The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1904-08-05

NOE UAN RICARDO bore the
reputation OF being the
o o most skilful lasso thrower
- \ Zoo the Southwest, where Il
SaoFs~ is conceded that the most
wonderful mauipulators of the lasso
have their homes.
Some Of Juans exploits sound IN
credible. He engaged In numerous
contests at Albuquerque Tombstone
Tucson. Phoenix and many OF the
frontier posts. and In every one be was
the victor. Many a time lie would
dash forward ut full speed, lean over
from his saddle, scrape a match on a
stone ana Hight his cigarette, as he
swung back, ana then dirt the loop OF
his coiled rope under the heel OF some
galloplng bull, and whlrl over the
latter In flash on his side.
As Is we'll known the rnnchmen IN
the Southwest used to suffer great
deal from the ravngng Apaches. but az
the time referred 10 most OF them were
on their reservation and comparative
peace roigned. Now ana then MAYER
lex was killed and roasted by some
prowling bucks. aud occasionally shots
were exchanged with them, but moth.
ing took place TO cause general alarm.
Nevertheless, the cowboys were too
wise TO trust an Apache. Kindness
and charity to any Of the scowling
miscreants was quite certain 20 be re-
paid with robbery ana assassination.
IL was during the illness OF his two
men that Juan set out to bring back
half score OF cattle that had drifted
away from others. lie went ON the
Journey alone. though he half suspect.
ed sple wandering Apaches were at
the bottom OF the trouble lie told the
other men to give their attention TO the
main herd, browsinga couple Of miles
distant while he set out to round up
and bring In the ostrays.
Juan followed the cattle by means OF
the trail they had left. and had not
gone far before from the imprints on
the hard earth, he discovered that It
was as he suspected Three mounted
bucks had managed TO cut out the cat
tie unseen, and were making toward
the mountains with them.
The discovery angcred him, ana In.
stead OF riding back for help he pushed
on alone. He knew that II he took
time 10 go after some OF his comrades,
the thieves would get or beyond re-
eovery.
Besides. there were only three OF
them. and he was not afraid to pursue
and fight them
Juan always had his lasso colled on
his saddle hook. and the afternoon was
well advanced when he came to deep
depression, where there was a slight
growth Of brush and stunted grass.
II was OF such slight extent that he
could see the open country beyond.
and with no thought OF coming upon
the thieves, he spurrcd his pony into
the place. expecting to debouch ON
the other side and speedily run the
rogues to earth.
At the moment OF entering the nm
dergTOwth three Wlnchester5 were dis
charged together, and his horse lunged
forward and went down on his nose.
breathing his last within a few
seconds
The Apaches could not have aimed
at the rider. for they fred at such
short distance that II was impossible
TO miss, and II would have been unac-
eountable that they should have wished
TO kill only the horse, except for the
incidents that followed and explained
their action.
The fall from the pony was so sud
den that, despite his fine horseman-
ship. Juan was flung several yards
over his head, ana was slightly dazed
for the moment.
He was in fury, for he knew that
thre7 cowardly Apaches had done him
this greyious wrong, and he was eager
to get within reach Of them.
II was an instructive action on his
part. as he was on the point Of shoot