The copper era., 1902-02-20
BLACK RIVER.
The Indian Reserve--Cow Punching
in the Snow.

otherwise would become mOnotanous
in the extrome.
Owing to the heavy SHOWS higher up
in the mountains, we expect to soon
see Black river in Il badly swollen con-
dition and when so with the boulders
rolling along in the stream and the
swift current, it is as dangerous i
mountain stream rs Is usually en-
countered.
The last rise previous to this storm,
will long be remembered by two OF our
men. Bascom and Snider, they were
taking u small bunch OF beef steers in
to Fort Apache, and on reaching the
river there was no choice but to swim
the stream, steers, puck-mule. bedding
and all. All went nicely until Snider
Jumped the mule into the icy waters
and attempted to spur his horse after.
The stubborn animal would not swim,
but sunk under the water upon coming
up he struck large boulder with his
fore feet, tried to gain the tip of the
rock, slipped and the swift current
catching him. he was carried of
down stream rolling over like u log.
! His rider more dead than alive with
/ his heavy clothing and the horse roll
| ling over him in the water. was bare
/ ly able to keep his head above water.
| But Bascon at this period. came to the
rescue. With a skill that only prac-
/ tice and experience will obtain, he
threw his rope at full length. Snider
caught the moose and was drawn ashore,
just as his horse struggled up the OPP
posite bank further down the river.
This caused Bascum to again swim
the cold waters, and after some
difficulty in the gathering darkness,
succeeded in cutting and forcing the
animals this time to swim the stream.
They had but Il short distapce to 90 to
reach Pine corral and penned the
steers for the night.
After building up Il hot fire and dry
ing themselves, they crawlcd suppcrless
in between their half wet blankets.
thanking their stars that circumstances
were no worse. But on crawling out
in the cold of early dawn next morning
their disgust could hardly be described
when they discovered that the horse
that caused so much trouble the night
before, had broken his stake rope and
gone.
We are still locking for the horse.
The remaining twelve miles We're
made next day by Mr.. Bascom driving
the steers and Snider following lead
ing the discouraged pack mule with
his saddle tied on the top OF the pack.
Snider is very bitter in denouncing IA
man that will punch COWS" during
the winter. We partly agree with
him. that perhaps ones sanity is lit
tie questionable when they might do
otherwise.
These cold mornings with feet
wrapped up in sacks. overcoats on and
other incumberauce that the custom OF
the country demands, we do not feel
enthusiastic in mounting our cold
horses that have been standing all
night-on Il stake rope and in snow up
~ bhNAt hiAtNo' II NV iA'iA' 'lN'htil
happens that they have an uncOntrol
able desire to test our horSemanshiP.
We are not in the least discouraged
if thrown, but round up II little more
courage not unmixed with certain
amount OF confidence and mount again.
While we make no preteutions of such,
it is an established fact that we are
not all riders in tho true sense Of the
word. a one time | was an employee
OF the a. G. Co. store in Clifton, and
remember hearing some of my friends
confidently expressing their opinion as
to successfully riding as they called a
"bucking horse" Should they still
have desire for the experience in
reality, we cordially invite them to
pay US a visit at our camp, and we will
unselfshly permit them tho first saddle
OF several of our horses. Any useful
points that could be given or even
suggested, viii be gladly accepted.
G. ii. FARNsWORTH.