Nogales international., 1934-02-24

later, and much nearer, she saw a
small bunch of animals emerge from
the underbrush followed by man on
horseback-Snavely, she thought. By
the time the first two punches were
opposite her, three more were in sight
and she turned her own horse east
ward. She soon came upon three cows,
each with calf, and drove them be-
fore her. Just where she was driving
them she had no very clear idea, bit
she could see that the other riders
were converging toward common
point and governed herself accord
ingly. This point proved to be a level
piece of ground about half mile from
the eastern end OF the pasture.
The nine small streams of cattle
merged, flowed on, and were thrown
into an eddying pool by the circling
riders. Two of the men left at once,
Looping 10 a ravine where mesquite was
plentiful. When they returned drag
ging Grewood at the end of their
riatas, the cattle were in close
packed bunch, and the remaining riders
sat their horses at intervals around
the circle. Snavely, Alfredo, Don
Francisco and one OF the extra Mexi-
cans dismounted, kicked off their
chaps, and building a fire, laid on the
branding irons; Ruth and three Mexi-
cans keeping the herd together, mean
while.
When the irons were hot Snavely
motioned to the grizzled old Juan. who
left Ruth's side of the herd and ad-
vanced into the center Of the milling
cattle, swinging his RATA.
Ruth had her hands full. With only
three riders to keep the herd in place
many of the cattle decided to break
away. Every ten seconds, it seemed
to Ruth, some animal on her side OF
the herd would bolt. She had aban
doned old Brisket for such active
riding in favor OF Boots, a springy
young horse with an alert mind ard a
thorough knowledge of the COW busi-
ness. He enjoyed running after the
animals that broke from the herd
Ruth rather suspected him of egging
them on.
Such riding is exhilarating sport for
half an hour-rather like the fastest
moments of a fast polo game, but in
three hours it can be -vearing.
When all the calves had been
branded the herd was driven to the
holding pasture, small enclosure OF
one thousand acres. AS the cattle
PASSED through the gate the counting
began; one man counted calves; an
other, yearlings; another, grown
steers, and a fourth, cows.
The count was over and the riders
were returning to the home ranch
when Ruth rode up beside Snavely.
"Well, how does it look?"
How does what look?" replied
Snavely.
II mean-do you think we're going
to have enough? Weren't there good
many calves and young steers III that
bunch?"
Cant tell nothin' yet" said Snavely
gruffly. 81 don't know If you're goin'
to have enough or not. AS guess Id
say you amt"
Il have it all figured out just how
many We"
You fggered, I reckon, that a
quarter of the sale don't apply on that
fool note, didn't YOU"
Ruth drew herself straight in the
saddle. Certainly. Mr.. Snavely!"
She rcined i'll her horse and dropped
back between Alfredo and old Don
Francisco. The Mexicans pulled their
horses aside to make room and with
many smiles and chuckles began talk
ing to her. They loved to hear her
broken Spanish. By the time the com
pany reached the saddle shed, Ruth
had learned that Don Francisco con-
sidered the cattle large and lat and
the calves plentiful. He also sue
ceeded in conveying to her the results
Of the count
That evening Ruth studied these fig
ures in connection with others she had