The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1897-04-10


looking out over the vast plains o.
which were feeding the excitable long
horns
Never mind, said Paul, who came
la lust then clad in his herder cos
tune II we don't have any bad luck
and get the stock to market all right
- ltu take me into civilization. I've a
share in the herd, ant m going to col
lege."
Paul, indeed was growing exceeding
ly nervous over the cattle's condition,
A few weeks longer of short feed would,
he feared. make them unstable at the
high price on which he had counted,
The next day there was another drive
to water and tiresome one it was.
Twice the herd broke into an awkward
trot, and il required all the herders
ingenuity and efforts to restrain it.
The cracking Of a stick, the call OF a
quail, the sudden starting of a jack
rabbit-nothing seemed too trivial fer
the cattle in their present condition.
Watch EN- mighty close, boys, vas
the chief herders orders, when, after
much difficulty all were safely re-
turned to the "house range as the
feeding grounds near the home were
called.
And they were watched close All
day an endless procession of herders
rode round and round the restless crea- !
lures, turning back the stragglers.
On the second day the atmosphere .
seemed more oppressive than in weeks.
1t was headache weather" according
to Aunt Serena, ana she found the mile
walk to the school house a wearisome
one
Il shall dismiss school early this aft
ernoon, she remarked, on leaving
home The children cant stand it 10
keep such long hours. I've invited the
first reader class 10 come to tea with
me. There are eight of them.
Theo and Paul saw their aunt as she
walked slowly through the close pas
tured bunch grass, far on the opposite
side Of the ranch house
u wish, spoke the latter anxiously.
that aunt wouldn't carry that bright I
yellow parasol. I'm afraid it will make I
us trouble some day"
Nonsense" was the reply; we al s
ways have the herd on mis- side of the
range while she goes and comes. She
cant be hurt |
But the critters might stampede on
us. Y
What's going to make EN-? Be I
sides, it amt likely .Hey'n go in that a
direction anyhow" s
But Theo did not know as much
about the ways Of cattle as did his r
older brother; nor was he animated by L
he same personal interest in the herds c.
welfare. II
It was three O'Clock when the BROTH Il
ers met again. a
Say, Theo, were Paul's words rs t
le rode close to his companion. I'm p
lwful thirsty I wish you'd ride over Il
o the house and bring out a can uf b,
water. The cattle are a little quietor tc
low, and I'll watch for both Of US" Il
Without word Theo was off glad in
# respite, and enjoying the brisk can III
er to which he spurred his willing pt
'ony N
Nor did he lessen his pace on his re- 60
urn Racing swiftly along he ap- pi
reached Paul and the herd, carrying tn
he can of water and thrilled by the tn
Xercise Of the half-mile ride. he
As he drew near the pony braced it. th
elf for the sudden stopping; but be- al
1re the halt came there was an acct
ent. Into one Of the numerous gopher "
oIes, which dot the prairies of the ca
'est, went one of the horses forefeet.
In an instant Theo was hurled head
ing from the deep-seated saddle and 10,
emit as did the pony, rolling on the rel
3D. The water can broke as it fell. in,
nd the clink of its smashing could be
card for long way. sb
Paul heard it and, pressing the solr Pa
his pony's flank, hurried toward tie oil
ctims of the mishap. But that was tie
lt all Before Theo and his horse L.,
I'd regained their feet, each bruised las
I'd limping, every grazing steer had ha
fled its branching horned head aaa sal
as staring at the unwonted spectacle.
hen as if moved by a common i'm.
Use, every animal took a few steps n
'ay. a loud below from some Of the -,,r
ore powerful ones followed, and the oct.
nix of the herd became a trot. The -,
arm increased as they moyed-the 10
1t was a canter-the canter a run. Cit
d by the time Paul had returned from No
5pecting the fallen boy and horse the tan
eaded stampede was in progress. IL,
The young mans face grew white d.
en- through the generous coat Of SUI ~
IN, as he tercely urged his pony for In,
I'd Other herders were likewise rid '' p"
3 fast, but the mass Of horns and nj
Try backs was like an avalanche. bar
lnging ahead regardless OF what was il ~
fore, blind to any danger, to all in car,
It's an unreasoning, insane mob. No.
The herd was headed toward the Ioo
lch house and would go near it. for,
n on across the path leading TO tho tba
ool. II all passed through Paul's iaa
nd in an instant, and, mingling with mi,
thought Of injury to the cattle. was o,.i,
t Of danger to the school children or I'm
ir teacher, The ranch house hid Oh
view Of the familiar path at first; 1on
as he pushed ahead in a frantic T. Il,
e Of being able to turn the leaders. roat
whom he was rapidly gaining, it was ri5o
y revealed. go
iidway between house and school waite
sotly in the course of the now in -