Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-04-04
LOADING A CATTLE SHIP.
A CIRCUS LIKELY TO FORM PART
OF THE PROCEEDING.
Wild Cattle That VIII Do Anything
Except Go on Board-Occasiona
Chases in the Water.

lection to th process, the gangplank
being almost level. The remainder of
the herd were to be accommodated on
the steamers upper deck, to be
"saloon passengers" as one of the
ocean drovers remarked, and getting
them up into their elevated quarters
was the topic under consideration.
The steep ascent being pronounced
impracticable, and other gangways
with which it was proposed to reduce
the grade being condemned as too
weak, the upper end of the gangway
was lowered with ropes some distance
below the deck, SO that it was at an
angle of about forty-fve degrees.
High board sides were affixed to pre-
vent the cattle from jumping over
board, and up this steep incline the
cattle were forced, reaching tho deck
by jump from the end of the gang
way. There was much protest in the
way of believing.
Two monstrous bullocks, one dark
red with o broken horn, the other
dapplod with white. were first to ar
rive at the end of the gangway. They
looked up anxiously, and then turned
as If seeking some way of escape, but
their companions were crowding thick
behind them, and on either side COW
boys stood urging them on with ad-
monishing blows and shouts. In spite
of themselves they were forced short
distance up the gangplank, but there
they hesitated, and no amount of urg-
ing and jabbing with long poles could
induce them to climb further. Their
eyes had the desperate, hunted look of
wild creatures at bay. Thespotted white
bullock advanced step or SO ahead of
his companion. A cowboy, young
and vigorous, whose overcoat had lost
nearly all of its outside glory from re-
peated exploits amid such scenes, took
advantage of this amiable disposition
on the steers part to give his tail q
twist. This device caused the huge
creature to advance few steps high
er. The bullock with the broken horn
stood rooted to the spot. He lifted
his head and looked over the side of
gangway as if contemplating a leap
overheard. Then he turned and
looked back, and seemed determined
to do anything rather than climb to
those unknown regions above. One
OF the steamers crew put some hay
temptingly at the top of the passage.
The cowboy tweaked again at his vic
TINS tail, the others shouted like
madmen and waved their long poles,
and the spotted white steer sprang
forward in desperation and almost
gained the top of the gangway. The
long poles were dug into his painting
sides. He made a mighty effort and
grabbed mouthful of the hay. More
blows, more cheers, and, after pausing
irresolutely for another moment, he
made the final leap up onto the dock.
In the meantime no amount of coax
ing, poking or pushing could induce
the red steer TO stir. Again and
again he looked over into the water as
if meditating leap. The prowess of
his companion only seemed to con-
vince him of the impossibility of his
doing likewise. He glanced around
in terror, then, undeterred by the
crowding horns at the foot of the pas
sage, he turned in some indescribable
way, though the space seemed much
too narrow for him, and dashed down
among his companions to seek his old
quarters.
The men let him go and devoted
their attention to the others. Now
that one steer had scrambled up the
steep incline it was not so difficult to
persuade the rest TO follow his exam
pie, particularly with fresh wisps of
hay as inducements. Some proved
intractable, and, after scrambling
partly up the gangway, retraced their
steps, and created panic among their
fellows waiting at the foot. The cow
boys did not permit these to have
their own way, as did the red steer
They seized them by the horns and
forced them to turn and again essay
the difficult passage. The red checked
cowboy, whose tattered coat attested
his valor, was particularly efficient in
managing the rebellious spirits among
the herd.
''That's Dave Ericsson. He's q
rare hand with the CATTLE" COM
mented the Captain. "One night,
when we were loading further up the
river, and had particularly wild lot
of Colorados to deal with, two bull
locks jumped overheard. Quick as a
flash, Dave was over after them. He
straddled the back of the nearest one,
got hold of his horns, used them as u
rudder, and steered that steer exactly
where he wanted him to go. We got
them both back, and it was pitch
dark night, too"
"Cattle swim well, don't they p"
asked the reporter.
''Swim splendidly. If the weather
if hot and they happen to be thirsty
they would just us lief jump over
board as not. They're not us silly as
sheep, though. When we're loading
sheep, if one jumps over into the
water the whole business follow,
whether they want to or not. That's
their nature"
"Are the cattle ever seasick when
there's heavy sea on?" asked the re-