The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-05-03
Young Folks.
FROM the Rancho to the Cars.
81. Nicholas.

The collecting and asserting of the herds
for the drive Northward on the fenced
ranches in the settled portions Of the State,
are easily accomplished but in the grazing
regions further west, where the cattle roam
without limit this work is both difficult and
perlous The cattle in these remote re-
gions are mostly bought by a class of bold,
daring men, of long experience on the from
tier known as "out riders" who buy and
collect the cattle from the stock raiser, and
sell thom to the spectators from the north.
The outrider fills his saddle bags and
most likely a belt which he wears around
his waist, with gold coin to the amount of
tens of thousands of dollars, for in the sec
tion of country he visits there are no banks ;
and, taking few trusty companions, all
well mounted and armed, sets out on his
long journey beset by constant danger from
lurking Indians and white outlaws who in
fest this wild country.
The stock grower who has lived remote
from the settlements, perhaps seeing no hu-
man being except the owner of a neighbor-
ing rancho for year, looks upon the "out-
riders visit as an event in his existence.
He is most hospitable host, and for sew
eral days after his guests arrival no bust.
ness is thought of, and season of feasting
riding and hunting is observed When this
is over they begin their negotiations.
i, Il
idea of their condition, but the cattle are
not carefully counted and weighed as !stock
is in the North. The herds are simply sold
"as they run" That is, the owner looks
through his book to see how many cattle he
has branded, and the "outrider" pays him
so much for his brand, which entities the
buyer to all the cattle that he. can find in
securing the prairies, which bear the pur-
chased mark.
There is considerable sport and great
deal of hard. rough riding in getting the
wild herds together and asserting them. It
is in this work that the splendid horseman-
ship and wonderful skill with the lasso or
lariat, of which so much has been written,
are displayed by the Texas herder.
In few days everything is in readiness,
and the herds are started on their long
Northern march.
A route is selected which affords the best
pastureage, and is most convenient to the
sr-ams, as it is essential that the cattle
should reach the end of the drive in prime
condition far the m arl,at
There are few incidents to enliveu the
wearisome weeks that follow. The herds
browze leisurely along from six to ten miles
a day, following the winding courses of the
creeks and rivers, the herders following la
zily after to keep them in the general di.
rection northward.
For days and days human habiations are
lost sight Of, and the drovers and riders are
alone in the midst of the great grassy ocean.
Not quite alone, either-I came near forget
ting that bright and cheerful companion of
the drove, the cow-bird, n brown little fell
low about the size of the well.known chip
ping sparrow, or "chippy,' as the boys call
him.
Fitting along on the outskirts of the
drove, one moment fitting gleefully on a
tall, swayng weed the next perching sauci.
ly on the tip d steers horns, perhaps at
night rOosting compacenty on his back,
the cow-bird goes through the long journey
from the Texas plains to the Kansas rail-
road station, whence the cattle are shipped
10 the east. Whether the little fellows re-
turn to Texas to accompany the next herd,
or die OF grief at separation IRON their long
horned friends, | cannot say but / think
they must 60 back, for their cheerful pres
ence is never missed, and their number new.
er grows less,
Although, as | have said there are few
incidents to interrupt the monotony of the
drive, the cattle-men sometimes meet with
thrilling experiences. In former years In
dian attacks were not inirequent and ma
ny brave band OF herders has been sur
rounded and killed by the sayages whose
hunting grounds were encroached upon by
the droyes. There is always danger, too
of stampedes in the herds, caused either by
the terrific thunder storms and tornadoe.
which burst upon the great plains without
warning, or by the cattle thieves, band,
of white, Indians, or half breed outlaws
who live by stealing stray cattle from tn,
herds, and sell them or kill them for the
hides. Having in his early life encountered
one or more of the devastating prairie fire
which sweep over the great, dry pastures al
most every fall, Che slightest smell of smok
or sight of flames will pMnge the steer int,
panic of fright, and this well.known cir
cumstance is turned to advantage by th,
cattle thieves in securing their plunder.
Getting some distance to windward of
herd on a dark night, the rogues set fire t,
buffalo robe, and the pungent smoke o
the burning hair is borne down upon the re
posing cattle by the wind. The first Will
gives the alarm, ten thousand pairs of horn
are reared aloft 10 air, and one united snor
of terror Is heard. Before the herders car
mount their horses and check the panic th
herd is past control, aud the maddened az,
terrified animals, trampling one another an,
whatever comes in their way under foot
dash frantieally off in the darkness with
noise like the roll of distant thunder The,
scatter beyond hope Of recovery. In tn,
confusion following upon .the heels of th,
stampede the thieves succeed in driving oi
scores and sometimes hundreds of the strag