Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-03-08
tivity and movements of gracefulness

the boys sought their beds.
Early the next morning all hands
were called out to the corral to catch
their mounts for the day. and Ike was
the most active. if not the most sue
ceSSful, one in the gang.
"Catch that bald-faced sorrel there:
he's your mount for today" was the
foremans instruction as he winked at
the boys. who knew what was coming
and prepared to- enjoy the fun of watch
ing Ike ride old Satan" the worst
spoiled bronco in Utah. This horse was
known us the broncO-buster buster and
had never been conquered. He had
thrown every rider who had ever got
on his back and was kept for the pur-
pose of initiating greenhOrnS and test
ing the sticking qualities Of the pro-
fcssed horse breakers who Travelled
over the country breaking horses ut so
much per head. He was Il powerful.
rangy horse. weighing about LOO
pounds. was s years old. and so --
poison you could scrape strychnine off
his neck" as one fellow put it. He
could rag Il little iivelier and hump his
back IL little keener and faster than any
horse on the range. He knew every
trick and crook of the business and was
past master in the art Of giving aspir-
ing bronco riders lift in the worl.
Ike put in about an hour Of good, SOL
| Il IL in, m tnh a.
an. He was an energetic. persistent
"cuss" and so was old Satan, who could
dodge the rope with marvellous cum
ming. Jarvis tried hard and had the
fore the boys came to his aid. but some
how his rope never seemed to fly
straight. or it would get tangled around
his legs and trip him. Several times he
caught the wrong horse. Whatever he
might be as rider. he certainly was
not an expert with rope, and his an
tics afforded much amusement for the
boys who had caught their string
and were standing around watching
him.
To a friendly offer by one of the boys
to catch his horse for him. Ike replied:
Nav. I'm going to try just one more
throw. I think III get MIN next time.
BY some backhanded fling he did ac-
tually catch his horse the next throw
and Strengthened up as proud rs pea
cock.
After breakfast, when Ike brought
out his gunnysack containing his sad
die. and prepared to saddle old Satan.
every galool round camp. even to the
cook. had business in that immediate
vicinity. When he dumped out his
saddle and they saw what sort OF rig
he had. some of the kinder-hearled ones
took pity on him and attempted to
dissuade him from using it. Offering
him n good saddle.
why. that 'hcnskin' of yourn amt
bronx" said one.
Nope" he replied to their kind Of
fers. I've rid this yere old postage
stamp good many years. an it still
sticks. Id feel kinder lost in one of
them big saddles"
BY dint of much coaXing and eXertion
he got old Satan saddled and prepared
to mount. Diving into his sack he pro-
duced a wicked-looking pair Of Mexican
spurs. with murderous rowels an inch
in diameter.
His good nature and innocent mien
had by this time gained for him the
good will of the camp. and one of the
boys felt really sorry for him and
thought that it was little short of man.
slaughter to allow this poor country
Jake to continue further with the joke
Big Bill Williams. the biggest-hearted
fellow in the crew. tried to tell him
what kind of proposition lie was up
against and to keep him from crawl
ing the man-eater.
But Ike would pay no heed and insist
ell that he was not going to give up a
$50 a month job without having try.
When he tried to mount, old Satan
backed off and circled round. allowing
Ike 10 get no closer than near enough
to catch the stirrup in his hand. Occa-
sOnally he got one foot up in the STIR
rup and hoped around like Il crow at
ter the horse. who backed away with
his rolling eyes. Several times the
horse gave plunge ana tried to break
away. but the lanky Missouran man.
aged to hang on. though ofttimes he
was near to losing his feet. The entire
crew was now gathered around in un-
disguised enjoyment. watching the cir
Gus.
IF YOU can ride as we'll as you can
rope you are all right" was jeering
remark that brought Il Stcely CLINT to
Ikc's eyes and caused a tightening OF
the lines about his mouth that bespoke
Il determination to do or die.
why don't you walk up straddlr of
him and sit down?
TRY the other side: mebbe he's Il
lrft-handrd horse.
Did your Missouri horses act like
that"
Don't you wish you were back in
Missouri ploughing corn?" And kim
Gre;l remarks were Showered upon the
poor fellows head. as he followed the
vicious animal around. sometimes hop
ping with one foot in the Stirrup or
being dragged by the bride reins. That
this man WAS no fool and knew how to
avoid getting hurt. despite his seeming
awkwardnrsS. was evident and that
he had grit WAS also plainly tn be
seen. Paying no attention to the jeers
of his comrades. who We're getting inn
patient waiting. as they could find no
further excuse for tarryIng. Ike seemed