The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1920-01-15
CHAPTER XXI

In about an hour after the parting with inc
trappers. we came 10 some timber skiruhg
small stream Just as we were about 20 enter
This timber. we discovered a herd OF Wild catue
grazing on the edge of Il about a mile De'oW'
Uncle Seth ordered US to conceal ourselves WIN
in the timber, and wait there until ne couu SIP
down under cover of il and get a shot at tne
cattle. as he said we needed something fresh
for supper.
Now. boys" said he as he dismounted from
his horse and tied him TO tree, don't bulge
a foot tell you hear my rifle go Off, then you
kin make fur me as fast as you please. FUR
reckon shall git meat" and so saying he re-
primed his rifle and went Off az a dog trot
through the timber. | dismounted from my
horse. and walked to the edge Of the prairie,
from whence the cattle could be seen, 20 watch
the effect of Uncle Seth's shot In about fif-
teen minutes after he left us, / saw faint puff
of white smoke issue from the timber, and be-
fore the report of the gun reached my ears. |
saw one of the cattle tumble headlong TO the
ground. and the remainder scampering Off IN
the widest alright | fastened back 10 my
horse. mounted him, and we all galloped to the
place where we saw Uncle Seth standing by the
beef he had killed. As we came up. Uncle Seth
was lust in the act of giving the animal the
"coup de grace" by drawing his butcher knife
across its throat 1t was yearing and as tat
as a stalled OK.
Il could have killed a bigger one said Uncle
Seth "hut there wasn't any fat cows m the
drove and a yeariin's better meat than old
bull
He then stripped the hide from part OF the
animal. cut out the tenderloin and about twenty
pounds Of steak from one of the hind quarters.
1T is a great pity" said Uncle Seth. 10
leave so much good meat on the perara fur the
cayotes and buzzards, but there's no help FUR
il. Howsomever." he added. when he had tied
the pieces Of meat he had sliced from the car
cass on the pack mule, I'VE will camp purity
soon and 'spose we might as well take the
critters head too, fur it is the best part OF the
animule when it's fixed up right.
"Kil Mass Seth" said Guido. how are We
gwine to cook EN-? We can't bile EN- IN de
coffee pot nur fry em in de skillet
Never mind" said Uncle Seth, cutting off
the animals head and tying il to the horn Of
"a saddle I'm show YOU how TO cook II when
re cit 10 camp" IL was not more than
quarter of n mile 10 the creek and as soon as
NE struck il. we pitched camp, near pool of
water under the shelter OF a live oak tree. so
thicky covered with grape vine. that We did
not take the trouble to stretch the tent Our
encampmcnt was just ON the edge OF q little
pnire or rather meadow covered with lux
uriant mesquite grass on which We staked our
animals. Whilst gathering fuel for a fife, l
noticed the representations OF dog ana sew
e,nl arrow heads painted upon the smooth bark
III a t,ee near hv. / called Uncle Seth'a alton
lion 10 them and asked him II he knew what
they meant. lie said he aid not, bat That they
had been made By the Indians loi ne purpose
III giving Information 10 amy Of me Tribe VINO
~lht mass that way. Ne aid that an The
t,lhes ne was acquainted with had certain siHna
and characters by which lhey could convey M
lolmallog 10 Que another such a. TIE humber