acting so cool, instead of, rip-
ping and cursing, were enough to convince me
that you were tlua thief." ’

“And that puts the joke on me, instead,”
laughed Walt. “_ Well, I’ll be more careful the

' next time. Now, let’s get up the horses and

have a try at those turkeys.”

With rapid steps he led the way to where he
had hidden the horses, but as he passed the, line
of bushes he stopped with an exclamation of
astonishment. The animals were gone!

“ We’ll be too law-hurry up,” said Arthur,
impatiently. “ Wherexdid you put the horses?”

‘ Right here—but they‘re gone—somebody
must have stolen them 1" . ‘

Boss burst into a hearty laugh, and Walt
looked it him with a sudden suspicion. Had
he been doubly tricked? For .310 Want he

believed that Ross had beenJWh when the

horses were shifted, and then, watching his
chance, had again removed them. ‘ -

“ Upon my word, I did not,” Ross said, an-
swering his cousin’s thought. “I never knew,
the horses had been touched until Arthur awoke
too. Don’t you know where they are?"

I’d back you.

 

“ No more than you. I left them here. Some-
body must have stolen them in good earnest,
this time."

In silence they examined the ground by the
first beams of the sun. There was only one
olew. Close to where one of the horses had
stood, two footprints were clearly outlined.
That these were made by mo‘ccasined feet, even
the boys could see, and as they all were heavy
riding-boots, beyond a doubt these telltale
marks were left by the thief. But how bad he
remoVed them? There was the puzzle. There
was only the one set of tracks, leading up
from the water, but none going away from the
s t.
p?‘ I made that trail when I brought thehorses
here, ” said Walt.
that is clear; but how P there’s not the sign of a
trail, that I can see.‘ It looks as though they
had takenwing's and flown awayl”

“ Maybe they were softshod,” suggested
Ross. “If their feet were well muflled, they
would leave no trnil beyond bending down the
grass, and the falling dew would soon straighten
that up again.” . '

“ It may be—it mustbe, for there’s no other
way it can be explained, as I see. If Pedrillo
only brings out the dogs—3’ . '

“ I hear the cart and bootstrokes—there they
come I” cried Arthur, peering through the
bushes.

“ And Pedrillo with themi l’d rather. lose a
dozen horses than have him know this, after
what he said yesterday,” and the young ranch-
ero bit his‘lip angrily.

But there was no help for it, and he had to
face (the music with the best grace he could
summon. : Pedrillo said very little; indeed,
the brothersthcught he acted admirably; but
Walt saw the quizzical light in his eyes and
the'slight- curl of the lip, and knew that the

buokaro was enjoying his discomfitnre to the,

full. _

“It was no green hand that’did this,” was
his’docision after a careful examination of the
ground. “Only the nose of a. hound can un-
ravel this."

Walt had reached the same conclusion, though
reluctantly enough. He knew that he would
have to bear many a rough jest about his at-
tempted practical joke and the strange manner
in which it recoiled upon ‘his own head, but
there was no other course left him. If Pedrillo
could make nothing of the matter, only the sa-
gacity of a well—trained hound could solve the
mystery.

80 the carcasses of the antelopes and the skin
of the panther were put in the wagon, and the
cousins followed suit, returning home in a far
diflerent humor from that ‘ in which they had
riddeIriorth. ,

Walt sprung out of the wagon the moment
they arrived, and started, saddle in hand, to
the stable, to secure a fresh mount. He
opened‘ the door, then started back, with
a cry of amazement. . Arthur and Ross
ran to his side and—before them stood their
horses! - l -

“I promised to pay my debt, senor,” the

low, soft voice of Pedrillo uttered in his ear.

“ You see—I keep my word 1" ’

As he spoke, Pedrillo touched his horse with
the spur, and was beyond' reach before Walt
realized. the truth, as he did the next moment.
His first impulse was one of anger, but as the
full force of the joke burst upon his mind,his
hearty laugh joined that of his cousins, though
Pedrillo kept out of his way for several days
thereafter. ' ‘

A few words will explain. The horseabrenker
had taken the dogs to the ranch, waited until
all was quiet, then stole out and rode back to
the camp, which he reached just as Walt - was
removing the home. Then, walts'ng until all
were asleep, Pedrillo handled the horses’ boots,
left his tootprints as a claw, then ledthe horses.
home. and put them in the stable without giving

the alarm, thanks to the dogs knowing him 99'

well. '
It was many days ere Walt heard the last of
his practical "joke.

“ Somebody has stolen them, ‘

 

FOR A MARKET.

As a general thing, the stock grower disposes
of his cattle, either beef or draught, early in the ‘
spring, about the time of the general branding
of the last year’s produce, but there are occa-
sional exceptions, one of which transpired just
at this time.

Agovernment contractor was in urgent need
of a heavy supply of beeves. and as the market
was then but scantily supplied, he :- ode Mr.
Harvey an unusually liberal 'ofier for five. hun-
dred head of good beef caiile. delivered at
River Bend, a station on the Kansas Pacific
Railroad. It is needless to say that the cm r
was promptly accepted, and the xanchero as
once set his men to work gathering up his cattle
and sorting out the requisite number of four or
five year old steers. This was no easy job,
coming so close after the Fall “ drive," but it
was successfully accomplished at length.

Not a little to the delight of Arthur and Rom
Duncan. Mr. Harvey decided to send Walt in
chav ge of the cattle to River Bend. 0! course
they were resolved to form part of the escort.
That there would be no little trouble and posi-
tive discomfort, they were well aware, but a
month of prairie life had hardened and given
them self—confidence. They would meet the _
difficulties and dangers half-way, and fight
their way through.

The usual allowance is {cur borders to every
hundred of cattle in the drove, but upon this
occasion, owing to the scarcity of hands, nodes
the route to be followed was not a dilfirult due,
the company consisted of the three cousins, Pe-
drillo and six vaqnerosfwhose time was upand
whose aid would not be required after this drive,
until spring opened. They were to be paid at!
at River Bend, when the cattle were turned
over to the contractor.

'As may readily be imagined, it was no easy
task to tear those five hundred and oddcattle
away from the grounds where they had been
born and reared. For a little while they would
proceed quietly, but themes though the move-
ment was preconcerted, they would break and
scatter in every direction, seeking to regain
their old stamping grounds and' the associate
from whom they had been separated. Nor was
it until after the whole force of the stock—farm
had turned out, that the drove waslfairly start-
ed on its way to market.

“Now it will be all plain sailing,” said Walt,
as they sat around the fine, eating their break-
fast in the early dawn. “ After the first day
and night "out, we never have any serious
trouble. We may lose a few head by straying,
or in the sloughs, but that we expect, and put '
in enough extra head on starting to make up
for the losses on the way.” ‘

But the young ranch’wo, though speaking
from experience, was no true propheton this
occasion Instead of being t the end. the
troubles and dangers of t trip had not yet
begun. ~

The "choice of two trails was oflered is
one about fifty miles longer than the otheru
This, the longest, was the route generally pur-
sued, as it avoided the. low lands; but the sea-
son had been unusually dry and free of rain,

‘ and Walt feared the cattle would sufl'er for

want of water along the longer route, and to
guard against this, he chose the other trail.

As the sun rose the cattle were gently started
from their feeding, and driven leisurely along,
until noon, when there was a. hall: for rest and
dinner. Then on’ again until near sunset, out
halt being made where there was pleat.on we»,
ter and grazing, if possible. The horses we”
staked out at .night, and the tea men kept
watch and watch. That is, five of them were
on guard until eleven o’clock, when they were
relieved by the other squad until half-pest two;
then theflrst nickname on again, reusing tin"
others atthe first break .ofdawatopmpare
breakfast, 89 that the day’s drive could begin
Maurine. .

After the second day’s drive Arthur and
Roasters  togrmfle. All that day
the cattle had Modded, on with Waking
quietness, and. nothing occurred to break he

10

l

The Prairie Ranch.

 

dull monotony. But upon this, the third day,
ample amends were made.

_ Just before noon they came upon one of
those natural curiosities. a “ hog-wallow ”
prairie. The soil was black as ink. As far as
the eye could see, were countless depressions in
the surface, from two to six yards indiameter,
and from three to eight feet in depth, the cen
ter of each being a mass of ‘miry mud. This
mud was very tenacious, and as the horses
were forced to pass through one of the wal-
lowa, the lifting of each hoof was followed by a
crack as loud as that ofa pistol.

There was no choice but to cross this vast
"hog-fen," since to skirt it would entail the
loss of two days. .

.Uutil near the center all‘ went all, but it
was easily seen that trouble was brewing. A
steer would almost bog in one of .the wallows.
Others would press upon him, using horns
quite freely, pushing, goring and lowing with
growing, excitement. ‘

The experienced borders saw this, and know-
ing that a reckless stampede would certainly
fellow, the word was passed, and pressing close
upon rear and flanks, they plied their whips
with furious yells. Since the stampede wasiu-
evitable, it should be turned to good account,

_ ' if they could only give it the desired direction.

The yells and lashing proved sufficient. With
previous bellowings the cattle plunged madly
forward in full career. Close behind came the

riders to prevent a change of course, but 9. few

minutes of that reckless riding was suflcient to
satisfy the veriest glutton of them all. Before
the middle of the hog—wallow prairie was
reached, only three men kept the saddle.
Arthur and Ross were threwn into the center
of the same foul-smelling wallow by their
stumbling horses, but fortunately neither was
much injured. Welt easily secured their ani-
main, and remonnt‘mg, the boys advanced With
more caution.

The hog-wallow prairie. was passed ove!’
without serious accident, but then it was found
that, instead of their troubles being ended, they
had just begun.

Just beyond the hog-wullows lay an exten-
sive slough, only, nearly twenty feet, lower
than the former level, and consequently hidden
from View until one was fairly upon the verge
of the steep, crumbling bank.

Straight on the cattle plunged, down the
bank, over the thin line of reeds and bushes and
into the watery ooze. There was no such thing
asstopping upon the brink. Those in the rear
pushed blindly on, each taking its scrambling
leap without hesitation. ,

Hard upon the heels of the cattle cam the
horsemen. They could see that there was
water and mud ahead, but could make out
little mono, thanks to the crowded cattle that
floundered furiously toward the further side.

A number had succeeded in crossing, and,
worried by the fierce struggle, were subsiding
into a trot, showing that the fury of the stem—
pede was at an end-

Where cattle could cross, so could horses.
'flm reasoned the borders, and they took .the
plunge, with shouts of reckless merriment.

Their tone was quickly changed. The pass-
ing cattle bad trodden the never secure bottom
into a. perfect quagmire, and the horses sunk to
their bellies in clinging mud, the water reach~
their withers.

,With a warning about, Walt and Pedrillo
thew themselves out of their saddles, an the
only chance of surfing their horses from being
mothered. Their example was speedily fol-
lowed by all, but the situation did not seem
much improved. ,

They stood bmstrdeep in the mud and wa-
ter, forty feet from the bank, and hardly able
to advance an inch at a time, while their strug-
gles,me themlreheneoththem. sunk
them deeper at every. step. .

Nor wps this the only danger. Clone ahead
utmthem were a dozen or more cattle.
An Munch angered by: the shouts mu struggles
behind. them, several of these long-horned
lanes had turned around, and were now strain-

 

 

ing every nerve to get at their natural ene-
mies, their eyes wickedly glowing as they
snorted, lowed and shook their heavily-armed
heads. ‘

Whether cattle can navigate better in a, hog
than horses, I do. not pretend to decide, but
this much is clear: the long—horns were mo-
mentarily gaining upon Pedrillo and his horse,
these two chancing to be the nearest them.
The buck-arc might have escaped, but he would
not desert his idolized black,» cheering it on
and guiding it by the halter, at imminent dan~
ger to himself from the plunging boots, paying
no attention to the warning yells of his com-
rades. ‘

It was plain that, if left to themselves, the
long horn Wl-llld overtake the black mustang,
and either kill or qipple it before firm ground
could be reached.

Pedrillo saw this as well 'as the others, and
drawing a. revolver, be snapped each barrel, in
succession, at the mud clenture, but without
one exploding. ' Flinging the useless weapon to
land, he removed the lasso from the ,saddle,
and, though with difficulty, flung the. noose
around the stump of a, stout bush, then drew
his knife and awaited the approach of the long-
horn, as though he intended giving it battle
single-handed. - ,

He had not long to wait. Eager to wreak
its rage upon some living object, the mad steer
plunged forward, but just as it came within
arm’s length, Pcdrillo leaned forward and
made several slrong slashes in swift succesa-ion.

The steer gave a. frightful hollow of pain,
and plunged furiously onward, but Pedrillo
grasped the lasso and flinging his whole
strength into the eflort, dragged himself clear
of the clinging mire, and slid swiftly along the
muddy surface to land.

An enthusmstic cheer arose from the specta-
tors. The nzad steer was blinded and helpless.
Pedrlllo had sevexed both eyeballs with his
trusty knife!

THE STAMPEDE.

THE boys had watched this tragi-comical
'scene with breathless interest, for the moment
almost forgetting their own uncomfortable
situation, and quite oblivious to the fact that
a: any instant one or all of them might be as-
sailed in the self-same man‘ner by some of the
plunging, struggling cattle, whose heads and
horns and wriggling line of back alone showed
above the mud-thickened water.

A united cheer, followed by a hearty burst
of laughter, greeted the blinding of the in
furiated steer and the ludicrous manner in
which Pedrillo “scouted” along the surface,
panning only when his head made a deep im-
pression upon the soft clay of the shelving bimk.

This explosion was natural enouga, butit
bade fair to end disagreeably. Whether mad-
dened beyond endurance by the sounds of the
hated voices, or because instinct told them
that it would be easier to regain solid ground
by turning back than to plunge and flounder
straight on, two steers turned and headed
straight for the cousins. They saw their danger
in the recent experience of Pedrillo, and for-
getting all else save the one ardent wish to
feel solid earth once more beneath their feet,
the way these boys did send the mud and
water flying behind them, would not have dis-
graced a stern~wbeel steamboat stuck upon a
sand-bar. ,

Pedrillo saw and realized their peril, and
for the moment he forgot that his' loved mus
tang was not yet out of danger. Coiling up
his lasso, be floundered along until abreast the
frantically struggling lads, then sent the noose
over the bend of the young ranchero, who was
in the greatest apparent danger of being, ever-
taken by the infuriated long- horue. But Walt
was voluntarily keeping the post of honor, and
removing the noose, tossed it around Arthur’s
neck.’

“Slip it under your arm~—now pull, Pe—
drillol” '

 

Pedrlllo did pull, and with a will. The ladJ

 

felt as though he was being lengthened outline
an animated telescope—~then he shot sheede
swiftly over the muddy water that his head
was buried ear-deep in the soft bank.

After this, under their unified strength, it
was a. comparatively easy task to extricate the
other two, when it was found that all but two
,of the six herders had regained the bank. As
these two were in no particular danger, they
were hidden wait with what patience they
could summon, while some of the horses were
extricated from their miry bed.

This was a work of time and patience. Pe-
drillo cast the noose of his lasso around the
neck of his must ang, then pulled steadily upon
it while the animal floundend toward land,
slackening every few moments to allow it to
breathe. This course, with slight variatich
was followed with the others, and by mid-ar-
ternoon the last horse reached term fima.
Several of the steers were extricawd in the
same manner, but there were half a score lent
in the beg, to escape or die as fate willed. The
safety of the main drove could not be boarded
on the desperate chance of savingso few.

“You see now why we started with a more
or two of extra cattle," said Walt, as he gave
the word to advance. ‘f'We always calculate
to lose about one-twentieth on the road, either
by straying or accident.”

The few rescued cattle were driven up the
edge of the slough to a point beyond where the
others had crossed, and by dint of bard,per—
severing work, were forced to lake to Ibo
watch. 'lhc riders plunged boldly in afur
them, and though the crossing was hard work,
one and all gained the further bank in safety.

“ Whenever—.1 drive cattle over that trail
again, may I stick in the middle of that fll‘ug’h
until I take rootl" growled Walt, shaking hb
clinched list at the treacherous bog.

None of the party were in a very amiable
humor. Plastemd with unsavory mud irom
head to foot; boots, pockets, ears new and
mouth full of the some, while every nerve and
muscle acbed dully with the terrible strain
they had been subjected to, they surely were
not much to blame if they felt cross, mapper:
and generally disagreeable.

There was no time for rest and renovation.
The cattle were scattered far and wide, and it
was absolutely necessary to collect them before
nightfall.

“ You two had better keep right on after the
main body,” said Walt, to his cousins. “ Don’t

press them. They’ll stop when they come to

good grazing, I guess." '

Both Ross and Arthur were quite willing.
Though no shirks, they did not relish the idea
of along and reckless ride alter what they had
passed through. If the reader has ever ridden
with his clothes full of slimy, sticky mud, he
can appreciate their objections to a race alter
wild, fleet and obstinate cattle. ’

An hour later the brothers found themselves
upon the bulk of a prairie stream, along which
the cattle fell to grazing. Without a woni
they rode into the water and fell to cleansing
themselves, their clothes, saddles and horses»
The water was cool, but they did, not mind
that. After a deal of vigorous scrubbing they
emerged and, building a drain a sheltered
nook among the stunted been, stripped and
hung up their garments to dry.

It was not long afterward that Wait and his
men made their cppearance, driving before
them the long-horns. It had been no very
difficult task to collect them, jaded as they
ware by the trying run across the hog-wallow
prairie and the killing struggle through the
slough, and they ware willing enough to join
the main herd in grazing upon the nutritious

grass. .

Walt, Pedrillo and the borders speedily fol-
lowed the example of the brothers and washed
away the thickest of the mud, then crowded
around the comfortable fire in nature’s own
dress, while their garments were drying.
Good humor was once more restored, for all
believed that their trials were over. Jokes
and jests new from lip tolip, but nonewere

The Prairie Ranch.

11

 

 

barbed with malice, and all were receivedgin
the same spirit as delivered.

As none of the party had broken their fast
since early dawn, preparations were at once
begun for an early supper.- But the fates
were against them. That night was to be one
of fasting, amid its other bclrors.

“ Seems to me it‘s getting mighty chilly, all
of a sudden,” said ROSS, crowning closer to
the fire. “ Ain’t going to have a atom, are
we?”

A general glance was cast upward, where
the sky could be seen through the tree-tops.
Not a cloud was visible; the sky was blue, the
sun was shining clear and brightly. The idea
of a storm seemed preposterous And yet—the
air was growing chilly— '

“There’s a big fire up north," said Arthur,
coming back from the open ground. “The
smoke is black as ink—J’ .

‘ Both Pedrillo and Walt sprung to their feet,
the same idea written upon both faces. They
hastened through the bushes, and one glance
showed them the truth.

N ot a mile distant rose a huge black cloud,
clinging to the earth and rising to the very
heavens; a cloud, but not one born of fire.

“ A. norther—a northerl” they botlr shouted,
and rushing back to camp, Walt added: "On
with your clothes—— quickl do you want to freeze

' to death ’1”

Not so Pedrlllo. Naked ache was. he darted
to where his horse was picketed, and wrenching
up the pin, strove to lead the terrified animal
under shelter. Then—words are powerless to
describe the fearful scene.

The tornado burst with a deafening roarnud

howling shrieks. The boys were thrown flat.
The firebrande were caught up and hurled far
away through the trees. The light of the sun
was blotted out, and darkness the most intense
enveloped the earth. Breath was taken away
—ehe end of the world seemed at hand.
. It was but the first breath ofthe uorthor fol-
lowed by a. silence and lull almost awful in its
startling contrast. But Pedrillo took instant
advan age of it.

“ Finish dressing!" he cried.
the horses!”

There was time given them for the first por-
tion of the advice, and, numbed in every limb,
Q11 hurriedly donned such clothing as had not
been torn from their grasp.

The cattle and homes, no less than their mas-
ters, knew what that furious blast was the ad-
vance guard of, and no sooner did the lull come,
than a blind, headlong stampede took place.
With heads down and tails up, the cattle, bel-
lowing furiously, broke away and plunged
through the shallow stream. The homes cower-
ed under the first blast, then when the lull
came, reared back and tore their pickets from
the soil. With almost human screams of ter-
ror, they followed the stampeded cattle.

“I’ll fdllow, catch and stake out the horses
for you," cried Pedrillo, leaping upon his mue-
MDG, half-naked as he was. “ Come on!”

He plunged through the stream—the six
headers followed Walt restrained his cousins.

“It would be death to you," he said, earnest-
11- “You must lie close-” '

The rest of the words were unheard or nont-
W The norther was upon them in all its
 A of rain that almost beat them

a 931‘ ,—- an a tin volle of rugged
hunches—followed 3;] agbundm’g dtm of
snow. -

Walt grflsped the blankets and crawled under
the lee of a pile 6! brush, closely {allowed by
his cousins» Huddhns close together, holding
the edges of the blankets agony beneath them,
they lay with the terrible storm beating upon
them, growing colder with each passing minute,
until they began to fear that the very blood in
their veins would turn to ice. ,

Walt shuddered as he thought of the hours,
even days, that might pass before the north:-
exhausted itself. lie had known one to 11m 3
week without a minute’s intermission. What
lfflliusbouldbesuchaooei ‘

God help them all, if it wasl

“ Then secure

 

TROUBLE BREWING.

ONLY those who have experienced the icy
breath of a full- blown norther can appreciate
the pluck. shown by Pedrillo, the horse-tamer,
in leaving tolerable cover tochase the runaway
horses, while he was only half-clad, and those
garments already wet through.

It is not from its intensc cold that the
norther isso dangerous and so greatly dreaded,
for it is very rare that the mercury lalls to
zero. It is the sudden change that lends it
terror. At one hour the sky may be clear and
nnclbuded, the sun shining warmly, the air
Soft and balmy, with the thermometer ranging
about. 70°; and the next hour the mercury may
be far below freezing point. The duration of
a norther may be one hour, or it may be one
hundred. They come without warning and go
almost as suddenly.

Pedrillo knew—none better—the great risk
he was running, but he was that rare. as“, a
thoroughly faithful and trustworthy Mexican.
He was the real, though 'Walt was the nominal
commander of the drive. The moment they
reached River. Bend, his responsibility would
cease, but’ until then, Pedrillo felt that he was
accountable for the long-home.

With those hurried directions to the six
borders, then, he dashed across the shallow
stream, and thundered after the dustonveloped
cattle. Even in that thrilling and anxious
moment, he. felt a. certain grim satisfaction in
the thought that the stampedlng long-horns
were heading directly toward their market.
After all, if the neither did not rage too long,
it might prove a positive benefit by saving a
day or two of difficult driving.

Pedrillo did not need to urge his horse along.
Scarccly less terrified than those in advance, it
was fleeing from the cruel nortber at top
speed. But taster still came the cutting blast,
bearing upon its wings the pelting rain, the
driving bail and the blinding snow. The
horse tamer bowed before the bitter blast, but
only for a moment.

CIOse before him run two,of the escaped
horses, and he only thought of self-impoevd
duty. Ranging alongside, be bent over and
caught the long trailing picket rope, hastily
wrapping it around the pummel of his saddle,
reining in his own horse. At the pluck of (he
stout lariat, the horse halted, almost thrown to
the ground. ,

Pedrillo dismounted and drove the iron
picket pin firmly in the ground, then hastened
cu in pursuit of the other horse. But here be
was foiled in a. manner little short of marvelous.

As he forged alongside and stooped to grasp
the trailing rope the horse swerved sharply,
and he missed his aim. The next moment
Pedrilloqheard something whislle shrilly past
his ear, and the estampevo gave a sharp neigh
ofipaln and plunged headlong to the ground.

As Pedrillo hastened to Secure his price, he
found that death was before him. Thepointed
picket-pine! iron was buried in,the‘auimal’s
brain!

Just how it occurred, cannot be clearly ex -
‘plained. Probably the pin caught upon some
root or stub, and being forcibly jerked free,
the elastic 'larlnt one: the picket-pin far ahead,
and chance directed its point.

It may be remarked in pessln‘g that this is
one of the most serious dangers attending a.
stampede of horses that have been staked out.
Ugly womds, and often death, are the con-
sequences. , ~

The cold seemed to be growing momentarily
more intense. The snow, mingled with cutting
sleet, came down in blinding drifts One could
not see objects ten yards in advance.

Pedrillo was chilled to the bone, but he did
not flinch. Feeling all confidence in his horse,
be bowed to the blast and gave fr‘e rein.

K'l‘en urinates into:- the black» mustang wheeled

sharply to the rightand “mediate a mo!
den-e undergrowth. Almost brushed from the
saddle, Pedrillo drew rein. Agulnet either-leg
he felt the quivering pressure of living flesh,
and whooping, he found his horse bad pressed
up between two homes. V -

 

Eyesight was of little avail, but his ears told
him enough. His mustang had sought shelter
from, the storm under the ice of a timber is-
land—the very same to which the insflnctof
the stampeded horses had brought them.

Pedrillo dismounted, and, as well as his be-
numbed condition would admit, tied up the
horses he had so strangely ., stumbled upon.
Then he returned and made the black mustang
lie down, and curling himself up’ between its
legs, crowding close to its Sigmach. he awaited
the coming of dawn or the iulling of the
norther, with what philosophy he could mus-
tor.

Fortunately for all concerned, the storm was
as short lived as it was furious, else anon»:
tragedy would have bl en added to the count-
less scores that form the dark side of Western
life. By midnight the snow ceased falling,and
the wind died away. Before daybreak, the
atmosphere was barely at freezing point, and
before noon, every flake of snow had vanished
before the warm breath of the glowmg mm.

Pedriilo did not wait for day, though. As
soon as the storm broke, be secured the horns
and set out for camp. uttering, a long, shrill
yell every few moments, as a signal for the nix
borders. Before he had retraced his stage two
miles, he had picked them all up, and togethu-
they rude back to the camp.

Their loud on ice did not neceive any answer,
and Pedrlllo plunged into \he thicket fearing
the worst. His suspense was not or long dura—
tion. He saw the blankets, and as his tren-
bling bands grasped. them, the cousins awoke!
Chilled and stuplfied by the intense cold, they
had fallen asleep in each other‘s me, nor
knew that the storm was ended until Pedrillo
awakened them Had the member continued,
that sleep would have been the sleep of death;
as it was, they did not even suffer from a cold
or a sore throat in consequence.

The first thing was to build a fire, which pa-
tient perseverance finally efl‘ected, and then to
boil some coffee. This. and a generous break-
fast, quickly removed all signs of stiflnem, and
when the sun arose, it found all concerned as
sound and gay+piritai as ever in life.

Without much delay the party mounted and
set out in pursuit of the stampeded longhorn,
overtaking the hindermost of the drove about
noon. These were languidly feeding, not yet
recovered from the fatigue of their blind, head-
long race. Starting them on, the brothers and
the harder whose horse had been killed, kept
them going, while the others set of! to celled
the semen. ‘

It was not until noon of the followingday
that the entire herd was collected. Half a
dozen were missing, the majority of which m
dead, in most cases, having literally m them-
selves to death. -

“You seech whyweput in so many extra
head," said Wait, as they went into camp for
the last time before reaching-their market.
" We lose more or less on every-drive, though,
I must confess, this trip has been an unusually
tough one."

But its trials were fairly over. By noon at
the next day, the llvely little town of Rho:-
Bend was reached, and beforesuns’et, the cattle
were turned our to the (cam, and Walt
bad the money safe in his belt.

There was little to be seen in the town, though
Pedrillp managed to find a lively game of manta
that held him captive until his pockets were
turned wrong side out, undultorpaylng oflthe
six vaqucros, Walt and his cousins sought out
erecting-place lortbenigm inarude,illlwpt
hotel— but the bout the town could toast. '

Knowing that there were many rough on»
tomeniuronnd, the young rancbem had eu-
tloned his men about divulging fhe‘fact of ill
being in possession of so much Imuey,bu‘t his
Mm: were useless ‘

The contractor was well-known, in addition
to the fact that he Was buying for ,M»GWGI’B-
mt, as well an» féotrhetit was his custom
to pay cash down. Still, the truth might have
beenoonoealed,mmmful huqult how, but
for one thing. ’ ' ‘ 'x

o

 

. down again.

' was unusually WM

3:2 .

The Prairie Ranch.

.

 

Wearied by their hard work of the past week,
the cousins sought their beds early, but near
midnight, the young ranchero was awakened
by the sound of some one trying the door of the
chamber. He grasped his revolver and sat up
in bed, but the rickety couch gave a. doleful
creek. ‘ ‘

“ Boss—let me in,” came a soft whisper, ina
voice that he instantly recognized. “ It‘s me—
Tom Davis.”

That was enough. The man was beyond
elispioion, and arising, Walt opened the door
and gave him admission.

“ Well, what’s in the wind, now?" be de—
manded, somewhat impatiently, as the fellow
hesitated. ’

“ I thought . you’d ought to know, though I-

bate to'split onapard, boss. If I tell you, you
Won’t ax me to tell any names?”

‘fi Not if I can help it. I! you say there‘s no
need of mentioning names, I’ll take your word
for it, Tom.”

f‘ I wouldn’t ax 'it, only- the critter was
drunk, an’ didn’t rightly know what he was
saying—a”

“Sol there’s been talk about the money?”

"‘ I’m around so, boss. Some ugly-looking
critters got one o’ the boys drunk, an’ was
pampin’ him, when I lit onto ’em. I 'smoked
that trick, an‘ tried the best I Iknowed how to
pick a fuss onto ’em, but they slid off afore I
could think 0’ any excuse for to bounce ’em.
I ’lowed you’d ought to know, an’ so tuck the
liberty o’ comin’ to say, of you want, we’ll all
see you safe home to the ranchm"

“Many thanks, Tom, but I don‘t believe
there’s any need. We’re four, well armed and
mounted, and now you’ve put us on our guard.
we can take care of ourselves. But mind:
you’re income back to nail: the sp .”

“ Et I’m alive I’ll be than-sure!”

The honest fellow departed, and Walt lay
But his sleeping moments were
few indeed, despite his weary bones.

,

 

A I’LAUBIBLE RAscaL.

Wan-r HARVI’EY did a great deal more think-
ing than sleeping the remainder of that night.

He had OVer eight thousand dollars belted
around his waist; enough to reward a score of
murders where life was at a higher premium
than have. Had he been‘some dozen years
older, his course would have been simple
enough. He would have at once sought out
 men he had ,1th ofl, andwith them
as escort, ridden hard for home. But Walt

‘ was too young to think more than once of this

prudent plan, ',To his hot b
savored strongly of coward ce. ,

. Bythe time day dawned, Walt had decided
honey nothing of the midnight visit and warn-
iss to any save Pedrillu. Not that be doubted
themed-will on courage of his cousins, but he
it their self:eoutrol..

‘ We will return the way we came,”he said
to the horse-tamer, as they looked to the ani-
mals. ‘.' There’s less chance for an an'ibush
there, and thatfsall we need care for. In afair
fight-welonrbnght to be able to clean out a
dozen ofthese hounds." , ' ,

. “You think they will, fight?" and Pedrlllo
We meaning glance toward Rose and Arthur
Duncan. .

. ‘f I know it,{’ said Walt, with a quiet empha-
sis. “ There’s not a drop of white bloodiu the
geek they come from. Not a word more-—
mind.” ; _ . ' l w

The boys warawiliiag enough to leave River
 Bustling though the station Wax, it
possessed no attractions equal to the wild, free
life of thaws-term, and the brothers were
in high glee as they rode ,out cttown and gave
 mottled  free rain for a race over
the Wturf. , ,_ I ‘
After thatflrst burst, Peddllotookthelead
and maintained it until the noon halt. Wait
and kept the brothers
so busy discussing the plans oflered for their

this prudence

 

future amusement, that they never once no-
ticed the roundabout course taken by Pedrillo,
he never once passing within a quarter of a
mile of any timber, undergrowth or prairie
“draw” large enough to afford an ambush
for an enemy, though by. such caution the
length of their journey bade fair to be almost
doubled.

But the forenoon passed away without any
signs of the expected enemy, and realizing the
importance of keeping their horses in readiness
for a. bit of hot and stem work, Walt called a
halt beside a narrow, shallow stream. The
banks were too low to cover an enemy, and the
level plane was open to their view for a. mile
or more in eVery direction. g

The meal was scarcely begun, when Ross ex-
claimedz'

“ That fellow’s in a. mighty hurry, whoever
he is 1”

Riding at full speed, and apparently follow-
ing their trail, came a horseman. Pedrillo
and Walt interchanged quick glances, but said
not a word. The rider was alone. If their

, suspicions were true, there was ample time to

act.

The stranger dismounted and staked out his
horse, taking ofl? saddle and bridle, then ap-
proached the fire, and, squatting down, coolly
helped himself to a cup of boiling hot coffee, a
chunk of meat and corn—bread, with never a.
word or nod of greeting. Ross and Arthur
smiled audibly at his free-and-easy impudence,
but if their laugh was heard it was not no~
ticed. ,
The stranger’s dress and appearance were in
perfect keeping with his cool assurance. Buck-
skin pants and moccasins; red flannel shirt,
open at the throat, soft felt hat, the brim of
which drooped almost to his shoulders; all of
which were much the worse for wear.

A brace of revolvers and a stont knife were
belted around his waist. His hair and beard
were long and iron-gray, as near as could be
told through the thick covering of sand and
dust. His eyes-were small, black and remark-
ably keen. ‘

“ 1 begun to think I’d never catch up with
you,” were his first words, nodding toward the
young ranchero. ‘ ‘

“You folloWed us, then, from town?”

“ Yes. How’s the old man—your father?”

“Lively—when I last saw him. You knew
him?” I .

“I used to. We were like two brothers, in
the old times—before you made your appear-
ance, though. I saw you comein town yes-
terday. Asked your name, and found out that
you were the son of my old friend, Frank Har-
vey. Had a dream last night of old times,
and resolved to call on Frank. You were gone
——I followed, and here I am. Fine drove you
brought in, that. But you’re foolish, carrying
so much money around with you, where there’s
so many rascals running around loose. It
Black Bob should get wind of it, I wouldn’t
give much for your chances.”

“ As long as you’re on our side, I don’t think
there’s anything to be afraid of, at least from
Black Bob,” said Walt, quietly.

The stranger casts quick look at the young
ranchero, then his lips parted in a silent but
hearty laugh.

It is not necessary to record in full the con-
versation that followed. Enough that Pardon
Goodman, as, the stranger finally introduced
himself, declared his intention of accompany-
ing them to the much of his old friend. No
objections were raised, though a meaning
glance passed between Pedrillo and. the young
ranchero, and while catching up their horses,
these twain had a short but pointed conversa-

tion, the puprort of which will appear in due ‘

time. . v

' Arthur and Ross were both. greatly taken
,withtheglibaud racy talk of. Pardon Gouda
men, and before they had left .the camp We
toilet behind them, the trio were upob the best
of terms. Even Welt, despite his strong sus-
picions, could not help feeling a certain interest
in the old fellou’s talk. Apparently he had

 

been everywhere and knew a little‘of every-
thing. He could tell an admirable story, and
only on second thoughts could the boys doubt
the perfect truth of the wonderful adventures
he had passed through, according to himself.

“ You think that is a tough one?" he chuckled,
after describing a fairly marVelous shot he had
once made. “Just watch the next jack-rabbit
that gets up--”

Even as he spoke a “mule ” was startled
from its form and sprung away with wonder—
fully long and stiff-legged leaps, its huge, black
tipped ears lying flat along its shoulders. But
swifter still sped a bullet from the old man’s
revolver, and the “mule ” rolled over and over,
a. lifeless heap.

“ Through the head, or I’ll swallow him
whole !" cried Goodman, with a shrill, unpleas-
ant laugh.

Walt stooped low and picked up the almost

headless rabbit. Unless a chance shot, the (cat

was a really remarkable one.

As before, Pedrillo rode in advance, and
carefully avoided all possible ambusbes. If
Pardon Goodman noticed this fact, he made no
remarks, seemingly content to follow the horse-
tamer’s lead; His tongue was never idle. His
stock of queer, ludicrous or exciting stories
see‘med inexhaustible. The brothers had never
enjoyed a ride more in their lives. By sunset
they were ready to swear that their new ac.
duaintance was the finest fellow upon the foot-
stool. ‘ '

Walt wavered between thisyopinion and the
one he had first formed. He would be almost
convinced that the old ,fellow was indeed what
he claimed to be, but then a word, a'giance,
would recall the old suspicion with redoubled
force.

Not so Pedrillo. At first glance he felt sure
that he had met the fellow before, but he could
not place him until “Black Bob " was named.
Then all doubts were cast to the winds. '1 hat

notorious desperado upon whose head three dif-

ferent rewards were set, was. none other than
the sell—termed Pardon Goodman. He migit
be one of those men included in the warning
of the past night, or he might be working
single-handed for the rich reward. Whichever
might be the case, Pedrillo resolved that the
biter should be bit.

Not a. chance did he throw away that day,
and when the sun was setting and the time
drew near for going into camp, he motioned
the others/to halt, while he rode ahead to in-
spect the ford and the undergrowth which
lined the banks of the river. The way was
clear, and at his signal, the rest rode on. (hoes-
ing over, only pausing to water the animals,
Pedrillo led the way out 'upon the open prairie
full halfamile from the timber, before draw-
ing rein.

“You camp 3 good way 'from wood and
water,” dryly observed Pardon Goodman.
“ Afraid of musketoes, I suppose?”

“No; to guard.th snakes,” replied Walt,
as he watched his opportunity to speak with
Pedrillo. '

The assertion of the horse-tamer that the
stranger was none other that: Black Ebb, de-
cided the course of the young rant-hero, and
before the two parted, their plan of action
was fully understood. ‘

A fire was kindled from wood brought from
the timber, and supperth cooked and eaten
as quietly ,as though everything was above-
board. To all appearance the old man did not
suspect anything or the plot against him, and
a constant succession -ot droll stories‘rolled
from his tongue. Arthur and Rare laughed
untiltheir sides ached, nor did Walt appear
less auiuled. » -

muttering somethingabout changing the p?
sitlon of his horse, Pedrillo. arose and glided
away through the darkness. The stranger cast
a sharp glance after him, and shifted his' posi~
ticn as though ill at ease. Walt’s heart beat
fast, as his hand stole toward his pistol; but
there was no need for him to draw/it.

Pedrillo shiftedhis horse, then retraced his
steps, humming a bar from a Spanish love-song.

\

The Prairie Ranch.

18

 

 

The old man glanced over his shoulder, but he
was an instant too late.

The Mexican's lasso whistled through the air,
and the fellow’s arms were pinned tightly to
his side as he was hurled heavily backward.
Walt sprung upon him and tore the weapons
from his belt.

A PHILOSOPHICAL PRISONER.

ALL this was done soiswlftly and admitly
that before Arthur or Ross Duncan could in-
terfere or help, Pardon Goodman lay bound
and disarmed at the feet of Wait and Pedrillo.
To say that they were surprised gives no idea
of their amazement at this sudden change, and,
to them, inexcusable outrage.

The young ranchero saw something of this
in their faces, and, true to his straightforward
nature, he set himself right in their estimation
without. any circumloeuticn, first telling them
of the warning he had received on the night be-
fore.

“At first glance I had 110de that this fel-
low was one of the sccundrels Tom Davis told
me about, and if you will only take the trouble
to look back and recall his looks, his words and
actions, I believe you will agree with me. Else
why was he so anxious to learn all about the
money and such things?

“ But that isn’t all. Pedrillo, here, recog—
nized him, and is willing to swear that he is
none other than Black Bob, the biggest scoun-
drel this side 0’ monkey heaven. That settled
it.“ Of course, there was only one reason for
his sticking so close to us—the money I carry;
and, equally of course. I made up my mind he
shouldn’t have it. We watched our chance,
and here is the result.” *

Both Arthur and Ross were convxnced before
the young rant-hero concluded, and they eyed
the prisoner with far different feelings from
those of a few minutes before.

While Walt was speaking the fellow listened
with a strange inteniness, and the many swift
changes which swept over his countenance
were “~le worth observing.

“ Y. u make, out a pretty fair case, young
man,” he said, when Walt paused: “ but you’re
barking up the wrong tree, nevertheless. I’m
no more Black Bob than you are, and, if we
both live long enough, you shall apologize to
me for calling me by that name. I told you
once that I am an old and loved friend of your
father. What must he be if I am the rascal
you say?” .

“It will be lucky for you if you can prove
that," said Walt, with a short laugh.

“ Take me before him, and if he don’t say

that you are making an unmitigated ass of"

yourself, I’ll own up to being Black Bob or any
other scoundrel you may choose to call me."

“ I intend to take you there—dead or alive,"
was the blunt response. "If you have any
understanding with your friends, pray that
they fail you, for I pledge you my word, that
at the first sign of trouble, or an attempted
rescue, I’ll blow your brains out.”

“You are very kind, young man. May I
dsk another favor? if you will brace me up
against 11y saddle, and fill and light my pipe
for me—.

“I batotorefmeadearfflendofmy father
anything, but as we break ramp at once,
what you ask is out of the question,” said
was, with mock 4

Determined to be on the safe side, Walt and
Pedrillo had resolved to push on through the
night a few miles further, hoping thus to mac.
tually rid themselves of whatever confederate:
the prisoner might have lurking around. . The
horses had had nearly We haul-0’ grazing, and
were rested sumciently for the purpose. The
camp-fire was allowed 170 burn down low,
although it still gave out enough light to m
ushmfer,meral summit If,”
they suspected. the 1‘ had friends lurk.
lngu-onndinwalt for his sign-Lthey would
probably lielowheypnd range, normpect

some distance below them.

 

anything had gone wrong, for. several hours, at
least.

Pedrillo caught up the horses and prepared
them for the road at a goodly distance from
the fire. The legs of the prisoner were no-
bound, aud at the muzzle of a pistol he walked
out to his horse. Mounting, his ankles were
firmly tied together beneath his horse’s belly,
and the little cavalcade rode silently away
through the night, nor drew rein until they

' were half a dozen miles from the scene of the

capture.

There was only one in the party that slept
comfortably that night. That one was Pardon
Goodman, the prisoner. More than once he
laughed low and softly, and, until sharply or-
dered to hold his tongue, be cracked jokes and
told marvelous stories exactly as he did during
the afternoon ride.

Walt could not understand it. Could itbe
that Pedrillo was mistakenl that this was real.
lyaln honest traveler, a friend of his father?
Or was all this dry mirth a, counterfeit? Did
be hope to throw them ofl their guard, and
thus gain an opportunity to escape? or were
his friends in front, and his mirth caused by
the basic in which his intended victims were
pressing to their fate?

It was all a puzzle, and when day dawned,
Walt was no nearer the true solution than at
first.

The prisoner was still the gayest of the party
at breakfast, and his grim jests made even Pe-
drillo smile more than once.

But little time was cut to waste, and as the
sun arose, all was in readiness and they resumed
their journey.

It was decided to hall: for noon upon the hog-
wallow prairie, and in hopes of reaching a bet-
ter point for crossing the slough, they bore
sharply to the left. But it was fated they
were not to cross over without an interrup
tion.

A clear, ringing shout came to theirears, and

a single horseman was seen spurring along the

opposite bank, swinging his hat in great excite-
ment.

Walt drew close to the side of his prisoner,
and the sharp click of his pistol spoke louder
than words. _ ' ’

“If that is one of your friends, Black Bob,
I’m sorry for you," he said,"with a grim em-
phasis.

“ To my knowledge I never saw him before
in my life, " was the cool and prompt response.

“ It is Dan Keywood,”.muttered Pedrillo, as
the horseman came nearer.

Walt, when convinced that the horse-breaker
had spoken the truth, uncooked and replaced his
pistol With an air of positive relief. He could
now recognize the features of the man, and
knew him for one who had, untilthat same
spring, served his fatheras herdsman. His only
fault was that of being too hot—headed and prone
to fighting. After he had soundly thrashed
onehalf of his fellow vaqueros, Mr. Harvey
felt compelled to discharge him, but not until
he had secured him a berth with Mr. Jones;

“Come on overl” cried the men, while yet
“They’u. a man
mired down that—l can’t git him out alone.
Make haste, or he’s a gone case; sure!”

“It may be a trap for you—look out,” said
the prisoner, in a quick, earnest tone. 7

Walt glanced at him curiously, and saw, or
fancied that he saw, genuine uneasiness in his
eyes; What could cause this, save a fear that
this Yrs-enforcement would render his esmpe
more difficult, if not quite impossible!

“ Bring him along, Pedrillo—mdwatch him
close 1" he cried, plunging into the muddy water
and floundering across the slough. “ How,
Dani Who is it bogged! Can’t you rope him
out?”

“Itth Fallen. Thefoolwonldu-ossst
the omde Iknowedtheywam'tno
bottom. Hie critter got stuck, m’ somehow
Van ,got his leg twiatedondorthebmte, nn'
cain’t but fist keep his head above water. I had
toahoot the hose, orhe'd 'a’ lulled Vanonder.
Wetriedtherope, but ’twouldn'tdo,sn'lwaa

 

jist settin’ of! a’ter help, when you cumin
sight.”

While giving this explanation, Koywoodhd
the way at a. rapid trot along the edge of the
slough, and as he ended, they came in sight of ,
the bogged man and horse. Keywood uttered
a loud shout, as thought) encourage. hisn'iend.
At the same moment a cry came from behind,“
and turning his head, Walt saw Pedrillo mak-
ing a wild gesture, as though danger was at
han .

But the warning came too lam. A man up-
rose from the reeds and grass just above Walk
and a. lasso whistled through the air. Instinct-
ively he threw up an arm to guard-hie head,
but in vain. The noose settled around him
and he was plucked forcibly from the saddle.

Dan Keywood instantly sprung to the ground
and holding a cooked revolver at the young
ranchero’s head, motioned back his friends.

“Halt! at the lust move I'll blow the boy's
brains to thunder!” he yelled, adding an oath
to give his words weight.

As he spoke, four men sprang from their
ambush in one of the hog-wallows, and hitched
to join him. The man who had. pretended to
be mired, floundered to shore, and ran up to
his friends, and half a score of pistols covered
Pedrillo and the brothers.

“ Fire and charge—” began Walt, but Key-
wood clapped his band over the . lad’s mouth,
and repeated his throat to blow out his brains
at the first move toward a rescue.

“ Make ’em turn me loose!" yelled Pardon
Goodman. “ I-‘rn Black Bob—~"

“ Ride up here! Ef they try to stop ye, I’ll

kill this cub,” cried Ksywood, with a sounding
oath. .
Pedrillo and his young friends wore helpless.
He knew that Keywood would certainly keep
his bloody threat, and they could only submit.
With a mocking laugh, their late captive rode
away and joined the villains.

“Cut me loose—quick!" he muttered, with
an oath. “ We musn‘t let them critters git
away, or they’ll hev the hull country down on
us. Give me that whelp’s pistols, an‘ I’ll stan’
by ye‘ to the last 1”

His bonds were cut, and, leaping to the
ground, he snatched the revolvers from Walt’s
belt, cocking them both.

AF‘RENDNN’EED.

Mamas looked black indeed for our
friends,

Walt Harvey lay helpless beneath the crush-
ing pressure of Dan Keywood’s knees, ' the
muzzle of a cocked revolver almost touching
his temple. Pedrillo, Ross and Arthur were
held at buy by the leveled pistols of the five
rufllaus~not counting in the old fellow who
had declared himself the notorious outlaw and
desperado, Black Bob. Though nominally face
and armed, they were well-nigh as helpleas u
the half-stunned rsnchero.

“ Keep ’em kivered, but wait for the word,”
criedtB-lack Bob, taking command as a matter
of course. '

Dan Keywood did not relish this. , The can
ningplotwasofhisown formation,und hedid
not choose to have an outsiderstep in and bear
offthehonors, tosaynothingofasharsoftbe
money. He half—turned his head to hurl acume
at this audadom recruit, but the words m
left his lips. ‘ -

With a force and dexterity theta mule might
hays envied; Black Bob planted his foot under
the bushy red heardwithakickthathnrledtha
treacherous herdsman and over end into the
edge of the slough where he lay quivering,
senseless, the blood gushing from mouth and
nostrils. ‘

Norwutheold mansatisfled with thb ex-
pm, Engine five men beside his: 9091.5 real-
isowhat oocurred,hs  ‘ ,7 Jam, ,
 “i” W “P” 
its theweapons with a and . fly
that was fairly marvelous.

Pedrillosaw thekiek that placed Dan Key-

 

14

 

 

"wood hora du combat, and, though he was far
from comprehending the whole truth, he eager-
‘ly-umlol‘lediat the faint hope of rescuing his
young friend and master. Ending low in the
‘84636. he urged his home forward, resolved to
do‘ or die. I r

i Gloséfto his heile came Arthur and Rm,
:fjulo cud expitid, but Will]. never a" personal
fear. All Walt said, they came of good
etock,‘ and would never do dishonor to iheir
r806.

There was little for them to do, however, on
this incision The outlaws were soroompletely
taken by surmise that era they realized the
fact that their supposed ally was an enemy,
ewe "tiff that «number fell dead in their
trucks. . ' ' ‘ ' > < -

I The survivors did fire a shot ortwo, but that
twain purely mechanim’l, as they won too thorn
enemy-bewildered to think of - self-oefense,
'muehlhseoflenaive notion. ‘  l I '

‘  Mmlo could reach the spot the ef-

fair was at an end. Three men were dead, one

wounded, the filth was. pmstrated bunemh

Black Bob, while Dan Keywood still lay in the

edge of the slough, not yet reeo. ened from that
’ “terrible "kick. ' ‘

The horas-tamer, though his pistol covered.
the old man, did not dare fire. He was thor—
oughly bewildered, and knew no! what to do:
so much so that-he gave a sigh of relief when
Welt'leaped forward and knocked therevolver
from his hand.

"‘prethat critter!” cried the old man, (in
the wounded rum“) inade a desperate dash for
lilml‘ll'y. ’

Pedrlllo' obeyed without a word. his limo
plucking the fugitive from tho edge of the bank
ever Which he who scrambling. Pl-vo miuutca
lain- hv; with Din Keywood and the ‘mau over-
thrown by PuI‘ViOll Goodman. were bound hand
and foot;

“Now then, who in thunder are you, any-
how!" demanded W aft, as he firmly grasped the
hand oftiie old man who had played such a
cut-Iona part in the stirring evente ot the past
twenty-tour hours. . '

“ You would have it that l was Black Bob-
and as Blaeii~Bob I managed to get you out of u
‘pfihvily ’pickle,”«was'the laughing rep] . “ But
I like neither the name not the‘ rep tation at-
tached wit. You can call me Paidon Good-
man for want of a. better name." '

," A goodmnn you are, and 1 ask your pardon
tor the rough treatment-3'

“Not a word, my boy. I’m ‘only rorry that
those rascals interfered. It would have been
ouch a treat to have seen your father’s face
“when you 191 me before him as Black Bull,
 hand and foot! But something always
turns up to asle my fun."

“I! you really insiet'npon it,” and Walt
grinned at the idea, ."it‘e not too late yet." '

f‘No, the charm was broken when 1' had to
show npvin' my tu-ue‘coklra, or let you lose your
money, it no worse. Anyway, I’ll Lava fliefun
of telling the joke oo’you boy-y.” " ‘

“ Youihave honestly earned the right, and I,’
for one,- am willing to grin and bear it. And
now that we may sooner we the end of your
Manda, let's find out where time fellows
have hidden their horses, and turn our laces
houwward.”»'  r‘ "' “

“‘ wither 5651;me Rosa, whose usual
9 meme-ens,- returned in lull tome, new that
‘_ ~§tofln~chfld had passed over. -‘ "

M Dan'Kuywoo‘J gave the desired informfion,
vi‘thon‘gli "With ‘lin 'lll grace, and Pedrilio-eo 11
found the horsel! where they’hudheon hiddenfin
“enact the wallow. ' Méautlmawmhha been
lyiesti‘oni-‘ng Duh; while we brothers" kind”! a
are, mama gut aide beam rhea? ' ‘
~ vASsdm “the herdrman learned that Harvey
had held a large drove of cattle ton gOfi‘fiIififiJt
contractor, he'resoivrfi“'tte make ‘a trim etrike

(or the moderate lornine, and were paid nu.
“to’néioullnt'hnoa for fiber Band. "Once there
hem he diflcuity in Moving elliesfs’na it was
drummers that to: m rhea-clue 91 the am-

are with liquor until he gowns W infor- '

The Prairie Ranch;

 

cash. He, himself, had kept carefully out of
sight, and no sooner was the desired knowledge
gained than he set out to put his trap in order.
Be lay in wait until he saw which trail his in-
tended victims had chosen, then, by dint of
hard riding, gained their trout and awaited
their approach. A home was driven into the.
slough and purposely mired, then shot. When
Wait and his party come in sight, one of the
men took his position beside the body. the req
hiding in one of the wallows. The result' has
already been recorded.

The three prisoners were bound upon their
horses, the dead men being left where they
tell, and the little cavnloade pressed on toward
the ranch, which was reached just beiore noon
,0: the next day. ' -

Walt quickly explained the meaning of the
bound men, and Uncle Frank had them taken a
into the home and placed under guard. Then
he insisted npon‘his son's telling the whole
story, from the very first. '

During this, the stranger sat smoking his
pipe, his features almost invisible, thanks to
his sluuched hat and the cloud he was blowing,
seemingly unconscious of the many interes
glances mist toward‘hiin. ’ '

“You have him to thank for it all,” con—
cluded the young ranchero. ” But for his
quick wit and cool courage, you would have
lent the money, if not a son."

Uncle Frank strode forward and pushed back -
the bond 'briln, guz ng keenly into the eyes
that were upliftedto his, while Pedrillo and
the boys crowded around ‘him with lively curi—
osity.

The ranchero started back with a. low cry of
surprise, and brushed a. band norms hie eyes,
as thouh to clear his sight. The stranger ut- ,
tered a abort laugh. Tuat was enough. The
two‘ men were locked in each olher’e arms, and
capered around the room in that-fashion like
two boys frvbh freed £10m schooL

“ Well, it’s all very funny, no doubt, if a fel-
low could only under what it means,” at
length uttered Walt, alit‘tle‘eharply.

“Introduce me, Frank—I‘ve given so many
name; already, that he wouldn‘t believe me,
alone." ,

“ It's my brother—your uncle Dick—” he-
gan Harvey, but thcvre he broke down, fairly
sobbing wiih exo’ese of 

“ But— he’s dead!” moment] the boys.

The scene that- followed is not one for an
idle pen to dwall upon. Tears and laughter—
bruhen epochee‘ and spasmodic attempts at
forced gayety, followed by u long explanation,
the sulltance‘ only- otv which can be given
here: v - ‘ ' , ,

Richard Harvey whoever atoning stone A.
dozen years before it was reported that he died

at son. He wrote, oomradiojn'g the rem

but his letters were lost. At length he reached

to hunt up his relatives. M hearingfistof his‘
brother Frank. hastened ioCJorado. And this

was their meetingl r r

 

Old as he was, uncle Dick was still a he at
heart, and many u g'loriims time did he, V alt,
liters, Arthur and Fodriliomave that inter,
homing and ;«naming. Antelope, wolf and
jack-rabbit chasing iormd a portion 01 the
progra'mmit,‘an l the bins, despite their dis-
Bppullluueut an the morning alter Podrhlo re-
paid Wat, by stealing their lit-rues, we 9 gratL
fied by a taste of that most glorious'ot‘ tportu,
n. turku hunt with horses and s hounds. when
there was a winter hunt among an; minimums
and a taste or tn-ppiug fur beaver and otter,‘
‘ull’ ofwhichnro Well mutiny of record, did not
’ludt’of space forbid. . . ' "v43, * “ "4

ELougu ihctR .esund Arthur retu’i‘hed home
"find’h iheil’rtu lies in the spring, with :1 fresh
‘Bupply of life an i health, [uni manyun inter-
es‘nng story’lio‘ielltileli'mdflen. I   ' l

11 the fliiflérihae fikwx’iefim'd onetime of the
"fénfafy‘ment‘iur‘r‘weding; out ifihcy“ iiil in Mink,
it. wants which are’haaitffiy chronicle-a here; I
am-mor’e-then waned ‘  “r l 3‘ V ' - ' F
V ; W I o _

, ism ‘2“

I

.

 

mutton: that thyme» had been powder in

"‘  int-ml

Men Tree. the Cherokee.

BYJOSVE. BADGER, J’E.

 

HALF a century ago there1vere few names
more widely known or more popular among
the Cherokees than that of Teondéatha, or the
,Fallen Tree. Made a ear-chief in his early
manhood by those whom he hed so oiten led to
Lvictory, he never failed them in the hour of
need. ‘ Hie numefivas a terror to their enemies,
a glory to their own t‘ibe. He (litl not spare
b's biood or fleeh. ' One by one his children fell
in battle at hieystie, until he was left alone,
battered and war-worn, the last of his race;
' Then came the treaty with the whites, and,
worn out, hlsl'beart weary With mnetent blood-
shed and bowed down with: grief for his lost
ones, the Fallen Tree was. one of the first who
had signed) his totem to the paper which gave
the hunting-grenade of the Cherokees to the

. palan forever. v

From that moment his power and influence
declined. Hie streng right arm was no lo: ger
needed, for the days of fighting were all past;
he had outlived his days of usefulneeé. More
than once was this fact brought to his notice,
not'openiy. for there were few braves among
them all who would dare to stand before the
grim old war‘chief when the olden flre came
into hie drop-sunken eyes, lot by coiert hints
and innuendoes that, while, stinging bitterly,
aflorded no handle for open rebuke. ’ '

T00 proud to complain, too sensitive to ignore
the roundabout insults, the fallen war-chief
wok to srrong drink. For weeks and menths at
a time he was never wholly free from the in—
fluence of liquor. His erect form grew bowed,
his iron museles began to shrink and wither,
his limbs to tremble and give way beneath his
weight as he walked. His temper grew more
irritable and lea; under control. Bis few
friends fell away from him. His enemies re-
joiced and grew boiler and more outspoken.

But the lion was not dead, only sleeping. The
time of amkening came at last. '

The Cherokee nation ‘had gathered We the
IIin river, for their annual game of 5 ball.
Among the others came Fallen Tree, but only
as a spectator, where not many years since, he
had been the leading spirit, the idol and’cyuo-
sure of every eye. a

Silent and reserved, though his brain was
clouded by drink—u grand wreck, stood the
chief. He had been warned thetdango r threat»
ened, and advised to may away lest trouble
came of his presence; but the waning was in
vain. Life was not so dear that he cared to
guard it~by cowardice. ’

The game of ball was “gun and firiehed,
alter a. long, hot and dimly-comested'flght.
The captain of the losing side, a middlewgi'd
warrior, whose youthful ambition hid been it.)
successfully rival the war—chief, was one of
Fallen Tree’s most bitter and on ken ene-
niies. Now, angered by defeat“, be copied his
old rival, an: nannyde a? his fate.

With one .ineulting‘ 'sta're', scanned the
withered figure uom crown to role; then, see-
ing that all eyes were» filmed curiously-upon
them; be raised his ine' um}. accused Fallen
Tree at betraying his people by 'hl‘gning nwa'y
their-land for nothing. ' -‘

Never a word spoke the disgraced war-chief,
butilookbd steadily tui'tl‘ the eyes 0% his an only,
Eisthm hp outling‘rfith cold contempt. Ren-

eied almost trial 0'. Ttrve Fmgerslllep‘ealed
his accusation, and coupled, it u ith throats and
'oplprohfious mutilate.“ A ieddlghtflwneii in
the Bfl‘eniet‘s‘eyes, and for the matinee he
..'"- ,8, 
* “Seaway while roll can.» You have said
enough: One word‘inore and! will kill you.”
W 13%”) 'h’hou'tee yell'lof  Three Fingers
drew his tomahawk ahd'rpl‘ung lei-ward. Quiet
hfibbugbt the chief interpoSedwhisarlelt‘ am,
late obi-h the hem moon ‘sunk to the bone;
then. lief-1'0 his/enemy could recover himsell,
hertth he pfiiol against his forehead and

j fired. “malarial! unfiltered like: an eggshell,
‘ Three Fingers was inirled backward by the

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Prairie Ranch. 15
explosion, dead ere his body touched the though wishing him well,.were not such de-
ground. - voted friends ‘as to  lives‘ in his

Bhrlll and defiant rung out the war-cry of the
aged War—chief,“ pistol in hand and ready for
use, he faced a thousandbfi.hhti‘ib,e, undaunted.
by the odds. Nine-Wot those present were
his bitter enemies, while not one of them all
loved or honomd‘hi ,1 ,  to darehis life in
his defense; but" no? . ,  Wm WP“? Game.
from the, crowd.  {one‘snd sit:de
ngpeneafiy chrdhexpeotsd tragedy, and uh:-
able 0: ‘ wininng act daddyay. .-, .4 A y -

For, . five minutes 1 ‘ , “
the mass, then, with‘a low. ’cdntem' ‘ ous laugh, A
t ’ ' " ‘ upon his heel and strode away, never

 

  

   
  
     
    

‘. Mebwkwui .- e  
angles and was   “milieu. j.
menthol: medioumy fol: ' ‘ The
blow was  that seine ':
Fem»? fill ' " ' 1 "

begun, len  ad ” ' ~
from drinking freely. Only for that, the and
might have been different.

A renegade white, an old man named Block,
began to revile the chief, much in the so
style adopted by Three Fingers, earlier in the
day. For a time Fallen Tree paid no attention
to the abuse, but then, turning, he spoke
shnrply: ‘

“ Why d_o,you bark at me, $61) halfveind—half
dog! Who are you? A white our Who M
from his people to escape the rope. We sulfur
you to live among us, just as we do other worth~
lees ours. You have done nothing to earn the
right to reproacn me. I have never seen you
upon the war-path. l have never heard your
voice at the councils. Go, white dog. Be
silent when you are among men."

This contemptuous rebuke was not sunk-lent.
Block still persisted in his abuse, and finally
Fallen Tree drew and snapped his pistol full in
his insulter’s face.  failed; to exg ,

plodu

A half-blood named Craven. who was
present, dashed out ,the'one light. Several
shots were fired, and thegrestest excitement
reignml.

When a fresh light was kindled, the two
men were gone, while Fallen Tree lay upon his
1508, in a pool of hisowii blood. A bullet
had passed through his lace, shattering both

ws. .
18A white trader, whose name has been forgot—
ten, risking the displeasure (e; thy conspirators,
raised up the wounded  and cared for him
as best he could. '“ ‘ ‘ ' '

He begged the old chief to mount his horse
and flee to the garrison, where the soldiers
would protect him against hisenemies, but the
undaunted wamor flatly refused. Never yet
had he turned his beck to  ~foegnnd he
westoooldtobeginno'w. ‘é “ ‘ 

Thus was lost the last chance by Which the
brave, stubborn old men might have been
saved. That one half-hour wasted in futile
persuasion would have carried them beyond
all risk of being overtaken. .

As it was, when pain and the loss of blood
lindnggexbsu Fallen? that hecould
only" submit 63 the will" 0 ‘ "frlepds, they,
has.in arranged a rude horse litter and set out.
for the tort. « _

Dungeon-time  “had nht

~ been idle. Thelong medicated work wee tairly

begun, and my diva-1o carry“ it ‘thréush'
tothe end. ‘-'  ~ " '

Though the assassins reported that they bed i
left Fallen T198 dead, a. large force armed and
started for were ,7 $0.. l. em  re.
was no mistake in   
the spot only a few minutes after the wounded
chief had departed, and healthy: 3' . ,scatter-
ed around, they had little dlflloult fidivin‘lufi
the mm. depended overtakin

Knowing that all “POI ., ,_ . _ 3
their victim before he could reach the’g'an-laon,
they did not spare horseflesh, riding and yelli
ing like veritable demons. , . ‘ I  . ‘

This h-deous tumult bad its desired effect.
Those who were encoding the wounded chief,

(unheated ' ,

amusement} ’

 
 

deem-“Kimmgw. _,,: * 2»:
oiertak’eulougheiore they new} gin-g
“titan, st the slow paoe'they  
tein on account of? flowering 
hastily consulted togethdfihqd,as their onl

chance, resolved to hide’fis'e, chief in new

   

 
  

 (schoolmaster of t from L  by.
  diagimving‘; in 'rr‘ee’  in.
$39  then "scattered rodee‘fia n hot
" "gto-gvetheirown 

and ‘ them ,

an accelerated  "

e truth, and rush-

   
    

: Grown 'levelhd Eh '_r piston at  each'

ixgi L, «fill- ~i~ The, aging lions momma, ‘ “ Block
 ,‘e slaiii 

Block attempted to tomshawk him, but Fallen
Tree wrested the weapon from him and buried
it in his brain. At ’the same instant a second
slaw pierced his lime: and the foul deed was
(V one.

Thus died the greatth war-chief the Chero-
kees ever had.

 

    

x .

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'gglaloguee No. Twenty. .‘3

 

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