The Van Buren press., 1898-01-08

member a single instance.
Now, Zeb not only carried the com
mon "throw rope" which is generally
used for catching cattle, but, slung 10
ring in the saddle, he also had one
of the best Mexican lariats of rawhide,
such as are used for catching the mus
tang and wild horses of the llanos.
Fired with this sudden desire of cap
turing the largest bull in the herd,
he unslung the lariat, chuclted the Win
chester back into its seabbard, gave
wild whoop, and whirling the long,
running moose rapidly above his head,
charged down upon the old bull.
The pony understood his business
thoroughly, and the moment that
whirling rawhide began singing its
sharp whirr-r-r above his head, he
knew what was coming, and, once as
sured of the object at which it was to
be aimed, he needed neither rein nor
spur to bring him quickly alongside the
intended victim.
Then Zeb, leaning we'll forward in the
saddle, and still spinnig the moose with
lightning-like movement above his
head, poised himself for an instant,
and then, darting the flying loop for
ward with quick swoop of his arm,
sent the long, snaky thing whistling
away in front of the lunging buffalo.
Even before the moose fell the rider
had taken several quick twists of the
other end of the lariat about his saddle
horn with his left hand, while, as it
dropped directly under the animals
nose, he gave it a sudden twitch with
his right
At the same instant the lleen-witted
pony shot out to one side and drew
rapidly away and set back upon his
launches and stopped.
The throw had been a sure one, md
the big bull came foundering to the
earth, giving horse and rider shock
that nearly upset them both.
In a trice the lariat was made fast
to the saddlehorn, and, "throw-rope" in
hand, Zeb dismounted, to try his luck
at tying the fallen animal.
The lariat had securely fastened upon
Ullt IOIGItR VI lIlN pNpots anu as III f74iNNiA
his fierce head, after recovering from
the first shock of surprise, and sprang
to his feet with a snort of defiance, the
knowing horse gave a backward lurch
that again brought him tumbling to the
earth.
Good for you, Dandy!" shouted zeb
in delight. WAS afraid you couldn't
fetch him; but you brought the ole
feller down sure enough"
Meantime, even as he spoke, the skill
ful youth had flung his "throw-rope'
over one paving, struggling hindleg
and, running round on the opposite
side. he pulled one way while the pony
pulled the other.
Then there was a sharp, hard strug'
gle which lasted some minutes-a fight
in which at one instant the chances
were in favor of the buffalo, and at an
other that he would soon be conquered
and compelled to yield to the superior
tactics of his enemies.
A score of times the huge beast gath
cred his limbs for a bound that woulo
have brought him to his feet, nerved
to withstand the deXterous jerks of the
lariat, and ready for headlong charge
when a sudden twist, given at just the
right time upon the leverage of his
unstable legs, would roll him ovel
again upon his back.
If once he gained his feet and facet
the horse, the pony's efforts at throwing
him would be of no more effect thar
a like strain upon solid ledge of rock
and in fleeing from the charge so GER
tain to follow, the horse would lose al
| hold upon him, as half-dozen jumps
of the bull would suffice to throw oil
| the slackened moose of the lariat, an1
then the rope thrower might as wei
try to hold back the wind.
Thus, success depended upon the con
| stant and concerted action of bott
the roper and his horse-and well die
both in this instance do their part.
The horse kept the lariat drawn taut
lurching backward at every sharp com
mand of his master, while Zeb himsel
tugged and ierked and maneuyered un
til the perspiration rolled off him llk'
great raindrops.
At last, though, he succeeded, b,
throwing a twisting half-hitch, in tang
ling the other hindleg of the bull, Rnt
then drawing the old fellows kicking
hoofs together, he hung on till the buf
falo grew sulky and gave the fight W
in despair.
After that he could depend on thu
horse in case of another struggle, ane
he now boldly approached his hugs
victim, hauling in the rope as he did so
In almost less time than it takes Il
tell it the sulky old bull was a hopeless
| prisoner, tied head and foot, and II
such a manner that he could not ever
make the attempt to rise, much les
get up and walk.
Then Zeb went to camp and told th'
boys, but was compelled to wait unit
they had followed him back to the spo'
before he could gain credit for his story
Even then they hunted the animal al
over to find bullet wound. When tha'
failed Zeb's fame was established
Golden Days.
black skirt with Fancy Waist.
The question: What is the fashion
l.1o,l- ~, ~ p.nf. xxit n fhp faTNpK