The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-03-24
GALES, gktttbes, 9nttOotes, &t.
MY FRIENDS, THE RATTLESNAKES.

1t sounds queer, don't it, to hear a man
call those reptiles friends and yet they
were once my friends, if the doing of
good to a man be friendship; and yet
have always very much doubted whether
doing good, when intending TO do evil,
can, strictly speaking, be called friendly.
Having delivered myself of this Bunsby>
ism, | will 60 on, and tell howl once
spent day among and with the snakes,
and what came of it.
1t was my luck, good many years ago,
and strange luck, too, that | should make
| an investment in Southwestern Texas
rancho l was living at Galveston at
the time, and having a few months time
on my hands, before returning North, l
made up my mind to see my new place,
and decide on what / would do with it.
l had sent down an old Texan ranger,
one of Jack Hays men, Ephraim Barnes
| by name, TO take charge of it, and it was
his favorable report of the place as adapt
ed as cattle rancho, that led me to wish
| to make personal inspection of it.
Therefore fitted myself out with every
thing in the shape of comforts for four
months stay, and set out to spend that
with old Ephraim, whom | had known
for number of years, and had hunted
with on almost every rod of ground worth
hunting Oh, in Northern and Eastern
Texas.
Those who have never been through
that country can hardly realize the mean
| ing of cattle ranche-a place owned by
an individual, and counted not by acres;
place that the owner must take smart
days ride to 60 around. My place was
of that description. 1t had been cattle
rancho, but since the death of the late
owner, had been given up to any one that
would take them, very few of the lazy
greasers or busy hunters in that region
considering them worth hunting down,
even as gift.
After few days survey of the place,
Ephraim Barnes and myself began to
think that it wouldn't be bad sport to go
after some of these stray cattle ourselves,
and fill u our time by taking what could
be taken. branding the best, and turning
them into certain fenced lots, making
hides and tallow of the balance, for all
unbranded cattle in that country ale, by
custom, public property, anyhow.
This was our occupation and pretty
closely we followed it up. 1t is with one
of these excursions that have especially
to do, and that led me into a close ac-
quaintance with my friends, the rattle
snakes. It was early in the morning,
not more than three miles away from my
house, and it must be known that there
was not another human dwelling within
eleven miles, when Ephraim and l sights
ed herd of about dozen. AS soon as
they saw US they separated, magnificent
bull and three cows going off northward,
and the rest almost in an opposite direc-
tion ] pointed to the bull, and shouted
to Barnes that would take him, while
he followed up the other lot, dashed off,
just hearing his parting admonltlon to be
'skeerful." The great beast threw his
head into the air, with wild, defiant
snort, that was quite as much as to say
| could not take him, and quickened his
pace as soon as he saw me coming. For
few miles l kept steadily on his track,
thinking to tire him, and arranging every
thing so as to be ready when it came TO
the encounter, for had determined If l
could not use the lariat to suit me, as |
was ew beginner in that line, to shoot
him, even though took nothing by it
bat his hide. Once or twice l could
have had my pick of the cows that ran
with him, but knew that could have
them at any time, and I,watched only
for my chance with the old gentleman
! himself.