The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-07-02
The N.Bar Freak.
Row Cowboy 1Oon ttis Spurs in Northern Montana

He rode up to the outfit one after
noon, just as the cowboys had finish
ed working the herd, and tackled the
Wagon-boss for job. Now the Circle
-Four was possessed of a string of
[ horses-a half dozen head or more
which could buck higher and crooked
er than any which could be scared I'D
elsewhere in Northern Montana, and
that is saying a great deal. They had
caused two or three of the best bron-
cho-twisters in the country to quit the
outfit, and no ordinary cowpuncher
would tackle them at all; so it was
with a good deal of interest that the
boys, lying in the shade of the mess
wagon, listened to the conversation
which took place between the new
conner and the boss.
Can you rider" asked old Dolby.
well, reckon I en- ride cow
horses replied the stranger.
horses if you work fer this ranch.
I've got string of horses
here that want ridin, an want
it bad. I'll give you sixty dol
lars a month if you en- ride em, but
III tell you right now, stranger, you've
got to ride like a scared Injun if you
stay with EN-
I'll take chances with 'em; if I
can't ride 'em l en- quit
al right" answered old Dolby; you
en- go to work in the mornin'."
Nothing more was said. The
stranger pulled the saddle off his
horse, turned him loose, and with a
| muttered How do, boys?" dropped
down beside the wagon tongue and
began rolling cigarette
Know him?" asked Johnny Layton
of Kid Moore
Il don't know his name, but 1 saw
him around the N-Bar Ranch last
spring. He was breakin' horses there:
they called him the 'N-Bar Freak
over in that country Queer locker,
amt hep"
I'D tell man! But he'll be a id
sight more of a freak when he gets
through with them snaky horses of
old Dobys."
Johnny as a good rider, but he had
tried the rough string, and, after be-
| ing stood on his head a time or two
III bunch of cactus, had concluded
that there was more of hard knocks
than glory in a broncho- twister's life,
and that to be a common, ordinary
cowpuncher was good enough for him.
He had also arrived at the conclusion
that one horse, Kingbolt by name,
which had been the cause of his down.
fall, could not be ridden by mortal
man; he was ready to bet a months
wages on it at any time.
Well, don't know" said. the Kid,
refiectively. Them fellows over
around N-Bar said he was about as
good as they make 'em. One things
sure; there'll be heaps of fun when he
steps up on old Kingbolt That's
about the first one old Doby'll cut out
for him.
Sure. He'll give him the worst
one first; if he can ride him, he can
ride the rest. But I've got forty dol
lars to bet old Kingbolt throws him
down. I've worked with COW outfits in
every state between here and the Rio
Grande, and seen and rode all kinds Of
buckin' horses, but never run onto
one-like that old devil. / tell you he
makes a man see fireworks every time
he hits the ground; and you can
never tell which way he's goin' to
jump. He's a bad actor and no mis-
take"
Kid Moore laughed, but his reply
was cut short by the cook shouting
support" And all hands made for
the cook tent.
After supper was over the horse
wrangler drove the horses into the
rope corral, which was strung out
from the bedwagon, and those of the
cowboys who were booked to go on
night guard-they were gathering
beef cattle, and had quite herd
caught their night horses and relieved
the day herders.
The rest of them lost no time in
rolling into bed. for the cowpuncher
who puts in twelve or fourteen hours
in the saddle every day, and stands
guard two and a half hours every
other night, never loses a chance to
sleep.
Early the next morning they were
awakened by the musical jingling of
the bells on the cavy as the night
hawk drove them into the corral. soon
tn, cook shouted "Roll outbreak
fast's ready!"
Now it takes a short time for q
bunch of hungry cowpunchers to eat
breakfast, and in q little while they
were preparing to move camp to
Clearwater Creek, about ten miles
away. The TENS were pulled down;
the cook-tent, stove, pots, pans, and
all the paraphernalia presided over
by old Jake Devlin-as jolly soul
as ever boiled pot of coffee-were
loaded on the mess-wagon. The beds,
f4eeping tents, corral ropes and other
things used by the outfit were pile1
into the other wagon.
After the team horses were caught
and harnessed, the boys began catch
ing their saddle horses. The Freak,
aftsA helping load UP, got AIS lariat