The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-04-25

that filtered through the dust was re-
fected 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 Tat.
The foreman cantered up to ne.
.sI 1eckcn We better get this here Job
done about as quick as we know il wei
coin ter 90 it. ;" he said as he came
within speaking distance Well have
ter drive esn all ter once too. The rlv-
er's risin. an ther Won be 20 tine ter
split EN- Up into lunches, an then get
EN- over one buncl. at time like we
oushter Cant say how far the water II
rise er how long it'll stay riz. now it's
started. l 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 he, holding
tba no+che5 stick up for inspection.
.:Water was a han an half over it
when l gotthere. Stake was clean outer
sight, an I had ter hunt for 1t. .
eye see. said the foreman, turning
to me. "We'll sure have ter go er get
stuck here. Reckon we'd better get
things a-movin. Whatjer think?'
There was but one thing to do. l
nodded assent. and, followed by Spider,
the foreman galioped back to his charge.
Then there were shouts from the
mer; the cattle moved slowly forward.
and, like a great serpent, the herd
strung itself across the plain and
through the gorge that led to the river,
halting for moment on the fat below.
.'Now string EN- out an get 'em to
runnin, SOS they can't stop their
selves, commanded the foreman. :
ssWben 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 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 wor,ned his
way in, and with the heavy honda CT
loop ring of his lariat fogged the lead
ing cattle, patriarchal cid bulls that
were accustomed to move with delibera-
ton. Determined lot be outdone by his
enemy, Spider dashed forward and ar
rived an instant later. The nimble lit
tie 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 jammed in
river passed along the length OF the
herd; then the cattle broke into a lun?-
bering gailop The gailop was much
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 of the
rush. coald see that their horses were
going at rate that they could hardly
have bettered if their lives bad been de-
pending on their speed
Hollis was ahead. With Spider imne-
Giately behind and trying to pass him,
and, aided by his light weight, Spider
succeeded in passing. He 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 il On.
Hollis also had nearly passed out CT
the danger lire when his horse lurched
forward and fell throwing his rider
some distance from him, directly III
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 stan
ned. lay where he had fallen
No one could Go anything 20 help
there was 10 time. In another instant
Hollis rose Unsteadily 10 his feet There
-.syz.xu I515 4
T. S-e,slFAAalNiI@. 81