The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-30
CROSSING THE RIVER.
Tho Dinicuit work or Driving 5000 Cattle
from Mexico TO the United states.

~ t"t ~ ANAho
EAGLE PASS, Tex, May 13.-Something near
1000 cattle crossed the Rio Grande at Eagle
Pass on Wednesday OF this week. They were
from a ranch in Coahuila, and were to be deliv-
cred to one Of the most prominent ranchmen in
the Southwest. At this time and place the Rio
Grande is a pretty fair-sized stream. Il Is nearly
a quarter OF a mile wide. At the fording place
there is just enough water TO swim a COW in the
deepest place. It was not supposed. however,
and 1t certainly was not the case, that the cattle
would remain in the fording place. As 1t turned
out. they occupied the river and performed
countless maneuvreS over about a mile.
The labor OF the day began about the middle
OF the forenoon. The great heard Of lowing
quadrupeds were driven down at the foot Of the
old Mexican town across the river and on the
long bar that faces the stream. There was an
army Of Mexicans on every side to keep them in
place. A dozen bestrode lauk horses: the re.
mainder was afoot. There was an abundance
ments and as many powerful lungs. The cattle
were driven along the bar up under tho
TO the fording place. And here the leaders
were headed out into the stream. They took
to the water with apparent Willingness, and
splashing sound as the 5000 feet began to
smtte the water, When they were about half
right down stream. AS il by previous arrange
ment, the whole right flank turned in the same
"i.t ~ SphlaNt dhu u
came many little groups. The horsemen dashed
in below them with Indian yells. A dozen men
rapidly, out toward the heads Of the lead.
srs, with the intention OF turning them.
swan, and when they came up with the dumb
turned in the right direction; many hundreds,
stream; others turned back toward the bank and
raced with the speed Of the wind into the open
pursuit. The great herd Of animals in the middle
OF the stream found deep water and swan. Little
moss man ho ths,F sa hsses SeF ot { Srasb in and 3iooS q
time. caught the sunlight. They foated with
out apparent effort with the current, with none
10 control them; and when they sought tho
bank it was on the side OF the river from which
they had started, and, at about the same point.
Texas side stood passtvely together at the edge
Of the water with their heads stretched out be-
The operation was repeated-with about the
same success. The notable features OF the per-
formanco were recalcitrant cattle dashing across
sandbars far away. with the plains and far blue
hills beyond; powerful and robust Mexicans-
some of them entirely n~aked-ridins back and
tune OF a baseball coacher; swift ard tireless
swimmers gliding back and forth, some OF lhem
ana hundreds OF horns drifting about, seeming
1t seemed almost impossible 10 head the great
herd in the right direction. Some could DE made
TO go across; but that was obviously what the
great majority, did not want 10 do.
By about 5 O'Clock in the afternoon something
like l 800 had been landed on the Texas side.
They stood quietly enough when they were over,
and gave but little trouble TO the herders. But
those not yet across were, naturally, those least
willing to cross, and all that a COW may do that
Is obstinate was done on this occasion. They
appeared to have a great deal more endurance
than the horses. They would reach the bank
for the hundredth time, and race with the spirit
a barn. The. Mexicans began to rope and
throw some OF the most mischievoqs Of tho
eyildoers, that they might not lead the
others ,astray;, and after falling hard enough
another mad dash: The herders rivalled them
In endurance. One deep-chested fellow was
thrown from his horse just as the latter was
scrambling out OF the water on a slippery
bank-the animal stumbling. He rolled over
and over, and then jumped up and started in
pursuit OF his frightened stood. The race was
about equal, but another horseman came TO the
rescue and caught a bride rein OF the runaway
One slip OF a boy followed "A steer that had got
away In the water by himself, and by swimming
always in the right place and yelling in Just the
proper manner he succeeded in drIyinR the big
fellow across. A great cheer went up from the
bridge and II was family echoed By the people
along the Mexican side.
Late in the day the cattle that had crossed,
and which had been standing below the bridge,
were driven to a point opposite the ford. that
the still recalcitrant beasts in Mexico, on see.
Ing them, might be encouraged TO come over.
presented "A strange sight to the crowd OF people
above. Looking down, II seemed like "a great
multi-colored serpent gliding along. The effect
was indescribable. Opposite the ford they be-
eddy in "a mighty stream. They "cre becoming
restless, and y guard was placed about them 10
prevent their returning u their native land. II
was not until close to d o'clock that the last
straRglers were brought over. and il was neces-
sary then TO bring them over the bridge. There
were perhaps half a hundred OF these.