Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-03-11

SHARP Dacks and switching tails-it was
a olHcult thing to manage, an army
that skill alone could control. For
man or horse singly they had neither
respect nor fear; but a man on a horse
could rule them, provided there were
enough men on horses.
AS the hot summer days merged into
autumn, on rain came to start the grass
something unexampled in the his
tory or the ranch. Two or three times
the herders found it necessary to drive
the cattle several miles to water: but
the grass near the ranch house was
largest because through the earlier
part or the season the stock had been
kept at some distance from the home
headquarters.
1T seems like being outside of civil
| ization," said Aunt Serena. coming
home from her school one day, and
looking out over the vast plains on
which were feeding the excitable "long-
| horns"
Never mind" said Paul, who came
| In just then clad in his herder cos
tune; "if we don't have any bad luck,
and get the stock to market all right,
it'll take me into civilization I've Il
share in the herd, am. m going to col
| lege''
! Paul, indeed was growing exceeding
ly nervous over the cattles 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 a tiresome one it was.
Twice the herd broke into an awkward
trot, and it required all the herders
ingenuity and efforts to restrain it.
The cracking of stick, the call of
quail, the sudden starting Of jack
rabbit-nothing seemed too trivial for
the cattle in their present condition.
| Watch 'em mighty close, boys" vas
the chief herder's 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 anu she found the mile
| walk to the school house a wearisome
one.
81 shall dismiss school early this aft
ernoon," she remarked, on leaving
home "The children can't stand it to
keep such long hours. I've invited the
first reader class to 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.
II WISH" spoke the latter anxiously,
"that aunt wouldn't carry that bright
yellow parasol. I'm afraid it will make
us trouble some day"
NONSENSE" was the reply; 1--WE al
ways have the herd on mis- side of the
| range while she goes and comes. She
| can't be hurt"
"But the critters might stampede on
u.s.
whats going to make 'em? Be-
sides, it amt likely ~Aey'll go in that
direction, anyhow
But Theo did not know as much
about the ways of cattle as did his
older brother; nor was he animated by
the same personal interest in the herds
| welfare.
1t was three o'clock when the broth
ers met again.
"Say, Theo," were Paul's words as
he rode close to his companion, I'm
awful thirsty. I wish you'd ride over
to the house and bring out can of
water. The cattle are a little quieter
now, and I'll watch for both of us.
| Without word Theo was off, glad
of respite, and enjoying the brisk can
| ter to which he spurred his willing
| pony.
Nor did he lessen his pace on his re-
| turn. Racing swiftly along he ap-
preached Paul and the herd, carrying
! the can of water and thrilled by the
exercise of the half-mile ride.
AS he drew near the pony braced it
self for the sudden stopping; but be-
| fore the halt came there was an acct
dent. Into one of the numerous gopher
| holes, which dot the prairies Of the
west, went one of the horses forefeet.
In an instant Theo was hurled head
long from the deep-seated saddle and
went, as did the pony, rolling on the
| sod. The water can broke as it fell.
and the clink of it's smashing could be
| heard for long way.
Paul heard it and pressing the spur
| to his pony's flank, hurried toward the
victims of the mishap. But that Was
not all. Before Theo and his horse
had regained their feet, each bruised
and limping, every grazing steer had
| lifted it's branching horned head and
| was staring at the unwonted spectacle.
| Then as if moved by common i'm
pulse, every animal took a few steps
away. A loud below from some OF the
more powerful ones followed, and the
walk of the herd became trot. The
| alarm increased as they moved-the