buteverypunchersworeupanddown，andbackandacross，thathe'dbrandedeverycalfhe'dhadaropeonthatspring。Weputitdownthatsomeonewaslyin'，andletitgoatthat。
Andthen，aboutaweeklater，oneoftheotherboysreportedaTriangle-Hsleeper。TheTriangle-HwastheGoodrichbrand，sowedidn'thavenothin'todowiththat。Someofthemmightbesleeperin'forallweknew。Threeothercasesofthesamekindwehappenedacrossthatsamespring。
Sofar，sogood。Sleepersrunnin'insuchnumberswasalittleastonishin'，butnothin'suspicious。Cattledidwellthatsummer，andwhenwecometoroundupinthefall，wecutoutmaybeadozenofthoseT0cattlethathadstrayedoutofthatHahncountry。Ofthedozentherewasfivegrowncows，andsevenyearlin's。
"MyLord，Jed，"saysBucktome，"they'saheapoftheseyoungsterscomin'overourway。"
Butstill，asayoungcritterismoreapttostraythananoldonethat'sgothisrangeestablished，wedidn'tlaynogreatstorebythatneither。TheHahnstooktheirbunch，andthat'salltherewastoit。
Nextspring，though，wefoundafewmoresleepers，andonedaywecameonacowthathadgonedeadlame。Thatwasusual，too，butBuck，whowaswithme，hadsomethin'onhismind。Finallyheturnedbackandropedher，andthrewher。
"Lookhere，Jed，"sayshe，"whatdoyoumakeofthis？"
Icouldseewherethehindlegsbelowthehockshadbeenburned。
"Lookslikesomebodyhadropedherbythehindfeet，"saysI。
"Mightbe，"sayshe，"butherheelslamethatwaymakesitlookmorelikehobbles。"
Sowedidn'tsaynothin'moreaboutthatneither，untiljustbyluckwecameonanotherlamecow。Wethrewher，too。
"Well，whatdoyouthinkofthisone？"BuckJohnsonasksme。
"Thefeetisprettywelltoreup，"saysI，"anddowntothequick，butI'veseenthemtoreupjustasbadontherockswhentheycomedownoutofthemountains。"
Yousabewhatthatmeant，don'tyou？Yousee，arustlerwilltakeacowandhobbleher，orlamehersoshecan'tfollow，andthenhe'lltakehercalfalongwaysoffandbranditwithhisiron。Ofcourse，ifwewastoseeacalfofonebrandfollowin'
ofacowwithanother，itwouldbejusttooeasytoguesswhathadhappened。
Werodeonmightythoughtful。Therecouldn'tbemuchdoubtthatcattlerustlerswasatwork。Thesleeperstheyhadear-marked，hopin'thatnoonewoulddiscoverthelackofabrand。Then，afterthecalfwasweaned，andquitfollowin'ofhismother，therustlerwouldbranditwithhisowniron，andchangeitsear-marktomatch。Itmadeanice，easywayofgettin'togetherabunchofcattlecheap。
Butitwasprettyhardtoguessoff-handwhotherustlersmightbe。TherewerealotofrenegadesdowntowardstheMexicanlinewhomadearaidonceinawhile，andafewoilers[2]livin'
nearhadwaterholesinthefoothills，andanyamountoflittlecattleholders，likethisT0outfit，andanyofthemwouldn'tshyveryhardatalittlesleeperin'ontheside。BuckJohnsontoldusalltowatchout，andpassedthewordquietamongthebigownerstotryandseewhosecattleseemedtohavetoomanycalvesforthenumberofcows。
[2]"Oilers"——Greasers——Mexicans。
TheTexasoutfitI'mtellin'youabouthadsettledupaboveinthisDoubleRcanonwhereIshowedyouthosenaturalcorralsthismorning。They'dbuiltthema'dobe，andclearedsomeland，andplantedafewtrees，andmadeanirrigatedpatchforalfalfa。
Nobodyneverrodeoverhiswayverymuch，'causethecountrywasmosttooroughforcattle，andourrangeslayfarthertothesouthward。Now，however，webegantoextendourridin'alittle。
IwasdowntowardsDosCabesastolookoverthecattlethere，andtheyusedtosendLarryupintotheDoubleRcountry。Oneevenin'hetookmetooneside。
"Lookhere，Jed，"sayshe，"Iknowyouprettywell，andI'mnotashamedtosaythatI'mallnewatthiscattlebusiness——infact，Ihaven'tbeenatitmore'nayear。Whatshouldbetheproportionofcowstocalvesanyhow？"
"Thereoughttobeabouttwiceasmanycowsasthere'recalves，"
Itellshim。
"Then，withonlyaboutfiftyheadofgrowncows，thereoughtnottobeanequalnumberofyearlin's？"
"Ishouldsaynot，"saysI。"Whatareyoudrivin'at？"
"Nothin'yet，"sayshe。
Afewdayslaterhetackledmeagain。
"Jed，"sayshe，"I'mnotgood，likeyoufellowsare，atknowin'
onecowfromanother，butthere'sacalfdowntherebrandedT0
thatI'dprettynearswearIsawwithanXYcowlastmonth。I
wishyoucouldcomedownwithme。"
Wegotthatfixedeasyenough，andforthenextmonthrammedaroundthroughthisbrokencountrylookin'forevidence。Isawenoughtosatisfymetoamoralcertainty，butnothin'forasheriff；and，ofcourse，wecouldn'tgoshootupapeacefulrancheronmeresuspicion。Finally，oneday，werunonafour-months'calfallbyhimself，withtheT0ironontohim——amightyhealthylookin'calf，too。
"WonderwhereHISmotheris！"saysI。
"Maybeit'sa'dogie，'"saysLarryEagen——wecallscalveswhosemothershavedied"dogies。"
"No，"saysI，"Idon'thardlythinkso。Adogieisalwaysundersizeandpoor，andhe'slayin'aroundwaterholes，andhealwayshasabig，swaybellyontohim。No，thisisnodogie；and，ifit'sanhonestcalf，theresureoughttobeaT0cowaroundsomewhere。"
Soweseparatedtohaveagoodlook。Larryrodeupontheedgeofalittlerimrock。InaminuteIsawhishossjumpback，dodgin'arattlesnakeorsomethin'，andthenfallbackoutofsight。Ijumpedmyhossuptheretur'blequick，andlookedover，expectin'toseenothin'butmangledremains。Itwasonlyaboutfifteenfootdown，butIcouldn'tseebottom'countofsomebrush。
"Areyouallright？"Iyells。
"Yes，yes！"criesLarry，"butfortheloveofGod，getdownhereasquickasyoucan。"
Ihoppedoffmyhossandscrambleddownsomehow。
"Hurt？"saysI，assoonasIlit。
"Notabit——lookhere。"
TherewasadeadcowwiththeLazyYonherflank。
"Andabullet-holeinherforehead，"addsLarry。"And，lookhere，thatT0calfwasbald-faced，andsowasthiscow。"
"Reckonwefoundoursleepers，"saysI。
So，therewewas。Larryhadtoleadhiscavallodownthebarrancatothemaincanon。Ifollowedalongontherim，waitin'
untilaplacegavemeachancetogetdown，too，orLarryachancetogetup。Weweretalkin'backandforthwhen，allatonce，Larryshoutedagain。
"Biggamethistime，"heyells。"Here'sacaveandamountainlionsquallin'init。"
Isliddowntohimatonce，andwedrewoursix-shootersandwentuptothecaveopenin'，rightundertherim-rock。There，sureenough，werefreshliontracks，andwecouldhearalittlefaintcryin'likewoman。
"Firstchance，"claimsLarry，anddroppedtohishandsandkneesattheentrance。
"Well，damnme！"hecries，andcrawlsinatonce，payin'noattentiontometellin'himtobemorecautious。Inaminutehebacksout，carryin'athree-year-oldgoat。
"Weseemtoheinforadventuresto-day，"sayshe。"Now，wheredoyousupposethatcamefrom，andhowdiditgethere？"
"Well，"saysI，"I'vefollowedliontrackswherethey'vecarriedyearlin'sacrosstheirbackslikeafoxdoesagoose。They'retur'blestrong。"
"Butwheredidshecomefrom？"hewonders。
"Asforthat，"saysI，"don'tyouremembernowthatT0outfithadayearlin'kidwhenitcameintothecountry？"
"That'sright，"sayshe。"It'sonlyamiledownthecanon。I'lltakeithome。Theymustbemostdistractedaboutit。"
SoIscratcheduptothetopwheremyponywaswaitin'。Itwasatur'blehardclimb，andI'mosthadtohavehooksonmyeyebrowstogetupatall。It'seasiertoslidedownthantoclimbback。
Idroppedmygunoutofmyholster，andshewentwaytothebottom，butIwouldn'thavegonebackforsixguns。Larrypickeditupforme。
Sowewentalong，meontherim-rockandaroundthebarrancas，andLarryinthebottomcarryin'ofthekid。
Byandbywecametotheranchhouse，stoppedtowait。TheminuteLarryhoveinsighteverybodywasouttoonce，andintwowinksthewomanhadthatbaby。Thydidn'tseemeatall，butI
couldhear，plainenough，whattheysaid。Larrytoldhowhehadfoundherinthecave，andallabouttheliontracks，andthewomancriedandheldthekidclosetoher，andthankedhimaboutfortytimes。Thenwhenshe'dworetheedgeoffalittle，shetookthekidinsidetofeeditorsomethin'。
"Well，"saysLarry，stilllaughin'，"Imusthitthetrail。"
"YousayyoufoundheruptheDoubleR？"asksHahn。"Wasitthatcavenearthethreecottonwoods？"
"Yes，"saysLarry。
"Where'dyougetintothecanyon？"
"Oh，myhossslippedoffintothebarrancajustabove。"
"Thebarrancajustabove，"repeatsHahn，lookin'straightathim。
Larrytookonestepback。
"YououghttobealmightygladIgotintothecanyonatall，"
sayshe。
Hahnsteppedup，holdin'outhishand。
"That'sright，"sayshe。"Youdoneusagoodturnthere。"
Larrytookhishand。AtthesametimeHahnpulledhisgunandshothimthroughthemiddle。
ItwasallsosuddenandunexpectedthatIstoodthereparalysed。
Larryfellforwardthewayamanmostlywillwhenhe'shitinthestomach，butsomehowhejerkedlooseagunandgotitofftwice。
Hedidn'thitnothin'，andIreckonhewasdeadbeforehehittheground。Andtherehehadmygun，andIwasaboutasuselessasapocketinashirt！
No，sir，youcantalkasmuchasyouplease，butthekillerisalow-downorneryscub，andhedon'thesitateatnotreacheryoringratitudetokeephiscarcasssafe。
JedParkerceasedtalking。Theduskhadfalleninthelittleroom，anddimlycouldbeseentherecumbentfigureslyingateaseontheirblankets。Theranchforemanwassittingboltupright，cross-legged。Afaintglowfromhispipebarelydistinguishedhisfeatures。
"Whatbecameoftherustlers？"Iaskedhim。
"Well，sir，thatisthequeerpart。Hahnhimself，whohaddonethekillin'，skippedout。Wegotoutwarrants，ofcourse，buttheynevergotserved。Hewasasortofhalfoutlawfromthattime，andwaskilledfinallyinthetrainhold-upof'97。Buttheotherswetriedforrustling。Wedidn'thavemuchofacase，asthelawwentthen，andthey'dhavegonefreeifthewomanhadn'tturnedevidenceagainstthem。Thekillin'wastoomuchforher。And，astheprecedentheldgoodinalotofotherrustlin'cases，Larry'sdeathwasreallythebeginnin'oflawandorderinthecattlebusiness。"
Wesmoked。Thelastlightsuddenlyshowedredagainstthegrimywindow。WindyBillaroseandlookedoutthedoor。
"Boys，"saidhe，returning。"She'sclearedoff。Wecangetbacktotheranchtomorrow。"
CHAPTERFIVE
THEDRIVE
Acryawakenedme。Itwasstilldeepnight。Themoonsailedoverhead，thestarsshoneunwaveringlikecandles，andachillbreezewanderedinfromtheopenspacesofthedesert。Iraisedmyselfonmyelbow，throwingasidetheblanketsandthecanvastarpaulin。Fortyotherindistinct，formlessbundlesonthegroundallaboutmeweresluggishlyastir。Fourfigurespassedandrepassedbetweenmeandaredfire。Iknewthemforthetwocooksandthehorsewranglers。Oneofthelatterwasgrumbling。
"Didn'tgitintillmoon-uplastnight，"hegrowled。"Mightaswelltrademybedforalanternandbedonewithit。"
EvenasIstretchedmyarmsandshiveredalittle，thetwowranglersthrewdowntheirtinplateswithaclatter，mountedhorsesandrodeawayinthedirectionofthethousandacresorsoknownasthepasture。
Ipulledonmyclotheshastily，buckledinmybuckskinshirt，anddoveforthefire。Adozenotherswerebeforeme。Itwasbitterlycold。Intheeasttheskyhadpaledtheleastbitintheworld，butthemoonandstarsshoneonbravelyandundiminished。Abandofcoyoteswasshriekingdesperateblasphemiesagainstthenewday，andthestrayherd，awakening，wasbeginningtobawlandbellow。
Twocrater-likedutchovens，filledwithpiecesoffriedbeef，stoodnearthefire；twogalvanisedwaterbuckets，brimmingwithsodabiscuits，flankedthem；twotremendouscoffeepotsstoodguardateitherend。Wepickeduseachatincupandatinplatefromtheboxattherearofthechuckwagon；helpedourselvesfromadutchoven，apail，andacoffeepot，andsquattedonourheelsasclosetothefireaspossible。Menwhocametoolateborrowedtheshovel，scoopedupsomecoals，andsostartedlittlefiresoftheirownaboutwhichnewgroupsformed。
Whileweate，theeasternskylightened。Themountainsunderthedawnlookedlikesilhouettescutfromslate-colouredpaper；thoseinthewestshowedfaintlyluminous。Objectsaboutusbecamedimlyvisible。Wecouldmakeoutthewindmill，andtheadobeoftheranchhouses，andthecorrals。Thecowboysaroseonebyone，droppedtheirplatesintothedishpan，andbegantohuntouttheirropes。Everythingwasobscureandmysteriousinthefaintgreylight。IwatchedWindyBillnearhistarpaulin。Hestoopedtothrowoverthecanvas。Whenhebent，itwasbeforedaylight；
whenhestraightenedhisback，daylighthadcome。Itwasjustlikethat，asthoughsomeonehadreachedouthishandtoturnontheilluminationoftheworld。
Theeasternmountainswerefragile，theplainwasethereal，likeaseaofliquidgases。Fromthepastureweheardtheshoutingsofthewranglers，andmadeoutacloudofdust。Inamomentthefirstoftheremudacameintoview，trottingforwardwiththefreegraceoftheunburdenedhorse。Othersfollowedinprocession：thosenearsharpandwelldefined，thoseinthebackgroundmoreorlessobscuredbythedust，nowappearingplainly，nowfadinglikeghosts。Theleaderturnedunhesitatinglyintothecorral。Afterhimpouredthestreamoftheremuda——twohundredandfiftysaddlehorses——withanunceasingthunderofhoofs。
Immediatelythecook-campwasdeserted。Thecowboysenteredthecorral。Thehorsesbegantocirclearoundtheedgeoftheenclosureasaroundthecircumferenceofacircusring。Themen，groupedatthecentre，watchedkeenly，lookingforthemountstheyhadalreadydecidedon。Innotimeeachhadrecognisedhischoice，and，hislooptrailing，waswalkingtowardthatpartoftherevolvingcircumferencewherehisponydodged。Somefewwhirledtheloop，butmostcastitwithaquickflip。Itwasreallymarvelloustoobservetheaccuracywithwhichthenoosewouldfly，pastadozentossingheads，andoveradozenbacks，tosettlefirmlyabouttheneckofananimalperhapsintheverycentreofthegroup。Butagain，ifthefirstthrowfailed，itwasinterestingtoseehowtheselectedponywoulddodge，doubleback，twist，turn，andhidetoescapesecondcast。Anditwasequallyinterestingtoobservehowhiscompanionswouldhelphim。
Theyseemedtorealisethattheywerenotwanted，andwouldpushthemselvesbetweenthecowboyandhisintendedmountwiththeutmostboldness。Inthethickdustthatinstantlyarose，andwiththebewilderingthunderofgalloping，theflashingchangeofgrouping，therushofthecharginganimals，recognitionalonewouldseemalmostimpossible，yetinanincrediblyshorttimeeachhadhismount，andtheothers，underconvoyofthewranglers，weremeeklywendingtheirwayoutovertheplain。
There，untiltimeforachangeofhorses，theywouldgrazeinalooseandscatteredband，requiringscarcelyanysupervision。
Escape？Blessyou，no，thatthoughtwasthelastintheirminds。
Inthemeantimethesaddlesandbridleswereadjusted。Alwaysinacowboy's"string"offromsixtotenanimalsthebossassignshimtwoorthreebroncostobreakintothecowbusiness。
Therefore，eachmorningwecouldobserveahalfdozenorsomengingerlyleadingwickedlookinglittleanimalsouttothesand"totakethepitchoutofthem。"Onesmallblack，belongingtoacowboycalledtheJudge，usedmorethantofulfilexpectationsofagoodtime。
"Gotohim，Judge！"someonewouldalwaysremark。
"Ifheain'tgoin'topitch，Iain'tgoin'tomakehim"，theJudgewouldgrin，asheswungaboard。
Theblackwouldtrotoffquitecalmlyandinamostmatteroffactway，asthoughtoshameallslanderersofhislamb-likecharacter。Then，asthebystanderswouldturnaway，hewouldutterasqueal，throwdownhishead，andgoatit。Hewasaveryhardbucker，andmadesomereallyspectacularjumps，butthetrickonwhichhebasedhisclaimstooriginalityconsistedinstandingonhishindlegsatsoperilousanapproachtotheperpendicularthathisriderwouldconcludehewasabouttofallbackwards，andthensuddenlyspringingforwardinaseriesofstiff-leggedbucks。Thefirstmanoeuvreinducedtheridertoloosenhisseatinordertobereadytojumpfromunder，andthesecondthrewhimbeforehecouldregainhisgrip。
"Andtheysayahorsedon'tthink！"exclaimedanadmirer。
Butasthesewerebrokenhorses——savethemark！——theshowwasalloveraftereachhadhadhislittlefling。Wemountedandrodeaway，justasthemountainpeakstothewestcaughttheraysofasunweshouldnotenjoyforagoodhalfhouryet。
Ihadfivehorsesinmystring，andthismorningrode"thatCS
horse，BrownJug。"BrownJugwasapowerfulandwell-builtanimal，aboutfourteentwoinheight，andpossessedofavastenthusiasmforcow-work。Asthemorningwasfrosty，hefeltgood。
Atthegateofthewatercorralweseparatedintotwogroups。
Thesmaller，underthedirectionofJedParker，wastodrivethemesquiteinthewideflats。Therestofus，underthecommandofHomer，theround-upcaptain，weretosweepthecountryevenasfarasthebaseofthefoothillsnearMountGraham。Accordinglyweputourhorsestothefullgallop。
Mileaftermilewethunderedalongatabriskrateofspeed。
Sometimeswedodgedinandoutamongthemesquitebushes，alternatelyseparatingandcomingtogetheragain；sometimeswesweptovergrassyplainsapparentlyofillimitableextent，sometimesweskippedandhoppedandbuck-jumpedthroughandoverlittlegullies，barrancas，andothersortsofmalpais——butalwayswithoutdrawingrein。Themenrodeeasily，withnothoughttothewaynorcareforthefooting。Theaircamebacksharpagainstourfaces。Thewarmbloodstirredbytherushflowedmorerapidly。Weexperiencedadelightfulglow。Ofthemorningcoldonlytheverytipsofourfingersandtheendsofournosesretainedaremnant。Alreadythesunwasshininglowandlevelacrosstheplains。Theshadowsofthecanonsmodelledthehithertoflatsurfacesofthemountains。
Afteratimewecametosomelowhillshelmetedwiththeoutcropofarockescarpment。HithertotheyhadseemedaterminationofMountGraham，butnow，whenwerodearoundthem，wediscoveredthemtobeseparatedfromtherangebyagoodfivemilesofslopingplain。LaterwelookedbackandwouldhaveswornthempartoftheDosCabesassystem，didwenotknowthemtobeatleasteightmiles'distantfromthatrockyrampart。ItisalwaysthatwayinArizona。Spacesdevelopofwhoseexistenceyouhadnottheslightestintimation。Hiddeninapparentlyplanesurfacesarevalleysandprairies。AtonesweepoftheeyeyouembracetheentireareaofaneasternState；butneverthelesstherealityasyouexploreitfootbyfootprovestobeinfinitelymorethanthevisionhaspromised。
Beyondthehillwestopped。Hereourpartydividedagain，halftotherightandhalftotheleft。Wehadridden，uptothistime，directlyawayfromcamp，nowwerodeacircumferenceofwhichheadquarterswasthecentre。Thecountrywaspleasantlyrollingandcoveredwithgrass。Hereandtherewereclumpsofsoapweed。Farinaremotedistancelayaslenderdarklineacrosstheplain。Thisweknewtobemesquite；andonceentered，weknewit，too，wouldseemtospreadoutvastly。Andthenthisgrassyslope，onwhichwenowrode，wouldshowmerelyasaninsignificantstreakofyellow。ItisalsolikethatinArizona。
Ihaveriddeninsuccessionthroughgrassland，brushland，flowerland，desert。Eachinturnseemedentirelytofillthespaceoftheplainsbetweenthemountains。
FromtimetotimeHomerhaltedusanddetachedaman。Thebusinessofthelatterwasthentoridedirectlybacktocamp，drivingallcattlebeforehim。Eachwasinsightofhisright-
andleft-handneighbour。Thuswasconstructedadrag-netwhosemeshescontractedashomewasneared。
Iwasdetached，whenofourpartyonlytheCattlemanandHomerremained。Theywouldtaketheoutside。Thiswasthepostofhonour，andrequiredthehardestriding，forassoonasthecattleshouldrealisethefactoftheirpursuit，theywouldattemptto"break"pasttheendandupthevalley。BrownJugandIcongratulatedourselvesonanexcitingmorninginprospect。
Now，wildcattleknowperfectlywellwhatadrivemeans，andtheydonotintendtogetintoaround-upiftheycanhelpit。Wereitnotforthetwofacts，thattheyareafraidofamountedman，andcannotrunquitesofastasahorse，Idonotknowhowthecattlebusinesswouldbeconducted。Assoonasabandofthemcaughtsightofanyoneofus，theycurledtheirtailsandawaytheywentatalong，easylopethatadomesticcowwouldstareatinwonder。Thiswasallverywell；infactweyelledandshriekedandotherwiseutteredcow-callstokeepthemgoing，to"getthecattlestarted，"astheysay。Butprettysoonalittlebandofthemanyscurryingawaybeforeourthinline，begantobearfartherandfarthertotheeast。Whenintheirjudgmenttheyshouldhavegainedanopening，theywouldturndirectlybackandmakeadashforliberty。Accordinglythenearestcowboyclappedspurstohishorseandpursuedthem。
Itwasaprettyrace。Thecattleraneasilyenough，withlong，springyjumpsthatcarriedthemoverthegroundfasterthanappearanceswouldleadonetobelieve。Thecow-pony，hisnosestretchedout，hisearsslanted，hiseyessnappingwithjoyofthechase，flewfairly"bellytoearth。"Theridersatslightlyforward，withthecowboy'slooseseat。Awhirlofdust，strangelyinsignificantagainsttheimmensityofadesertmorning，rosefromtheflyinggroup。Nowtheydisappearedinaravine，onlytoscrambleoutagainthenextinstant，paceundiminished。Theridermerelyroseslightlyandthrewuphiselbowstorelievethejaroftheroughgully。Atfirstthecattleseemedtoholdtheir，own，butsoonthehorsebegantogain。Inashorttimehehadcomeabreastoftheleadinganimal。
Thelatterstoppedshortwithasnort，dodgedback，andsetoutatrightanglestohisformercourse。Fromadeadruntheponycametoastandintwofierceplunges，doubledlikeashot，andwasoffontheothertack。Anunaccustomedriderwouldherehavelosthisseat。Theseconddashwasshort。Withafinalshakeofthehead，thesteersturnedtothepropercourseinthedirectionoftheranch。Theponydroppedunconcernedlytotheshufflingjogofhabitualprogression。
Farawaystretchedthearcofourcordon。Themostdistantriderwasaspeck，andthecattleaheadofhimwerelikemaggotsendowedwithasmooth，swiftonwardmotion。Asyettheherdhadnottakenform；itwasstilltoowidelyscattered。Itsunits，intheshapeofsmallbunches，momentlygrewinnumbers。Thedistantplainswerecrawlingandalivewithminutecreaturesmakingtowardacommontinycentre。
Immediatelyinourfrontthecattleatfirstbehavedverywell。
ThenfardownthelonggentleslopeIsawabreakfortheuppervalley。ThemanikinthatrepresentedHomeratoncebecameevensmallerasitdepartedinpursuit。TheCattlemanmoveddowntocoverHomer'sterritoryuntilheshouldreturn——andIinturnedgedfarthertotheright。Thenanotherbreakfromanotherbunch。TheCattlemanrodeattopspeedtoheadit。Beforelonghedisappearedinthedistantmesquite。Ifoundmyselfinsolechargeofafrontthreemileslong。
Thenearestcattleweresomedistanceahead，andtrottingalongatagoodgait。Astheyhadnotyetdiscoveredthechanceleftopenbyunforeseencircumstance，Idescendedandtookinonmycinchwhileyettherewastime。EvenasImounted，animpatientmovementonthepartofexperiencedBrownJugtoldmethatthecattlehadseentheiropportunity。
Igatheredthereinsandspoketothehorse。Heneedednofurtherdirection，butsetoffatawideangle，nicelycalculated，tointerceptthetruants。BrownJugwasapowerfulbeast。Thespringofhisleapwasaswhalebone。Theyellowearthbegantostreampastlikewater。Alwaysthepaceincreasedwithagrowingthunderofhoofs。Itseemedthatnothingcouldturnusfromthestraightline，nothingchecktheheadlongmomentumofourrush。Myeyesfilledwithtearsfromthewindofourgoing。Saddlestringsstreamedbehind。BrownJug'smanewhippedmybridleband。DimlyIwasconsciousofsoapweed，sacatone，mesquite，aswepassedthem。TheywereabreastandgonebeforeIcouldthinkofthemorhowtheyweretobedodged。
Twoantelopeboundedawaytotheleft；birdsrosehastilyfromthegrasses。Asuddenchirk，chirk，chirk，roseallaboutme。
Wewereintheverycentreofaprairie-dogtown，butbeforeI
couldformulateinmymindtheprobabilitiesofholesandbrokenlegs，thechirk，chirk，chirkinghadfallenastern。BrownJughadskippedanddodgedsuccessfully。
Wewereapproachingthecattle。Theyranstubbornlyandwell，evidentlyunwillingtobeturneduntilthelatestpossiblemoment。Agreatrageattheirobstinacytookpossessionofusboth。Abroadshallowwashcrossedourway，butweplungedthroughitsrocksandbouldersrecklessly，angeredateventheslightdelaytheynecessitated。Thehardlandontheothersidewegreetedwithjoy。BrownJugextendedhimselfwithasnort。
Suddenlyajarseemedtoshakemyveryheadloose。Ifoundmyselfstaringoverthehorse'sheaddirectlydownintoadeepandprecipitousgully，theedgeofwhichwassocunninglyconcealedbythegrassesastohaveremainedinvisibletomyblurredvision。BrownJug，however，hadcaughtsightofitatthelastinstant，andhadexecutedoneofthewonderfulstopspossibleonlytoacow-pony。
Butalreadythecattlehaddiscoveredapassageabove，andwerescramblingdownandacross。BrownJugandI，atmoresoberpace，slidoffthealmostperpendicularbank，andouttheotherside。
Amomentlaterwehadheadedthem。Theywhirled，andwithoutthenecessityofanysuggestiononmypartBrownJugturnedafterthem，andsoquicklythatmystirrupactuallybrushedtheground。
Afterthatweweremasters。Wechasedthecattlefarenoughtostartthemwellintheproperdirection，andthenpulleddowntoawalkinordertogetabreathofair。
Butnowwenoticedanotherband，backonthegroundoverwhichwehadjustcome，doublingthroughinthedirectionofMountGraham。Ahardrunsetthemtorights。Weturned。Morehadpouredoutfromthehills。Bandswerecrossingeverywhere，aheadandbehind。BrownJugandIwenttowork。
Beinganindivisibleunit，wecouldchaseonlyonebunchatatime；and，whilewewereafterone，ahalfdozenotherswouldbetakingadvantageofourpreoccupation。Wecouldnotholdourown。Eachrunafteranescapingbunchhadtobeonalongerdiagonal。Graduallywewereforcedback，andback，andback；butstillwemanagedtoholdthelineunbroken。NevershallIforgetthedashandclatterofthatmorning。NeitherBrownJugnorI
thoughtforamomentofsparinghorseflesh，norofpickingaroute。Wemadetheshortestline，andpaidlittleattentiontoanythingthatstoodintheway。Averyfeverofresistancepossessedus。Itwaslikebeatingagainstaheadwind，orfightingfire，orcombatinginanyotherofthegreatforcesofnature。Wewerequitealone。TheCattlemanandHomerhadvanished。Toourleftthemenwerefullyoccupiedinmarshallingthecompactbrownherdsthathadgraduallymassed——fortheseantagonistsofmineweremerelyoutlyingremnants。
IsupposeBrownJugmusthaverunnearlytwentymileswithonlyonecheck。Thenwechasedacowsomedistanceandintothedrybedofastream，whereshewhirledonussavagely。Byluckherhornhitonlytheleatherofmysaddleskirts，sowelefther；
forwhenacowhassenseenoughto"getonthepeck，"thereisnodrivingherfarther。Wegainednothing，andhadtogiveground，butwesucceededinholdingasemblanceoforder，sothatthecattledidnotbreakandscatterfarandwide。Thesunhadbynowwellrisen，andwasbeginningtoshinehot。BrownJugstillrangamelyanddisplayedasmuchinterestasever，buthewasevidentlytiring。WewerebothgladtoseeHomer'sgreyshowinginthefringeofmesquite。
Togetherwesoonsucceededinthrowingthecowsintothemainherd。And，strangelyenough，assoonastheyhadjoinedacompactbandoftheirfellows，theirwildnessleftthemand，convoyedbyoutsiders，theysetthemselvestoploddingenergeticallytowardthehomeranch。
Asmyhorsewassomewhatwinded，Ijoinedthe"drag"attherear。
Herebycourseofnaturalsiftingsoonaccumulatedallthelazy，gentle，andsicklycows，andthesmallcalves。Thedifficultynowwastopreventthemfromlagginganddroppingout。Tothatendweindulgedinagreatvarietyofthepicturesquecow-callspeculiartothecowboy。Onefoundanoldtincanwhichbytheaidofafewpebblesheconvertedintoaveryeffectiverattle。
Thedustroseincloudsandeddiedinthesun。Weslouchedeasilyinoursaddles。Thecowboyscomparednotesastothebrandstheyhadseen。Ourponiesshuffledalong，resting，butalwaysreadyforadashinchaseofanoccasionalbullcalforyearlingwithindependentideasofitsown。
Thuswepassedoverthecountry，downthelonggentleslopetothe"sink"ofthevalley，whenceanotherlonggentlesloperantothebaseoftheotherranges。Atgreaterorlesserdistanceswecaughtthedust，andmadeoutdimlythemassesoftheotherherdscollectedbyourcompanions，andbythepartyunderJedParker。
Theywentforwardtowardthecommoncentre，withaslowruminativemovement，andthedusttheyraisedwentwiththem。
Littlebylittletheygrewplainertous，andthehomeranch，hithertomerelyabrownshimmerinthedistance，begantotakeondefinitionasthegroupofbuildings，windmills，andcorralsweknew。Miniaturehorsemencouldbeseengallopingforwardtotheopenwhiteplainwheretheherdwouldbeheld。Thenthemesquiteenvelopedus；andweknewlittlemore，savetheanxietylestweoverlooklaggardsinthebrush，untilwecameoutontheedgeofthatsamewhiteplain。
Hereweremorecattle，thousandsofthem，andbillowsofdust，andagreatbellowing，andslim，mountedfiguresridingandshoutingaheadoftheherd。Soontheysucceededinturningtheleadersback。Thesethrewintoconfusionthosethatfollowed。
Inafewmomentsthecattlehadstopped。Acordonofhorsemensatatequaldistancesholdingthemin。
"Prettygoodhaul，"saidthemannexttome；"agoodfivethousandhead。"
CHAPTERSIX
CUTTINGOUT
Itwassomewherenearnoonbythetimewehadbunchedandheldtheherdofsomefourorfivethousandheadinthesmooth，wideflat，freefrombushesanddogholes。Eachsatateaseonhishorsefacingthecattle，watchinglazilythecloudsofdustandtheshiftingbeasts，butreadyatanyinstanttoturnbacktherestlessorindependentindividualsthatmightbreakforliberty。
OutofthehazecameHomer，theround-upcaptain，onaneasylope。Ashepassedsuccessivelythesentrieshedeliveredtoeachalowcommand，butwithoutslackingpace。Someofthosespokentowheeledtheirhorsesandrodeaway。Theotherssettledthemselvesintheirsaddlesandbegantorollcigarettes。
"Changehorses；getsomethingtoeat，"saidhetome；soIswungafterthefiletravelingatacanteroverthelowswellsbeyondtheplain。
Theremudahadbeendrivenbyitsleaderstoacornerofthepasture'swirefence，andthereheld。Aseachmanarrivedhedismounted，threwoffhissaddle，andturnedhisanimalloose。
Thenheflippedaloopinhisropeanddisappearedintheeddyingherd。Thediscardedhorse，withmanygrunts，indulgedinasatisfyingroll，shookhimselfvigorously，andwalkedslowlyaway。Hislabourwasoverfortheday，andheknewit，andtooknottheslightesttroubletogetoutofthewayofthemenwiththeswingingropes。
Notsothefreshhorses，however。Theyhadnointentionofbeingcaught，iftheycouldhelpit，butdodgedandtwisted，hidanddoubledbehindthemovingscreenoftheirfriends。Thelatter，seemingasusualtoknowtheywerenotwanted，madenoefforttoavoidthemen，whichprobablyaccountedingreatmeasureforthefactthattheherdasabodyremainedcompact，inspiteofthecowboysthreadingit，andinspiteofthelackofanenclosure。
Ourhorsescaught，wesaddledashastilyaspossible；andthenatthetopspeedofourfreshandeagerponieswesweptdownonthechuckwagon。Therewefelloffoursaddlesanddescendedonthemeatandbreadlikeravenouslocustsonacornfield。Theponiesstoodwhereweleftthem，"tiedtotheground"，thecattle-countryfashion。
Assoonasamanhadstokedupfortheafternoonherodeaway。
Somefinishedbeforeothers，soacrosstheplainformedanendlessprocessionofmenreturningtotheherd，andofthosewhomtheyreplacedcomingfortheirturnatthegrub。
Wefoundtheherdquiet。Somewereevenlyingdown，chewingtheircudsaspeacefullyasanybarnyardcows。Most，however，stoodruminative，orwalkedslowlytoandfrointheconfinesallottedbythehorsemen，sothattheherdlookedfromadistancelikeabrowncarpetwhosepatternwasconstantlychanging——adustybrowncarpetintheprocessofbeingbeaten。Irelievedoneofthewatchers，andsettledmyselfforawait。
Atthiscloseinspectionthedifferentsortsofcattleshowedmoredistinctlytheircharacteristics。Thecowsandcalvesgenerallyrestedpeacefullyenough，thecalfoftenlyingdownwhilethemotherstoodguardoverit。Steers，however，weremorerestless。Theywalkedceaselessly，threadingtheirwayinandoutamongthestandingcattle，pausinginbrutishamazementattheedgeoftheherd，andturningbackimmediatelytoendlessjourneyings。Thebulls，excitedbysomuchcompanyforcedontheiraccustomedsolitaryhabit，roareddefianceateachotheruntiltheairfairlytrembled。Occasionallytwowouldclashforeheads。Thenthepowerfulanimalswouldpushandwrestle，tryingforachancetogore。Thedecisionofsupremacywasaquestionofbutafewminutes，andabloodytopknottheworstdamage。Thedefeatedoneside-steppedhastilyandclumsilyoutofreach，andthenwalkedaway。
Mostofthetimeallwehadtodowastositourhorsesandwatchthesethings，toenjoythewarmbathoftheArizonasun，andtoconversewithournextneighbours。Onceinawhilesomeenterprisingcow，observingtheopeningbetweenthemen，wouldstarttowalkout。Otherswouldfallinbehindheruntilthemovementwouldbecomegeneral。Thenoneofuswouldswinghislegoffthepommelandjoghisponyovertoheadthemoff。Theywouldreturnpeacefullyenough。
Butoneblackmuleycow，withacalfasblackandmuleyasherself，wasmorepersistent。Timeaftertime，withinfinitepatience，shetrieditagainthemomentmybackwasturned。I
trieddrivingherfarintotheherd。Nouse；shealwaysreturned。Quirtingsandstoneshadnoeffectonhermildandsteadypersistence。
"She'saSanSimoncow，"drawledmyneighbour。"Everybodyknowsher。She'sateveryround-up，justnaturallyraisin'hell。"
Whenthelastmanhadreturnedfromchuck，Homermadethedispositionsforthecut。Therewerepresentprobablythirtymenfromthehomeranchesroundabout，andtwentyrepresentingownersatadistance，heretopickupthestraysinevitabletotheseason'sdrift。Theround-upcaptainappointedtwomentoholdthecow-and-calfcut，andtwomoretoholdthesteercut。
Severalofusrodeintotheherd，whiletheremainderretainedtheirpositionsassentinelstoholdthemainbodyofcattleinshape。
LittleGandIrodeslowlyamongthecattlelookingeverywhere。
Theanimalsmovedsluggishlyasidetogiveuspassage，andclosedinassluggishlybehindus，sothatwewerealwayscloselyhemmedinwhereverwewent。Overtheshiftingsleekbacks，throughtheeddyingcloudsofdust，Icouldmakeoutthefiguresofmycompanionsmovingslowly，apparentlyaimlessly，hereandthere。
OurtaskforthemomentwastosearchouttheunbrandedJH
calves。Sinceinrankssocloselycrowdeditwouldbephysicallyimpossibleactuallytoseeananimal'sbrandedflank，wedependedentirelyontheear-marks。
Didyouevernoticehowanyanimal，tameorwild，alwayspointshisearsinquiringlyinthedirectionofwhateverinterestsoralarmshim？Thoseearsareforthemomenthismostprominentfeature。Sowhenabrandisquiteindistinguishablebecause，asnow，ofpressofnumbers，or，asinwinter，fromextremelengthofhair，thecroppedearstellplainlythetaleofownership。Aseveryanimalissomarkedwhenbranded，itfollowsthatanuncutpairofearsmeansthatitsownerhasneverfelttheiron。
So，nowwehadtolookfirstofallforcalveswithuncutears。
Afterdiscoveringone，wehadtoascertainhisownershipbyexaminingtheear-marksofhismother，bywhosesidehewassure，inthisalarmingmultitude，tobeclingingfaithfully。
Calveswerenumerous，andJHcowseverywheretobeseen，soinsomewhatlessthantensecondsIhadmyeyeonamotherandson。
ImmediatelyIturnedLittleGintheirdirection。Attheslapofmyquirtagainstthestirrup，allthecowsimmediatelyaboutmeshranksuspiciouslyaside。LittleGsteppedforwarddaintily，hisnostrilsexpanding，hisearsworkingbackandforth，tryingtothebestofhisabilitytounderstandwhichanimalsIhadselected。Thecowandhercalfturnedintowardthecentreoftheherd。Atouchofthereinsguidedthepony。Atoncehecomprehended。Fromthattimeonheneedednofurtherdirections。
Cautiously，patiently，withgreatskill，heforcedthecowthroughthepresstowardtheedgeoftheherd。Ithadtobedoneveryquietly，atafootpace，soastoalarmneithertheobjectsofpursuitnorthosesurroundingthem。Whenthecowturnedback，LittleGsomehowhappenedalwaysinherway。Beforesheknewitshewasattheouteredgeoftheherd。Thereshefoundherself，withagroupofthreeorfourcompanions，facingtheopenplain。
Instinctivelyshesoughtshelter。IfeltLittleG'smusclestightenbeneathme。Themomentforactionhadcome。Beforethecowhadachancetododgeamonghercompanionstheponywasuponherlikeathunderbolt。Shebrokeinalarm，tryingdesperatelytoavoidtherush。Thereensuedanexcitingcontestofdodgings，turnings，anddoublings。WhereversheturnedLittleGwasbeforeher。Someofhisevolutionsweremarvellous。AllIhadtodowastositmysaddle，andapplyjustthatfinaltouchofjudgmentdeniedeventhewisestoftheloweranimals。Timeandagaintheturnwassoquickthatthestirrupswepttheground。Atlastthecow，convincedoftheuselessnessoffurtherefforttoreturn，brokeawayonalonglumberingruntotheopenplain。Shewasstoppedandheldbythemendetailed，andsoformedthenucleusofthenewcut-herd。ImmediatelyLittleG，hisearsworkinginconsciousvirtue，jog-trottedbackintotheherd，readyforanother。
Afteradozencowshadbeensentacrosstothecut-herd，theworksimplified。Onceacowcaughtsightofthisnewband，shegenerallymadedirectlyforit，headandtailup。Afterthefirstshortstruggletoforceherfromtheherd，allIhadtodowastostartherintheproperdirectionandkeepheratituntilherdecisionwasfixed。Ifshewastoosoonlefttoherowndevices，however，shewaslikelytoreturn。Anoldcowmanknowstoasecondjustthepropermomenttoabandonher。
Sometimes，inspiteofourbesteffortsacowsucceededincirclingusandplungingintothemainherd。Thetemptationwasthenstrongtoplungeinalso，andtodriveheroutbymainforce；butthetemptationhadtoberesisted。Adashintothethickofitmightbreakthewholeband。Atonce，ofhisownaccord，LittleGdroppedtohisfast，shufflingwalk，andagainweaddressedourselvestothetaskofpushinghergentlytotheedge。
Thiswasallcomparativelysimple——almostanyponyisfastenoughforthecalfcut——butnowHomergaveordersforthesteercuttobegin，andsteersarerapidandresourcefulandfullofnaturalcussedness。LittleGandIwererelievedbyWindyBill，andbetookourselvestotheoutsideoftheherd。
Herewehadleisuretoobservetheeffectsthatuptothismomentwehadourselvesbeenproducing。Theherd，restlessbyreasonofthehorsementhreadingit，shifted，gaveground，expanded，andcontracted，sothatitsshapeandsizewerealwayschangingintheconstantareaguardedbythesentinelcowboys。Dustarosefromthesemovements，cloudsofit，toeddyandswirl，thickenanddissipateinthecurrentsofair。Nowitconcealedallbutthenearestdimly-outlinedanimals；againitpartedinriftsthroughwhichmistilywediscernedtheridersmovinginandoutofthefog；againitliftedhighandthin，sothatwesawinclaritythewholeherdandtheoutridersandthemesasfaraway。
Astheafternoonwaned，longshaftsofsunslantedthroughthisdust。Itplayedonmenandbeastsmagically，expandingthemtothedimensionsofstrangegenii，appearingandeffacingthemselvesinthebillowsofvapourfromsomeenchantedbottle。
Weontheoutsidefoundoursinecureofhotnoon-tidefilchedfromusbythecoolerhours。Thecattle，weariedofstanding，andperhapssomewhathungryandthirsty，grewmoreandmoreimpatient。Werodecontinuallybackandforth，turningtheslowmovementinonitself。Occasionallysomeparticularlyenterprisingcowwouldconcludethatoneoranotherofthecut-herdswouldsuitherbetterthanthismillofturmoil。Shewouldstartconfidentlyout，headandtailup，findherselfchasedback，getstubbornonthequestion，andleadherpursueralong，hardrunbeforeshewouldreturntohercompanions。Onceinawhileonewouldevenhavetoberopedanddraggedback。Forknow，beforesomethinghappenstoyou，thatyoucanchaseacowsafelyonlyuntilshegetshotandwinded。Thenshestandshergroundandgetsemphatically"onthepeck。"
IrememberverywellwhenIfirstdiscoveredthis。ItwasafterI
hadhadconsiderablecowwork，too。IthoughtofcowsasIhadalwaysseenthem——afraidofahorseman，easytoturnwiththepony，andwillingtobechasedasfarasnecessarytothework。
Nobodytoldmeanythingdifferent。Onedayweweremakingadriveinanexceedinglybrokencountry。IwasbringinginasmallbunchIhaddiscoveredinapocketofthehills，butwasexcessivelyannoyedbyoneoldcowthatinsistedonbreakingback。Inthewisdomoffurtherexperience，Inowconcludethatsheprobablyhadacalfinthebrush。Finallyshegotawayentirely。Afterstartingthebunchwellahead，Iwentafterher。
Well，thecowandIrannearlysidebysideforasmuchashalfamileattopspeed。Shedeclinedtobeheaded。Finallyshefelldownandwassoentirelywindedthatshecouldnotgetup。
"Now，oldgirl，I'vegotyou！"saidI，andsetmyselftourginghertoherfeet。
Theponyactedsomewhatastonished，andsuspiciousofthejob。
ThereinheknewalotmorethanIdid。ButIinsisted，and，likeagoodpony，heobeyed。Iyelledatthecow，andslappedmybat，andusedmyquirt。Whenshehadquiterecoveredherwind，shegotslowlytoherfeet——andchargedmeinamostdeterminedmanner。
Now，abull，orasteer，isnotdifficulttododge。Helowershishead，shutshiseyes，andcomesinononestraightrush。Butacowlookstoseewhatsheisdoing；hereyesareopeneveryminute，anditoverjoyshertotakeasidehookatyouevenwhenyousucceedineludingherdirectcharge。
TheponyIwasridingdidhisbest，buteventhencouldnotavoidasharpprodthatwouldhaverippedhimuphadnotmyleatherbastosintervened。Thenweretiredtoadistanceinordertoplanfurther；butwedidnotsucceedininducingthatcowtoreviseherideas，soatlastwelefther。When，insomechagrin，Imentionedtotheround-upcaptainthefactthatIhadskippedoneanimal，hemerelylaughed。
"Why，kid，"saidhe，"youcan'tdonothin'withacowthatgetsontheprodthataway'thoutyouropesher；andwhatcouldyoudowithheroutthereifyouDIDropeher？"
SoIlearnedonethingmoreaboutcows。
Afterthesteercuthadbeenfinished，themenrepresentingtheneighbouringrangeslookedthroughtheherdforstraysoftheirbrands。Thesewerethrownintothestray-herd，whichhadbeenbroughtupfromthebottomlandstoreceivethenewaccessions。
Workwaspushedrapidly，astheafternoonwasnearlygone。
Infact，soabsorbedwerewethatuntilitwasalmostuponuswedidnotnoticeaheavythunder-showerthataroseintheregionoftheDragoonMountains，andsweptrapidlyacrossthezenith。
Beforeweknewittherainhadbegun。Intensecondsithadincreasedtoadeluge，andintwentywewerealltoleewardoftheherdstrivingdesperatelytostopthedriftofthecattledownwind。
Wedideverythinginourpowertostopthem，butinvain。
Slickerswaved，quirtsslappedagainstleather，six-shootersflashed，butstillthecattle，headslowered，advancedwithslowandsullenpersistencethatwouldnotbestemmed。Ifweheldourground，theydividedaroundus。Stepbystepwewereforcedtogiveway——thethinlineofnervouslyplunginghorsessprayedbeforethedensemassofthecattle。
"No，theywon'tstampede，"shoutedCharleytomyquestion。
"There'scowsandcalvesinthem。Iftheywasjuststeersorgrowncritters，theymight。"
Thesensationsofthosefewmomentswereveryvivid——theblindingbeatofthestorminmyface，theunbrokenfrontofhornedheadsbearingdownonme，resistlessasfate，thelongslantofrainwiththesunshininginthedistancebeyondit。
Abruptlythedownpourceased。Weshookourhatsfreeofwater，anddrovetheherdbacktothecuttinggroundsagain。
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