76 THE WILDERNESS HUNTER. 



" Then the bronc' began to pitch 



And I began to ride ; 

 He bucked me off a cut bank, 

 Hell ! I nearly died ! " 



sang Latigo from the other side of the herd. 

 A yell from the wagons told that the cook 

 was summoning the sleeping cow-punchers to 

 breakfast ; we were soon able to distinguish 

 their figures as they rolled out of their bed- 

 ding, wrapped and corded it into bundles, 

 and huddled sullenly round the little fires. 

 The horse wranglers were driving in the 

 saddle bands. All the cattle got on their feet 

 and started feeding. In a few minutes the 

 hasty breakfast at the wagons had evidently 

 been despatched for we could see the men 

 forming rope corrals into which the ponies 

 were driven ; then each men saddled, bridled, 

 and mounted his horse, two or three of the 

 half-broken beasts bucking, rearing, and 

 plunging frantically in the vain effort to un- 

 seat their riders. 



The two men who were first in the saddle 

 relieved Latigo and myself, and we immedi- 

 ately galloped to camp, shifted our saddles to 

 fresh animals, gulped down a cup or two of 

 hot coffee, and some pork, beans, and bread, 

 and rode to the spot where the others were 

 gathered, lolling loosely in their saddles, and 

 waiting for the round-up boss to assign them 

 their tasks. We were the last, and as soon 

 as we arrived the boss divided all into two 

 parties for the morning work, or " circle rid- 

 ing," whereby the cattle were to be gathered 

 for the round-up proper. Then, as the others 

 started, he turned to me and remarked : 



