306 CRUISINGS IN THE CASCADES 



on the plains, who is willing to assume the title 

 of "cowboy," must be he who, although lie may 

 love all these luxuries, and may perhaps have been 

 accustomed to enjoy them, has in his nature enough 

 of romance, enough love for outdoor life, enough 

 love of sport, excitement, and adventure, enough 

 enthusiasm for the wild freedom of the frontier, to 

 be willing to deny himself all these luxuries and 

 to allow such pleasures as the ranch and range can 

 aiford, to compensate for them. 



The love of money can not enter largely into the 

 consideration of the question, for while the work is 

 often of the hardest kind a man can endure and the 

 hours of labor only limited by the men's power of 

 endurance, the wages usually paid are low. From 

 $25 to $35 a month is the average rate of wages for 

 all good men on the range except the foreman, who 

 commands from 60 to $75 a month, according to his 

 ability, the number of men he is to have charge of, 

 and the responsibility of his position generally. 

 Ambition to succeed to this dignity, or a desire to 

 learn the cattle-growing business with a view of 

 engaging in it on their own account, may induce 

 some boys to engage as herders, but the young man 

 who deliberately chooses this occupation is usually 

 one with a superabundance of vim, energy, and 

 enthusiasm; one who chafes under the restraints of 

 societ} 7 , who is bored and annoyed by the quiet hum- 

 drum life of the Eastern village, city, or farm house; 

 one who longs to go where he can breathe fresh air, 

 exercise his arms, legs, and lungs, if need be, without 

 disturbing the peace; one who, in short, requires, 

 more room to live in than his birthplace affords. 



