The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-10-09
TOLD BY A COWBOY.
His Graphic Story of Life in the
Broad West.
The Deadly and Seductive "Loco"-A
Primitive Code of Honor-Taming
Wild Horses by Cruelty-"Tricks
of the Trade"

Not long ago exigencies, on which need
not dwell at length, drove me to the Far
West where hoped, after serving my ap-
premiership as a cowboy, to pass in time
to the managership of cattle-ranch
Late in February, 1SS-, found myself in
the sordid, reeking saloon of a small
prairie settlement, surrounded by motley
crew of bull-whackers. mule-skinners,
grangers, drummers, gamblers and cow
boys, the latter easily distinguishable by
their devil -maycare air and fantastic get
up. In these unwonted surroundings l am
not ashamed to confess that l was over
come by a feeling of complete isolation.
/ sat gloomily in quiet corner of the
saloon, yet could not but be keenly inter
ested in all that went on around me. A
strangers first impressions are of necessity
superficial. What passed through my
mind during those faint-hearted, regretful
moments is therefore perfectly immaterial;
whatever conclusions l came TO were in all
probability entirely wrong; subsequent
experience has effectually obliterated the
very memory of them. l was a fish out
of water.
"Whar's the boss of the Y outfit?" in
quires long, lank youngster with jingling
spurs, staggering up to the bartender,
who is busily engaged in Setting up
drinks" for group of men.
After prolonged stare and the usual
eXpectoration, he replies "What, Wash
Barton!"
'That'S So"
"Waal, guess he's round at the store.n
Now, Barton was the name of the fore
man of one of the large cattle-companies
of Texas, to whom the manager had pro-
vided me with a letter, and from whom l
hoped to obtain employment.
AS waited, somebody entered the saloon,
and was Immediately received on all hands
with salutations of "How-do, Wash!"
Looking up, l saw hard-bitten, thick-set
man of about five-and-thirty, at first
sight of somewhat forbidding aspect,
but in whose quiet demeanor and
rugged, weather-beaaten features n good
judge of character would soon detect hon
esty and courage, combined with a certain
stand-oH shyness not uncommon in men
whose lives are spent far away from their
fellow creatures.
81 reckon you want job as hand 2" he
CURLY remarked after had told him my
rigmarole. "Waall, and what can you
dol'
y can ride bit, think" somewhat
hesitatingly replied.
THAT amt much; but guess we can fix
you up with job that'l soon let you
know il you can ride or not. I've bought
a bunch of a hundred head of bronchos
down south of Rio Pecos, and can take you
rider. Anyhow, / shall pull for the horse
camp tomorrow, and l guess you'd better
get your fxings and help bring some of
our sick cow-ponies back to the ranch"
l closed at once, and for the rest of that
day / had busy time of it.
Every cowboy owns a private horse,
saddle and bride, for il he is thrown out
of employment far from any settle ment
or whilst hunting for work in the prairies,
mis- only means Of travelling is his horse;
besides these, his equipment consists of a
pair of chapareros Qleather overalis) gen
orally ornamented with fringes after the
manner Of the Indians. Add pair of Mex
lean spurs, the enormous rowels of which
are fitted with jingle-bObs if he be dude,
long slicker (waterproof coat, a six
shooter hanging from the cartridge-belt in
an open scabbard, Winchester saddle
gun and a very heavy, wids- brimmed felt
hat ornamented with leather hand or silver
Mexican roll. A couple of BLANKETS and
'buffalo-robe, or padded quilt and tarpaulin
covering serve as bedding; and last, but
not least, his trusty raw-hde laliat or
'hempsn rope without which he would in
deed 10 helpless, completes his outfit All