The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-06-27
BIG GAME IN THE TOLLS,

and get our mail, which WAS brought
there by special messenger. Sitting
on my horse in the shade of the cotton
woods. ] was talking for u moment
with William Little. the ''hcrd boss. "
Suddenly interrupting the account
which he was giving me OF the las,
Navajo attack. Little exclaimed,
Halo. thun'lcr in the winter! how
did that steer get up thcrc?H
He pointed uo the valley, and to-
ward the opposite side. where sol.
itary animal seemed to be peacefully
grazing.
Now the camp had been placed in
that particular spot in order to restrain
the cattle from wandering up to the
head OF the vailry. aud stray;ny into
the foothills. The sides OF the valley
were 30 steep that the animals could
not climb out. ana the cowboys Il,
leach end formed Il living fence which
kept them within bounds
\ stee: seldom struys far away from
its fellows. and Little was very much
surprised 10 see this one 1T least two
miles FROM ;hr nearest "bunch."
Wonder II 'tant tha, ole linchacl;
we got in that bunch from the May
boys? He's such an uusociable crit
ter. he's alluz a-strayin' oil by himself
Take Il squin, 1T i'm through your
glass an see what he's like"
tnslinsiny my tield-gl.,sscs looked
at the creature, then handed them
to Little AMI said: "S.e it yon ,hius
that looks like lola Linc-back.
lie steadied the glass for momcn,
and then he suddenly dropped it aal
called out: "A grizzly, by jing: We II
have some fun nov. Bob. Charley.
Kid! wake up. here's grizzly"
Three cowboys. who We're making !,
late breakfast. jumped up and camt
rushing out. Coaching sight of the
bear they hurried To the corral wher,
their horses We're tiel.
These rough and ready riders, a.
they came out made Il picturesqn,
group OF men.
Just following Little. the ..bo,; =.
came "lhc Kid" the youngest. an,
the pet of the whole "out:itH in,
rest took delight in his boyish jo,ity.
and looked on with pride at hi, ha-
rum-scarum venturesomeneSs. H..
was sixteen. Texas born and bred. or,
us he says. ''born in II saddle aud ri.
in Il corral;" he knew nothing bu
horses and cattle, and. like the ancien
Persians, thought that alibcral cGuca
tion consisted in being able "to shoe,
straight. or ride u horse and tell ,ht
truth
Thenrame "Bsoncho Bob" so called
from his ability to ride and conquer
the worst buckins broncho Close ,c
him was jay bird Charley" who ha,
ieceivcd his name from his partiality
for bright co!ors. and especially for
his showy blue scarfs and neck ties.
They were dressed much alike. with
broad brlmmcd white hats decorated
with bullion fringe. blue shirts. with Il
handkerchief loosely knol,cd around
their throats, aud pant .looA, tucked
into their hish-toppel boots. oser
which last. when riding. they wore
the Mexican c,lcourros or uvcrails
made OF cali-skin, and buchlius loose
lr around the leg. They all used the
heavy bit. the hish-peakci roomy
saddle. and the long. sharp-rowci!c,l
spurs OF the Mexican vtuuAro. They
were rough and boisterous. anl given
to horse-play and r,ldr railcry. say.
Charley. vino seemed to be of quiclcr
ways than the rest. and was Il man OF
some education.
Where are Your guns" asked. as
they We're about to start.
Gums nothin'.'' said the Kid:
"here's whatil do the bars business
for him. lie whirled his lu.so around
his head.
Indeed" answered., somewhat in-
credulou,ly. Il think you'll find
there's a difference between :. grizzly
and Texas steer"
''ltcckon there is: but. just the same
We'll kctch the bar with these yer
riatas. and fetch him into camp alive"
Honestly. do you intend to rope
tina, bear"
Right you are he shouted, rs we
dashed away to eat the bear OH from
the hills. from which he was distant
about halt Il mile
The bis beast appeared not to see us
until We were within 200 yards. when.
with Il grunt OF surprise. he left olr
digging his afternoon lunch of crc!iets
and iicld-mice and shamblcl toward
the little rAvine through which he hli
come down into the plain.
This move brought him. quar,erwise,
in front OF Little. who yelled to hi,
horse and dashed at him. |. who am
not a cowboy, wisely decided that this
was none OF my business. and drew my
horse up to all easy lope, content to
watch the fun from distance.
| was amazed to SEQ with what
rapidly the bear got over the ground
Litt.c's pony was Il particularly good
one. but he did not gain more than one
yard in five on the bear. which lum-
bercd along at gait that seemed very
slow and awkward. and yet would have
left the swiftest sprint runner behind.
But Little gained steadily. il slowly,
and presently saw the loop of the
lasso circle around his head. gaining
speed with every revolution. till it shot
out in front, the snaky coils strai ghten-
ing out as it tew. and the loop round
as rrel-hoop. settling lightly over
the bears head.
Well cast, Little Billy we'll cast.
Sixty feet. II an inch. and not i've feet
left in coil. The trained pony stopped
as il turned to stone, made IL quarter
wheel. and. sinking back upon his
haun ches, braced himself for the COM
ing shock.
But the lasso was old. and had seen
too many years OF faithful service; and
as the weight OF the lunging beast
came on it. it quivered moment, and
then snapped close to the loop. and
the loose end whizzed back.
Hardly hid Little gathered up the