The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-04-25
THE wAToHdAN AND soUTHRoN, APRIL e5, 100


fiected from tossing horn. With in
tervals between them, cowboys galloped
around the herd. half Of them going in
one direction. half in the other. They
passed in front Of the herd and then
vanished around its back. when they
could only be distinguished by the pillar
Of dust. thicker than that overhanging
the herd. that followed each man as he
rode.
A little to one side the foreman sat
On his horse, with Spider close by him.
Then. evidently directed by his chief,
Spider galloped over the plain and
passed into the gorge that made pas
sage between the cliff and the river fiat.
The foreman cantered up to me.
~ reckon we better get this here job
done about as quick as we know if we're
goin ter do it. he said as he came
within speaking distance. We'll have
ter drive EN- all ter once too. The riv-
er's risin, an ther won be no time ter
split 'em up in o punches. an then get
'em over one bunch at time like we
oughter. Can't say how far the water'll
rise er how long it'll stay riz, now it
started. JUS sent the kid ter look at
a watermark set an hour ago. Here
he comes. now" AS he spoke Spider
rode up.
''Here's yer stake" said ho, holding
the notched stick up for inspection.
"Water was a han an q half over il
when l got there. Stake was clean outer
sight. an had ter hunt for it,"
''Ye see. said the foreman. turning
to me. "We'll sure have ter 60 er get
stuck here. Reckon we'd better get
things a-movin. Whatjer think?"
There was but one thing to do.
nodded assent, and, followed by Spider,
the foreman galloped back to his charga
Then there were shouts from tie
men; the cattle moved slowly forward.
and. like great serpent, the herd
strung itself across the plain and
through the gorge that led to the river,
battling for moment on the fat below.
"Now string 'em out an get 'em to
runnin. SOS they can't stop their.
selves, commanded the foreman.
"When you're gettin 'em inter the
drink. ride on the down stream side all
You can, SOS they can't head that way.
Try'n have 4 little sense. if yer can.
Now. then, ready? Let 'er gol'
The waiting cowboys put spurs to
their horses and started. After mo.
ment's hesitation the great mass of cat.
tie moved slowly toward the river. The
men behind them urged them on with
shots and blows and cries. Darling to
the head of the herd. Hollis wormed his
way in. and with the heavy honda or
loop ring Of his lariat fogged the lead.
ing cattle. patriarchal old bulls that
were accustomed to move with delibera-
tion. Determined not be outdona by his
enemy. Spider dashed forward and ar
rived an instant later. The nimble lit
'le cow pony slid in among the cattle
and was here. there and everywhere in
an instant, while his rider whipped.
spurred and yelled like madman.
A sort OF clumsy ripple that reminded
me of the movement Of logs damned in
a river passed along the length of the
herd; then the cattle broke into lum-
bering gallop. The gallop was mnch
faster than it seemed. First Hollis and
then Spider broke through the head Of
the herd. and. riding diagonally for.
ward. tried to get to one side os the
rush. / could see that their horses were
going at rate that they could hardly
have bettered if their lives had been de-
pending on their speed.
Hollis was ahead. with Spider imne.
diately behind and trying to pass him,
and. aided by his light weight. Spider
succeeded in passing Ho reached the
outside OF the path pursued by the herd,
and. wheeling his horse. swooped down
on the flank Of the body of cattle. still
yelling and fogging as he urged it on.
Hollis also had nearly passed out of
the danger line when his horse lurched
forward and fell throwing his rider
some distance from him. directly in
line OF the rushing herd that was bear
ing down upon them. He had stepped
into badger hole. The horse scram.
bled to his feet and galloped on. but
for moment Hollis. apparently stun.
ned, lay where he had fallen.
No one could DO anything to help
there was no time. In another instant
Hollis rose unsteadily TO his feet There
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