The Forrest City times., 1890-07-05
BIG GAME IN THE TOLLS.


 One morning in September. while I was engaged in the survey of the Sierra La Sal, had ridden down toLa cattle camp few miles below us to deliver and got our mail. which was brought there ly special messenger Sitting on my horse in the shade of the cotton woods. was talking for moment with William Little. tho 'herd boss" Suddenly interrupting the account which he was giving me of the last Navajo attack. Little exclaimed. .Hallol thunder in the winter! how did that steer get up there?n He pointed up the valley, and to- ward the opposite side, where sol- itury animal seemed to be peacefully | grazing.
 Now the camp had been placed In that particular spot in order to restrain tho cattle from wandering up to the head of the valley. and straying into the foothills. The sides of the valley were so steep that the animals could not climb out. and the cowboys at each end formed living fence which kept them within bounds.
 A steer seldom strays far away from its fellows, and Little was very much surprised 10 see this one at least two miles from the nearest "bunch."
 '.Wonder if 'tant that ole lineback we got in that bunch from the May boysp He's such an unsociable crit ter, he's alluz a-strayin' of by himself Take n squint at i'm through your glass an see what he's like"
 Unslinging my field-glasses looked at the creature, then l handed them to Little and said; ''Sse if you think that looks like '.Old Line-baclx. He steadied the glass for moment and then he suddenly dropped it and called out: "A grizzly. by jingl We'll have some fun now. Bob. Charley! Kid! wake up. here's a grizzly" l Three cowboys, who were making late breakfast jumped up and came rushing out Catching sight of the bear they hurried to tho corral where I their horses were tied.
 they came out made picturesque group Of men.
 Just following Little, tue boss came ''rhe Kid" the youngest, and the pet of tho whole outfit" The rest took delight in his boyish jollity, and looked on with pride at his ha- | rum-scarum venturcsomeness lie l vas sixteen. Texas bora and bred. or. as he says, 'born in saddle and rig 1 iu corral;N he knew nothing but horses and cattle, and. like the ancient Persians. thought that liberal educa- 1 ton consisted in being able ito shoot 1 straight. or ride horse and tell the truth. 'i
 1 Then came "Broncho Bob" so called l from his ability to ride and conquer the worst buclSing broncho. Close to him was Jaybird Charley" who has received his name from his partiality for bright colors. and especially for his showy blue scaris and neckties
 They were dressed much alike, with broad brimmed white hats decorated with bullion fringe. blue shirts. with a handkerchief loosely knotted around ] their throats. aud pantiloons tucked into their topped boots. over which last. when riding. they wore thc Mexican calconeros or overalls made Of calt-skiu. and buckling loose- 1 lr around the leg. They all used the heavy bit tho high-pealed roomy saddle and the long. sharp-rowelled spurs of the Mexican vaquero They were rough aud boisterous. and given to horse-play and rude railery. save 1 Charley. who seemed to be of quieter ways than the rest, and was man ol some education.
 Where are your guns9" 1 asked, as they were about to start.
 Guns nothin'" said the Kid; here's whatil do the bars business for him" Ho whirlcd his lasso around his head.
 'lndeed.' answered. somewhat in- ctedulously. Il think you'll find there's u difference between grizzly and Texas steer
 Reckon there Is; but. just the same. we'll kctch the bar with these yer ratas and fetch him into camp alive." Honestly, do you intend to rope that beara.
 Right you are'' he shouted. as we dashed away to cut the bear of from the hills, from which he was distant about halt mile
 1 The big beast appeared not to see us until we were within 200 yards, when. with grunt of surprise, he left on digging bis afternoon lunch of crickets and iield-mice and shamhled toward the little ravine through which he had come down into the plain. ! This move brought him. quarterwise. in front of Little, who yelled to his horse and dashed at him. I, who am not cowboy, wisely decided that this was none of my business. and drew my horse up to an easy lope. content to watch the fun from distance. was amazed to sec with what rapidily the bear got ovsr the ground Little's pony was a particularly good one, but he did not gain moro than one yard in five on tho boar. which lum- bered along at gait that seemed very slow and awkward. and yet would have left tho swiftest sprint runner behind. But Little gained steadily. if slowly.