The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-08-14
lbout the rrst one old Dobym cut

ride the rest. But I've got $40 to
bet that old Kingbolt throws him
| down. I've worked with cow out
fits in every state between here
and the Rio Grande, and seen and
rode all kinds of bucIin' horses, but
| never run onto one like that old
devil. l 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
bad actor, ssad no mistake
Kid Moore laughed, but his reply
was cut short by the cook shouting
supper" 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 bed wagon, and those of
the cowboys who were booked to 90
on night-guard-they were gathering
beef cattle, and had quite a herd
caught their night horses and re-
lieved the day herders.
The rest of them lost no time in
| rolling into bed, for the cowpuncher
who puts in IL or IA 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 iingling of
the bells on the cavy as the night
hawk drove them into the corral.
Soon the cook shouted Roll out
breakfasts ready"
Now, it takes very short time
for bunch of hungry cowpunchers
to eat breakfast, and in a little while
they were preparing to move camp to
Clearwater creek, about ten miles
away. The tents were pulled down:
the cook-tent, stove, pots, pans, and
all the paraphernalia presided over
by old Jake Deylin-as jolly a soul as
ever boiled a pot of coffee-were
loaded upon the mess-wagon. The
beds, sleeping-tent, corral ropes, and
other things used by the outfit were
piled into the other wagon.
After the team-horses were caught
and harnessed, the boys began catch
ing their saddle horses. The Freak.
after helping to load up, got his lariat
and was standing close to the corral,
Watching the boys rope out their
horses, when the boss called to him:
Come on into the corral, and I'll
show you what to ride"
Contrary to the expectations of the
cowboys, Dolby pointed out a chunky
little black, saying as he did so:
You en- ride that black this mornin':
he's liable t buck some, but after
he gifts through you en- do anything
with i'm. We've got to round up be-
tween here an Clearwater this
mornin', and we amt no time t. fool
with mean horses; but this after
noon you can ride that big sorrel,"
pointing to Kingbolt IF you en-
stick him to a finish you en- ride any
thing we've got here"
"All right" said the Freak, and he
tossed his rope over the blacks head.
After petting him a little, he led him
from the corral and saddled him with
out any trouble.
THAT fellow saveys his business"
said Dolby to one of the cOwpunchers.
Looks like it-but a man NAV be
handy with horses and not be a top
rider; any man that rides Kingbolt
has got to be a natural born broncho-
fighter"
That's right; but we'll find out this
afternoon" said Dolby. well, come
on boys--let's hit the trail"
The cowpunchers swung into their
saddles, with one eye on the Freak.
They knew that the little black.
though fairly gentle, could make
man ride for a few seconds, if he got
started that way. But they were
disappointed. The Freak gathered
up his reins, and, patting the little
black on the neck, caught his name
in one hand, grasped the horn of the
saddle with the other and shook
it gently. Then he stuck his foot in
the stirrup and swung lightly into the
saddle. The little black walked off
like lamb.
Up out of the creek bottom they
rode. When they reached the top
of the first hill, old Dolby pulled up
and turned to Kid Moore. Take four
or five of the boys, and go down to
the mouth of Chin Coulee," he said.
Work the country from there to
the Big Hole on Clearwater; that's
where the wagons IL camp. Well
round up on the fat. You go with
inland you, and you, and you, mo-
tioning to some of the boys. The
rest of you fellows come with me-"
They turned to follow him. johnny
Layton dropped behind the Freak
who was riding half turned in his
saddle, gazing out over the prairie
Johnny winked at the boys, raised
his foot and spurred the little black
on the rump. The next instant the
Freak was on his back on the ground,
and the little black was flying over
the prairie with the stirrup feathers
tapping wildly against his sides.
Two of the boys dashed after him,
roped him and led him back.
"How the devil did you git off?''
asked Dolby, as the Freak climbed on
again.
"Oh, / was ridin' careless, an he
got me fore l knew what had hap
pened," said the Freak, scowling at