The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-04-07

ture and BuRalo Bill was eventually
approached. Two Of his cowboys,
Tom Webb and 81 Compton, men of
fine features and splendid athletic
frames, volunteered to lasso them.
The cowboys we're dressed in the
uniform Of the plains, the one wearing
a red vest, the other a dark shirt.
They wore leather gloves to prevent
the. lariats from cutting their hands,
while over their topboots they pulled
| stout hide trousers.
The stag which led the herd came
to look the cowboys over Is they took
the field, anger in his mein, scorn in
his attitude.
At the commencement there was
no dificulty in getting within range.
At about Is feet the first throw was
made. Two coils Kissed through the
air, unwinding into a long looped line
about the legs Of two stays. But be-
fore the loop could be drawn taught
the stays bounded five feet into the
air and dashed away. -
The big stag was then definitely
selected for attack. Beaters were
pressed into service to round up the
deer. The next shot touched the
stag, but did not hold him. He be-
gan to get angry, and the greater
portion of the heaters took to the
trees and the fences.
with head lowered, he charged.
Rushing into the open, he came with
in range again. Both coils were
loosed, both found the stag. ST Comp
toms fell in a beautiful circle yer
the a~ntlers, clearing them all; Tom
Webb's followed in quick succession.
The lordly stag was a prisoner.
His resistance al by no means
over He plunged and taxed to the
utmost the iron muscles of the cow
boys.
On either side of him they leaned
back, with their ropes round their
waists and played with him as an
angler plays his fish. AS soon as
the stag quieted down he was moved
of to a shed prepared for the cap
tives.
When he reached it another trick
of the west rolled him over. How it
was done no n knew, but Tom
Webb leaned over, touched the stays
tail, and in a second he was on his
back.
The chase became more popular
after the terror of the herd had been
vanquished. Ladies and gentlemen
from the neighboring hunt rode over.
ladies' kept on the safe side of a six
foot fence.
For the ~lassoers the rest of the
work was the most difficult. The
free deed-stags and hinds-had no
antlers. and only a straight, true cast
could hope to take effect. Time after
time a clean shot from both men
found the slim legs of a deer. But
with a wriggle and a bound the rope
was evaded, and the captive of a
moment escaped to temporary free
dom.
The neck was now aimed at and
within a few minutes a moose closed
over the head of a young and active
stag, who seemed. to have assumed
leadership.
"Just hold on plumb" said 81 to
Tom Weeb, who had lassoed him.
Sure replied Tom, as he held n
and the victim was secured.
During this time the contest ranged
over a ten-acre field, dotted with
copses, and having one portion COM
posed of thick wooded growth. Very
swiftly the herd, now somewhat cow
ed, took to this portion as sanctuary.
knowing that it gave no scope for the
swing of these terrible lassoes.
To points of vantage they were now
driven by the eager field. After two
had fallen to the unerring lasso, the
deer began to practice slim tactics.
Watching for the rise of ARM, they
jumped high in the air, while the
rope fell harmlessly below them.
One hind made a flying circus leap
clean through the four foot loop, and
turned to see the effect.
After two hours, however, five OF
the twelve had been caught, and half
an hour later the sixth.
The last six were taken all at once.
Douh1inp round toward the shed to