The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1909-11-05

being called the Rio Seco. Great
rocks were carelessly scattered here
and there, and even cow-puncher
camped at its entrance if he was
caught there by darkness. At the far
end the gulch broadened into valley
between rolling hills, where the cattle
came down to drink and to feed on
the green grass, wonderful sight in
Arizona
The pony, splashing quickly through
the shadows and Gathering over the
rocks, had passed deep within the two
great walls when suddenly it stopped
and trembled. 1t half-wheeled around,
thrust forward both ears, stretched
out its ungainly neck as if listening,
and then squealed in evident terror,
Wheeling around again. it started
down the canon on a bolt, but Pink
gave the cruel bit great jerk, and
the pony fell back to walk. A mo-
ment later the broncho was lathered
with sweat.
Now, Pink had frequently heard his
pony squeal with rage, but this was
different. "a pure case of scared" he
said to himself, IAN no wall-eyed
pinto cow-pony is going to git scared
less there's something to be scared
at that's big an important an needin
attention" So he pulled up his
trembling pony and listened. Far
away and sullen. like low growl, he
heard an unceasing noise, which, even
IN the seconds he listened, grew ON
inously distinct
Good God!" said Pink hurry, look
ing despairingly at the cliffs that tow.
cred sheer close to either stirrup
1T amt much of race-track, pinto
but we've certainly got a race to do"
The pinto did not need the spur
but he got it. He did not need the
quirt. but he got that too The rush
and the roar of the cloud-burst and
the ferocious din of many waters piled
IN one, looming and smashing as it
tore through the canon at their heels,
made that pony run like a Derby win
ner gone stark mad with fear. In the
saddle sat pale, freckled-faced cow
boy, riding in grim earnestness at
last. With cool skill he swung the
maddened horse around jutting corn.
ers Of the cliffs and lifted him as he
leaped over the boulders in his path.
Under the flying hoofs an inch of wa
ter flowed placidly. A hundred yards
behind ten feet of water tossed about
boulders like pebbles. So horse and
rider tore out of the canon at last and
staggered up the slope of the hills to
safety. having come through the last
half of the Seco Canon in three min
utes, which Hermosa says is lie.
All about him, on the crest of the
hill, cattle paved and beloved and
ran about, tossing both head and tail
straight in the air, the COWS with
calves hustling the youngsters down
the far side of the ridge. Pink turned
quickly in his saddle and looked back.
A great wall of logs and branches and
sticks and rocks and leaves, the &C.
cumulations of the mountain bed of
the Seco for many dry months. was
being swiftly and mysteriously pushed
through the canon. Ten feet high it
was in the canon, but when it burst
free into the broader valley, it broke
and spread out somewhat. Behind it
roared the pent-up waters, dark and
swollen with anger. Like nightmare
the flood swept by Pink and the pant
ing pony, swept by and swirled and
churned itself, as If reaching back aft.
er him. Boulders grumbled as they
were rolled about in its depths. and
logs shot by like arrows. The noise
of its fury deafened him, and the in
credible swiftness with which #
swirled past made him dizzy. The
big sheet-iron roof of Bojarque's ranch.
house, borne on the angry waters like
roof of cork, fitted by him like the
Pickering of shadow on river. The
white-faced cowboy watched it grim.
ly for half an hour, while his horse
stood under him with spreading legs
and heaving sides.
At length the pony stretched out his
neck and began to nibble grass. The
cowboy swung around in his saddle
and picked up the reins.
Its lucky for me you beat out that
water, old boss, for how could swim
with all the silver of Hermosa in nv
chaps?" said Pink hurry genially.