The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-04-11

- Western State. I was los
ing the forms of things about me when
a quick movement of my horse re-
called me to consciousness, and 1 saw
that two horsemen were approaching.
They had just appeared over a low
ridge of sand hills that lay across the
trail leading to the upper ranges along
the river.
They came toward me at the easy,
stumbling gait of the Cow pony" sit
ting their horses with the perfect ease
of long practice. AS they drew nearer,
I noted the 'dignified bearing and the
better quality of dress that often dis
tinguish the ranch owner from the
hired rider.
But perhaps I should have paid lit
tie further heed, and let them pass as
casual visitors riding for strays, had
) mot the gray locks of me of them given
him an appearance of age which his
erect carriage and vigorous face plain
ly belied.
Naturally I kept my curiosity to my
self, but 1 watched the man closely as
he made the customary inspection OF
my herd, then rode on. But that eve
ming I mentioned the strange appear
ance of my visitor to my employer.
"Oh, that was Dad Howell" he said.
she came by here"
He is really old?" 1 said. drawing
Inference from the fact that Carter
called him Dad"
."No," replied Carter. Little past
forty. The other mar was his brother,
and the older by several years." Then
lie told this story.
The Howell brothers, George and
ALLEN, came West early. and estab-
lished themselves on 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 a 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 trail large herds of cattle
were driven every year, from the
breeding grounds in Texas to the ma
turing grounds 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 were often the
eiffraff 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 a gang of these rustlers, led by
one Cal Smith, gathered up a bunch OF
cattle and started south. The stock
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 ills example still fresh before
them, the ranchmen quailer- when Cal
Smith repeated his raid as he returned
from Montana the following year.. But
realizing lat their business would be
ruined if these raids were allowed to
continue, and that it would be useless
to appeal to such law as had at that
time been established, a few OF the
drawer men, with Allan Howell at their
head, crossed the sand hills in pursuit.
The rus:lers 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 Cimarrol
River, and punched them on a fiat" ct
the base of & bluff. Then with a guard
posted to prevent them from scatter
ing. the gang took post on the top -
the hill. ~Dismounting, they rested
their lilies across their saddles anG
calmly waited.
It is no discredit to the stockmen
that they halted a1espectfu! distance.
To rush into an ARRAY with so well
posted an enemy would nave been the
height of rashneSs.
We'll, l dunLo," sad 4 big Missouri
an, after they had carefully surveyed
the situation. II hate to beat out. but
them cutthroats seem to have he best
Of us this time, sure
at doesn't look as Il a fellow would
enjoy his cattle long aftet he got in
there wi,h Them" observed another.
"But, boys" said Allan Howell, "you
knew when you started out what you
were coming for, and this is no time
to falter. Who will 90 on with me and
get those cattle?
He was answered Jy an omlnous, 81
which was broken by the big
voice of Cal .'mith haunting Them: IF
YOU want these cattle, come n get
them. Don't keep US waiting"
Howell looked in the faces OF his
men and saw that while they were
brave men who would not hesitate at
fair odds, they would not deliberately
throw away their lives. He could not
blame them. The odds were insur-
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