The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1913-11-29
90

the extraordinary problems OF deVaS-
stewsg Ed tating Apaches, rivals for early and
White. lll-defined range rghts-and cattle
rusters.
For Senior Buck johnson lived just north of that
terra incognita filled with the mystery of double
chance of death from man or the flaming desert
known as the Mexican border. There by natural
gravtation gathered all the desperate characters of
three states and two republics He who rode into it
took good that should get behind him,
lived warily slept light and breathed deep when he
again sighted the familiar peaks of Cochise Strong
hold
Of cattle-rustling there are various forms. The
bol1est consists quite simply of running off bunch
of stock, hustling it the Mexican line, and
there selling it to of the big Sonora ranch own
Generally this sort means Also are there
subter means, grading in skill from the rebrandlng
through wet blanket, through the crafty re-fash-
iOning of brand to the various methods OF separat-
ing the cow from her unbranded calf In the course
of his task Senior Buck johnson would have to do
with them ALL but at present he existed in state OF
warfare fighting an enemy who stole as the Indians
used to steal.
Buck johnson did his best, but it was like stop
ping with sand the nnumerable little leaks OF dam.
Did his riders watch toward the Chiracahuas, then
score of beef steers disappeared from Grant,
Pass, forty miles away Pursuit here meant leaving
cattle unguarded there. It was useless, and the
Senior soon perceived that sooner or later he must
strike in offense.
For this purpose he began slowly to strengthen
the forces Of his riders Men were coming in from
Texas. They were good men, addicted to the grass
rope, the double cinch, and the ox-bow strrup.
Senior Johnson wanted men who could shoot, and ne
got them.
"Jed,' said Senior Johnson to his foreman, the
next son of a gun that rustles any of COWS is
sure loading himself full of trouble. Well hit his
trail and we'll stay with it, and we'll reach his cat
tle-rustling conscience with a rope"
So it came about that little army crossed the
drift fences and entered the border country. Two
days later out and mighty pleased to be able
to do So The rope had not been used.
''No use, Buck" said Jed, "we'd any OF us come
in on gun play, but we can't buck the desert Well
have to get some one who knows the country"
ssThat's all right-but where?" queried johnson.
sThere's Pereza," suggested Parker; it's the
only town down near that country.
HMight get some one there" agreed the Senior.
Next day he rode away in search OF guide
The third evening he was back again, much dis
couraged. -
sThe country's no good" he explained 1.-The
regular inhabitants set of Mexican buns and old
soaks The cowmen's all from north and don
know nothing more than we do. found lots who
claimed to know that country, but when told 'em
what wanted they SHE'D like colt could't hire
'em for money to go down IN Jnat country Inoy
amt got the nerve ,
That night bunch of steers was stotlen from tne
very corrals of the home ranch.
For the first time Buck johnson lost his head and
his dignity He ordered the horses.
ssI'm going to follow that -. into Sonora, ne ne
shouted to Jed Parker. "This things got to stop!
"You can't make her. Buck objected the fore
man. "You,l get held up by the desert; and It that
don't finish you, they II tangle you up in all those
mountains down there, and ambush you and mas
sacre you'' ~.
II don t give 49,, = exploded Senior Johnson, I'll
they do No man can slap my face and not get a run
: for it,
Jed Parker com1nuned with himself
ssSenor'' said he at last, it's no good; you cam
do it. You got to have guide. You wait three days
and I'll get one"
johnson pulled loose his latigo. His first anger
had cooled.
TaAll right, he agreed, land you can say for me
that I'll pay five thousand dollars in gold and give
ali the men and horses he needs to the who has