OF A RANCHMAN 33 



when on foot, the hand is usually held by 

 the side, the loop dragging on the ground. 

 It is a pretty sight to see a man who knows 

 how, use the rope ; again and again an expert 

 will catch fifty animals by the leg without 

 making a misthrow. But unless practice is 

 begun very young it is hard to become really 

 proficient. 



Cutting out cattle, next to managing a 

 stampeded herd at night, is that part of the 

 cowboy's work needing the boldest and most 

 skilful horsemanship. A young heifer or 

 steer is very loath to leave the herd, always 

 tries to break back into it, can run like a deer, 

 and can dodge like a rabbit ; but a thorough 

 cattle pony enjoys the work as much as its 

 rider, and follows a beast like a four-footed 

 fate through every double and turn. The 

 ponies for the cutting-out or afternoon work 

 are small and quick ; those used for the cir- 

 cle-riding in the morning have need rather 

 to be strong and rangey. 



The work on a round-up is very hard, but 

 although the busiest it is also the pleasantest 



