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。