'LAW-ABIDINGNESS' IN THE SOUTH-WEST 211 



Let it be said at once that the old-timey 

 woman has improved, and that there was 

 room for improvement. 



We are informed by Eastern authorities 

 that the place of the original cowboy knows 

 him no more. Having in former days de- 

 picted Far Western life with the extreme of 

 exaggeration, they now hasten to cover up 

 their tracks with material distinguished rather 

 for redundance than accuracy. Meantime, 

 the cowboy still disports himself in our midst 

 when so disposed ; which, fortunately for us, 

 is not often. As a matter of fact, the ranchers 

 of New Mexico have small reason to fear 

 molestation, unless they mix themselves up 

 with what we call here * politics,' and the 

 man who thrusts his hands into that blazing 

 compound has no right to complain if he 

 gets burned fingers instead of raisins. 



The remark made occasionally by lonely 

 ranchers, to the effect that they abide in more 

 fear of white men than of Mexicans, is not, 

 however, without significance. The Bad Man 

 of the Far West, who from the earliest days 

 of American encroachment has been a potent 

 factor in hindering the progress of civilization, 



142 



