Los Angeles herald., 1906-10-14
Copyright by James Elverson.

ly[k( would De TO go on cattle ranch as
GO vaquero. Ii a young man has the
least tractabiity, he can soon learn
all that is necessary about it for his present
needs; and as for the ability to become sue
cessful stockman, there would be plenty of op-
portunity during the time he is cowboy to
get all the training essential to the business" j"
Then you don't believe in the Texan train
ing-school?' said his young friend, John
Morgan.
That depends upon how much it costs. If
the expense-as you say-is from one hundred
to one hundred andNifty dollars for tuition of
three or four months, besides the lost time,
don't believe it would pay. should say hire
at the start on a good stock ranch. You
would be earning something; for all yaqueros
get from thirty to forty dollars month ec!
found, and if energetic and capable, could
soon rise to be overseer, and to better wages.
But it is a hard life at best, and even
should one be SO fortunate as to acquire capi-
tai sufficient to own a herd himself, there
are great risks to run and obstacles to combat
fluctuations of the market and climate, es-
something in the wild, free life Of the herds
man which is extremely attractive; the. hard
ships, and oftentmes peril, which he has to
encounter, only serving to provide that stimu-
lant which he considers needful to give suf-
hcient zest to existence
"Some years ago, stayed through part
Of two seasons on a friends stock ranch in
Southern Oregon, or what is termed the Lake
Country. Being in ill-health at the time, !
had horse, and used to go out good deal
with the cowboys
"The vaqueros are all fearless fellows to the
last degree; but there was one Bonito-or
Boni, as he was called by the others-of Mex
ican and Indian blood, who was the essence
of reckless daring, and was perfectly at home
on his fiery mustang with or without saddle.
"There was one surly old bullock in his
band-for each cowboy had his portion Of
the herd TO look after-that was always max
ing trouble. think he must once have been
rover. 1t took sharp watching to keep him
from bolting and taking the rest of the herd
with him.
Zone day, l was out in the neighborhood
of Bonito's range when the old fellow, who
had been edging of gradually, started. In a
moment, Boni was flying in ,nursqit. and soon
r toward him. But tat at that instant. the the mus mus.
tang he rode plunged into an old burrow and
went down, throwing Bonito yards ahead and
almost under the creatures feet
''Now these old bulls, halfwild and furious
ly savage, though fearing man in the saddle
will not hesitate to attack him off his horse
and seeing Bonito SO temptingly near, Taurus
beloved his deepest bass. and lowering his
horns dashed toward him.
"The alert Indian well understood the dan
ger Of delay, and, as the mustang went ca
Teering off in another direction, he scrambled
with all speed toward clump of sage. Thai
was but slight protection, however, and, al
the bull charged through 1T, Bonl dodged q
little to one side, and seizing the creature by
the tail as he rushed past, made flying leap
alighting plump upon his back.
digging his big spurs into the animals
sides as only an excited vaquero can, they
were of like d the Wind! the bull with head t
while Boni gripped the creatures shoulder,
as his only hope, and plunged the spurs deep
er
Cover the plain the mad bull bounded, now
through dense cumps of sage, then plunginl
into 6ollows, when, for a moment, would
feel sure that the fearless rider must be
thrown and the creature goring him; but tn,
next instant, they would shoot over the ridg,
beyond, and on till they were lost to view.
n never expected to see Bon alive again
yet in half an hour met the bull returning
with tongue out and generally subdued air
He had at last fallen from terror and exhaus
"Boni followed on behind triumphant,