Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-05-04

9yA LITTLE WESTERN HERO
-<t<<3~
How Ernest Saved the Herd and
. Rented Boilers Gaug.
Wilder Grahame in 81. Nicholas

.ACE. I wasn't very pleasant to be
\ - y outside the stockade to
Q @ guard the corral gates.
4 with no companions but Il
~o< pony and 5000 half-wild
and restless cattle. Most
boys would not have rclishcd the posi-
ton even in Il time of peace. And now
band of dPspCradoCS of the worst
type was known to be approa ching.
White Savagcs who have no fear of
the law are worse than savage In
dians. A scout had brought word that
the terrible "Boltcr gang were ON
their way to raid the cattlemcn of
the valley, and all hands had since
been busy gathering the scattered set
tiers into the central stockadc for pro
lection against this marauding band
of "ruStlcrS." or cattle thieves.
Whatever may be said against the
cowboy, laZincSS and cowardicc are
not among his faiIings; 50 it is not
surprising that the ranrhmcn began
to prepare most actively to give their
unwelcomc visitors a warm reception.
Up OH The mountain lay the scout,
waiting to send the signal of warning
when the foe should enter the pass.
Below, fearless riders dashed over the
plains. bringing in the scattered cattle
and preparing for Il long and vigorous
defense. Until the signal came there
was no danger. and, rs all hands were
;,, Al, l;..t,
herds. the stockadc was. for the time,
left comparatively undcfcndcd. That
was how it came to pass that Ernest
was left alone to guard the corral
gates till the remaining cattle were
driven in and the heavy fastcninGS
safely secured. There was little for
him to do but watch till the other herds
arrived. Then he would have to swing
the big gates open and help turn the
leaders in. This might take some hard
riding and not little danger. Often
the least unusual thing is enough to
start those herds of half-wild cattle
on mad stampede before which there
is no safety but in flight. \ single
misStcp and horse and rider would be
trampled to pieces by n thousand hoofs.
The cattle were restless that day
ready for a stampede on the slightest
provocation. AS though they scented
danger, they shifted the air, paved,
and lowed till Ernest began to fear
they would attempt to break from the
inclosure.
Within the Stockade the women were
doing what they could in preparation
for the coming light. Guns were be-
ing cleaned and examined, ammunition
boxes dragged into more convenient
places. and the little fortress strength
ened in every possible manner. In
fact, every one was busy at some ac-
tive work except the scout, away up
on the mountain. and Ernest No Won
der the lad felt almost alone in the
world.
Would the mcE be ready to return
before the signal came? OF course
they would be all right anyhow, for
they would have time to get back after
Bolter came in sight of the scout
MY coulu lcuNt lHf ItSt VI llit licliS,
IL necessary. But the excitement of
the cattle he was guarding seemed to
be contagious. and Ernest's restless
ness, like theirs, increased. He gal
loped up to a little plateau, and, dis
mounting. looked anxiously toward the
spot where the scout was Stationed. as
if expecting his signal. His attention
was about equally divided between the
trail by which the men would come
and the lookout on the mountain. The
lad was not by any means coward.
Accustomed as he was to the dangers
and hardships of frontier life, even the
cowboys admired his daring. Still, it
was with n keen sense of relief that
he saw an approaching cloud Of dust
that told him the men were coming.
But was it really the men? The cat
tie never came like that unless they
were stampedng. Surely that couldn't
be Bolter! The scout would have been
sure to Gee him and give warning I'M
less he had been surprised and cap
tured
Older heads than Ernests would
have been anxious at that moment.
Furiously the cloud Of dust approached,
drew near, then parted, and out Of 1t
there came, not horns, but horses rid