Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-08-21
CHAPTER II.
CRAIG THOMPSON, FRoNTIERSMAN.

along the western boundary or tne
state Of Nevada. Upon the crest Of
rise Of ground which overlooks the
entire valley horseman, who had just
risen over the height. reined In his
mount and with bated breath and
eager enthusiasm surveyed the spec
tacle before him.
''It is grand--beautiful" he exclaim-
ed aloud. 1T Is strange that my IA
ther has never permitted me to see 1t
before; strange that he hesitated now.
But l am here In spite Of him. and he
will not send me back. he must not.
I will not CO."
The youth turned his head and look
ed back in the direction from which he
had come, and there was pleased, If
somewhat anxious. smile upon his face
when he noted toward the southeast
heavy cloud of dust which extended
backward along the trail as far as the
eyes could reach. but which was stead
lily though slowly coming nearer. TO
his practiced eyes that cloud explained
that beneath it was moving an army
of cattle numbering several thousands,
that their track lay over the ridge
where he was standing and that their
destination was the valley beyond,
where the different brands were to be
singled out and separated. sorted and
assigned to their respective owners.
For an entire week-perhaps for two,
for the number of cattle was known to
be greater this year than ever before
the Smoky valley was destined to be-
come q scene Of life and activity.
There would be collected there cattle
and horses by the tens Of thousands. ran
cheros and vaqueros by the dozens and
scores: there would be trials Of skill Of
every kind which finds proficient per-
formers and ardent admirers In the
wild, free life Of ranchmen and their
cowboy assistants: there would be
fighting and frolic. danger and pleas
ure-all things desirable and every
thing supposedly attainable for Lisle
Maxwell. the margin Of whose life
hitherto had been the limits Of his ia
theirs ranch.
As he looked again toward the valley
he could see that thousands Of cattle
had already arrived. They browsed
along the mountain slopes as far as his
vision could extend. and his keen glance
could detect here and there the figures
of horsemen on guard near the en-
trance Of passes where they were sta
toned to prevent the animals. gathered
with such difficulty. from straying
again. Hoarse bellowings and mutter-
ing murmurs drifted along the noun
tain sides. telling Of disputes between
rival steers which had met now for the
first time. and away up the valley glis-
tened lake beside which he could dis
tinguish the outlines Of corral. near
which he knew was situated the camp.
Lisle was undetermined what to do.
His impulse was to ride on into the
valley and make himself known to the
men. who one and all were acquainted
with his father and who would there
fore make him welcome. Some OF them
were acqualntances Of his own. for he
had met and learned to know several
ranchmen and cowboys who during
years past had made occasional visits
to his fathers ranch. On the other
hand, be feared the anger Of bis ia
ther. whom thus far in life be had nev-
er dared to disobey In other than very
little things.
"If await him here. he will send me
back again." unused Lisle; IF 90 on.
he cannot. or. at least, II be does so. |
will have seen something Of what !
came to see"
While he still heSitated the entire
scene changed. The moving panorama
in the distance faded from view as his
interest centered upon an incident that
was taking place almost In the immedi-
ate foreground.
Up the side Of the mountain toward
him. and not quarter Of mile away,
plunged madly galloping steer, and
behind II. too distant TO cast his rope
but nevertheless with the ready loop
Of his RATA swinging in his hand. rode
q horseman He was Sombreroed.
fringed. gilt spurred and bedecked In
his best. for cowboys attire themselves
for the annual round up" with as
much care as a debutante lavishes up
on her coming out" ball.
The cowboy spurred his horse un-
mercifully. but the steer was 1.-the limb
ed. swift and wild. 1t ran as free as
an antelope and as easily led the pace,
tossing his horns and believing.
Young Maxwell quietly took the coil
ed lasso from the pommel Of his sad
die. disengaged the loop. balanced 1t IN
his right hand. seized the reins In his
left. settled himself more firmly In the
saddle and waited. Then. when the
steer came nearer. he started his horse
forward by touching his heels gently
against the animals sides. guiding him
toward the left by an almost imper-
ceptible pressure with his right knee.
The horse had also perceived the ap-
proach Of the steer and its pursuer and
knew thoroughly well what was eX.
pected Of him. In advancing the speed
was gradually increased. so that when
the steer dashed over the brow Of the
hill Lisle Maxwell. with the loop Of his
RATA coiling like a huge serpent above
his head. was within easy casting dis
tance of the object Of his attack.
The steer, startled by the unexpected
apparition directly in front Of him,
swerved to the right, while the horse
that young Maxwell rode described a