Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1919-10-28

ter. frncssco knew lust about where
he was going for water. because hi
knew every pool In Cave Greek and
other neighboring canyons. When We
dismomted from our horses he told
me The buck would drink at the next
pool. about two hundred yards ahead
but that we had plenty OF time, be-
cause the deer would not drink Inn
|inediafeiy on arriving at the water
lacle. but would reconnoiter the ground
Thoroughly for the possible presence Of
enemies. Due TO our ipck. however
we had completely surprised hIrl, even
while re was being most eau . -.
That buck never had a show.
We mounted and rode on up Cave
Creek canyon right into the heart OF
eastern slope Of the great Black
Range whose blue wooded peaks tow
cred into the sky above us. IL you
don't believe 1t is some job to follow
a native boy over the COW trails I'm
this, the toughest country In America,
Just try Il. Above the upper Parks
ranch, now deserted, Francisco sig
nailed back that he was going up the
canyon wall TO the mesa. There Is
no road up Cave Creek canyon above
where Cotton Tree canyon runs into
IL and the trail looked as though no
one had been over II for weeks. The
only trails out OF the canyon above
MIX Cow canyon opening are evident
ly made by cows and deer, at least
thought so, as the horses picked their
way along the precipice and through
rhe brush that gets heavier the fur
tber up into the range you go. But we
we've well mounted ON native horses
that never stumbled even when they
had TO jump over boulders. We got
up all right, but / was minus con-
siderable skin on my knees and one Of
tie lnces OF my boot had been broken
and snatched clear out. We hunted
up there for awhile, rather leisurely,
for the object of the trip had been ac-
complished and Francisco said he
didn't care whether or not he got IA
deer. because he could get his any
time. We climbed from mesa TO mesa,
over ridge and hog-back until we had
ridden right onto the top OF the Black
Range. 1t was a wonderful sight with
the world spread out below. Among
other things Francisco pointed QUE
Elephant Butte dam which could see
quite plainly even without the aid of
field glasses. We could hear the
"barrage" over toward the Animas
where dozens OF automobile parties of
hunters had gone because they could
get up the canyon on a fairly good
road. But Francisco contended that
II was not very good deer country and
rather dangerous, considering the
number Of "tenderfeet" that found
easy access to the Animas country. He
said that before cars were In such
general use parties used to 90 into the
high mountains, but that he hadn't
had job as guide now for several
years. Then he told about some of his
clients.
There came Teller out of I'll
Paso," he said, and he hired me by
the day with my horses. took him
to where the deer go and pointed one
out TO heem by water hole just like the
one where you keel hecm. And he say,
where the h---that deer; don't
see no deer" and the d fool he
look and look, but couldn't see heem
til he run away.
Another Teller he come here with
double barrel shot gun to keel turkey.
l show heem plenty turkey, meybe
more than twenty In bunch. He stand
on side of mountain and pull both
triggers at one and fall clecr down
when she 90 off"
well. how many turkeys did he
killI" | asked.
"That L. fool he don't keel none
TAN
BY this time ! was pretty well all
In and we hadn't sighted another
deer. had little hopes Of seeing any
at this time of day, as deer like cows,
Craze until about 10 o'clock IN the
morning when they lie down in well
secluded and shady spots. Finding
them, except In the morning or to-
ward evening is just matter of
stumbling on their hiding places and,
believe me, there are plenty OF good
hiding places in the Black Range.
was In for going back to the goat
ranch where | could distinctly remem-
her my blanket roll had been slowed
We started down the mountain on the
ranger trail that runs between
Kingston and Hermosa Il was better
than COW path, any way. Just as
we cleared the rim rocks we turned
our heads to the unpleasant tune Of n
rattle snake making an awful racket
just beside the trail. He was one OF
the largest Rock rattlers | had ever
seen and l lost no time In cutting
short his concert with a 5000 bullet
that simply tore him all to pieces.
couldn't even find the rattlers.
1t was almost dark when we got
down to the bottom Of Cave Greek
canyon and we had still ten miles TO
20 and climb over into Pine Springs
canyon where the ranch was located
| unloaded my gun and slid II into the
boot. thinking that my hunt was over.
We were riding along lodging the
trees and overhanging limbs that
snatched at our caps at every turn.
Francisco was singing a Spanish bal
lad In the worst voice have ever been
compelled to listen to. He would sing
that way IL camp, when he usually
drew what the boys called a hob
nail barrage," but he never gave over
his habit OF vocal gymnastics when he
had nothing TO do and his heart was
light. ! always managed TO stand for
IL.
All at once the near-music ceased
and l thought a Disguised mountain
lion must have grabbed him. l urged
Ia. o.. - aa.I -