The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-04-08

mon Throw ICI'C "iilNii - = -
used for catching cattle, hnt. Sung TO
a ring in tAg saddle, he als5 had one
of the best Mexican laTiats Of T&Whlde,
such aSare used fer catching the mus
tang and wild horses OF The llanos.
Fired with this sudden desire Of cap
turing the largest bull il the herd,
heeunslung the lariat. chucl;cd the Win
chester back into its scabbard, gave
a 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
wh;rling rawhide began sinci0T its
sharp whirr-r-r above his Lad, he
knew what was coming, and. c:"2 as
sured of the object at which it was TO
be aimed, he needed neither rein ror
spur to bring him quickly alongside the
intended victim.
Then Zeb, leaning well forward in the
saddle, and still spinning the moose with
a lightning-like increment above his
head, poised himself for an ms mt,
and then, darting the flying loop for
ward with a quick swoop Of his arnl,
sent the long, snaky thing vhistling
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 sudden twitch with
his right.
At the same instant the keen-witted
pony shot out to one side and drew
rapidly away and set back upon his
launches and stopped.
The throw had been sure one, and
the big bull came floundering to the
earth, giving horse and rider a shock
that nearly upset hem both.
In a tricc the lariat was made fast
to the saddlehorn, and, 'throw-rope" in
hand, Zeb dis1nounted, to try his luck
at tying the fallen animal.
The lariat had securely fastened upon
one fore,eg Of the beast, and as he shook
his fierce head, after recovering from
the first shock of surprise, and sprano
to his feet with snort OF defiance, the
knowing horse gave 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
Teller down sure enough"
Meantime, even as he spoke, the skill
full 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 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 would
have brought him to his feet, nerved
to withstand the deXterous jerks of the
lariat, and ready for headlong charge
when sudden twist, given at just the
right time upon the leverage of his
unstable legs, would roll him over
again upon his back.
If once he gained his feet and faced
the horse, the pony's efforts at throwing
him would be of no more effect than
like strain upon q solid ledge of rock
and in fleeing from the charge so GER
tain to follow, the horse would lose all
hold upon him, as half-dozen jumps
of the bull would suffice to throw of
the slackened moose of the lariat, and
then the rope thrower might as well
try to hold back the wind.
Thus, success depended upon the con.
slant and concerted action Of both
both in this instance do their part.
The horse kept the lariat drawn taut
lurching backward at every sharp com
mund Of his master, while Zeb himself
tugged and jerked and Unanswered IN
til the pcrspiration rolled off him like
great raindrops.
At last, though, he succeeded. by
throwing twisting half-hitch, in tang
ling the ether hindieg Of the bu-i, ant
then aving the old fellows kicking
hoofs together, he hung on til the buf
falo grew sulky and gave the fight VI
in despair.
After that he could depend on the
horse in case Of another struggle, anc
he now boldly approached his huge
victim, hauling in the rope as be did so
In almost less time than it takes tt
tell it the sulky old bull was hopeless:
prisoner, tied head and foot, and il
such manner that he could not ever
make the attempt to rise, much les:
get up and walk.
Then Zeb went to camp and told tn,
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 n bullet wound When tha-
failed Zeb's fame was established
Golden Days.
rpH- sysA l. Z