Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1906-03-31

forty. The other man was his brother,
and the older by several years." Then
he told this story.
The Howell brothers. George and
Allen, came West early, and estab-
lished themselves OH the Arkansas
River. The range on the public domain
was then open and free. They had
plenty of room for the grazing of their
herds, and as they possessed some
means, and were intelligent, progress
i've men, they were soon in possession
of large bunch" of cattle.
1t so happened that the Texas cattle
trail ran through the region in which
the Howell brothers had their ranch.
Along this rail large herds of cattle
We're driven every year, from the
breeding grounds in Texas to the ma
tutA"s s"""nds in Montana and Da-
kOta. -.
With all regard for the honest and
upright among them, truth demands
that we say the men who composed
the outfits on the trail We're often the
riffraff of the Lone Star State.
Not infrequently, when these men
were returning empty handed, they
sought to enrich themselves by turn
ing "rustler," and taking a choice lot
of cattle back with them.
Soon after the Howell brothers came
West gang of these rustlers, led by
one Cal Smith, gathered up bunch Of
res,ttIO anu staIt1u SCUM. Lne sIOck'
men gave chase. They followed the
thieves for a week, and finally brought
them to bay. But they failed to re-
cover their cattle, and returned, los
ing three of their number. .
With this example Still fresh before
them, the ranchmen QuaileG when Cal
Smith repeated his RAID as he returned
from Montana the following year. But
realizing nat their business would be
ruined if these raids were allowed to
continue, and that 1t would be useless
to appeal to such law as had Mt that
time been established, a few OF the
drawer men, with Allan Howell at their
head, crossed the sand hills In pursuit,
The rustlers had several days the
start of their pursucrs, but were EN-
numbered With the h:rd of stolen cat
tie. and must travel slowly. The stock
men went out with their luggage
packed on their relay horses, They
thus avoided the impeachment Of camp
wagon and could move rapidly, After
two days of lard riding they overlook
the outlaws.
But the latter were prepared to re-
ceive them, On sighting their pursuers
they had rushed the cattle across the
practically dry bed of the Clmarrol
River, and punched them on "hat" ct
the base Of bluff, Then with guard
posted to prevent them from scatter
ing, the gang took post on the top OF
the hill. Dismounting, they rested
their -ifies across their saddles and
calmly waited.
1t is no discredit to the stockmel
that they halted at a respectful distance.
To rush into an ARRAY with 80 well
posted an enemy wonld nave been the
height of rashness.
"Well, dunno" sad big Missouri
an, after thy had carefully surveyed
the situation. u hate to beat out, but
them cutthroats seem to have the best
of us this time, sure"
at doesn't look as al fellow would
enjoy his cattle long after he got in
there with them" observed another.
"But, boys" said Allan Howell, lyon
knew when you started out what you
were coming for, and this lie no time
to falter. Who will go on with me and
get those cattle?"
He was answered jy An ominous ST.
Ience, which was broken by the big
voice Of Cal ninth haunting them! III
you want these cattle, come and gel
them. Don't keep us waiting"
Howell looked in the faces of his
men aud saw that while they were
brave men who would not hesitate al
fair odds, they would not deliberately
throw away their lives. He could moi
blame them. The odds were insur
mountable. Still, he was unwilling tC
turn back without accomplishing bis
mission.
He thought for a moment, then
turned to his comrades and said:
Boys, I'm going after those cattle
and ] want you to be ready to fight of
the rustlers when ] bring them back
Get of your horses and act as II you
90, 90 I'm mi "A