Trail and Camp-Fire 



tions of the frontier are at variance with the 

 facts, there are several people registered in 

 the next world on Cherry's introduction. Ac- 

 cording to one of these stories, Cherry and a 

 number of trappers and cattlemen were gath- 

 ered at a ranch one winter evening exchang- 

 ing yarns, as was their wont, and everything 

 was peaceful and amicable enough until the 

 advent of a tough citizen from the foothills, 

 who came in just as Cherry was relating some 

 of his experiences, to which the newcomer 

 took most decided objections. Cherry stood 

 his abuse and ridicule as long as possible, and, 

 finally, when it became unbearable, resolved, 

 rather than have trouble, to leave, and was in 

 the act of mounting his horse when this bully, 

 who was of enormous size and strength, dealt 

 him a terrific blow on the head, which nearly 

 rendered him insensible. He then followed : 

 up this cowardly advantage with several more ' 

 of the same kind, after which he dragged 

 Cherry back to the house and threw him on 

 the floor, as an example of what others might 

 expect who incurred his displeasure. He had 

 made a very grave mistake, however, in giv- 

 ing Cherry this brief breathing spell, for it 

 enabled him to pull himself together and col- 



72 



