The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-04-29

1t was n proud day FOR Lorne, the
young foreman OF the Circle Bar ranch
when he started on his first drive"
with a herd OF 5000 cattle for the north
ern shipping point.
1t was HIS orders to take the herd to
ST. Louis and pass through the Ozark
mountains or foot hills. The herd was
tractable during the earlier days OF the
course, but as the cattle wont on they
became more nervous. and i; was with
difficulty that the herders could keep
them within tie lines OF the nightly
roundup.
Once. when they mad been compelled
to ride constantly around the herd from
evening far Into the night. Lorne went
10 the head OF the herd TO see what was
the disturbing cause.
AS he sat on his horse he heard the
call OF i wolf on 20 the right. answered
bS another from the left. Something
about the sodnd was unnatural, and he
listened closely. Again they came, and
soon there was n second movement
among tie cattle-eomething had been
thrown into the herd 10 startle them.
He knew. then what was the matter
some one was annoying the herd to
make him trouble. But when daylight
came he could zee nothing OF the dls-
turbers. and again he waited for night.
He took his own position far on the
outskirts that night and waited for de-
velopments. Soon there was another
wolf call: then another. then whizzing
~ la ~ hu
cattle He rode furiously at the point
where he thought the sound originated,
and was DOT surprised TO catch
glimpse Of O dark form which he took to
pc a man on horseback.
Halt" he cried. "or will shoot you"
There was no stopping. Faster and
faster he rode and gained on his annoy
er. Then before he was aware OF what
was happening he was seized from be-
hind and went rolling to the ground.
lar!at coiled around him having Jerked
him from the saddle. II had not caught
over his head and his second assailant
wen, rushing rushing past and away
before he could regain his feet.
! But not quick enough for the rider to
escape notice, and one glance at the
STOPPING shoulders and the long hair
told L-orne who It was-Louie, the Mex
lean, who had been discharged when
Lorne went 20 work first on the Circle
Bar.
But there was enough to look after q:
the other end OF the line. The cattle,
startled more than ever by the noise,
had started on stampede and were
racing toward the east at the top OF
their speed, the herders doing all In
their power to stop them, but without
effect.
1t was two days before the herd was
in shape 70 start on its journey again.
Then the course'wa turned TO the north
and it was hoped that on striking the
long trail there would be no more trou-
BILE. E..9l5
On the whole the trip was going we'll
and they were up In the middle Of the
territory with hopes Of seeing the south
branch of the Cimarron most any day.
n halt had been called early for night,
and on the level plain the cattle were
scattered for two miles up and down
the trail. The herders were getting
supper and only three were on guard.
By some means one OF these was of his
horse and the others We're together at
the southern end OF the long line.
None OF them saw u crawling figure
leading. small pony that crept across
the herds grazing ground and slowly,
without making the. contented animals
raise their heads suspiciously, separate
the northern third OF the herd from
those on the south, steadily they drew
away and. as there were several hum
mocks in that region. were soon behind
one and out OF sight OF the regular herd
ers. II was a shrewd trick, and one
that was played on more than one &C.
casion in the history OF the cattle trade
Lorne was new to 1t and did not even
see what was done until one of the
herders rode up to say that there was
ont of the way.
The herds short somehow" hs eS-
claimed.
I. What do you meant"
!. They're Inisslng-stolen or strnyed.
and we are out"
Get the men together and we will
make q search"
In a moment the herders were in the
saddles and the remainder OF the cat
tie were urged forward. for they knew
that the lost stock had not been 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 go
much annoyance and often great loss
do lI4c lIlCCtLLt3 u Two tIGIuS. Ns Ctl-
tie charge on each other and frequently
some lively fights result. More than
that, there IS almost sure to be STAN
pede. and when the two herds take OPP
posite directions there is little chance
for milling or controlling the frightened
creatures
So It happened that as the main herd
went around the edge Of the hillocs, be-
ing pushed as fast as the excited men
could hurry It, there came suddenly to
meet II 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 belonged together. It was grow
Ing duck and tho situation was 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 d.
rsction. and tho stampede had COM
EeHced. Coming at him broadslde II
gave aim small chance to escape, and
ne put spurs to his horse and raced
away 10 the south. On came the herd.
and then. 10 add TO h!s peril. the trusty
little pony stepped IN Il prairie dog hofe
aad went sprawlng on the SIDE with a
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. ard caught
through the dusk a glimpse Of single
horscmnn. Then he saw, too. the horse
fail. and only Intent on saving tho
unfortunate herder. whoever 4, nigh.
be. he seined his pony IN that direction.
Faster and faster he rode. Unless he
went very fast he could not bca. the
frightened cattle. which were now roar
!ER their terror rs they rushed biIndly
i2rward, regardless OF where they might
end ihelr '0r!ans course. Il was worse
thnn a stampeNs--i, WnA a pnnLci