Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-12
"Get the men together and we win

taken during the day and consequently
were not to the south, but must be to
the north of the herd.
On the long trail nothing causes so
much annoyance and often great loss
as the meeting of two herds. The cat
tie charge on each other and frequent
ly some lively fights result. More than
that, there is almost sure to be q STAN
pede, and when the two herds take OPP
posite directions there is little chance
for milling or controlling the fright
ened creatures.
So it happened that as the main herd
went around the edge of the hillock.
being pushed as fast as the excited men
could hurry it, there came suddenly to
meet it another herd, that was not for
the moment recognized by Lorne and
his followers.
Behind the thousand were two yell
ing men. Louie and his companion. The
stock fought and the regular herders
tried to separate the herds, not knowing
that they belonged together. Tt was
growing dusk and the situation was a
serious one.
Louie had gone to one side, and was
watching with satisfaction the melee.
Suddenly the great mass of horns and
swinging tails gave a lurch in his di-
rection, and the stampede had com
menced. Coming at him broadside it
gave him small chance to escape, and
he put spurs to his horse and raced
away to the south. On came the herd,
and then to add to his peril the trusty
little pony stepped in prairie dog
hole and went sprawling on the sod
with broken leg. In an instant he
was out of the saddle, but what could
he do? The avalanche was coming.
Lorne, hurrying to the front, saw the
herd start for the west, and caught
through the dusk glimpse of single
horseman. Then he saw, too, the horse
fall, and fail to rise again. Forgetful
Of the herd, and only intent on saving
the unfortunate herder, whoever it
might be, he refined his pony in that
direction.
Faster and faster he rode. Unless he
went very fast he could not beat the
frightened cattle, which were now
roaring their terror as they rushed
blindly forward, regardless of where
they might end their furious course.
It was worse than a stampede-it was
a panic!
AS Lorne rode, it was with the
thought that the herder was one of
his own men. He spurred at his best
gait, and was soon within few yards
of the unfortunate man. But the cattle
were nearly as close, and it was even
racing who would get there first.
Suddenly the young foreman recog-
nized the man on foot and at the mercy
of the herd-Louie. For an instant
he felt repugnance to the situation
and realized that all the trouble was of
the young Mexican's doings. He was
tempted to ride in another direction
and save Understanding that he
could not be sure of doing if he waited
to take care of the meddler. But the
beseeching eyes of the Mexican were too
much for him, and he slipped his left
foot spur under the wide cinch that
held the rear of his saddle. Then he
prepared for leaning to the right and
called: Get ready to jump, there!"
Louie heard and a smile lighted up
his coarse face.
He could not understand why his en-
envy should take chances on his own
life to save one who had done him in
jury, but he was willing to be the saved
one in the present condition of affairs.
Farther and farther Lorne leaned
over to the right until he could almost
sweep the long grasses with his hand.
He had practiced picking up hand
kerchief while his horse was on the
run, and the experiment came in good
play at this time.
"Now-ready!" he called, and then
with swoop he went past. The herd
was but dozen yards away, and COM
ing with heads down and tails in the air
"a terrifying spectacle and one that
meant death to both the young men
If they could not get out of the way.
But Lorne's strong arm and the
broad cinch on the horses TANKS meant
safety, and the boys arm went around
the Mexican it held! On and on they
went, Louie riding in the grasp of his
rescuer at the side of the flying animal
and Lorne breathing hard as he held the
heavy burden, watching all the time
for the herd which was pressing on
them.
But at last the pony dashed out of
the line of pursuit and the herd went
rolling past. Louie dropped and went
rolling over and over on the sod, while
Lorne went on to the camp.
1t was a long chase that the men
had before the cattle were all gathered
in line again and darkness had settled
on the prairie to add it's influence to
the quieting of the herd. When at
last Lorne and his men had gathered
around the campfire and were eating
some of the cooks black bread, that
seemed so good to the weary cowboys,
dark figure came stealing into the
circle-it was Louie.
Il want the senor.'' he said, timidly,
and Lorne went out him.
You saved my life this afternoon,
Ss ii the l,oxr hi :ol.