Gilpin observer., 1901-06-27
A Hot Fourth.


mountains. But there were three peo-
pie at Black Rock Horse Ranch who
were anything but cool. In fact, Ferd,
Florence and I we're as hot" as we
could well become-hot with :mpa-
thence and disgust.
For more than four weeks we had
been preparing for celebration, a
picnic at our cottonwood grove. with
all the family and all our neighbors
along Black Rock Creek to join
in making it a great day. Ferd. who
bad borrowed some volumes of the
Congressional Record, from local
politician, had written a short address,
and Florence had practiced diligently
some patriotic songs. Moreover, we
had expended eight dollars for fire.
works of a magnitude worthy OF the
largest attainable crowd.
Our discontinue may be imagined
when I say that father. mother and
the younger children had failed In
promised return from their visit at
Green River, and that, just two days
before the Fourth, report had reached
Black Rock Valley of monster cele-
bration" which was to be held at
Lander, and to which every mothers
son and daughter in our neighborhood
had stampeded.
We were left alone, we three; SO far
as we knew, there was not soul with
in twenty-five miles to US.
We were, of course, still looking for
the return of our family from Green
River, but as the morning slipped
away and eleven o'clock came. with no
sign of them, Ferd and l gave our
selves up to sulking. We were lying
upon our backs in the shade Of some
cottonwoods near a horse corral, when
Florence, who was still on the lookout,
shouted at us.
They're coming!" she cried, run
ming toward us, and clapping her
hands joyfully. II can see the dust OF
their wagon down in the valley.
Splendid! splendid! Well have
celebration all to ourselves" AS there
are eight of us all together. the pros
pect was not quite so disheartening.
That's not them," declared Ferd in
disgust. Its stampede of horses or
cattle A faint roar of tramping hoofs
soon bore to our ears the proof Of his
assertion. The dust-cloud increased in
volume, and the mutter Of pounding
hoofs Jared like a distant rumble OF
thunder.
Our suspicious were quickly reused.
We craned our necks and watched In
silence. We had only minute to wait
before big bunch Of horses, going
at a swift trot. broke cover Of the
point. A few seconds later we dis
covered on the outskirts Of the herd.
which doubtless numbered many
horses of our own, two pony-riders
turning the leaders across the valley.
We did not have to guess that these
men were "rustlers." and that there
were more of them in the rear pushing
the horses forward. Every movement
of herd and men proclaimed the fact.
A gang of our mountain freebooters
stampede" to Lander to make an
other stampede. which should be vastly
to their own advantage.
The men were steering their catch
across Black Rock Valley up to the
mouth OF Two-owe-tee Pass. Once
through that difficult gap. they would
hustle the herd into the Businesses OF
Owl Creek Mountains. break 1t up into
small punches. and get away with the
horses at their leisure.
WELL" said Ferd. we've got to
head off that herd. stampede and scat
ter em, somehow"
Sure thing" l assented.
When Florence understood the case.
she set up frantic wall. You shan't
go!" she almost screamed. Those
men will shoot you dead! Anyway, II
you do, I'll go along and be shot. tool"
Thereupon she ran to the house. cry
Ing. We could not stop to comfort her.
While Ferd went for our guns, trap
pings and n snack to eat. l ran to the
creek pasture. got out three OF our
best riding ponies apd saddled them.
When l had finished. Ferd came out.
wearing his hunting Jacket. and carry
Ing my jacket and our guns.
The big side pockets were stuffed to
bulging. but my Jacket felt light
enough and when thrust hand into
one OF the pockets and drew out
giant Cracker" OF the biggest size, I
fairly whooped with delight. There
were a half dozen In each pocket, and
each one was foot In length. They
would make enough noise to STAN
pede whole tribe OF Indians, let alone
four or nve hundred half-wild horses.
We were on in twinkling. We
knew Of an old buffalo and cattle-t trail
4 half-mile distant. leading up to the
head Of Black Rock. and round the
slopes Of several mountains into the
north gap OF Two-owe-tee. This trail
we took.
Well plant ourselves In front OF
that herd In the gap" said Ferd, "and
here we'll have our celebration. be-
ieye we can 'counter-stampede.' run