THE COMING OF THE CATTLE. 



[PUBLISHER'S NOTE. While the author of this volume was 

 writing the concluding paragraphs of the chapter entitled "The 

 Long Trail", he began, purely for his own mental diversion, a 

 Hiawathan imitation having as its motive the dramatic phases 

 of the expulsion and virtual extinction of the Indian tribes, the 

 buffalo and the countless other "children" of the western wilder- 

 ness that followed the general occupation of the ranges. The 

 first crushing reverses suffered by the cattle, the lessons learned 

 by the pioneer cattlemen through over-stocking and general lack 

 of foresight, and above all the re-formation of their lines under 

 the leadership of the hardy Hereford, supplied the material for 

 its elaboration. 



The real story is, of course, already concluded, and the author 

 naturally feels that none but himself can have any special interest 

 in "The Coming of the Cattle". The publishers do not assume 

 to pass upon the presence or absence of literary merit in the 

 composition. It was, as above indicated, not intended for publica- 

 tion. They do believe nevertheless that as an unconventional 

 portrayal of the Hereford's greatest achievement up to date, the 

 adherents of the great grazing breed may possibly wish to possess 

 the fanciful picture painted.] 



Ever as the evening shadows 



Deepen o'er the plains and prairies, 



Ever as the darkness gathers 



'Round the foot-hills and the mountains, 



In the fire-light there are phantoms, 



In the pine-trees mystic murmurs, 



Spirit voices calling ever 



From the land beyond the sun-set. 



There is moon-light on the mesa, 



Stars are shining o'er the sages, 



And the night-wind from the desert 



Bears upon its wings the wailing 



Of the red men in their lodges, 



Of the dwellers in the canons, 



Of the children of the vegas, 



Of the bison on the meadows, 



Of the grizzlies in the gulches, 



Of the wolves upon the barrens; 



And forever in the gloaming 



As the Great Bear watches o'er them 



Can be heard their plaintive story 



Of the peace upon the ranges, 



Of the fatness of the grazing, 



Of the plenty in the valleys, 



Of the shelter in the forest 



In the days before the coming 



Of the pale-face and the cattle. 



1080 



