Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-02-10
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8 Breaking =. 8
8 a BrOnChO. 8
O By Philip Usrell lfiisbsis. O
u Copyright, 1882 II
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hillside above Nevada valley young
fellow was lying on his back, talking
at a saucy bluejay perched on a near
by sagebrush. The bluejay was scold-
ing, no doubt of it. He jabbered away
in a very shrill, discordant voice,
bobbed his tail and agitated his top
knot most ridiculously. The boy was
stout Bob Conway.
Sitting up presently, he gazed at the
broad, level fat-the floor of the valley
that stretched far to the great blue
mountains, miles away on the other
side. Half a mile distant was huge
area cleared of sagebrush-by the flow
ing water, for too much water is death
to the brush. On it the grass grew
abundantly, and a herd of half-wild
horses was grazing there in comfort
and security. In the band was bron-
cho of unusual beauty. He was of
chestnut colof and plump and sleek.
His legs were slender, his neck full and
finely arched. His head, which he con-
stantly tossed with a scornful, naughty
motion, was small and delicately
poised. His long name and tail fioated
in the breeze in graceful lines. AS if
acting the part of a sentinel for the
Q herd, this young broncho ate nervously,
elevated his nose to sniff what his eyes
might fail to see.
what a beauty he is" Bob solilo-
quized aloud. "Oh, don't wish that
chestnut were mine! Look at him now:
Isn't he great! Oh, but I'd like to get
a-straddle of you, my boy!"
would you, thought said pleas
ant voice behind him.
Bob leaped to his feet to find cold
Man Treadwell," as the wealthy ranch
er had been dubbed, on the other side
of the ditch, mounted on a large bay
horse, upon which he had ridden noise
lessly within hearing distance of the
boys speech.
Eyes, would, sir!''
Hes the most ornary piece of boss
flesh that ever walked, that's what he
isl" rejoined the rancher. speaking
with emphasis. "He shorely is"
''Is he, really? Why, how"
He's mine.''
"Oh!"
yep, and worth nothin' at all I've
had him busted by the best broncho
busters in the valley, but it don't do
no good. He lets 'em ride cause he
can't pitch 'em off or kill 'em; but the
minute anybody else tackles him he's
as bad as ever-if not worse!"
Bob's color had been rising while this
description had been growing. He now
looked very statue of defiance.
I'D like 70 try that horse,' he re-
piled. slowly.
''Well"-here the rancher paused and
Bob waited breathlessly-''if you'll
catch that boss you can have him. for
all of me. Only l warn ye, he's no good
and terror to boot"
''Oh. thank you"
Hold on. Bob. Wait till you've strad-
died him for second or so and see
how you feel. Give my regards to your
mother" And away rode the rancher.
whistling.
Bob waited a moment. then jumped
into the air, rolled on the grass and
Rugged himself in delight.
"Oh. no, you beauty!" cried he. shak-
ing his fist at the distant horse; "some-
body is going to grip those round sides
of yours mighty soon, or my name is
Bob Fuddlepudding with lots of fiddle
in it. Let's see, now, how I'll catch
him, without another horse to run him
in? What's the matter with the crawl
ing trick I learned from Injun Joe?
Just the thing!" And he fastened off to
his home.
Procuring from the shed a long, soft
rope with slip-noose at the end-a
lariat, though quite inferior to those
made of ra%hide-the tall young fellow
was soon on his way back through the
brush to the open piece of ground. He
kept out of sight of the watchful chest
nut, proceeding forward only when the
animal was feeding. On coming to the
edge of the sagebrush, an eighth of a
mile from the band of horses. he coiled
his rope, forming large. easy-running
loop; then he lay fat on the ground
and began TO crawl, dragging the moose
behind, but going directly toward the
horses.
And now he moved only when the
chestnut's head was up. his object be-
ing to be seen as soon as possible. Not
long did he have to wait, for, snorting.
stamping. the broncho quickly con-
veyed the intelligence of an intruding
presence in their territory to the entire
herd. In a moment every horse in the
herd was gazing intently at the boy.
He crawled away in the opposite di-
rection. The horses gathered in
closer bunch behind the chestnut and
began to move in a zigzag fashion
toward him. Such a singular creature
they had never beheld. Their curiosity
being thoroughly aroused, they became
more bold, trotted forward a little. then
sided off and looked and wondered and
approached yet nearer.
Presently the horses were all about
him, and Bob was little concerned
with the thought that the boldest
might attempt to stamp on him. Rely
ing. however, upon former experience
that had worked in precisely the same
manner, he waited until the chestnut