1 6 HUNTING TRIPS 



some of the large outfits numbering them by 

 hundreds ; on my own ranch there are eighty. 

 Most of them are small, wiry beasts, not very 

 speedy, but with good bottom, and able to 

 pick up a living under the most adverse cir- 

 cumstances. There are usually a few large, 

 fine horses kept for the special use of the 

 ranchman or foremen. The best are those 

 from Oregon; most of them come from 

 Texas, and many are bought from the In- 

 dians. They are broken in a very rough 

 manner, and many are in consequence vi- 

 cious brutes, with the detestable habit of 

 bucking. Of this habit I have a perfect 

 dread, and, if I can help it, never get on 

 a confirmed bucker. The horse puts his 

 head down between his forefeet, arches 

 his back, and with stiff legs gives a 

 succession of jarring jumps, often " chang- 

 ing ends " as he does so. Even if a 

 man can keep his seat, the performance gives 

 him about as uncomfortable a shaking up as 

 can be imagined. 



The cattle rove free over the hills and prai- 



