The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-01-04
CHAPTER VII.
ssoo Rope . cayuss."


Il FTER q week OF wedding in the
vegetable garden Collie was
put to work repairing fence
There were many miles OF II
inclosing some 10000 acres Of grazing
land and the cross fencing OF the oat
alfalfa, fruit and vegetable acreage.
The Moonstone rancho was well or
dered under the direct supervision Of
Walter stones foreman, Brand Will
llama. Williams was a Wyoming cow
man OF the old school. taciturn, lean.
sineNy - ssssrss = i IS
Collie stood awaiting the foreman's
instructions.
Ever mend fence7" asked williams.
Nope
"Good Then you can learn right
Go rope cayuse, get some staples and
that leetle OK In my Office and so to i
There's plenty fence"
The go rope cayuses momenta-
rily staggered the boy. but he went
silently to the corral, secured a riata.
and BY puzxling the playful ponies By
his amateur tactics he finally entangled
Badly" white faced COW pony Of
peaceful mien but uncertain disposi.
ti0n.
Williams, watching the performances.
laxily rolled straw paper cigarette.
Snubbed to the post, bridled and sad
died awkwardly. Badly gave no out
ward sign Of his malignant inward In
tent OF getting rid Of the lad the min
ute he mounted
Williams slowly drew match across
his sleeve from elbow to wrist. ending
with fame that was extremely con-
venient to his cigarette. He wasted
no effort at anything. He was man
who never met yawn halfway. but
only gave La to 1t when actually obliged
to. Collie climbed into the saddle and
started for the corral gate. He arrived
there far ahead OF the horse. He got
to his feet and brushed his knees. The
pony was humping round the corral
with marvellous agility FOR 30 old
horse
HE never did like a left handed
man." said Williams gravcly. Next
time get on him from the other side
and see II he don't behave. Hold on:
don't bo in bury. Let him throw
few more jumps, then he'll quit for to-
day most likely. And, say, son. II he
does take to buckin' with you again,
don't choke that saddle to death hang
In on to the horn. Set up straight,
lean little back and clinch your
knees. You'll get piled anyhow. but
you might M well start right"
The boy approached the horse again,
secured the dangling reins and again
mounted. Badly was as demure as 4
spfnster in church. He actually looked
| pious.
Collie urged the pony toward the
gate. Baldy reared.
"A spade bit amt made to pull teeth
with. although you cam said Will
liams- "Baldy's old, but his teeth are
all good yet Just easy now. Ride In
your saddle, not on your reins. That's
1t! And say, kid. would "a got them
staples and that AK before crawlin'
the hoss, eh r
Collie flushed. He dismounted and
walked to the foreman's office. When
be returned to the corral the horse was
gone. Williams still sat on the corral
bars smoking and gazing earnestly al
nothing
Round the corner OF the stable Col
lie saw the pony, his nose peacefully
submerged In the water trough, but
his eve wide and vigilant. The boy
ran toward him. Badly snorted and
wheeling, ran back into the corral, cir.
cling It with an expression which said
plainly Let Us play little game oi
tag. IN which, my young friend. you
shall always be IT."
Again Collie tried to rope the pony.
want any helpw asked William.
as he slid from the corral bars to tha
ground.
Nope" And Collie disentangled BIZ
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