INTO THE WILDERNESS 19 



erty stricken in appearance. Down through the 

 little valley in which the village stands flows 

 Show Low Creek, whose waters are diverted to 

 irrigate the small surrounding ranches. Some 

 twenty years ago Show Low formed part of the 

 one-time extensive cattle ranch and range of 

 Cooley and Huning, and here the main ranch- 

 house was situated. The village and creek re- 

 ceived their names from a game of seven-up 

 played between the partners with the ranch as 

 the stake. Later I met Mr. Cooley, and he told 

 me the true story of this memorable game of 

 cards. 



"Huning and I were playing a game of seven- 

 up," said he, "to see who should make bread for 

 supper and wash the dishes, for we had no cook 

 at the time. We stood five to six in Huning's 

 favor. Seven, you know, is the game. Dia- 

 monds were trumps. On the last hand I drew 

 the ace and the tray. I banked on the deuce 

 being still in the deck, the ace counted one, and 

 if Huning didn't hold the deuce the tray was 

 low and the game was mine. 



" 'Make the game worth while,' says I. 'Let 

 it be ten thousand dollars or the ranch.' 



" 'It's a go,' said Huning. 



"I covered the center spot on my tray. 



Now,' said I, 'show low and it's yours.' 



<< i 



