A RANCHMAN'S RECOLLECTIONS 



one's thumb distributed well over his body. He 

 carried long, sharp horns ; his back was on the order 

 of an Arkansas razorback hog. When it came to 

 jumping and weaving his body at the same time, the 

 "Speckled Yearlin' " was the limit. 



Nig sat straight for three jumps, began to wabble 

 in the fourth, and was on the ground at the fifth. 

 Still jumping, the yearlin' turned and made for him, 

 giving Nig only time by a scratch to climb up behind 

 one of the judges. 



The second day found "Little Boy" and Scandalous 

 with their heads together. "I know I kin ride him, 

 John, an' I sure want that prize money for my boots 

 an' my John B. They's all I'm needin' to be a real 

 cowboy." 



"Yes, I know," said John, "but we're needin' live 

 cowboys, an' I ain't feelin' right 'bout your tryin' thet 

 yearlin'. I'll hev to ask you to waive all blame fer 

 the company, an' if you do git hurt they'll be blamin' 

 me; but if you be bound to ride, us boys will pay the 

 forfeit, if you get throwed." 



Again on the second day the announcer waved his 

 hand for silence. "Folks, yesterday the best rider 

 and cowpuncher in Texas rode at the speckled year- 

 lin'. Today 'Little Boy' from Flat Top Mountain 

 Ranch says he's goin' to ride him. We hates to let 

 a little orphan boy go agin this here steer, but he sez 

 he ain't a-goin' to git hurt, an' if he does there ain't 

 anybody but him. The management hopes he wins. 



[234 J 



