WESTERN CATTLE LANDS. 335 



garments be replaced by new. This is the company in which, 

 at least till his house and premises be completed, he will have 

 to spend day and night, probably in an old log shanty that 

 is destitute of flooring, and consists only of a single room 

 12 feet by 14. 



In the process of hiring these charming associates the New- 

 ■comer will have to make his inquiries in the nearest town, 

 where he can quickly be introduced to a motley crew — ragged 

 and hungry, probably, but by no means even conciliatory 

 notwithstanding, whether recent arrivals in search of high 

 wages, or old habitues having just drunk out the final cent 

 •of their last job. " Let me make you acquainted with this 

 gentleman — a daisy with his axe, you bet," says the introducer, 

 ■who has probably arranged to " stand in " with the dissipated- 

 looking individual now proffering his assistance (not his services, 

 he it understood). Interrogatories as to capabilities are almost 

 ■unnecessary — for the answer probably convej^s little more than 

 ■scorn and pity that such questions should be asked. For 

 instance, " Has he been in the habit of putting up corrals or 

 wire fences?" Answer, "Some I guess. Eh, pard?" Thus 

 'Newcomer has to accept the recommendation of the go- 

 between, also the terms dictated, and next day sets off for 

 the ranche with his hired mates in his wagon — nor need his 

 patrician blood boil if he finds that before the end of their 

 journey he is addressed only by his Christian name, abbreviated, 

 if uncomfortably long, or likely enough adorned with some 

 playful prefix. But, to do the Working Man justice, he usually 

 possesses and exercises an immense power for methodical work ; 

 and will get through more, and harder, labour in a given time 

 than men of any other nationality I have seen. 



In the Far West (I am speaking now, and henceforth, more 

 particularly of Montana, the territory most recently settled up) 

 men when away from the towns and drinking saloons seem 

 seldom, if ever, to be ailing ; but, on the contrary, always able 

 to put out their utmost physical strength through lono- hours 

 without fatigue. If the party be large enough to warrant the 



