Nov. 8, 1888.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



303 



expected as must have been the finding by the early 

 Spaniards in Mexico of a civilization as great as their 

 own. A rattling good company they were, too, who, 

 being temporarily "out of a date." and having nothing 

 else to do, had resolved to visit Apalachicola, and wake 

 that sleepy old place with some modern music. They 

 had been waiting for our boat all day long, and they 

 gave the most graphic pictures of the stupidness of the 

 town and the size of the mosquitoes. From this point 

 south, alligators are numerous, and Chattahoochee is 

 quite blessed with a great abundance of them. Some 

 time previous to our visit one huge fellow actually had 

 the audacity to come into the kitchen of the hotel, where 

 he was ignominiously slaughtered by the cook, though 

 greatly to the detriment of the furniture and cooking 

 utensils. This item should be copied by naturalists, as 

 proving the tremendous powers of digestion of the alli- 

 gator; any animal that, unprovoked, will attempt an 

 attack upon the kitchen of a west Florida hotel must 

 have the powers ascribed to goats and ostriches. 



Alex. M. Reynolds. 



TWO MONTHS A COWBOY. 



(Concluded from page, S8h.) 



ON the way to our next camp I stopped often to eat of 

 the wiid gooseberries; they abounded there and 

 were of a delicious flavor. The spruce trees, of which 

 there were also a great number, were bare of their bark 

 to a height of ten feet or more, a thing that struck me so 

 forcibly that I sought an explanation. Two were given. 

 One being, that in attempting to climb, the bears had torn 

 away the bark, and the other, that lumbermen had done 

 it to see if the trees were sound enough to be made into 

 lumber. The gum was gathered, and for want of chew- 

 ing tobacco the boys used it as a substitute until that deli- 

 cacy could be again obtained. Tobacco is to cowboys 

 their greatest luxury, and to obtain it they will ride miles. 

 Near our ranch, eighty miles away, one man was known 

 to buy it by the box, and to him for supplies the boys 

 rode from miles around. Every one chews out there, and 

 our cabin floor was the greatest trial of the cook's life, 

 until I procured a box, filled it with sand and placed it in 

 the middle of the floor, where it was a mark for all those 

 joining the family circle. Plug is the sort most met with, 

 fine cut catering to the Eastern taste, and when one rides up 

 to you and asks for a chew, should you deny him a taste, 

 having some about you, good-by to popularity, for gen- 

 erosity is a trait greatly admired* and appreciated by the 

 boys. Also should he cut away a piece from your plug 

 and put it in his pocket, say nothing, for he would ex- 

 pect the same of you. So, tob, those going from place to 

 place, night overtaking them when near a cabin, go in, 

 join the convei-sation, and when it comes time to "turn 

 in" roll themselves up in their own or borrowed blankets, 

 sleep till morning, and after breakfast move on, not 

 thanking you for your hospitality, taking it all as a mat- 

 ter of course, and expecting the same when you pass their 

 way. Some presuming on the custom abuse it, but they 

 in time reach the end of their rope, for giving them too 

 much they will hang themselves. 



A deserted cabin with only the chimney standing gave 

 the name to the neighborhood of our camp, the Lone 

 Chimney. The settler had selected a beautiful site for 

 his home, in the midst of a winding, green and watered 

 valley, encompassed by low summit timbered hills, 

 which sloped gradually down to the Platte River, there 

 a rushing rocky stream. 



We gathered round the fire, and thanks to the fertile 

 brain of one of the men, were held there, while he told an 

 interesting story, during which those who were noisy 

 were immediately sat on, in the literal sense of the word, 

 and held down until they promised to keep quiet. Old 

 songs were re-sung until those tiring of the repetitions 

 would start a cry of "rye straw," answering the same 

 purpose as "chestnuts" with us, which being joined in by 

 the rest, all chanting, would make an echo one could 

 hear go bounding down the valley from hill to hill, until 

 it was lost in darkness and distance. 



The morning drive was a long and hard one, nearly to 

 the Platte through Wagon Tongue Gulch and little rocky 

 canons. The feeding spots were few a,nd far between", 

 being only in the clearings, scattered amid that closely 

 timbered country. To chase a steer at a headlong gallop 

 through thick brush and a hilly country is not easy, as I 

 found, and others also, my horse being well nigh "petered 

 out" when time came to change. We ran into a bunch 

 of grouse and Sims killed a brace with his revolver. 

 Luckily for us the cattle did not take to that part any 

 more than we did, for the round up was a very small one 

 and we moved on that afternoon to Sims's pasture, our 

 last gathering and the place of disbandment. 



Many were the whispers and bunchings together on 

 that afternoon of which I at first thought nothing. But 

 at last my suspicions were aroused, and when one spoke 

 up, the most practical joker of the crowd, as well as the 

 kindest-hearted, and said, "Well, Tenderfoot, we have 

 let you off mighty easy so far, but you must now ride 

 one of these yearling heifers [wild as the country through 

 which they roamed] or pay the penalty," I was in a way 

 prepared. The penalty was not a desirable one, the pro- 

 cess being to strip me and daub my body over with black 

 wagon grease, which could not be easily removed, having 

 to wear off by constant application of water; and judg- 

 ing by themselves, this being a not by any means too 

 frequent occurrence, meant several months of darkened 

 skin. Seeing there was no alternative and debating 

 which of the two evils to accept, I chose the former, as I 

 knew were I successful so much more honor and at the 

 worst only some bruises and scratches, while by the latter 

 I would carry about with me marks of a different nature. 

 I expressed my decision, and riding forward Martin 

 selected the most frisky one in the herd, and having roped 

 her, held fast while the rest were driven on. I must 

 acknowledge I felt rather nervous, but strove to conceal 

 this weakness as I threw my bridle on the ground and 

 dismounted. One held the heifer's tail while I climbed on 

 to her back. Clasping both arms about the dear creature's 

 neck with a deathlike grip. I gave the word to pull off 

 the rope. No sooner did she feel free again than with a 

 bound, into the air which threw me on her side, she 

 started on a run to join the herd, bucking meanwhile. 

 I did not remain long to enjoy this rough motion, for 

 having gone some twenty yards I again found myself on 

 the ground, but this time face downward, and an acute 

 pain in my back where, as a parting reminder, the 

 yearling had placed her sharp hoof none too lightly, 



Hearing roars of laughter from my companions, I arose, 

 feeling very sore from several bruises and a stiff leg. 

 This I hid as best I could, walked to my horses, mounted 

 and tried to think it was a good joke and to laugh with 

 the rest. Tliey said that now to be a cowboy and a "bad 

 man" I bad only to ride up to one of them and say, "I'm 

 tough and don't give a — for anybody," and whipping 

 out your revolver to shoot him through the heart. This 

 as I give it is a true saying, word for word, but was of 

 course only meant to keep up the farce. I took it all in 

 good humor, for what else could I do? 



The next day, having rounded up Sims's pasture of ten 

 thousand acres, which was an easy task, for it was 

 partly fenced and held many together, by night we were 

 ten miles toward home. The ride that afternoon was 

 the most beautiful one we had. To our right as we jour- 

 neyed homeward stretched the Platte Valley many miles 

 in width, and midst the rolling hills the river made its 

 wandering course, going sometimes two miles, whereas 

 in a straight line it was only one. It really seemed to 

 make a platte of water, whence its most appropriate 

 name. On the other side of the valley rose the Rocky 

 Mountaius as a bleak and snowy background to the 

 Breckinridge Range. Prominent was Silver Heel Moun- 

 tain, at the foot of which is Fairplay and also Haystack 

 Mountains, the head of the gulch noted for its rich wash- 

 ing of gold and silver. The town of Leadville, under the 

 very streets of which veins of silver have been found, 

 was probably at the foot of some peak which I saw, but 

 knew it not. 



When the time came to turn to the left and enter a 

 ravine which led off toward the ranch, I stopped a mo- 

 ment to impress upon my memory the beautiful scene. I 

 watched the sun, as it gradually sank behind the rocky 

 baxrier, lighting up the Marshall Pass off toward the 

 south, and had I been close enough I could have seen the 

 glitter of its rays on the polished rails of that pretty Den- 

 ver and Rio Grande R. R., which uses that pass as a gate- 

 way to the Pacific Slope beyond. Buffalo Peak, still fur- 

 ther south across the Arkansas River, was pointed out to 

 me, and in its many "pockets" or hollows another herd of 

 wild horses find their home. The range of my view was 

 fully fifty miles, and in that clear atmosphere and mel- 

 low "light the outlook was grand and magnificent. 



Filled with such thoughts as the view gave me, it was 

 rather a shock to enter the camp, which was all bustle 

 amid the sulphurous air occasioned by curses, to do my 

 part in hobbling horses and chopping wood. 



By an accident (?) one of the boys the following morn- 

 ing broke a heifer's neck while playfully dragging her out 

 of a corral with his rope. "It is an ill wind that blows no 

 one good," and dividing the carcass we set off, having a 

 good stock of fresh meat on hand. They seldom kill for 

 ranch eating, while on the round-up a yearling would 

 only last two or three days, the men needing meat for 

 hard work. One of the calves gave out on the drive and 

 three of us staid behind, kindled a fire, and with a brand- 

 ing iron carried conveniently attached to the saddle, 

 branded her and again caught uffi Should no wood be 

 around to make a fire a knife is the branding instrument, 

 the skin being cut away in the shape of the brand. 



I had a good deal of trouble with an old white horse 

 which would not keep with the rest, so I had to lead him. 

 Once, when going through some timber I took in slack 

 rope to pass between two trees, but the horse I was lead- 

 ing attempted to pass on one side. This brought the rope 

 taut and the saddle to my horse's haunches, almost break- 

 ing the foreward cinch or girth, pulling him on his hind 

 feet. I managed to stick on until I could let out some 

 rope, having a half hitch around the pommel, and then 

 dismounting, fixed things up. Agate Gulch was like 

 home, and when we reached it the few more of the fifteen 

 miles from our last camping place were soon passed and 

 the cabin hove in sight. Our hearts were glad, and to 

 celebrate our return Joe made a choice dinner of fried 

 meat and bacon, corn, tomatoes, hominy, stewed prunes 

 and apples. What more could we want? The horses' 

 shoes were removed and the faithful beasts turned loose 

 in' a pasture of fine grass to get some flesh on their poor 

 bodies. 



Missouri Bill, the fellow who had staid at the ranch to 

 take care of things, was very glad to see us, for the pro- 

 visions were running low and he wanted some one to go 

 with him to the railroad and bring up a consignment of 

 canned goods, bacon, oats, butter and lard. 



My assistance I readily offered ; we brought in a team 

 of mules, put in the wagon our blankets and provisions, 

 and were off early the next morning, I got a shot at 

 some antelope, but they were 300yds. off and running 

 like the wind; so, naturally, I missed. There being no 

 special hurry, as it was a two-days' trip, we reached the 

 station about sundown, but pushed on to Haver's Meadow, 

 where we picketed the mules. 



I caught a couple of trout in a stream made by the Buf- 

 falo Springs, dressed and ate them for supper. It was 

 raining, so stretching a piece of canvas, which was to 

 have been our mattress, over the wagon bed from side to 

 side, curled up underneath on the soft ash boards and fell 

 asleep. The bright sun woke us in the early morning, 

 and while Missouri Bill made the fire I caught some fish, 

 which I saved for lunch, having first washed them in a 

 convenient salt spring. Our neighbor was on a like 

 errand to the railroad, so by helping each other the 

 wagons were soon loaded. Ours was a large load, 

 2,5001bs. ; but who ever saw a Studebaker Bros.' wagon 

 which would not carry all you put on? 



Bill fell asleep and I took the reins. A stream about a 

 foot wide had to be crossed to our lunching ground, and 

 when reaching it I touched up the mules, hoping to go 

 over quickly and easily. The wagon got stuck, and Mis- 

 souri awoke to find himself on the ground under the 

 mules' feet, where the shock had tlu - own him. You 

 should have seen him crawl out. Repeated efforts failed 

 to budge the wagon, so we hitched Muloch's horses to the 

 wagon pole, and as this did not work, we were obliged to 

 unload before we got over. 



After lunch we separated from Muloch and soon came 

 to a hill such as are found all over the plains. When 

 half way up the mules balked, refusing to pull at all. 

 So I jumped, down and blocked the wheels. After rest- 

 ing a whde we touched up the beasts, but they would not 

 move, nor did all the known ways of starting mules 

 besides one invented on the spot of tying head and tail 

 together and whipping them round in a circle, succeed. 



"Well," said Bill, "you take one mule and I the other 

 and go to Pea Springs. Get your coffeepot full of water, 

 while I go on to the ranch and get a couple of horses." 



No sooner said than done. It was a comical sight when, 

 after going twenty rods, Missouri's mule's heels went up 

 and he over her head. Fortunately he was not hurt , and 

 picking himself up he said: "I think it would be safer 

 did we. change mules, as I have a long way to go." The 

 exchange was made, but I was not tired and walked the 

 two miles. It gave me an appetite, which was bareiy 

 satisfied with what was left of the biscuits and coffee. I 

 ground the coffee in a cloth on the wheel tire with the 

 butt of my pistol. 



It was late, so with one of the mules' collars for a pil- 

 low, I lay down under the wagon , and with a rifle by my 

 side and a pistol under my pillow, fell asleep, feeling 

 rather lonely out there on the prairie. At midnight I 

 was awakened by a sound of hoofs clattering on the 

 stony ground, and rising quickly soon distinguished Bill 

 with the horses, for it was moonlight. He being tired 

 we deferred moving until daylight, and stretching out 

 went to sleep again. 



I woke first and saw, not oOf t. away, a coyote feeding 

 on a jack rabbit killed the night before. Quietly arous- 

 ing my companion, he being the best shot, I put a cocked 

 pistol into his hand. Maybe it was because he was not 

 qtiite awake, but he missed and away went the swift 

 prairie wolf. 



We reached the ranch about noon. The 15th was Sun- 

 day, and more like such a day should be than any I had 

 spent since being in the State. I spent the afternoon 

 picking wild strawberries and raspberries, of which there 

 were plenty. Strange, was it not, that I should gather 

 berries in August, but most persons relish fruits out of 

 season and I am no exception. 



Monday morning I left the ranch and started for Salida. 

 leading a horse for my brother, whom I was to meet, he 

 also being on a trip of exploration. Taking with me 

 only such money as would be needed for a day, it ran out 

 very soon, as the train was delayed several days by wash- 

 outs, and I was obliged to change quarters from the 

 pleasant Monte Christo Hotel to a lodging house, where I 

 slept, or rather did not sleep at all one night. 



The ride back to the ranch was a hard one for a sick 

 person, and I was obliged to lie down several times ; but 

 when the pasture was reached I "spruced up" and felt 

 all right. My brother only stayed one day, not liking it 

 as much as I did. I hated to see him go, and feeling 

 lonely, rode up in the timber as far as I could, to the 

 mountain's bluff, 11,000ft. high. An outfit passed us 

 going to Buffalo Peak to run down some of the wild 

 horses. 



I only went to the post-office twice, a ride of eighteen 

 miles, losing myself once on Old Sway who bucked 

 around the yard, much to the amusement of the boys, 

 who swore he was as gentle as a lamb. The other time 

 I had better directions and made the trip in less than 

 five hours. My shirts were all ragged and torn, for upon 

 the first day I wore one a boy while examining it said : 

 "Is it strong stuff?" proving it was not by teaming the 

 sleeve out. 



On Aug. 28 I took my last ride in the neigborhood. 

 Starting at 8 A, M. with directions to a neighbor's, I rode 

 until noon, delivered one note, then moved on ten miles 

 and delivered another. It was late in the afternoon and 

 I was asked to stay over night, but said no, as I thought 

 I could make home by dark. 



AH the country had a familiar look, for Black Moun- 

 tain stood out as a landmark from miles around. I rode 

 and. rode, first a walk, then a trot, until I thought I was 

 in about the place to cross the trail. No trail appeared, 

 however, and as night was falling fast I rode on top of a 

 commanding hill, where I got my direction and proceeded 

 onward. Just as darkness closed down I found the trail, 

 and giving my horse loose rein let him find the way. 

 This he did, bringing me to the ranch at 9 o'clock, after a 

 long, tiresome fifty-mile ride. 



Sunday night I put a horse in the corral, and tied on 

 behind my saddle what remained of my clothes, having 

 sent my trunk to town a week before by "Billy the Kid," 

 who was up with a wagon; bade all the boys good-by, 

 and turned in. I was off at 2:30 next morning. It was 

 bitter cold, the ground was covered with hoary frost, and 

 my fingers were so numb that I had great difficulty in 

 buckling on the saddle. It was dark, and, as on two 

 nights before, I hung the reins on the pommel and let the 

 horse take his gait and way. After I had gone eight 

 miles the sun rose and shed light and warmth about me. 

 I gave him a hearty welcome, rubbing my cold hands in 

 his warm rays. My cowboy days were over, and it was 

 not without regret that I left the boys, the ranch, and all 

 the many healthy pleasures that I had had . It was an 

 experience I thoroughly enjoyed, and as the train took 

 me away at noon that day I wished I was back. 



G. F. Blandy. 

 New Yokk. 



"We used to have a 'coon' living with us," continued the 

 hunter, "who swore he'd never shot a duck, yet he would go 

 out in the morning and come back in the evening with as 

 big a bag as both of us. It was a mystery how he got them. 

 My partner thought he was a duck charmer, but my experi- 

 ence had taught me that there ain't nothin' can charm a. 

 duck 'cept a good load of No. 4 shot. That thing bothered 

 us a good bit, and we determined one day, toward the close 

 of the season, to track the man and see how he done it. He 

 started about 4 o'clock in the morning, and before he was 

 out of sight, we were following. There's a little creek makes 

 up in the shore 'bout a mile and a half from here, and it was 

 toward this he led us. Fearing that he would see us we 

 took a round-about path, and hid in a clump of trees bor- 

 derin' on the creek. The coon wasn't in sight, and we were 

 about to move on, when my pard touched me oa the shoul- 

 der and whispered 'Look thar.' Not more than seventy-five 

 yards from the shore there was as fine a bunch of gray mal- 

 lard as you ever sot your eyes upon. There was a rustle in 

 the bushes across the creek to our right, and looking over I 

 saw the funniest sight in all my life. There was our man 

 stark naked, with a big pumpkin hollowed out over his 

 head. We were guessing what he was going to do, when he 

 stepped into the water and waded out. It looked like a 

 pumpkin adrift. One old sentinel on the edge shied when 

 he saw it and quacked a little, but it looked so harmless 

 he soon got over his fright and swam close up to it. He 

 didn't go no further, 'cause he was snatched by the legs and 

 hauled under. The rest of the flock thought'he had dived, 

 and upward of a dozen were snatched, when we burst into a 

 roar and the flock took wing. That's the greatest duck story 

 I ever heard of, and if I hadn't a seen it I would't have be- 

 lieved it." When the hunter finished his yarn his partner, 

 who sat by puffing an old pipe, smiled grimly as he de- 

 scribed the disgusted look the colored man wore when he 

 removed his pumpkin hesid,— Washington (D. C.) Everting 

 Star, 



