The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-12-04


cause existed on earth.
What's the matter with the cattle p
asked tenderfoot, as he galloped be.
side an old cowboy.
They've seen the devil, expect,
the cowboy replied; "and we will catch
II before we get through with this
thing"
As the herd rushed on their horns
ratified together. and all the horns OF
$4,000 head OF cattle rafting together
sounded like an immense concert OF
castanets.
Cattle are not able 10 sustain a long
run, and this the cowboys know. For
instance, a mad speed OF five miles Is
enough to break down almost any
steer; and the cattlemen knew how the
country lay beyond them, and in this
respect they had an advantage
The reinforcement OF the cowboys
who were of duty, and who had hastily
mounted and joined those on watch al
the time, gave them a strong advan-
tage in the efforts being made TO stop
the stampede. The plan was 10 get
the cattle TO milling" or running in
a circle. The elder Of the Wilson broth
ers had been a cowboy from childhood.
lie was riding a cream-coored stall
lion, and as he passed me he had his
Colts revolver in his hand. One of the
cowboys on a gray horse was able 10
keep up with him. These two distanced
all the others. They rode across the
front Of the stampede. which Is a feat
attended with terrific danger; for when
rider is in front Of the rushing drove
OF mad cattle, il his horse should STUN
bic and fall, he may be put down as a
thiQg Of the past. The herd will wipe
him OUT This Mr.. Wilson knew, and
the cowboy riding close to his crupper
also knew; but they were going TO
take all the dangers and get that herd
running in n circle il il were possible to
do so.
Some cattle can outrun others, and
in this case there was a bunch OF about
80 fully 20 yards in advance, and toward
this leading group the two rescucrs
rode. or the leading group. also, some
were faster than others, and this group
ran in diamond shape, with two inn
mense steers leading all. When Mr..
wilson and his companion reached the
two leading steers they began shoot
ing their reviewers close 10 them. and
in that way the bunch was made 10
! oblique, and as the leading bunch Of
cattle obliqued the main stampede OBJ
liqucd, and the first step in milling
had been taken. BY this time the cat
tie were getting tired. Nearly five
miles had been covered, and the breath
OF the leaders was coming short and
painfully; but they were rushing on,
because the front cattle at this time
knew as matter OF fact their only
safety was in keeping up the run.
Those behind were coming. and they
were in the majority, and the leaders
were compelled 10 run. There was real
danger for the forward members of the
stampede.
In the invoice OF articles contained
in the regulation outfit" there is al
ways some kind Of stimulants; and
but for the stimulants contained in Mr..
Wilson's outfit, it is possible that the
stampede would have been halted with
out disaster lie had Mexican along.
one OF the best cowboys in the south
west. This Mexican and his horse al
ways reminded those who saw him ride
OF the tabled centaur. He rode far for
ward ard bent over so that he and his
horse appeared TO be one animal. No
horse, however, rugged, wild and wool
ly,' had ever been able to unscat him
This Aztec had been 10 the little brandy
runlet too often, and had filled and
cmpticd his tin cup with surreptitious
iutoXicants, SO that his usual excellent
judgment went awry. When he sue.
cccded in getting mounted, after having
fumbled with his bride n good deal
he was far In The rear and the stampede
! had gone past him, so that when he
overlook the rear end he passed to the
front on the other side. and rode on
the wrong flank. When he reached the
! head OF the herd he was just In time 10
defeat the maneuyer then under eNecu.
ton of bending the moving mass from
a straight line 10 a semicircle. Re
yolycr in hand. disrcgarding the other
men, he began shooting in the faces OF
the wild steers; and the effect Of this
was TO straighten the run and bring the
advance straight toward n precipicc
This precipice was "A wash I'm the prairie
forming q deep rayine fully 30 yards
wide; and in n shorter slime than IL
takes 20 tell OF this contretemps the
head OF the column was pouring over, a
horrible cascade OF beef. plungiuP
madly into destruction while fleeing
from an imaginary danger. When Mr.
Wilson and his lieutcnants saw that il
was impossible TO save their cattle they
saved themselves by deXterously turn
ing at right angles at fun speed and
riding out OF the way. They next re-
turned TO the flank and held a council
OF war. A few seconds decided them,
and all hands commenced shooting into
the herd, the object now being 60 build
a brcast-work OF carcasses and save the