Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-10


devious by scores and hundreds, the shouts Of
the riders mingling with the cries Of the
calves. the lowing Of cows aud the deep bel
lowing Of bulls.
In this way all the cattle from section Of
country eight or ten miles long and nearly as
wide are rounded up. II the grazing il espec-
tally good there will be many hundreds Cattle
OF all si1es. sses, shapes coiors and brands are
collected in one herd. which, however, 10 di-
vided into smaller punches for convenience in
| sorting.
WORKING THE HERD.
The roundup proper is the collecting Of
cattle in the manner described. "working the
herd or ''cutting OUT is separating the cattle
according to their brands after they have been
rounded up. This Is also exciting work and
very dangerous. testing to the utmost the
skill OF both horses and men. Two
his best assistants, enter the herd for the
purpose OF driving ont such cattle as may
be selected. The other riders surround the
herd. keeping the cattle from straying and
ready at any instant to take care of the COW or
steer which msy be driven out. Cattle are
social animals and do not like to be separated
from their companions. If the foreman selects
steer and attempts to drive him from
the herd he will run back and forth
among the other cattle until forced by
skIiifui riding to leave the herd for the open
field, where one of the outside riders drives
him away and holds him at some distance until
others are brought to keep him company.
Occasionally a steer objects to remaining here
and by his lodging and shying makes things
nveiy Tor the horsemen in his efforts to rejoin
the herd. At such times pursuing cowboy may
De hkened to dog chasing al agile cat over
| an open field. The cat suddenly stops or
abruptly changes her course and the dog slides
way by before he can recover himself Just SO
with the steer and horse. All good COW ponies
will turn as soon as they see any change in the
course OF the steer. and some will turn so
quickly in their anxiety to do what is re-
CURED of them that they lose their footing.
Even u this does not occur it is not an easy
thing to SIT horse who is running like the
wind In zig-zag course after an angry steer,
| and II, as once happened with the writer the
pursued turns about and becomes the pursuer
the situation OF the rider is no sinecure.
STEER ON THE RAMPAGE.
We had driven that particular steer for many
miles. The other cattle we're tired and willing
| to remain at a standstii and rest Not 30 with
this huge, long-legged, long-horned, ungainly
Iexan; and when halt was called he started
over the prairie at rapid gait In search Of
fresh fields and pastures green Being the
nearest rider / started after, mounted on nv
feetest horse. The steer was soon over
taken and partially headed off, when,
with snort. he suddenly turned. and.
with head down. made straight for my horse.
was conscious that those long slender horns
measuring several feet from tip to tip, would
make deep impression in either horse or man
flesh. and Imercilessly rammed my spurs into
the quivering TANKS of my beautiful Brownie
He plunged forward like bullet from a rifle.
The tip OF one horn grazed the side of my rid
ing boot as the angry animal rushed by, but
horse and rider were safe thanks to the quick
ness OF my steed. Had the horn been a few
inches closer and caught in my stirrup leather
the result would have been far different. The
aged Texan capitnlated when he found himself
suddenly surrounded by half dozen riders
and discreetly returned to the herd. Had he
not done SO those graceful horns would have
been utilized to hang lariats on, ropes would
have been about his legs and he would have
round himself on the ground in circumstances
not conducive to further resistance. The cow
boy is no bungier.
AN EXCITING OCCUPATION.
The sorting of cattle is continued until all
animals marked with the proper brands are
separated from the herd. Displays of fine
horsemanship are frequent, and from simple.
quiet, hard work the situation is liable at
any moment to become intensely exciting.
PROBABLY no other occupation demands more
nerve and pluck or 90 tests a mans quick
ness commou sense, or ability to be in the
right place, at the right time. An error is
sure to be followed by shouts of laughter and
derision. possibly few oaths. and the victim
is reminded of his break" for months after
ward.
Cattle belonging to other owners are driven
away and turned loose Those selected are
put with the cattle gathered during preceding
DAYS, Two men are left in their charge and
the rest go to camp for dinner. Horses used
In the morning are turned back into the horse
cavvy, having done all the work that will be
required OF them for several days. Each man
Is assigned a 'string" of eight horses for his
sole use. As rule he rides them in turn
Out Of the eight two. which are gentle and in
teiiigent, will be reserved for night horses;
two or moro are buckers and bad tempered;
one or two are excellent COW ponies, and the
others OF varying qualities.
Each rider furnishes his own riding outfit of
saddie, birdie, blanket, spurs, &c, extra. You
can't size up cowboy by his outfit. Some of
the best riders care the least for style, and use
old saddles, patched brides and spurs that are
not mates Such may be laughed at on account
OF their appearance. but their riding wins uni
versal respect. Other riders squander the
earnings OF months on fancy brides, orna-
mented saddles and silver-nounted bits and
spurs: frequently riders who sport fine horse
trappings care nothing for their own personal
appearance, though there are genuine cowboy
dudes who wear silver-spangled hats gaunt-
let gloves, pink shirts, variegated neckties,
corduroy pants, and even patent leather
boots. Usually the cowboy dude is a
tenderfoot who wants to be considered an
old ''cow puncher.' Sometimes, but seldom.
the native rider sports all this finery; the typi-
cal cowboy. however, is dressed up if he wears
good boots. hat and gloves, be the rest Of his
clothing what it may.
The cattle of the different owners run at
large on the prairie. Each owner has his
brand, which is legally registered. The object
OF the roundup is to brand the calves secure
distant cattle and turn them on the home
range and to get beef cattle for shipment. In
the spring and fall the different owners ioin
forces in one general roundup, lasting five or
six weeks. Eound-ups take place at ali seasons
OF the year, though rarely in winter. During
the cold months cattle receive little or no at.
tention, subsisting upon the native grass.
which, although dry. is very nutritious The
ground Is kept clean of snow by the wind,
and in case Of storm the cattle travel
with the wind SO long as the storm lasts.
Should they stray against some granger's
fence they will remain there until the storm is
over, the weak and Young ones suffering and
perhaps dying with the cold. This is the wnv
the fence Of the granger Injuries the cattle bust
ness.
BRANDING CALVES.
After dinner will occur another roundup
similar to that Of the morning, or the rest of
the day may be spent in branding calves. In
the latter case two men are selected as ropers.
who, mounted on horses, iasso the calves by
the hind legs, a feat of dexterity acquired only
by long practice, but as much OF q COWBOYS
education as horsemanship. Tho rider throws
the loop SO that one side Of it sharply hits the
ankles OF the calf, which usually gives a quick
kick backward, allowing the other side of the
loon to aide undQr a hoof The roma 70 H..