第3章

buteverypunchersworeupanddown，andbackandacross，thathe"dbrandedeverycalfhe"dhadaropeonthatspring。Weputitdownthatsomeonewaslyin"，andletitgoatthat。

Andthen，aboutaweeklater，oneoftheotherboysreportedaTriangle-Hsleeper。TheTriangle-HwastheGoodrichbrand，sowedidn"thavenothin"todowiththat。Someofthemmightbesleeperin"forallweknew。Threeothercasesofthesamekindwehappenedacrossthatsamespring。

Sofar，sogood。Sleepersrunnin"insuchnumberswasalittleastonishin"，butnothin"suspicious。Cattledidwellthatsummer，andwhenwecometoroundupinthefall，wecutoutmaybeadozenofthoseT0cattlethathadstrayedoutofthatHahncountry。Ofthedozentherewasfivegrowncows，andsevenyearlin"s。

"MyLord，Jed，"saysBucktome，"they"saheapoftheseyoungsterscomin"overourway。"

Butstill，asayoungcritterismoreapttostraythananoldonethat"sgothisrangeestablished，wedidn"tlaynogreatstorebythatneither。TheHahnstooktheirbunch，andthat"salltherewastoit。

Nextspring，though，wefoundafewmoresleepers，andonedaywecameonacowthathadgonedeadlame。Thatwasusual，too，butBuck，whowaswithme，hadsomethin"onhismind。Finallyheturnedbackandropedher，andthrewher。

"Lookhere，Jed，"sayshe，"whatdoyoumakeofthis？"

Icouldseewherethehindlegsbelowthehockshadbeenburned。

"Lookslikesomebodyhadropedherbythehindfeet，"saysI。

"Mightbe，"sayshe，"butherheelslamethatwaymakesitlookmorelikehobbles。"

Sowedidn"tsaynothin"moreaboutthatneither，untiljustbyluckwecameonanotherlamecow。Wethrewher，too。

"Well，whatdoyouthinkofthisone？"BuckJohnsonasksme。

"Thefeetisprettywelltoreup，"saysI，"anddowntothequick，butI"veseenthemtoreupjustasbadontherockswhentheycomedownoutofthemountains。"

Yousabewhatthatmeant，don"tyou？Yousee，arustlerwilltakeacowandhobbleher，orlamehersoshecan"tfollow，andthenhe"lltakehercalfalongwaysoffandbranditwithhisiron。Ofcourse，ifwewastoseeacalfofonebrandfollowin"

ofacowwithanother，itwouldbejusttooeasytoguesswhathadhappened。

Werodeonmightythoughtful。Therecouldn"tbemuchdoubtthatcattlerustlerswasatwork。Thesleeperstheyhadear-marked，hopin"thatnoonewoulddiscoverthelackofabrand。Then，afterthecalfwasweaned，andquitfollowin"ofhismother，therustlerwouldbranditwithhisowniron，andchangeitsear-marktomatch。Itmadeanice，easywayofgettin"togetherabunchofcattlecheap。

Butitwasprettyhardtoguessoff-handwhotherustlersmightbe。TherewerealotofrenegadesdowntowardstheMexicanlinewhomadearaidonceinawhile，andafewoilers[2]livin"

nearhadwaterholesinthefoothills，andanyamountoflittlecattleholders，likethisT0outfit，andanyofthemwouldn"tshyveryhardatalittlesleeperin"ontheside。BuckJohnsontoldusalltowatchout，andpassedthewordquietamongthebigownerstotryandseewhosecattleseemedtohavetoomanycalvesforthenumberofcows。

[2]"Oilers"——Greasers——Mexicans。

TheTexasoutfitI"mtellin"youabouthadsettledupaboveinthisDoubleRcanonwhereIshowedyouthosenaturalcorralsthismorning。They"dbuiltthema"dobe，andclearedsomeland，andplantedafewtrees，andmadeanirrigatedpatchforalfalfa。

Nobodyneverrodeoverhiswayverymuch，"causethecountrywasmosttooroughforcattle，andourrangeslayfarthertothesouthward。Now，however，webegantoextendourridin"alittle。

IwasdowntowardsDosCabesastolookoverthecattlethere，andtheyusedtosendLarryupintotheDoubleRcountry。Oneevenin"hetookmetooneside。

"Lookhere，Jed，"sayshe，"Iknowyouprettywell，andI"mnotashamedtosaythatI"mallnewatthiscattlebusiness——infact，Ihaven"tbeenatitmore"nayear。Whatshouldbetheproportionofcowstocalvesanyhow？"

"Thereoughttobeabouttwiceasmanycowsasthere"recalves，"

Itellshim。

"Then，withonlyaboutfiftyheadofgrowncows，thereoughtnottobeanequalnumberofyearlin"s？"

"Ishouldsaynot，"saysI。"Whatareyoudrivin"at？"

"Nothin"yet，"sayshe。

Afewdayslaterhetackledmeagain。

"Jed，"sayshe，"I"mnotgood，likeyoufellowsare，atknowin"

onecowfromanother，butthere"sacalfdowntherebrandedT0

thatI"dprettynearswearIsawwithanXYcowlastmonth。I

wishyoucouldcomedownwithme。"

Wegotthatfixedeasyenough，andforthenextmonthrammedaroundthroughthisbrokencountrylookin"forevidence。Isawenoughtosatisfymetoamoralcertainty，butnothin"forasheriff；and，ofcourse，wecouldn"tgoshootupapeacefulrancheronmeresuspicion。Finally，oneday，werunonafour-months"calfallbyhimself，withtheT0ironontohim——amightyhealthylookin"calf，too。

"WonderwhereHISmotheris！"saysI。

"Maybeit"sa"dogie，""saysLarryEagen——wecallscalveswhosemothershavedied"dogies。"

"No，"saysI，"Idon"thardlythinkso。Adogieisalwaysundersizeandpoor，andhe"slayin"aroundwaterholes，andhealwayshasabig，swaybellyontohim。No，thisisnodogie；and，ifit"sanhonestcalf，theresureoughttobeaT0cowaroundsomewhere。"

Soweseparatedtohaveagoodlook。Larryrodeupontheedgeofalittlerimrock。InaminuteIsawhishossjumpback，dodgin"arattlesnakeorsomethin"，andthenfallbackoutofsight。Ijumpedmyhossuptheretur"blequick，andlookedover，expectin"toseenothin"butmangledremains。Itwasonlyaboutfifteenfootdown，butIcouldn"tseebottom"countofsomebrush。

"Areyouallright？"Iyells。

"Yes，yes！"criesLarry，"butfortheloveofGod，getdownhereasquickasyoucan。"

Ihoppedoffmyhossandscrambleddownsomehow。

"Hurt？"saysI，assoonasIlit。

"Notabit——lookhere。"

TherewasadeadcowwiththeLazyYonherflank。

"Andabullet-holeinherforehead，"addsLarry。"And，lookhere，thatT0calfwasbald-faced，andsowasthiscow。"

"Reckonwefoundoursleepers，"saysI。

So，therewewas。Larryhadtoleadhiscavallodownthebarrancatothemaincanon。Ifollowedalongontherim，waitin"

untilaplacegavemeachancetogetdown，too，orLarryachancetogetup。Weweretalkin"backandforthwhen，allatonce，Larryshoutedagain。

"Biggamethistime，"heyells。"Here"sacaveandamountainlionsquallin"init。"

Isliddowntohimatonce，andwedrewoursix-shootersandwentuptothecaveopenin"，rightundertherim-rock。There，sureenough，werefreshliontracks，andwecouldhearalittlefaintcryin"likewoman。

"Firstchance，"claimsLarry，anddroppedtohishandsandkneesattheentrance。

"Well，damnme！"hecries，andcrawlsinatonce，payin"noattentiontometellin"himtobemorecautious。Inaminutehebacksout，carryin"athree-year-oldgoat。

"Weseemtoheinforadventuresto-day，"sayshe。"Now，wheredoyousupposethatcamefrom，andhowdiditgethere？"

"Well，"saysI，"I"vefollowedliontrackswherethey"vecarriedyearlin"sacrosstheirbackslikeafoxdoesagoose。They"retur"blestrong。"

"Butwheredidshecomefrom？"hewonders。

"Asforthat，"saysI，"don"tyouremembernowthatT0outfithadayearlin"kidwhenitcameintothecountry？"

"That"sright，"sayshe。"It"sonlyamiledownthecanon。I"lltakeithome。Theymustbemostdistractedaboutit。"

SoIscratcheduptothetopwheremyponywaswaitin"。Itwasatur"blehardclimb，andI"mosthadtohavehooksonmyeyebrowstogetupatall。It"seasiertoslidedownthantoclimbback。

Idroppedmygunoutofmyholster，andshewentwaytothebottom，butIwouldn"thavegonebackforsixguns。Larrypickeditupforme。

Sowewentalong，meontherim-rockandaroundthebarrancas，andLarryinthebottomcarryin"ofthekid。

Byandbywecametotheranchhouse，stoppedtowait。TheminuteLarryhoveinsighteverybodywasouttoonce，andintwowinksthewomanhadthatbaby。Thydidn"tseemeatall，butI

couldhear，plainenough，whattheysaid。Larrytoldhowhehadfoundherinthecave，andallabouttheliontracks，andthewomancriedandheldthekidclosetoher，andthankedhimaboutfortytimes。Thenwhenshe"dworetheedgeoffalittle，shetookthekidinsidetofeeditorsomethin"。

"Well，"saysLarry，stilllaughin"，"Imusthitthetrail。"

"YousayyoufoundheruptheDoubleR？"asksHahn。"Wasitthatcavenearthethreecottonwoods？"

"Yes，"saysLarry。

"Where"dyougetintothecanyon？"

"Oh，myhossslippedoffintothebarrancajustabove。"

"Thebarrancajustabove，"repeatsHahn，lookin"straightathim。

Larrytookonestepback。

"YououghttobealmightygladIgotintothecanyonatall，"

sayshe。

Hahnsteppedup，holdin"outhishand。

"That"sright，"sayshe。"Youdoneusagoodturnthere。"

Larrytookhishand。AtthesametimeHahnpulledhisgunandshothimthroughthemiddle。

ItwasallsosuddenandunexpectedthatIstoodthereparalysed。

Larryfellforwardthewayamanmostlywillwhenhe"shitinthestomach，butsomehowhejerkedlooseagunandgotitofftwice。

Hedidn"thitnothin"，andIreckonhewasdeadbeforehehittheground。Andtherehehadmygun，andIwasaboutasuselessasapocketinashirt！

No，sir，youcantalkasmuchasyouplease，butthekillerisalow-downorneryscub，andhedon"thesitateatnotreacheryoringratitudetokeephiscarcasssafe。

JedParkerceasedtalking。Theduskhadfalleninthelittleroom，anddimlycouldbeseentherecumbentfigureslyingateaseontheirblankets。Theranchforemanwassittingboltupright，cross-legged。Afaintglowfromhispipebarelydistinguishedhisfeatures。

"Whatbecameoftherustlers？"Iaskedhim。

"Well，sir，thatisthequeerpart。Hahnhimself，whohaddonethekillin"，skippedout。Wegotoutwarrants，ofcourse，buttheynevergotserved。Hewasasortofhalfoutlawfromthattime，andwaskilledfinallyinthetrainhold-upof"97。Buttheotherswetriedforrustling。Wedidn"thavemuchofacase，asthelawwentthen，andthey"dhavegonefreeifthewomanhadn"tturnedevidenceagainstthem。Thekillin"wastoomuchforher。And，astheprecedentheldgoodinalotofotherrustlin"cases，Larry"sdeathwasreallythebeginnin"oflawandorderinthecattlebusiness。"

Wesmoked。Thelastlightsuddenlyshowedredagainstthegrimywindow。WindyBillaroseandlookedoutthedoor。

"Boys，"saidhe，returning。"She"sclearedoff。Wecangetbacktotheranchtomorrow。"

CHAPTERFIVE

THEDRIVE

Acryawakenedme。Itwasstilldeepnight。Themoonsailedoverhead，thestarsshoneunwaveringlikecandles，andachillbreezewanderedinfromtheopenspacesofthedesert。Iraisedmyselfonmyelbow，throwingasidetheblanketsandthecanvastarpaulin。Fortyotherindistinct，formlessbundlesonthegroundallaboutmeweresluggishlyastir。Fourfigurespassedandrepassedbetweenmeandaredfire。Iknewthemforthetwocooksandthehorsewranglers。Oneofthelatterwasgrumbling。

"Didn"tgitintillmoon-uplastnight，"hegrowled。"Mightaswelltrademybedforalanternandbedonewithit。"

EvenasIstretchedmyarmsandshiveredalittle，thetwowranglersthrewdowntheirtinplateswithaclatter，mountedhorsesandrodeawayinthedirectionofthethousandacresorsoknownasthepasture。

Ipulledonmyclotheshastily，buckledinmybuckskinshirt，anddoveforthefire。Adozenotherswerebeforeme。Itwasbitterlycold。Intheeasttheskyhadpaledtheleastbitintheworld，butthemoonandstarsshoneonbravelyandundiminished。Abandofcoyoteswasshriekingdesperateblasphemiesagainstthenewday，andthestrayherd，awakening，wasbeginningtobawlandbellow。

Twocrater-likedutchovens，filledwithpiecesoffriedbeef，stoodnearthefire；twogalvanisedwaterbuckets，brimmingwithsodabiscuits，flankedthem；twotremendouscoffeepotsstoodguardateitherend。Wepickeduseachatincupandatinplatefromtheboxattherearofthechuckwagon；helpedourselvesfromadutchoven，apail，andacoffeepot，andsquattedonourheelsasclosetothefireaspossible。Menwhocametoolateborrowedtheshovel，scoopedupsomecoals，andsostartedlittlefiresoftheirownaboutwhichnewgroupsformed。

Whileweate，theeasternskylightened。Themountainsunderthedawnlookedlikesilhouettescutfromslate-colouredpaper；thoseinthewestshowedfaintlyluminous。Objectsaboutusbecamedimlyvisible。Wecouldmakeoutthewindmill，andtheadobeoftheranchhouses，andthecorrals。Thecowboysaroseonebyone，droppedtheirplatesintothedishpan，andbegantohuntouttheirropes。Everythingwasobscureandmysteriousinthefaintgreylight。IwatchedWindyBillnearhistarpaulin。Hestoopedtothrowoverthecanvas。Whenhebent，itwasbeforedaylight；

whenhestraightenedhisback，daylighthadcome。Itwasjustlikethat，asthoughsomeonehadreachedouthishandtoturnontheilluminationoftheworld。

Theeasternmountainswerefragile，theplainwasethereal，likeaseaofliquidgases。Fromthepastureweheardtheshoutingsofthewranglers，andmadeoutacloudofdust。Inamomentthefirstoftheremudacameintoview，trottingforwardwiththefreegraceoftheunburdenedhorse。Othersfollowedinprocession：thosenearsharpandwelldefined，thoseinthebackgroundmoreorlessobscuredbythedust，nowappearingplainly，nowfadinglikeghosts。Theleaderturnedunhesitatinglyintothecorral。Afterhimpouredthestreamoftheremuda——twohundredandfiftysaddlehorses——withanunceasingthunderofhoofs。

Immediatelythecook-campwasdeserted。Thecowboysenteredthecorral。Thehorsesbegantocirclearoundtheedgeoftheenclosureasaroundthecircumferenceofacircusring。Themen，groupedatthecentre，watchedkeenly，lookingforthemountstheyhadalreadydecidedon。Innotimeeachhadrecognisedhischoice，and，hislooptrailing，waswalkingtowardthatpartoftherevolvingcircumferencewherehisponydodged。Somefewwhirledtheloop，butmostcastitwithaquickflip。Itwasreallymarvelloustoobservetheaccuracywithwhichthenoosewouldfly，pastadozentossingheads，andoveradozenbacks，tosettlefirmlyabouttheneckofananimalperhapsintheverycentreofthegroup。Butagain，ifthefirstthrowfailed，itwasinterestingtoseehowtheselectedponywoulddodge，doubleback，twist，turn，andhidetoescapesecondcast。Anditwasequallyinterestingtoobservehowhiscompanionswouldhelphim。

Theyseemedtorealisethattheywerenotwanted，andwouldpushthemselvesbetweenthecowboyandhisintendedmountwiththeutmostboldness。Inthethickdustthatinstantlyarose，andwiththebewilderingthunderofgalloping，theflashingchangeofgrouping，therushofthecharginganimals，recognitionalonewouldseemalmostimpossible，yetinanincrediblyshorttimeeachhadhismount，andtheothers，underconvoyofthewranglers，weremeeklywendingtheirwayoutovertheplain。

There，untiltimeforachangeofhorses，theywouldgrazeinalooseandscatteredband，requiringscarcelyanysupervision。

Escape？Blessyou，no，thatthoughtwasthelastintheirminds。

Inthemeantimethesaddlesandbridleswereadjusted。Alwaysinacowboy"s"string"offromsixtotenanimalsthebossassignshimtwoorthreebroncostobreakintothecowbusiness。

Therefore，eachmorningwecouldobserveahalfdozenorsomengingerlyleadingwickedlookinglittleanimalsouttothesand"totakethepitchoutofthem。"Onesmallblack，belongingtoacowboycalledtheJudge，usedmorethantofulfilexpectationsofagoodtime。

"Gotohim，Judge！"someonewouldalwaysremark。

"Ifheain"tgoin"topitch，Iain"tgoin"tomakehim"，theJudgewouldgrin，asheswungaboard。

Theblackwouldtrotoffquitecalmlyandinamostmatteroffactway，asthoughtoshameallslanderersofhislamb-likecharacter。Then，asthebystanderswouldturnaway，hewouldutterasqueal，throwdownhishead，andgoatit。Hewasaveryhardbucker，andmadesomereallyspectacularjumps，butthetrickonwhichhebasedhisclaimstooriginalityconsistedinstandingonhishindlegsatsoperilousanapproachtotheperpendicularthathisriderwouldconcludehewasabouttofallbackwards，andthensuddenlyspringingforwardinaseriesofstiff-leggedbucks。Thefirstmanoeuvreinducedtheridertoloosenhisseatinordertobereadytojumpfromunder，andthesecondthrewhimbeforehecouldregainhisgrip。

"Andtheysayahorsedon"tthink！"exclaimedanadmirer。

Butasthesewerebrokenhorses——savethemark！——theshowwasalloveraftereachhadhadhislittlefling。Wemountedandrodeaway，justasthemountainpeakstothewestcaughttheraysofasunweshouldnotenjoyforagoodhalfhouryet。

Ihadfivehorsesinmystring，andthismorningrode"thatCS

horse，BrownJug。"BrownJugwasapowerfulandwell-builtanimal，aboutfourteentwoinheight，andpossessedofavastenthusiasmforcow-work。Asthemorningwasfrosty，hefeltgood。

Atthegateofthewatercorralweseparatedintotwogroups。

Thesmaller，underthedirectionofJedParker，wastodrivethemesquiteinthewideflats。Therestofus，underthecommandofHomer，theround-upcaptain，weretosweepthecountryevenasfarasthebaseofthefoothillsnearMountGraham。Accordinglyweputourhorsestothefullgallop。

Mileaftermilewethunderedalongatabriskrateofspeed。

Sometimeswedodgedinandoutamongthemesquitebushes，alternatelyseparatingandcomingtogetheragain；sometimeswesweptovergrassyplainsapparentlyofillimitableextent，sometimesweskippedandhoppedandbuck-jumpedthroughandoverlittlegullies，barrancas，andothersortsofmalpais——butalwayswithoutdrawingrein。Themenrodeeasily，withnothoughttothewaynorcareforthefooting。Theaircamebacksharpagainstourfaces。Thewarmbloodstirredbytherushflowedmorerapidly。Weexperiencedadelightfulglow。Ofthemorningcoldonlytheverytipsofourfingersandtheendsofournosesretainedaremnant。Alreadythesunwasshininglowandlevelacrosstheplains。Theshadowsofthecanonsmodelledthehithertoflatsurfacesofthemountains。

Afteratimewecametosomelowhillshelmetedwiththeoutcropofarockescarpment。HithertotheyhadseemedaterminationofMountGraham，butnow，whenwerodearoundthem，wediscoveredthemtobeseparatedfromtherangebyagoodfivemilesofslopingplain。LaterwelookedbackandwouldhaveswornthempartoftheDosCabesassystem，didwenotknowthemtobeatleasteightmiles"distantfromthatrockyrampart。ItisalwaysthatwayinArizona。Spacesdevelopofwhoseexistenceyouhadnottheslightestintimation。Hiddeninapparentlyplanesurfacesarevalleysandprairies。AtonesweepoftheeyeyouembracetheentireareaofaneasternState；butneverthelesstherealityasyouexploreitfootbyfootprovestobeinfinitelymorethanthevisionhaspromised。

Beyondthehillwestopped。Hereourpartydividedagain，halftotherightandhalftotheleft。Wehadridden，uptothistime，directlyawayfromcamp，nowwerodeacircumferenceofwhichheadquarterswasthecentre。Thecountrywaspleasantlyrollingandcoveredwithgrass。Hereandtherewereclumpsofsoapweed。Farinaremotedistancelayaslenderdarklineacrosstheplain。Thisweknewtobemesquite；andonceentered，weknewit，too，wouldseemtospreadoutvastly。Andthenthisgrassyslope，onwhichwenowrode，wouldshowmerelyasaninsignificantstreakofyellow。ItisalsolikethatinArizona。

Ihaveriddeninsuccessionthroughgrassland，brushland，flowerland，desert。Eachinturnseemedentirelytofillthespaceoftheplainsbetweenthemountains。

FromtimetotimeHomerhaltedusanddetachedaman。Thebusinessofthelatterwasthentoridedirectlybacktocamp，drivingallcattlebeforehim。Eachwasinsightofhisright-

andleft-handneighbour。Thuswasconstructedadrag-netwhosemeshescontractedashomewasneared。

Iwasdetached，whenofourpartyonlytheCattlemanandHomerremained。Theywouldtaketheoutside。Thiswasthepostofhonour，andrequiredthehardestriding，forassoonasthecattleshouldrealisethefactoftheirpursuit，theywouldattemptto"break"pasttheendandupthevalley。BrownJugandIcongratulatedourselvesonanexcitingmorninginprospect。

Now，wildcattleknowperfectlywellwhatadrivemeans，andtheydonotintendtogetintoaround-upiftheycanhelpit。Wereitnotforthetwofacts，thattheyareafraidofamountedman，andcannotrunquitesofastasahorse，Idonotknowhowthecattlebusinesswouldbeconducted。Assoonasabandofthemcaughtsightofanyoneofus，theycurledtheirtailsandawaytheywentatalong，easylopethatadomesticcowwouldstareatinwonder。Thiswasallverywell；infactweyelledandshriekedandotherwiseutteredcow-callstokeepthemgoing，to"getthecattlestarted，"astheysay。Butprettysoonalittlebandofthemanyscurryingawaybeforeourthinline，begantobearfartherandfarthertotheeast。Whenintheirjudgmenttheyshouldhavegainedanopening，theywouldturndirectlybackandmakeadashforliberty。Accordinglythenearestcowboyclappedspurstohishorseandpursuedthem。

Itwasaprettyrace。Thecattleraneasilyenough，withlong，springyjumpsthatcarriedthemoverthegroundfasterthanappearanceswouldleadonetobelieve。Thecow-pony，hisnosestretchedout，hisearsslanted，hiseyessnappingwithjoyofthechase，flewfairly"bellytoearth。"Theridersatslightlyforward，withthecowboy"slooseseat。Awhirlofdust，strangelyinsignificantagainsttheimmensityofadesertmorning，rosefromtheflyinggroup。Nowtheydisappearedinaravine，onlytoscrambleoutagainthenextinstant，paceundiminished。Theridermerelyroseslightlyandthrewuphiselbowstorelievethejaroftheroughgully。Atfirstthecattleseemedtoholdtheir，own，butsoonthehorsebegantogain。Inashorttimehehadcomeabreastoftheleadinganimal。

Thelatterstoppedshortwithasnort，dodgedback，andsetoutatrightanglestohisformercourse。Fromadeadruntheponycametoastandintwofierceplunges，doubledlikeashot，andwasoffontheothertack。Anunaccustomedriderwouldherehavelosthisseat。Theseconddashwasshort。Withafinalshakeofthehead，thesteersturnedtothepropercourseinthedirectionoftheranch。Theponydroppedunconcernedlytotheshufflingjogofhabitualprogression。

Farawaystretchedthearcofourcordon。Themostdistantriderwasaspeck，andthecattleaheadofhimwerelikemaggotsendowedwithasmooth，swiftonwardmotion。Asyettheherdhadnottakenform；itwasstilltoowidelyscattered。Itsunits，intheshapeofsmallbunches，momentlygrewinnumbers。Thedistantplainswerecrawlingandalivewithminutecreaturesmakingtowardacommontinycentre。

Immediatelyinourfrontthecattleatfirstbehavedverywell。

ThenfardownthelonggentleslopeIsawabreakfortheuppervalley。ThemanikinthatrepresentedHomeratoncebecameevensmallerasitdepartedinpursuit。TheCattlemanmoveddowntocoverHomer"sterritoryuntilheshouldreturn——andIinturnedgedfarthertotheright。Thenanotherbreakfromanotherbunch。TheCattlemanrodeattopspeedtoheadit。Beforelonghedisappearedinthedistantmesquite。Ifoundmyselfinsolechargeofafrontthreemileslong。

Thenearestcattleweresomedistanceahead，andtrottingalongatagoodgait。Astheyhadnotyetdiscoveredthechanceleftopenbyunforeseencircumstance，Idescendedandtookinonmycinchwhileyettherewastime。EvenasImounted，animpatientmovementonthepartofexperiencedBrownJugtoldmethatthecattlehadseentheiropportunity。

Igatheredthereinsandspoketothehorse。Heneedednofurtherdirection，butsetoffatawideangle，nicelycalculated，tointerceptthetruants。BrownJugwasapowerfulbeast。Thespringofhisleapwasaswhalebone。Theyellowearthbegantostreampastlikewater。Alwaysthepaceincreasedwithagrowingthunderofhoofs。Itseemedthatnothingcouldturnusfromthestraightline，nothingchecktheheadlongmomentumofourrush。Myeyesfilledwithtearsfromthewindofourgoing。Saddlestringsstreamedbehind。BrownJug"smanewhippedmybridleband。DimlyIwasconsciousofsoapweed，sacatone，mesquite，aswepassedthem。TheywereabreastandgonebeforeIcouldthinkofthemorhowtheyweretobedodged。

Twoantelopeboundedawaytotheleft；birdsrosehastilyfromthegrasses。Asuddenchirk，chirk，chirk，roseallaboutme。

Wewereintheverycentreofaprairie-dogtown，butbeforeI

couldformulateinmymindtheprobabilitiesofholesandbrokenlegs，thechirk，chirk，chirkinghadfallenastern。BrownJughadskippedanddodgedsuccessfully。

Wewereapproachingthecattle。Theyranstubbornlyandwell，evidentlyunwillingtobeturneduntilthelatestpossiblemoment。Agreatrageattheirobstinacytookpossessionofusboth。Abroadshallowwashcrossedourway，butweplungedthroughitsrocksandbouldersrecklessly，angeredateventheslightdelaytheynecessitated。Thehardlandontheothersidewegreetedwithjoy。BrownJugextendedhimselfwithasnort。

Suddenlyajarseemedtoshakemyveryheadloose。Ifoundmyselfstaringoverthehorse"sheaddirectlydownintoadeepandprecipitousgully，theedgeofwhichwassocunninglyconcealedbythegrassesastohaveremainedinvisibletomyblurredvision。BrownJug，however，hadcaughtsightofitatthelastinstant，andhadexecutedoneofthewonderfulstopspossibleonlytoacow-pony。

Butalreadythecattlehaddiscoveredapassageabove，andwerescramblingdownandacross。BrownJugandI，atmoresoberpace，slidoffthealmostperpendicularbank，andouttheotherside。

Amomentlaterwehadheadedthem。Theywhirled，andwithoutthenecessityofanysuggestiononmypartBrownJugturnedafterthem，andsoquicklythatmystirrupactuallybrushedtheground。

Afterthatweweremasters。Wechasedthecattlefarenoughtostartthemwellintheproperdirection，andthenpulleddowntoawalkinordertogetabreathofair。

Butnowwenoticedanotherband，backonthegroundoverwhichwehadjustcome，doublingthroughinthedirectionofMountGraham。Ahardrunsetthemtorights。Weturned。Morehadpouredoutfromthehills。Bandswerecrossingeverywhere，aheadandbehind。BrownJugandIwenttowork。

Beinganindivisibleunit，wecouldchaseonlyonebunchatatime；and，whilewewereafterone，ahalfdozenotherswouldbetakingadvantageofourpreoccupation。Wecouldnotholdourown。Eachrunafteranescapingbunchhadtobeonalongerdiagonal。Graduallywewereforcedback，andback，andback；butstillwemanagedtoholdthelineunbroken。NevershallIforgetthedashandclatterofthatmorning。NeitherBrownJugnorI

thoughtforamomentofsparinghorseflesh，norofpickingaroute。Wemadetheshortestline，andpaidlittleattentiontoanythingthatstoodintheway。Averyfeverofresistancepossessedus。Itwaslikebeatingagainstaheadwind，orfightingfire，orcombatinginanyotherofthegreatforcesofnature。Wewerequitealone。TheCattlemanandHomerhadvanished。Toourleftthemenwerefullyoccupiedinmarshallingthecompactbrownherdsthathadgraduallymassed——fortheseantagonistsofmineweremerelyoutlyingremnants。

IsupposeBrownJugmusthaverunnearlytwentymileswithonlyonecheck。Thenwechasedacowsomedistanceandintothedrybedofastream，whereshewhirledonussavagely。Byluckherhornhitonlytheleatherofmysaddleskirts，sowelefther；

forwhenacowhassenseenoughto"getonthepeck，"thereisnodrivingherfarther。Wegainednothing，andhadtogiveground，butwesucceededinholdingasemblanceoforder，sothatthecattledidnotbreakandscatterfarandwide。Thesunhadbynowwellrisen，andwasbeginningtoshinehot。BrownJugstillrangamelyanddisplayedasmuchinterestasever，buthewasevidentlytiring。WewerebothgladtoseeHomer"sgreyshowinginthefringeofmesquite。

Togetherwesoonsucceededinthrowingthecowsintothemainherd。And，strangelyenough，assoonastheyhadjoinedacompactbandoftheirfellows，theirwildnessleftthemand，convoyedbyoutsiders，theysetthemselvestoploddingenergeticallytowardthehomeranch。

Asmyhorsewassomewhatwinded，Ijoinedthe"drag"attherear。

Herebycourseofnaturalsiftingsoonaccumulatedallthelazy，gentle，andsicklycows，andthesmallcalves。Thedifficultynowwastopreventthemfromlagginganddroppingout。Tothatendweindulgedinagreatvarietyofthepicturesquecow-callspeculiartothecowboy。Onefoundanoldtincanwhichbytheaidofafewpebblesheconvertedintoaveryeffectiverattle。

Thedustroseincloudsandeddiedinthesun。Weslouchedeasilyinoursaddles。Thecowboyscomparednotesastothebrandstheyhadseen。Ourponiesshuffledalong，resting，butalwaysreadyforadashinchaseofanoccasionalbullcalforyearlingwithindependentideasofitsown。

Thuswepassedoverthecountry，downthelonggentleslopetothe"sink"ofthevalley，whenceanotherlonggentlesloperantothebaseoftheotherranges。Atgreaterorlesserdistanceswecaughtthedust，andmadeoutdimlythemassesoftheotherherdscollectedbyourcompanions，andbythepartyunderJedParker。

Theywentforwardtowardthecommoncentre，withaslowruminativemovement，andthedusttheyraisedwentwiththem。

Littlebylittletheygrewplainertous，andthehomeranch，hithertomerelyabrownshimmerinthedistance，begantotakeondefinitionasthegroupofbuildings，windmills，andcorralsweknew。Miniaturehorsemencouldbeseengallopingforwardtotheopenwhiteplainwheretheherdwouldbeheld。Thenthemesquiteenvelopedus；andweknewlittlemore，savetheanxietylestweoverlooklaggardsinthebrush，untilwecameoutontheedgeofthatsamewhiteplain。

Hereweremorecattle，thousandsofthem，andbillowsofdust，andagreatbellowing，andslim，mountedfiguresridingandshoutingaheadoftheherd。Soontheysucceededinturningtheleadersback。Thesethrewintoconfusionthosethatfollowed。

Inafewmomentsthecattlehadstopped。Acordonofhorsemensatatequaldistancesholdingthemin。

"Prettygoodhaul，"saidthemannexttome；"agoodfivethousandhead。"

CHAPTERSIX

CUTTINGOUT

Itwassomewherenearnoonbythetimewehadbunchedandheldtheherdofsomefourorfivethousandheadinthesmooth，wideflat，freefrombushesanddogholes。Eachsatateaseonhishorsefacingthecattle，watchinglazilythecloudsofdustandtheshiftingbeasts，butreadyatanyinstanttoturnbacktherestlessorindependentindividualsthatmightbreakforliberty。

OutofthehazecameHomer，theround-upcaptain，onaneasylope。Ashepassedsuccessivelythesentrieshedeliveredtoeachalowcommand，butwithoutslackingpace。Someofthosespokentowheeledtheirhorsesandrodeaway。Theotherssettledthemselvesintheirsaddlesandbegantorollcigarettes。

"Changehorses；getsomethingtoeat，"saidhetome；soIswungafterthefiletravelingatacanteroverthelowswellsbeyondtheplain。

Theremudahadbeendrivenbyitsleaderstoacornerofthepasture"swirefence，andthereheld。Aseachmanarrivedhedismounted，threwoffhissaddle，andturnedhisanimalloose。

Thenheflippedaloopinhisropeanddisappearedintheeddyingherd。Thediscardedhorse，withmanygrunts，indulgedinasatisfyingroll，shookhimselfvigorously，andwalkedslowlyaway。Hislabourwasoverfortheday，andheknewit，andtooknottheslightesttroubletogetoutofthewayofthemenwiththeswingingropes。

Notsothefreshhorses，however。Theyhadnointentionofbeingcaught，iftheycouldhelpit，butdodgedandtwisted，hidanddoubledbehindthemovingscreenoftheirfriends。Thelatter，seemingasusualtoknowtheywerenotwanted，madenoefforttoavoidthemen，whichprobablyaccountedingreatmeasureforthefactthattheherdasabodyremainedcompact，inspiteofthecowboysthreadingit，andinspiteofthelackofanenclosure。

Ourhorsescaught，wesaddledashastilyaspossible；andthenatthetopspeedofourfreshandeagerponieswesweptdownonthechuckwagon。Therewefelloffoursaddlesanddescendedonthemeatandbreadlikeravenouslocustsonacornfield。Theponiesstoodwhereweleftthem，"tiedtotheground"，thecattle-countryfashion。

Assoonasamanhadstokedupfortheafternoonherodeaway。

Somefinishedbeforeothers，soacrosstheplainformedanendlessprocessionofmenreturningtotheherd，andofthosewhomtheyreplacedcomingfortheirturnatthegrub。

Wefoundtheherdquiet。Somewereevenlyingdown，chewingtheircudsaspeacefullyasanybarnyardcows。Most，however，stoodruminative，orwalkedslowlytoandfrointheconfinesallottedbythehorsemen，sothattheherdlookedfromadistancelikeabrowncarpetwhosepatternwasconstantlychanging——adustybrowncarpetintheprocessofbeingbeaten。Irelievedoneofthewatchers，andsettledmyselfforawait。

Atthiscloseinspectionthedifferentsortsofcattleshowedmoredistinctlytheircharacteristics。Thecowsandcalvesgenerallyrestedpeacefullyenough，thecalfoftenlyingdownwhilethemotherstoodguardoverit。Steers，however，weremorerestless。Theywalkedceaselessly，threadingtheirwayinandoutamongthestandingcattle，pausinginbrutishamazementattheedgeoftheherd，andturningbackimmediatelytoendlessjourneyings。Thebulls，excitedbysomuchcompanyforcedontheiraccustomedsolitaryhabit，roareddefianceateachotheruntiltheairfairlytrembled。Occasionallytwowouldclashforeheads。Thenthepowerfulanimalswouldpushandwrestle，tryingforachancetogore。Thedecisionofsupremacywasaquestionofbutafewminutes，andabloodytopknottheworstdamage。Thedefeatedoneside-steppedhastilyandclumsilyoutofreach，andthenwalkedaway。

Mostofthetimeallwehadtodowastositourhorsesandwatchthesethings，toenjoythewarmbathoftheArizonasun，andtoconversewithournextneighbours。Onceinawhilesomeenterprisingcow，observingtheopeningbetweenthemen，wouldstarttowalkout。Otherswouldfallinbehindheruntilthemovementwouldbecomegeneral。Thenoneofuswouldswinghislegoffthepommelandjoghisponyovertoheadthemoff。Theywouldreturnpeacefullyenough。

Butoneblackmuleycow，withacalfasblackandmuleyasherself，wasmorepersistent。Timeaftertime，withinfinitepatience，shetrieditagainthemomentmybackwasturned。I

trieddrivingherfarintotheherd。Nouse；shealwaysreturned。Quirtingsandstoneshadnoeffectonhermildandsteadypersistence。

"She"saSanSimoncow，"drawledmyneighbour。"Everybodyknowsher。She"sateveryround-up，justnaturallyraisin"hell。"

Whenthelastmanhadreturnedfromchuck，Homermadethedispositionsforthecut。Therewerepresentprobablythirtymenfromthehomeranchesroundabout，andtwentyrepresentingownersatadistance，heretopickupthestraysinevitabletotheseason"sdrift。Theround-upcaptainappointedtwomentoholdthecow-and-calfcut，andtwomoretoholdthesteercut。

Severalofusrodeintotheherd，whiletheremainderretainedtheirpositionsassentinelstoholdthemainbodyofcattleinshape。

LittleGandIrodeslowlyamongthecattlelookingeverywhere。

Theanimalsmovedsluggishlyasidetogiveuspassage，andclosedinassluggishlybehindus，sothatwewerealwayscloselyhemmedinwhereverwewent。Overtheshiftingsleekbacks，throughtheeddyingcloudsofdust，Icouldmakeoutthefiguresofmycompanionsmovingslowly，apparentlyaimlessly，hereandthere。

OurtaskforthemomentwastosearchouttheunbrandedJH

calves。Sinceinrankssocloselycrowdeditwouldbephysicallyimpossibleactuallytoseeananimal"sbrandedflank，wedependedentirelyontheear-marks。

Didyouevernoticehowanyanimal，tameorwild，alwayspointshisearsinquiringlyinthedirectionofwhateverinterestsoralarmshim？Thoseearsareforthemomenthismostprominentfeature。Sowhenabrandisquiteindistinguishablebecause，asnow，ofpressofnumbers，or，asinwinter，fromextremelengthofhair，thecroppedearstellplainlythetaleofownership。Aseveryanimalissomarkedwhenbranded，itfollowsthatanuncutpairofearsmeansthatitsownerhasneverfelttheiron。

So，nowwehadtolookfirstofallforcalveswithuncutears。

Afterdiscoveringone，wehadtoascertainhisownershipbyexaminingtheear-marksofhismother，bywhosesidehewassure，inthisalarmingmultitude，tobeclingingfaithfully。

Calveswerenumerous，andJHcowseverywheretobeseen，soinsomewhatlessthantensecondsIhadmyeyeonamotherandson。

ImmediatelyIturnedLittleGintheirdirection。Attheslapofmyquirtagainstthestirrup，allthecowsimmediatelyaboutmeshranksuspiciouslyaside。LittleGsteppedforwarddaintily，hisnostrilsexpanding，hisearsworkingbackandforth，tryingtothebestofhisabilitytounderstandwhichanimalsIhadselected。Thecowandhercalfturnedintowardthecentreoftheherd。Atouchofthereinsguidedthepony。Atoncehecomprehended。Fromthattimeonheneedednofurtherdirections。

Cautiously，patiently，withgreatskill，heforcedthecowthroughthepresstowardtheedgeoftheherd。Ithadtobedoneveryquietly，atafootpace，soastoalarmneithertheobjectsofpursuitnorthosesurroundingthem。Whenthecowturnedback，LittleGsomehowhappenedalwaysinherway。Beforesheknewitshewasattheouteredgeoftheherd。Thereshefoundherself，withagroupofthreeorfourcompanions，facingtheopenplain。

Instinctivelyshesoughtshelter。IfeltLittleG"smusclestightenbeneathme。Themomentforactionhadcome。Beforethecowhadachancetododgeamonghercompanionstheponywasuponherlikeathunderbolt。Shebrokeinalarm，tryingdesperatelytoavoidtherush。Thereensuedanexcitingcontestofdodgings，turnings，anddoublings。WhereversheturnedLittleGwasbeforeher。Someofhisevolutionsweremarvellous。AllIhadtodowastositmysaddle，andapplyjustthatfinaltouchofjudgmentdeniedeventhewisestoftheloweranimals。Timeandagaintheturnwassoquickthatthestirrupswepttheground。Atlastthecow，convincedoftheuselessnessoffurtherefforttoreturn，brokeawayonalonglumberingruntotheopenplain。Shewasstoppedandheldbythemendetailed，andsoformedthenucleusofthenewcut-herd。ImmediatelyLittleG，hisearsworkinginconsciousvirtue，jog-trottedbackintotheherd，readyforanother。

Afteradozencowshadbeensentacrosstothecut-herd，theworksimplified。Onceacowcaughtsightofthisnewband，shegenerallymadedirectlyforit，headandtailup。Afterthefirstshortstruggletoforceherfromtheherd，allIhadtodowastostartherintheproperdirectionandkeepheratituntilherdecisionwasfixed。Ifshewastoosoonlefttoherowndevices，however，shewaslikelytoreturn。Anoldcowmanknowstoasecondjustthepropermomenttoabandonher。

Sometimes，inspiteofourbesteffortsacowsucceededincirclingusandplungingintothemainherd。Thetemptationwasthenstrongtoplungeinalso，andtodriveheroutbymainforce；butthetemptationhadtoberesisted。Adashintothethickofitmightbreakthewholeband。Atonce，ofhisownaccord，LittleGdroppedtohisfast，shufflingwalk，andagainweaddressedourselvestothetaskofpushinghergentlytotheedge。

Thiswasallcomparativelysimple——almostanyponyisfastenoughforthecalfcut——butnowHomergaveordersforthesteercuttobegin，andsteersarerapidandresourcefulandfullofnaturalcussedness。LittleGandIwererelievedbyWindyBill，andbetookourselvestotheoutsideoftheherd。

Herewehadleisuretoobservetheeffectsthatuptothismomentwehadourselvesbeenproducing。Theherd，restlessbyreasonofthehorsementhreadingit，shifted，gaveground，expanded，andcontracted，sothatitsshapeandsizewerealwayschangingintheconstantareaguardedbythesentinelcowboys。Dustarosefromthesemovements，cloudsofit，toeddyandswirl，thickenanddissipateinthecurrentsofair。Nowitconcealedallbutthenearestdimly-outlinedanimals；againitpartedinriftsthroughwhichmistilywediscernedtheridersmovinginandoutofthefog；againitliftedhighandthin，sothatwesawinclaritythewholeherdandtheoutridersandthemesasfaraway。

Astheafternoonwaned，longshaftsofsunslantedthroughthisdust。Itplayedonmenandbeastsmagically，expandingthemtothedimensionsofstrangegenii，appearingandeffacingthemselvesinthebillowsofvapourfromsomeenchantedbottle。

Weontheoutsidefoundoursinecureofhotnoon-tidefilchedfromusbythecoolerhours。Thecattle，weariedofstanding，andperhapssomewhathungryandthirsty，grewmoreandmoreimpatient。Werodecontinuallybackandforth，turningtheslowmovementinonitself。Occasionallysomeparticularlyenterprisingcowwouldconcludethatoneoranotherofthecut-herdswouldsuitherbetterthanthismillofturmoil。Shewouldstartconfidentlyout，headandtailup，findherselfchasedback，getstubbornonthequestion，andleadherpursueralong，hardrunbeforeshewouldreturntohercompanions。Onceinawhileonewouldevenhavetoberopedanddraggedback。Forknow，beforesomethinghappenstoyou，thatyoucanchaseacowsafelyonlyuntilshegetshotandwinded。Thenshestandshergroundandgetsemphatically"onthepeck。"

IrememberverywellwhenIfirstdiscoveredthis。ItwasafterI

hadhadconsiderablecowwork，too。IthoughtofcowsasIhadalwaysseenthem——afraidofahorseman，easytoturnwiththepony，andwillingtobechasedasfarasnecessarytothework。

Nobodytoldmeanythingdifferent。Onedayweweremakingadriveinanexceedinglybrokencountry。IwasbringinginasmallbunchIhaddiscoveredinapocketofthehills，butwasexcessivelyannoyedbyoneoldcowthatinsistedonbreakingback。Inthewisdomoffurtherexperience，Inowconcludethatsheprobablyhadacalfinthebrush。Finallyshegotawayentirely。Afterstartingthebunchwellahead，Iwentafterher。

Well，thecowandIrannearlysidebysideforasmuchashalfamileattopspeed。Shedeclinedtobeheaded。Finallyshefelldownandwassoentirelywindedthatshecouldnotgetup。

"Now，oldgirl，I"vegotyou！"saidI，andsetmyselftourginghertoherfeet。

Theponyactedsomewhatastonished，andsuspiciousofthejob。

ThereinheknewalotmorethanIdid。ButIinsisted，and，likeagoodpony，heobeyed。Iyelledatthecow，andslappedmybat，andusedmyquirt。Whenshehadquiterecoveredherwind，shegotslowlytoherfeet——andchargedmeinamostdeterminedmanner。

Now，abull，orasteer，isnotdifficulttododge。Helowershishead，shutshiseyes，andcomesinononestraightrush。Butacowlookstoseewhatsheisdoing；hereyesareopeneveryminute，anditoverjoyshertotakeasidehookatyouevenwhenyousucceedineludingherdirectcharge。

TheponyIwasridingdidhisbest，buteventhencouldnotavoidasharpprodthatwouldhaverippedhimuphadnotmyleatherbastosintervened。Thenweretiredtoadistanceinordertoplanfurther；butwedidnotsucceedininducingthatcowtoreviseherideas，soatlastwelefther。When，insomechagrin，Imentionedtotheround-upcaptainthefactthatIhadskippedoneanimal，hemerelylaughed。

"Why，kid，"saidhe，"youcan"tdonothin"withacowthatgetsontheprodthataway"thoutyouropesher；andwhatcouldyoudowithheroutthereifyouDIDropeher？"

SoIlearnedonethingmoreaboutcows。

Afterthesteercuthadbeenfinished，themenrepresentingtheneighbouringrangeslookedthroughtheherdforstraysoftheirbrands。Thesewerethrownintothestray-herd，whichhadbeenbroughtupfromthebottomlandstoreceivethenewaccessions。

Workwaspushedrapidly，astheafternoonwasnearlygone。

Infact，soabsorbedwerewethatuntilitwasalmostuponuswedidnotnoticeaheavythunder-showerthataroseintheregionoftheDragoonMountains，andsweptrapidlyacrossthezenith。

Beforeweknewittherainhadbegun。Intensecondsithadincreasedtoadeluge，andintwentywewerealltoleewardoftheherdstrivingdesperatelytostopthedriftofthecattledownwind。

Wedideverythinginourpowertostopthem，butinvain。

Slickerswaved，quirtsslappedagainstleather，six-shootersflashed，butstillthecattle，headslowered，advancedwithslowandsullenpersistencethatwouldnotbestemmed。Ifweheldourground，theydividedaroundus。Stepbystepwewereforcedtogiveway——thethinlineofnervouslyplunginghorsessprayedbeforethedensemassofthecattle。

"No，theywon"tstampede，"shoutedCharleytomyquestion。

"There"scowsandcalvesinthem。Iftheywasjuststeersorgrowncritters，theymight。"

Thesensationsofthosefewmomentswereveryvivid——theblindingbeatofthestorminmyface，theunbrokenfrontofhornedheadsbearingdownonme，resistlessasfate，thelongslantofrainwiththesunshininginthedistancebeyondit。

Abruptlythedownpourceased。Weshookourhatsfreeofwater，anddrovetheherdbacktothecuttinggroundsagain。