 Story 5. A college vagabond of cattle brands, a collection of western campfire stories. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Cattle Brands, a collection of western campfire stories by Andy Adams. Story 5. A college vagabond. The ease and apparent willingness with which some men revert to an aimless life can best be accounted for by the savage or barbarian instincts of our natures. The West has produced many types of the vagabond, it might be excusable to say, one them from every condition of society. From the cultured East, with all the advantages which wealth and educational facilities can give to her sons, they flocked. From the South, with her pride of ancestry, they came. Even the British Isles contributed their quota. There was something in the primitive West of a generation or more ago which satisfied them. Nowhere else could it be found, and once they adapted themselves to existing conditions, they were loathed to return to former associations. About the middle of the fifties, there graduated from one of our eastern colleges, a young man of wealthy and distinguished family. His college record was good, but close application to study during the last year had told on his general health. His ambition, coupled with a laudable desire to succeed, had buoyed up his strength until a final graduation day had passed. Alexander Wells had the advantage of a good physical constitution. During the first year at college, his reputation as an athlete had been firmly established by many a hard-fought contest in the college games. The last two years he had not taken any active part in them, as his studies had required his complete attention. On his return home it was thought by parents and sisters that rest and recreation would soon restore the health of this overworked young graduate who was now two years past his majority. Two months of rest however failed to produce any improvement, but the family physician would not admit that there was immediate danger and declare the trouble simply the result of overstudy, advising travel. This advice was very satisfactory to the young man, for he had a longing to see other sections of the country. The elder Wells some years previously had become interested in western and southern real estate, and among other investments which he had made was the purchase of an old Spanish land grant on a stream called the Salado, west of San Antonio, Texas. These land grants were made by the Crown of Spain to favour its subjects. They were known by name, which they always retained when changing ownership. Some of these tracts were princely domains and were bartered about as though worthless, often changing owners at the card table. So when travel was suggested to Wells, Jr., he expressed a desire to visit this family possession and possibly spend a winter in its warm climate. This decision was more easily reached from the fact that there was an abundance of game on the land and being a devoted sportsman his own consent was secured in advance. No other reason except that of health would ever have gained the consent of his mother to a six months absence. But within a week after reaching the decision the young man had left New York and was on his way to Texas. His route, both by water and rail, brought him only within eighty miles of his destination and the rest of the distance he was obliged to travel by stage. San Antonio at this time was a frontier village with a mixed population, the Mexican being the most prominent inhabitant. There was much to be seen which was new and attractive to the young Easterner and he tarred in it several days, enjoying its novel and picturesque life. The arrival and departure of the various stage lines for the accommodation of travellers like himself was of more than passing interest. They rattled in from Austin and Laredo. There were sometimes laid from El Paso, six hundred miles to the westward. Probably a brush with the Indians or the moor to bedreaded Mexican bandits. For these stages carried treasure, gold and silver, the currency of the country was the cause of the delay. Frequently they carried guards whose presence was generally sufficient to command the respect of the average robber. Then there were the freight trains, the motive power of which was mules and oxen. It was necessary to carry forward supplies and bring back the crude products of the country. The Chihuahua wagon was drawn sometimes by twelve, sometimes by twenty mules, four abreast in the swing, the leaders and wheelers being single teams. For mutual protection trains were made up of from ten to twenty wagons. Drivers frequently meeting a chance acquaintance going in an opposite direction would ask, what is your cargo and the answer would be frankly given, speci. Many a Chihuahua wagon carried three or four tons of gold and silver, generally the latter. Here was a new book for this college lad, one he had never studied, though it was more interesting to him than some he had read. There was something thrilling in all this new life. He liked it. The romance was real. It was not an imitation. People answered his few questions and asked none in return. In this frontier village at a late hour one night, young Wells overheard this conversation. Hello, Bill. Said the casekeeper in a farrow game as he turned his head half way round to see who was the owner of the monster hand which had just reached over his shoulder and placed a stack of silver dollars on a card marking it to win. I've missed you the last few days, or have you been so long? Oh, I've just been out to El Paso on a little passier guarding the stage, was the reply. Now the little passier was a continuous night and day round trip of twelve hundred miles. Bill had slept and eaten as he could. When mounted he scouted every possible point of ambush for lurking Indian or Bandit. Crossing open stretches of country he climbed up on the stage and slept. Now having returned he was anxious to get his wages into circulation. Here were characters worthy of a passing glance. Interesting as this frontier life was to the young man he prepared for his final destination. He had no trouble in locating his father's property for it was less than twenty miles from San Antonio. Securing an American who spoke Spanish the two set out on horseback. There were several small ranchitos on the tract where five or six Mexican families lived. Each family had a field and raised corn for bread. A flock of goats furnished them milk and meat. The same class of people in older states were called squatters making no claim to ownership of the land. They needed little clothing, the climate being, in their favor. The men worked at times. The pecan crop which grew along the creek bottoms was beginning to have a value in the coast towns for shipment to northern markets. And this furnished them revenue for their simple needs. All kinds of game was in abundance including waterfowl in winter though winter here was only such a name. These simple people gave a welcome to the New Yorker which appeared sincere. They offered no apology for their presence on this land nor was such an order for it was a custom of the country. They merely referred to themselves as his people as though belonging to the land. When they learned that he was the son of the owner of the grant and that he wanted to spend a few months hunting and looking about, they considered themselves honored. The best hackle in the group was tendered him and his interpreter. The food offered was something new, but the relish with which his companion partook of it assisted young wells in overcoming his scruples. And he ate a supper of dishes he had never tasted before. The coffee he declared was delicious. On the advice of his companion they had brought along blankets. The women of the ranchito brought other bedding and a comfortable bed soon awaited the Americanos. The owner of the hackle in the meantime informed his guest through the interpreter that he had sent to a nearby ranchito for a man who had at least the local reputation of being quite a hunter. During the interim while awaiting the arrival of the man he plied his guest with many questions regarding the outside world of which his ideas were very simple, vague, and extremely provincial. His conception of distance was what he could ride in any given number of days in a good pony. His ideas of wealth were no improvement over those of his Indian ancestors of a century previous. In architecture the hackle in which they sat satisfied his ideals. The footsteps of a horse interrupted their conversation. A few moments later, Tiburcio, the hunter, was introduced to the two Americans with a profusion of politeness. There was nothing above the ordinary in the old hunter except his hair, eyes, and swarthy complexion which indicated his Aztec ancestry. It might be in perfect order to remark here that young wells was perfectly composed, almost indifferent to the company and surroundings. He shook hands with Tiburcio in a manner as dignified yet agreeable as though he was the governor of his native state or the minister of some prominent church at home. From this juncture he had once took the lead in the conversation and kept up a line of questions, the answers to which were very gratifying. He learned that deer were very plentiful everywhere and that on this very tract of land were several wild turkey roosts where it was no trouble to bag any number desired. On the prairie portion of the surrounding country could be found large droves of antelope. During droughty periods they were known to come twenty miles to quench their thirst in the Salado which was the main water course of this grant. Once Tiburcio assured his young patron that he had frequently counted a thousand antelope during a single morning. Then there was also the javelin or peccary which abounded in endless numbers but it was necessary to hunt them with dogs as they kept the thickets and came out in the open only at night. Many a native cur met his end hunting these animals cut to pieces with their tusks so that packs trained for the purpose were used to bait them until the hunter could arrive and dispatch them with a rifle. Even this was always done from horseback as it was dangerous to approach the javelin for they would when aroused charge anything. All this was gratifying to young Wells and like a congenial fellow he produced and show the old hunter a new gun the very latest model in the market explaining its good qualities through his interpreter. Tiburcio handed it as if it were a rare bit of millinery but managed to ask its price and a few other questions. Through his companion Wells then engaged the old hunter's services for the following day not that he expected to hunt but he wanted to acquaint himself with the boundaries of the land and to become familiar with the surrounding country. Naming an hour for starting in the morning the two men shook hands and bait each other good night it's using his own language to express the parting though neither one knew a word the other said. The first link in a friendship not soon to be broken had been forged. Tiburcio was on hand at the appointed hour in the morning and being joined by the two Americans they rode off up the stream. It was October and the pecans they noticed were already falling as they passed through splendid groves of this timber several times dismounting to fill their pockets with nuts. Tiburcio frequently called attention to fresh deer tracks near the creek bottom and shortly afterward the first game of the day was sited. However six doves and grown fawns broke cover and ran a short distance stopped looked at the horsemen and then capered away. Riding to the highest ground in the vicinity they obtained a splendid view of the stream outlined by the foliage of the pecan groves that lined its banks as far as the eye could follow either way. Tiburcio pointed out one particular grove lying three or four miles farther up the creek. Here he said was a cabin which had been built by a white man who had left it several years ago and which he had often used as a hunting camp in bad weather. Feeling his way cautiously Wells asked the old hunter if he were sure that this cabin was on and belonged to the grant. Being assured on both points he then inquired if there was anything to hinder him from occupying the hut for a few months. On the further assurance that there was no man to dispute his right he began plying his companions with questions. The interpreter told him that it was a very common and simple thing for men to batch enumerating the few articles he would need for this purpose. They soon reached the cabin which proved to be an improvement over the ordinary huckal of the country as it had a fireplace and chimney. It was built of logs, the crevices were chinked with clay for mortar, its floor being of the same substance. The only Mexican feature it possessed was a thatched roof. While the Americans were examining it and its surroundings Tiburcio unsettled the horses, picketing one and hobbling the other two, kindled a fire and prepared a lunch from some articles he had brought along. The meal consisting of coffee, chipped vension and a thin wafer bread made from corn and reheated over coals was disposed of with relish. The two Americans sauntered around for some distance and on their return to the cabin found Tiburcio enjoying his siesta under a nearby pecan tree. Their horses refreshed and rested, they resaddled crossing the stream intending to return to the ranchito by evening. After leaving the bottoms of the creek Tiburcio showed the young men a trail made by the javelin and he was surprised to learn that an animal with so small a foot was a dangerous antagonist on account of its gregarious nature. Proceeding they came to several open prairies in one of which they saw a herd of antelope numbering forty to fifty making a beautiful sight as they took fright and ran away. Young wells afterward learned that distance lent them charms and was the greatest factor in their beauty. As they rode from one vantage point to another for the purpose of sightseeing the afternoon passed rapidly. Later through the interpreter he inquired of Tiburcio if his services could be secured as guide, cook and companion for the winter since he had fully made up his mind to occupy the cabin. Tiburcio was overjoyed at the proposition as it was congenial to his tastes besides carrying a compensation. Definite arrangements were now made with him and he was requested to be on hand in the morning. On reaching the ranchito young wells' decision was announced to their host of the night previous much to the latter's satisfaction. During the evening the two Americans planned to return to the village in the morning for the needed supplies. Tiburcio was on hand at the appointed time and here unconsciously the young men fortified himself in the old hunter's confidence by entrusting him with the custody of his gun, blankets and several other articles until he should return. A week later found the young hunter established in the cabin with the interpreter and Tiburcio. A wagon load of staple supplies was snugly stored away for future use and they were at peace with the world. By purchase wells soon had several saddle ponies and the old hunter adding his pack of javelin dogs they found themselves well equipped for the winter campaign. Hunting in which the young men was an apt scholar was now the order of the day. Tiburcio was an artist in woodcraft as well as in his knowledge of the habits of animals and birds. On chilly or disagreeable days they would take out the pack of dogs and beat the thickets for the javelin. It was exciting sport to bring to bay a drove of these animals. To shoot from horseback lent a charm yet made aim uncertain nor was it advisable to get too close range. Many a young dog made a fatal mistake in getting too near this little animal and the doctoring of crippled dogs became a daily duty. All surplus game was sent to the ranchito below where it was always appreciated. At first the young men wrote regularly long letters home but as it took Tiburcio a day to go to the post office he justified himself in putting riding off sometimes several weeks because it ruined a whole day and tired out a horse to mail a letter. Hardships were enjoyed. They thought nothing of spending a whole night going from one turkey roost to another if half a dozen fine birds were the reward. They would settle up in the evening and ride ten miles sleeping out all night by a fire in order to stock a buck a daybreak having located his range previously. Thus the winter passed and as the limit of the young man's vacation was near at hand Wells wrote home pleading for more time telling his friends how fast he was improving and estimating that it would take at least six months more to restore him fully to his former health. This request being granted he contented himself by riding about the country even visiting cattle ranches south on the frío river. Now and then he would ride into San Antonio for a day or two but there was nothing new to be seen there and his visits were brief. He had acquired a sufficient knowledge of Spanish to get along now without an interpreter. When the summer was well spent he began to devise some excuse to give his parents for remaining another winter. Accordingly he wrote his father what splendid opportunities there were to engage in cattle ranching going into detail very intelligently in regard to the grasses on the tract and the fine opportunity presented for establishing a ranch. The water privileges, the faithfulness of Tiburcio and other minor matters were fully set forth and he concluded by advising that they buy or start a brand of cattle on this grant. His father's reply was that he should expect his son to return as soon as the state of his health would permit. He wished to be a dutiful son yet he wished to hunt just one more winter. So he felt that he must take another tack to gain his point. Following letters noted no improvement in his health. Now as the hunting season was near at hand he found it convenient to bargain with a renegade doctor who for the consideration offered wrote his parents that their son had recently consulted him to see if it would be advisable to return to a rigorous climate in his present condition. Professionally he felt compelled to advise him not to think of leaving Texas for at least another year. To supplement this the son wrote that he hoped to be able to go home in the early spring. This had the desired effect. Any remorse of conscience he may have felt over the deception resorted to was soon forgotten in following a pack of hounds or stalking deer for hunting now became the order of the day. The antlered buck was again in his prime. His favorite range was carefully noted. Very few hunts were unrewarded by at least one or more shots at this noble animal. With an occasional visitor the winter past has had the previous one. Some congenial spirit would often spend a few days with him and his departure was always sincerely regretted. The most peculiar feature of the whole affair was the friendship of the young man for Tiborcio. The latter was the practical hunter which actual experience only can produce. He could foretell the coming of a norther twenty-four hours in advance. Just which course deer would graze he could predict by the quarter of the wind. In woodcraft he was a trustworthy though unquoted authority. His young patron often showed him his watch and explained how it measured time but he had no use for it. He could tell nearly enough when it was noon and if the stars were shining he knew midnight within a few minutes. This he had learned when he shepherd. He could track a wounded deer for miles when another could not see a trace of where the animal had passed. He could recognize the footprint of his favorite saddle pony among a thousand others. How he did these things he did not know himself. These companions were graduates of different schools, extremes of different nationalities. Yet Alexander Wells had no desire to elevate the old hunter to his own standard, preferring to sit at his feet. But finally the appearance of blades of grass and early flowers warned them that winter was gone and that spring was at hand. Their occupation therefore was at an end. Now how to satisfy the folks at home and get a further extension of time was a truant supreme object. While he always professed obedience to parental demands, yet rebellion was brewing, for he did not want to go east, not just yet. Imperative orders to return were artfully parried. Finally remittances were withheld but he had no use for money. Coercion was bad policy to use in his case. Thus a third and fourth winter passed and the young hunter was enjoying his life on the Salado where questions of state and nation did not bother him. But this existence had an end. One day in the spring a conveyance drove up to the cabin and an elderly, well-dressed woman alighted. With the assistance of her driver she ran the gauntlet of dogs and reached the cabin door which was open. There sitting inside on a dry cowskin which was spread on the clay floor was the object of her visit surrounded by a group of mehican companions playing a game called Monte. The absorbing interest taken in the cards had prevented the inmates of the Hacal from noticing the latest approach until she stood opposite the door. On the appearance of a woman the game instantly seized. Recognition was mutual but neither mother nor son spoke a word. Her eye took in the surroundings at a glance. Finally she spoke with a half-concealed imperiousness of tone though her voice was quiet and kindly. Alexander, if you wish to see your mother come to San Antonio won't you please? And turning she retraced her steps toward the carriage. Her son arose from his squatting posture hitched up one side of his trousers then the other for he was suspenderless and following at a distance scratching his head and hitching his trousers alternately he at last managed to say, ah well why if you can wait a few moments till I change my clothes I'll go with you right now. This being consented to he returned to the cabin, made the necessary change and stood before them a picture of health be whiskered and bronzed like a pirate. As he was halfway to the vehicle he turned back and taking the old black hands of Tiburcio on his own said in good Spanish though there was a huskiness in his voice that lady is my mother I may never see you again I don't think I will you may have for your own everything I leave. There were tears in the old hunter's eyes as he relinquished young Wells' hands and watched him fade from his sight his mother unable to leave longer without him had made the trip from New York and now that she had him in her possession there was no escape they took the first stage out of the village that night on their return trip for New York State but the mother's victory was short lived and barren within three years after the son's return he failed in two business enterprises in which his father started him nothing discouraged his parents offered him a third opportunity it containing however a marriage condition but the voice of a siren singing of flowery prairies and pecan groves on the salado in which could be heard the music of hounds in the clattering of horses hooves at full speed following filled every niche and corner of his heart and he balked at the marriage offer when the son had passed his 30th year his parents became resigned and gave their consent to his return to Texas long before parental consent was finally obtained it was evident to his many friends that the West had completely won him and once the desire of his heart was secured the languid son beamed with energy in outfitting for his return he rung the hands of old friends with a new grip and with boyish enthusiasm announced his early departure on the morning of leaving quite a crowd of friends and relatives gathered at the depot to see him off but when a former college chum attempted to remonstrate with him on the social sacrifice which he was making he turned to the group of friends and smilingly said that's all right you are honest in thinking that New York is God's country but out there in Texas also is for it is just as God made it why I'm going to start a cattle ranch as soon as I get there and go back to nature and pity me rather let me pity you who think act and look as if turned out at the same mill any social sacrifices which I make in leaving here will be repaid tenfold by the freedom and advantages of the boundless west end of story five story six the double trail of cattle brands a collection of western campfire stories this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org cattle brands a collection of western campfire stories by Andy Adams story six the double trail early in the summer of 78 we were rocking along with a herd of laurel leaf cattle going up the old Chisholm trail in the Indian territory the cattle were in charge of Ike Inks as foremen and had been sold for delivery somewhere in the strip there were 3100 head straight twos and in the single ranch brand we had been out about four months on the trail and all felt that a few weeks at the farthest would let us out for the day before we had crossed the Simeron River ninety miles south of the state line of Kansas the foremen was simply killing time waiting for orders concerning the delivery of the cattle all kinds of jokes were in order for we all felt that we would soon be set free one of our men had been taken sick as we crossed Red River into the nations and not wanting to cross this Indian country shorthanded Inks had picked up a young fellow who evidently had never been over the trail before he gave the outfit his correct name on joining us but it proved unpronounceable and for convenience someone recristened him Lucy as he had quite a feminine appearance he was anxious to learn and was in evidence in everything that went on the trail from the Simeron to Little Turkey Creek where we were now camped had originally been to the east of the present one skirting a blackjack country after being used several years it had been abandoned being sandy and the new route followed up the bottoms of Big Turkey since it was firmer soil affording better footing to cattle these two trails came together again at Little Turkey at no place were they over two or three miles apart and from where they separated to where they came together again was about seven miles it troubled Lucy not to know why this was thus why did this route separate and come together again he was fruitful with inquiries as to where this trail or that road led the boss man had a vein of humor in his makeup though it was not visible so he told the young man that he did not know as he had been over this route but once before but he thought that Stubb, who was then unheard could tell him how it was he had been over the trail every year since it was laid out this was sufficient to secure Stubb an interview as soon as he was relieved from duty and had returned to the wagon so Ike posted one of the men who was next on guard to tell Stubb what to expect and to be sure to tell it to him scary a brief description of Stubb necessarily intrudes though this nickname describes the man extremely short in stature he was inclined to be fleshy in fact a rear view of Stubb looked as though someone had hollowed out a place to set his head on his ample shoulders but a front view revealed a face like a full moon in disposition he was very amiable his laugh was enough to drive away the worst case of the blues it bubbled up from some inward source and seemed perennial his worst fault was his bar room astronomy if there was any one thing that he's shown in it was rustling coffin varnish during the early prohibition days along the Kansas border his patronage was limited only by his income coupled with what credit he enjoyed once about midnight he tried to arouse a drug clerk who slept in the store and as he had worked this racket before he coppered the play to repeat so he tapped gently on the window at the rear where the clerk slept calling him by name this he repeated any number of times finally he threatened to have a fit even this did not work to his advantage then he pretended to be very angry but there was no response after fifteen minutes had been fruitlessly spent he went back to the window tapped on it once more saying Lawn lie still you little son of a sheep thief which may not be what he said and walked away a party who had forgotten his name was once inquiring for him describing him thus he's a little short fat fella sits around the maverick hotel talks cattle talk punishes a power of whiskey so before stub had even time to unsettle his horse he was approached to know the history of these two trails well said stub somewhat hesitatingly I never liked to refer to it you see I killed a man the day that right hand trail was made I'll tell you about it some other time but why not now said Lucy his curiosity aroused as keen as a woman's some other day said stub but did you notice those three graves on the last ridge of sandhills to the right as we came out of the simmer on bottoms yesterday you did their tenants were killed over that trail you see now why I hate to refer to it don't you I was afraid to go back to Texas for three years afterward but why not tell me said the young man oh said stub as he knelt down to put a hobble on his horse it would injure my reputation as a peaceable citizen and I don't mind telling you that I expect to marry soon having worked up the proper interest in his listener besides exacting a promise that he would not repeat the story where he'd mind to injure to him he dragged his saddle up to the campfire making a comfortable seat with it he riveted his gaze on the fire and with a splendid sang froid reluctantly told the history of the double trail you see began stub the Chisholm route had been used more or less for ten years this right hand trail was made in 73 I bossed that year from Van Zandt County for old Andy Eareth who by the way was a dead square cowman with not a hide bound idea in his makeup son it was a pleasure to know old Andy you can tell he was a good man for if he ever got a drink too much though you would never mention her otherwise he always praised his wife I've been with him up beyond the Yellowstone two thousand miles from home and you always knew when the old man was primed he would praise his wife and would call on us boys to confirm the fact that Mary his wife was a good woman that year we had the better of 2900 head all steer cattle threes end up a likely bunch better than these we are shadowing now you see my people are not driving this year which is the reason that I am making a common hand with inks if I was to lay off a season or go to the sea coast I might forget the way in those days I always hired my own men the year that this right hand trail was made I had an outfit of men who would rather fight than eat in fact I selected them on account of their special fitness in the use of firearms why inks here couldn't have cooked for my outfit that season let alone road there was no particular incident worth mentioning till we struck Red River where we overtook five or six herds we were laying over an account of a fresh it in the river I wouldn't have a man those days it was not as good in the water as out when I rode up to the river one or two of my men were with me it looked red and muddy and rolled just a trifle but I ordered one of the boys to hit it on his horse to see what it was like well he never wet the seat of his saddle going on or coming though his horse was in swimming water good sixty yards all the other bosses rode up and he's pegged to see if the rise was falling one fellow named Bob Brown bossman for John Blocker asked me what I thought about the crossing I said to him if this very man can cross our wagon for me and you fellas will open out a little and let me in I'll show you all the crossing and it'll be no miracle either well the very man said he'd set the wagon over so the men went back to bring up the herd they were delayed some little time to their swimming horses it was nearly an hour before the herd came up the others opening up so as to give us a clear field in case of a mill or bulk I never had to give an order my boys knew just what to do why there's men in this outfit right now that couldn't have greased my wagon that year well the men on the points brought the herd to the water with a good head on and before the leaders knew it they were halfway across the channel swimming like fish the swing men fed them in free and plenty most of my outfit took to the water and kept the cattle from drifting downstream the boys from the other herds good men too kept shooting them into the water and inside 15 minutes time we were in the big engine territory after crossing the saddle stock and the wagon I swam my horse back to the Texas side I wanted to eat dinner with blockers men just to see how they fed might want to work for him some time you see I pretended that I'd help him over if he wanted to cross but he said his doggies could never breast that water I remarked him at dinner you're feeding a mite better this year ain't you not that I can notice he replied as the cook handed him a tin plate heaping with navy beans and I'm eating rather regular with the wagon too I killed time around for a while and then we rode down to the river together the cattle had tramped out his peg so after setting a new one and pow wowing around I told him goodbye and said to him Bob old man when I hit dodge I'll take a drink and think of you back here on the trail and regret that you are not with me so as to make it two-handed we sat hour so long to each other and I gave the gray his head and he took the water like a duck he could out swim any horse I ever saw but I drowned him in the washita two weeks later yes tangled his feet in some vines on the tree top and the poor fellow's light went out my own candle came near being snuffed I never felt so bad over a little thing since I burned my new red top boots when I was a kid as in drowning that horse there was nothing else worth mentioning until we struck the simmer on back here where we overtook a herd of chisholms that had come in from the east they had crossed through the Arbuckle mountains came in over the old whiskey trail here was another herd water bound and the boss man was as important as a hen with one chicken he told me that the river wouldn't be affordable for a week wanted me to fall back at least five miles wanted all this river bottom for his cattle said he didn't need any help to cross this herd though he thanked me for the offer with an air of contempt I informed him that our cattle were sold for delivery on the north plat and that we wanted to go through on time I assured him if he would drop his cattle a mile down the river it would give us plenty of room I told him plainly that our cattle horses and men could all swim and that we never let a little thing like swimming water stop us don't know he couldn't do that we might as well fall back and take our turn oh well said I if you want to act contrary about it I'll go up to the Kingfisher crossing only three miles above here I've almost got time to cross yet this evening I've been bewildered and inquired do you think I can cross if it swims there many I'm not doing your thinking sir I answered but I'll bring up eight or nine good men and help you rather than make a six mile elbow I said this with some spirit and gave him a mean look alright said he bring up your boys say eight o'clock and we will try the fort let me add right here he continued and I'm a stranger to you young man but my outfit don't take anybody and as I am older than you let me give you this little bit of advice when you bring your men here in the morning don't let them whirl too big a loop or drag their ropes looking for trouble for I've got fellows with me that don't turn out of the trail for anybody alright sir I said really I'm glad to hear that you have some good men still I'm pained to find them on the wrong side of the river for travelers but I'll be here in the morning I called back as I rode away so telling my boys that we were likely to have some fun in the morning and what to expect I gave it no further attention when we were catching up our horses next morning for the day I ordered two of my lads on herd which was a surprise to them as they were both handy with a gun I explained it to them all that we wished to avoid trouble but if it came up unavoidable to overlook no bets to copper every play as it fell we got to the river too early to Succy's home's bossman he seemed to think that his cattle would take the water better about ten o'clock to kill time my boys rode across and back several times to see what the water was like while anyone that would let as little swimming water as that stop them must be a heapside sorry outfit remarked one eyed Jim Reid as he rode out of the river dismounting to set his saddle forward and tighten his cinches not noticing that this foreman heard him I rode around and gave him a look at me and muttered excuse me boss I plum forgot then I rode back and apologized to this bossman don't pay any attention to my boys they are just shown off and are a trifle windy this morning that's all right he retorted but don't forget what I told you yesterday and let it be enough said well let's put the cattle in I urged seeing that he was getting hot under the collar we're burning daylight partner well I'm going to cross my wagon first said he that's a good idea I answered bring her up their cooks seem to have a little sense for he brought up his wagon in good shape we tied some guy ropes to the upper side and taking long ropes from the end of the tongue to the pommels of our saddles the ease with which we said that commissary over didn't trouble anyone but the bossman whose orders were not very distinct from the distance between banks it was a good hour then before he would bring up his cattle the main trouble seemed to be to devise means to keep their guns and cartridges dry as though that was more important than getting the whole herd of nearly 3500 cattle over we gave them a clean cloth until they needed us but as they came up we divided out and were ready to give the lead a good push if a cow changed his mind about taking a swim that morning he changed it right back and took it for in less than 20 minutes time they were all over much to the surprise men besides their weapons were quite dry just a splash had wet them I told the boss that we would not need any help to cross ours but to keep well out of our way as we would try and cross by noon which ought to give him a good 5 miles start well we crossed and nooned lying around on purpose to give them a good lead and when we hit the trail back in these sand heels there he was not a mile ahead and you can see there was no chance to get around I intended to take the dodge trail from this creek where we are now but there we were blocked in I was getting a trifle wolfish over the way they were acting so I rode forward to see what the trouble was I mean no hurry you're driving too fast this is your first trip isn't it he inquired as he felt of a pair of checked pants trying on the wagon wheel don't you let any idea like that disturb your Christian spirit old man I replied with some resentment but if you think I'm driving too fast you might suggest some creek where I could delude myself with the idea for a week or so that it was not affordable assuming an air of superiority you seem to have forgot what I said to you yesterday no I haven't I answered but are you going to stay all night here I certainly am if that's any satisfaction to you he answered I got off my horse and asked him for a match though I had plenty in my pocket to light a cigarette which I had rolled in conversation I had no gun on having left mine in our wagon but fancied I'd stir him up and see how bad he really was I thought it best to stroke him with and against the fur try and keep on neutral ground so I said you ain't figuring none that in case of a run tonight where a trifle close together for cowherds besides my men on a guard last night heard gray wolves in these sandhills they're liable to show up tonight didn't I notice some young calves among your cattle this morning young calves you know make larrapin fine eating for grays now look here shorty he said in a patronizing tone as though he might let a little of his superior cow sense shine in on my darkened intellect I haven't asked you to crowd up here on me you are perfectly at liberty to drop back to your heart's content if wolves bother us tonight you stay in your blanket snug and warm and pleasant dreams of old sweethearts on the trinity to you we won't need you we'll try and worry along without you two or three of his men laughed gruffly at these remarks and threw leeride looks at me I asked one who seemed bad what caliber his gun was 45 higher trigger he answered I nosed around over their plunder purpose they had things drawing around like banock squaws jerking invention when I got on my horse I said to the boss I want to pass your outfit in the morning as you are in no hurry and I am that will depend said he depend on what I asked depend on whether we are willing to let you he snarled I gave him as mean a look as I could command and said tauntingly now look here old girl there's no occasion for you to tear your clothes with me this way besides I sometimes get on the prod myself and when I do I don't bar no man june or gentile horse mare or gelding you may think different but I'm not afraid of any man in your outfit from the timelid to the big auger I've tried to treat you white but I see I've failed now I want to give it out to you straight and cold that I'll pass you tomorrow or mix two herds trying think it over tonight and nominate your choice be a gentleman or a hog let your own sweet will determine which I rode away in a walk to give them a chance to say nothing they wanted to but there were no further remarks my men were all hopping mad when I told them but I tomorrow we would fix them plenty or use a power supply of cartridges if necessary we dropped back a mile off the trail and camped for the night early the next morning I sent one of my boys out on the highest sand dune to engine around and see what they were doing after being gone for an hour he came back and said they'd thrown their cattle off the bedground of the trail and were pottering around like as they aimed to move breakfast over I sent him back again to make sure for I wanted yet to trouble if they didn't try it on it was another hour before he gave us a signal to come on we were nicely strung out where you saw those graves on that last ridge of sand hills when there were about a mile ahead of us moseying along this side of Chapman's the Indian trader's store the old route turns to the right and follows up this black Jack ridge we kept up close and just as soon as they turned into the right the only trail there was then we threw off the course and came straight across country style same route we came over today except there was no trail there we had to make a new one now they watched as a plenty but it seemed they couldn't make out our game when we pulled up even with them half a mile apart they tumbled that my bluff of the day before was due to take effect without further notice then they began to circle and ride around and one fellow went back only hitting the high places to their wagon and saddle horses and they were brought up on a trot we were by this time three quarters of a mile apart when the boss of their outfit was noticed riding out towards us calling one of my men we rode out and met him half way young man do you notice what you are trying to do he asked I think I do you and myself as Kalman don't pace in the same class as you will see if you will only watch the smoke of our teepee watch as close and I'll pass you between here and the next water we will see you in hell first he said as he whirled his horse and galloped back to his man the race was on in a brisk walk his wagon we noticed cutting between the herds until it reached the lead of his cattle when it halted suddenly and we noticed they were cutting off a dry cow skin that swung under their wagon at the same time two of his men cut out a wild steer and as he ran near their wagon one of them roped and the other healed him it was neatly done I called big dick and I was attracted that they were going to try and stampede us with a dry cow skin tied to that steer's tail they had down as they let him up it was clear I had called the turn as they headed him for our herd the flint thumping at his heels dick rode out in a lope and I signaled for my crowd to come on and we would back dick's play as we rode out together I said to my boys the stuff soft fellows shoot and shoot to hurt him driving that one steer and turning the others loose to graze dick never changed the course of that steer but let him head for hours and as they met and passed he turned his horse and rode onto him as though he was a post driven in the ground whirling a loop big enough to take in a yoke of ox and he dropped it over his off four shoulder took up his slack rope and when that steer went to the end of the rope he was thrown in the air and came down on his head with a broken neck dick shook the rope off the edge of his forelegs without dismounting and was just beginning to coil his rope when those varmints made a dash at him shooting and yelling that called for a counter play on our part except our aim was low for if we didn't get a man we were sure to leave one afoot just for a minute the air was full of smoke two horses on our side went down before you could say Jack Robinson but the men were unhurt and soon flattened themselves on the ground in young fashion and burnt the grass and they when everybody had emptied his gun each outfit broke back to its wagon to reload two of my men came back a footage claiming that he had got his men all right all right we were no men shy which was lucky feeling our guns with cartridges out of our belts we rode out to recaniter and try and get the boys's saddles the first swell of the ground showed us the field there were the dead steer and five or six horses scattered around likewise but the grass was too high to show that we felt we're there as the opposition was keeping close to their wagon we rode up to the scene of carnage while some of the boys were getting the saddles off the dead horses we found three men taking their last nap in the grass I recognized them as the boss man the fellow with the hard trigger gun and a full kid that had two guns on him when we were crossing their cattle the day before one gun wasn't planning to do the fighting he was hankering for he had about as much code as for a stinger the boys got the saddles off the dead horses and when flying back to our men afoot and then rejoined us the fight seemed over or there was some hitch in the program for we could see them hovering near their wagon tearing up wide billed shirts out of a trunk and bandaging up arms and legs that they hadn't figured on any our herd had been overlooked during the scrimmage and had scattered so that I had to send one man and the horse wrangler to round them in we had lost and was beginning to look as though hostilities had ceased by mutual consent you can see son we didn't bring it on we turned over the dead steer and he proved to be a stray at least he hadn't their road brand on one eyed jim said the ranch brand belonged in sans-saba county he knew it well the x2 while it wasn't long until our men afoot got a remount and only two horses shot in the first round we could stand another on the same terms in case they attacked us we rode out on a little hill about a quarter mile from their wagon scattering out so as not to give them a pot shot in case they wanted to renew the unpleasantness when they saw us there one fellow started to ward us waving his handkerchief we began speculating which one it was but soon made him out to be the cook his occupation kept him out of the first round when he came within a hundred yards I rode out and met him he offered me his hand and said we are in a bad fix two of our crowd have bad flesh wounds do you suppose we could get any whiskey back at this Indian trader's store if there is any man in this territory can get any I can if they have it I told him besides if your layout has had all the satisfaction fighting they want we'll turn to and give you a lift it seems like you all have some dead men over back here they will have to be planted so if your outfit feel as though you had your belly full of fighting for the present consider us at your service you're the cook ain't you yes sir he answered are all three dead he then inquired dead as heck I told him well we are certainly in a bad box said he meditating Lee but won't you all ride over to our wagon with me I think our fellows are pacified for the present I motion to our crowd and we all rode over to their wagon with him there wasn't a gun inside the ragged edge of despair don't describe them I made them a little them that their boss had cashed in back over the hill also if there was any say good owing their outfit the position of big auger was open to him and we were at his service there wasn't a man among them that had any sense left but the cook he told me to take charge of the killed and if I could rustle a little whiskey to do so so I told the cook to empty out his wagon and we would take the dead ones back make boxes for them and bury them at the store then I sent three of my men back to the store to have the boxes ready and dig the graves before these three rode away I said aside to Jim who was one of them don't bother about any whiskey branch water is plenty nourishing for the wounded it would be a sin and shame to waste good liquor on Palfrey like them the balance of us went over to the field of carnage and stripped the saddles off their dead horses and arranged the departed in a row covering them with saddle blankets pending the planting act I sent part of my boys with our wagon to look after our own cattle for the day it took us all the afternoon to clean up a minute's work in the morning I never liked to refer to it fact was all the boys felt gloomy for weeks but there was no void in it two months later we met old man Andy way up at Fort Laramay on the North Platt he was tickled to death to meet us all the herd had come through in fine condition we never told him anything about this until the cattle were delivered and we were celebrating the success of that drive at a nearby town big dick told him about this incident and the old man feeling his oats as he leaned with his back against the bar said to us with a noticeable degree of pride lads I'm proud of every one of you men who will fight to protect my interests has my purse at their command this year's drive has been a success next year we will drive twice as many I want every rascal of you to work for me you all know how I mount feed and pay my men as long as my name is Erath and I own a cow you can count on a job with me but why did you take them back to the stand he was to bury them cutting Lucy oh that was big dick's idea he thought the stand would dig easier and laziness guided every act of his life that was five years ago son that this lower trail was made and for the reasons I have just given you no I can't tell you any more personal experiences tonight I'm too sleepy six story seven rangering of cattle brands a collection of western campfire stories this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org cattle brands a collection of western campfire stories by Andy Adams story seven no state in the union was ever called upon to meet and deal with the criminal element as was Texas she was border territory upon her admission to the sisterhood of states an area equal to four ordinary states and a climate that permitted of outdoor life the year round made it a desirable rendezvous for criminals the sparsely settled condition of the country the flow of immigration being light until the 70s was an important factor the fugitives from justice of the older states with a common impulse turned toward this empire of isolation Europe contributed her quota more particularly from the south bringing with them the mafia and vendetta once it was the ultima thul of the criminal western world from the man who came for not building a church no had taken human life the catalog of crime was fully represented humorous writers tell us that it was a breach of good manners to ask a man his name or what state he was from or to examine the brand on his horse very particularly it can be safely said that there was a great amount of truth mingled with the humor some of these fugitives from justice became good citizens sooner or later took up former callings along with this criminal immigration came the sturdy settler the man intent on building a home and establishing a fireside usually following lines of longitude he came from other southern states he also brought with him the fortitude of the pioneer that reclaims the wilderness and meets any emergency that confronts him to meet and deal with this criminal element in a matter of necessity soon became an important consideration his only team of horses was frequently stolen his cattle ran off their range their earmarks altered and brands changed frequently it was a bend of neighbors together in a posse who followed and brought to bay the marauders it was an unlucky moment for a horse thief when he was caught in possession of another man's horse the new court of emergency had no sentiment in regard to passing sentence of death it was a question of guilt and when that was established Judge Lynch passed sentence as the state advanced the authorities enlisted small companies of men called rangers the citizens posse soon gave way to this organized service the company's few in number at first were gradually increased until the state had over a dozen companies in the field these companies numbered anywhere from ten to sixty men it can be said with no discredit to the state that there were never half enough companies of men for the work before them there was a frontier on the south and west of over two thousand miles to be guarded a fair specimen of the large things in that state was a shoestring congressional district over eleven hundred miles long to the ranger then is all credit due for guarding this western frontier against the indians and making life in the possession of property a possibility on the south was to be met the bandit the smuggler and every great of criminal known to the code a generation had come and gone before the rangers work was fairly done the emergency demanded brave men they were ready they were necessarily born to the soil as a boy the guardian of the frontier was expert in the use of firearms and in the satellite tireless rider as trailers many of them were equal to hounds in the use of that arbiter of the frontier the six shooter they were artists as a class never before since have their equals in the use of that arm come forward to question the statement the average criminal while familiar with firearms was as badly handicapped as women would be against men the ranger had no equal the emergency that produced him no longer existing he will never have a successor any attempt to copy the original would be hopeless imitation he was shot at a short range oftener than he received his monthly wage he admired the criminal that would fight and despised one that would surrender on demand he would nurse back to life a dead game man whom his own shot had brought to earth and give a coward the chance to run any time if he so desired he was compelled to lead a life in the open and often descend to the level of the criminal he had few elements in his makeup and but a single purpose but that one purpose to rid the state of crime he executed with a vengeance poorly paid for the service rendered frequently there was no appropriation with which to pay him then he lived by rewards in the friendship of ranch men the ranger always had a fresh horse at his command no one thought of refusing him this rust-proof rugged and tireless he gave the state protection for life and property the emergency had produced the man here take my glass and throw down in that grove of timber yonder and notice if there is any sign of animal life to be seen said sergeant Smoky C addressing Remrod a private and company ex of the Texas Rangers the sergeant and the four men had been out on special duty and now we had halted after an all night's ride looking for shade and water the latter especially we had two prisoners, horse thieves some extra saddle stock and three pack mules it was an hour after sun up we had just come out of the foothills where the brasos has its source and before us lay the planes dusty and arid this grove of green timber held out a hope that within it might be found what we wanted eyesight is as variable as men but Remrod's was known to be reliable for five miles with the naked eye and ten with the aid of a good glass he dismounted at the sergeant's request and focused the glass on this oasis and after sweeping the field for a minute or so he remarked languidly there must be water there I can see a band of antelope grazing out from the grove hold your mules something is raising a dust over to the south good it's cattle coming to the water while he was covering the field with his glass two of the boys were threatening with eternal punishment the pack mules which showed an energetic determination to lie down and dislodge their packs by rolling cut your observations short as possible there Remrod or there will be repacking to do Mulla you hybrid son of your father don't you dare to lie down but Remrod's observations were cut short at sight of the cattle and we pushed out for the grove about seven miles distant short hours ride numerous small bands of antelope were startled and in turn stood and gazed at us in bewilderment I'm not tasty said sergeant Smoky but I would give the preference this morning to a breakfast of a well-roasted side of ribs of a nice yearling venton over the salt house that the lone star state furnishes the service have we no hunters with us let me try begged a little man we called the cushion foot what his real name was none of us knew the books of course would show some name and then you were entitled to a gas he was as quiet as a mouse as reliable as he was quiet and as noiseless in his movements as a snake one of the boys went with him making quite a detour from our course but always remaining in sight about two miles out from the grove we sighted a small band of five or six antelope who soon took fright and ran to the nearest elevation here they made a stand about half a mile distant we signaled to our hunters who soon spotted them and dismounted we could see cushion sneaking through the short grass like a coyote conajo leading the horses well hidden between them we held the antelope's attention by riding around in a circle flagging them several times cushion lay flat and we thought he was going to risk a long shot then he would crawl forward like a cat but finally came to his knee we saw the little puff the band squatted jumping to one side far enough to show one of their number down and struggling in the throes of death good long shot little man said the sergeant and you may have the choice of cuts just so I get a rib we saw conajo mount and ride up on a gallop but we held our course for the grove we were busy making camp when the two rode in with a fine two year old buck across the pommel of cushion saddle that only disemboweled him but conajo had the heart as a trophy of the accuracy of the shot though cushion hadn't a word to say it was a splendid hard shot conajo took it over and showed it to the two mexican prisoners it was an object lesson to them one said to the other es un buen tirador we put the prisoners to roasting the ribs and making ourselves useful in general one man guarded them at their work while all the others attended to the hobbling and other camp duties it proved to be a delightful camp we aimed to stay until sunset the days being sultry and hot our appetites were equal to the breakfast and it was a good one to do justice to an occasion like this said smoky as he squatted down with about four ribs in his hand a man by rights ought to have at least three fingers of good liquor under his belt but then we can't have all the luxuries of life in the far west sure to be something lacking I never hear a man hanker for liquor said conajo as he poured out a tin cup of coffee but I think of an incident my father used to tell his boys at home he was sheriff in Kentucky before we moved to Texas was sheriff in the same county for 12 years counties are very irregular back in the old states some look like a Mexican brand one of the rankest rabbit political admirers my father had lived a way out on a spur of this country he lived good 30 miles from the county seat didn't come to town over twice a year but he always stopped generally overnight at our house my father wouldn't have it any other way talk about thieves being chummy I knew we have here couldn't hold a candle to that man and my father I can see them parting just as distinctly as though it was yesterday he would always abuse my father for not coming to see him Sam he would say my father's name was Sam Sam why on earth is it that you never come to see me I've heard of you within 10 miles of my plantation and you have never shown your face to us once do you think we can't entertain you why Sam I've known you since you weren't big enough to lead a hound dog you weren't me to a grasshopper let me have a word my father would put in for he was very mild in speaking let me have a word Joe I hope you don't think for a moment that I wouldn't like to visit you now do you no I don't think so Sam but you don't come that's why I'm complaining you never have come in the whole 10 years you've been sheriff and you know that we have voted for you German in our neck of the woods my father felt this last remark though I think he never realized it's gravity before but he took him by one hand and laying the other in his shoulder said Joe if I have slighted you in the past I'm glad you've called my attention to it now let me tell you the first time that my business takes me within 10 miles of your place I'll make it a point to reach your house and stay all night and longer if I can that's all I ask Sam was his only reply now I've learned lots of the ways of the world since then I've seen people pleasant to each other and behind their backs the tune changed but I want to say to you fellas that those two old boys were not throwing off on each other not a little bit they meant every word and meant it deep it was months afterwards and father had been gone for a week when he came home he told us about his visit to Joe Evans it was winter time and mother and us boys were sitting around the old fireplace in the evening I never saw him so embarrassed before in my life said father I did ride out of my way but I was glad of the chance men like Joe Evans are getting scarce he nodded to us boys it was nearly dark when I wrote up to his gate he recognized me and came down to the gate to meet me howdy Sam was all he said there was a troubled expression in his face though he looked well enough but he couldn't simply look me in the face just kept his eye on the ground he motioned for a nigger boy and said to him take his horse he started to lead the way up the path when I stopped him look here Joe I said to him now if there's anything wrong anything likely to happen in the family I can just as well drop back on the pike and stay all night with some of the neighbors Joe I'm acquainted all around here he turned in the path and there was the most painful look in his face I ever saw as he spoke hell no Sam there's nothing wrong we've got plenty to eat plenty of beds no end of horse feet but by God Sam there isn't a drop of whiskey in the place you see it was and Joe seemed to think the house on him was an unpardonable offense you'll find it in an empty one spoon baking powder can over there in those panniers that belong to that big sorrel mule look at Mexico over there burying his fangs in the venture will you Ramrod was on guard but he was so hungry himself that it was good enough to let the prisoners eat at the same time although he kept them at a respectable distance he was old in the service and had gotten his name under a baptism of fire he was watching a pass once for smugglers at a point called emigrant gap this was long before he had come to the present company at length the man he was waiting for came along Ramrod went after him at close quarters but the fellow was game and drew his gun when the smoke cleared away Ramrod had brought down his horse and winged his man right and left the smuggler was not far behind on the shoot for Ramrod's coat and hat showed he was calling for him the captain was joshing the prisoner without his poor shooting when Ramrod brought him into camp when they were dressing his wounds well, said the fellow, I tried too hard enough but I couldn't find him he's built like a Ramrod after breakfast was over we smoked and yarned it would be two hour guards for the day keeping an eye on the prisoners and stock only one man required so we would all get plenty of sleep Kanaho had the first guard after breakfast I remember once I was in charge and smoky as he crushed a pipe of twist with a heel of his hand we were camped out on the sunset railway I was a corporal at the time there came a message one day to our captain to send a man of west on that line to take charge of a murderer the result was I was sent by the first train to this point when I arrived I found that an Irishman had killed a Chinaman it was on the railroad at a bridge construction camp that the fracas took place there were something like a hundred employees at the camp and they ran their own boarding tent they had a Chinese cook at this camp in fact quite a number of Chinese were employed at common labor on the road some cavalryman it was thought in passing up and down from Fort Stockton to points on the river had lost his sabre and one of this bridge gang had found it when it was brought into camp no one would have the old corn cutter but this Irishman took a shine to it he was a soldier himself the result was it was presented to him he grounded up like a machete and took great pride in giving exhibitions with it he was an old man now the storekeeper for the iron supply as a kind of trusty job the old sabre renewed his youth to a certain extent for he used it in self-defense shortly afterwards this Aaron Goe Bra his name was Mckay I think was in the habit now and then he was selling a pie from the cook and taking it into his own tent and eating it there the chink kept missing his pies and got a helper to spy out the offender the result was they caught the old man red-handed in the act the chink armed himself with the biggest butcher knife he had and went on the warpath he found the old fella sitting in his storeroom contendantly eating the pie the old man had his eyes on the cook and saw the knife just in time to jump behind some kegs of knots and bolts the chink followed him with murder in his eye and as the old man ran out of the tent he picked up the old sabre once clear of the tent he turned and faced him made only one pass and cut his head off as though he were beheading a chicken they hadn't yet buried the china man when I got there I'm willing to testify it was an artistic job they turned the old man over to me and I took him down to the next station where an old alcalde lived Roy Bean by name and the old judge was known as the Law West of the Pecos as he generally construed the law to suit his own opinion of the offence he wasn't even strong on testimony he was a ranchman at this time so when I presented my prisoner he only said kill the Chinese did he well I ain't got time to try the case today cattle suffering for water and threw windmills at a repair bring him back in the morning I took the old man back to the hotel I had a good time together that day I never put a string on him only locked the door but we slept together the next morning I took him before the alcalde Bean held court in an outhouse the prisoner seated on a bale of flint hides Bean was not only judge but prosecutor as well as counsel for the defense killed a china man did you I did your honor was the prisoner's reply I suggested to the court that the prisoner be informed of his rights that he need not plead guilty unless he so desired that makes no difference here said the court gentlemen I'm busy this morning I've got to raise the piping out of a 200 foot well today something the matter with the valve at the bottom I'll just glance over the law a moment he rummaged over a book or two for a few moments and then said here I reckon this is near enough I find in the revised statute before me in the killing of a nigger the party was fined five dollars a china man ought to be half as good as a nigger stand up and receive your sentence what's your name Jerry McKay your honor just then the court noticed one of the vaqueros belonging to the ranch standing in the door hat in hand and he called to him in Spanish have my horse ready I'll be through here just in a minute McKay said the court as he gave him a withering look I'll find you two dollars and a half in costs charge of the prisoner until it's paid took about ten dollars to cover everything which I paid McKay returning it when he reached his camp whoever named that alcalde law west of the pay coast knew his man I'll bet a twisted dog said Ramrod that prisoner with the black whiskers save his English did you notice him paying strict attention to smoke his little talk he reminds me of a fella that crouched behind his horse at the fight we had on the head of the Arroyo Colorado and plugged me in the shoulder what you never heard of it that's so cushion hasn't been with us but a few months well it wasn't 82 down on the river about 15 miles northwest of Brownsville word came in one day that a big band of horse thieves were sweeping the country of every horse they could gather there was a number of the old Cortina's gang known to be still on the Russell when this report came it found 11 men in camp we lost little time saddling up only taking five days rations with us for they were certain to recross the river before that time in case we failed to intercept them every Mexican in the country was terrorized all they could tell us was that there was plenty of ladrones and lots of horses Muchos being the qualifying word is to the number of either it was night before we came to their trail and to our surprise they were heading inland to the north they must have had a contract to supply the Mexican army with cavalry horses there are simply sweeping the country taking nothing but gentle stock these they bucked in strings and led that made easy trailing as each string left a distinct trail the moon was splendid that night and we trailed as easily as though it had been day we didn't halt all night long on either trail pegging along at a steady gate that would carry us inland to some distance before morning our scouts aroused every ranch within miles that we passed in the way only to have reports exaggerated as usual one thing we didn't learn that night and that was that the robbers were led by a white man he was described in the superlatives that the Spanish language possesses abundantly everything from the horse he rode to the solid braid on his sombrero was described in the same strain but that kind of prize was the kind we were looking for on the head of the Arroyo Colorado there is a broken country interspersed with glades and large openings we felt very sure that the robbers would make camps somewhere in that country one day broke the freshness of the trail surprised and pleased us they couldn't be far away before an hour passed we noticed a smoke cloud hanging low in the morning air about a mile ahead we dismounted and securely tied our horses in pack stock every man took all the cartridges he could use and was itching for the chance to use them we left the trail and to conceal ourselves took to the brush or dry Arroyos as a protection against alarming the quarry they were a quarter of a mile off when we first sighted them we began to think the reports were right for there seemed no end of horses and at least 25 men by dropping back we could gain one of those dry Arroyos which would bring us within 100 yards of their camp a young fella by the name of Russo a crack shot was acting captain in the absence of our officers as we backed into the Arroyo he said to us if there's a white man there leave him to me we were all satisfied that he would be cared for properly at Russo's hands and silence gave consent opposite the camp we wormed out of the Arroyo like a skirmish line hugging the ground for the one remaining little knoll between the robbers and ourselves I was within a few feet at Russo as we sighted the camp about 75 yards distant we were trying to make out a man that was asleep at least he had his head over his face lying on a blanket with his head in a saddle we concluded he was a white man if there was one our survey of their camp was cut short by two shots fired at us by two pickets of theirs posted to our left about 100 yards no one was hit but the sleeping man jumped to his feet with a six shooter in each hand I heard Russo say to himself you're too late my friend his carbines spoke and the fellow fell forward firing both guns into the ground at his feet as he went down then the stuff was off and she opened up in earnest they fought all right I was on my knee pumping lead for dear life and as I threw my carbine down to refuel the magazine a bullet struck it in the heel of the magazine with sufficient force to knock me backward I thought I was hit for an instant but it passed away in a moment when I tried to work the lever I saw that my carbine was ruined I called to the boys to notice a fellow with black whiskers who was shooting from behind his horse he would shoot over and under alternately I thought he was shooting at me I threw down my carbine and drew my six shooter just then I got a plug in the shoulder and things got daisy and dark it caught me an inch above the nipple ranging upward shooting from under you see but some of the boys must have noticed him for he decorated the scene badly led it when it was over I was unconscious for a few minutes and when I came around the fight had ended during the few brief moments that I was knocked out our boys had closed in on them and mixed it with them at short range the thieves took to such horses as they could lay their hands on and one fellow went no farther a six shooter halted him at fifty yards the boys rounded up over a hundred horses each one with a fibreglass halter on besides killing over twenty wounded ones to put them out of their misery it was a nasty fight two of our own boys were killed and three were wounded but then you ought to have seen the other fellows who took no prisoners that day nine men lay dead horses were dead and dying all around and the wounded ones were crying in agony this white man proved to be a typical dandy a queer leader for such a gang he was dressed in buckskin he was dressed in buckskin throughout while his sombrero was as fine as money could buy you can know it was a fine one for it was sold for company-priced money and brought three hundred and fifty dollars he had nearly four thousand dollars on his person and in his saddle a belt which we found on him had eleven hundred in bills and six hundred in good old yellow gold the silver in the saddle was mixed Mexican and American about equally he had as fine a gold watch in his pocket as he ever saw while his firearms and saddle were beauties he was a dandy all right and a fine-looking man over six feet tall with a swarthing complexion and hair like a raven's wing he was too nice a man for the company he was in we looked the black book over afterward for any description of him at that time there were over four thousand criminals and outlaws described in it but there was no description that would fit him for this reason we suppose that he must live far in the interior of Mexico our settled stock was brought up and our wounded were bandaged as best they could be my wound was the worst so they concluded to send me back one of the boys went with me and we made a fifty mile ride before we got medical attention while I was in the hospital I got my divvy of the prize money something over four hundred dollars when Ramrod had finished his narrative he was compelled to submit to a cross examination at the hands of Cushenfoot for he delighted in his skirmish all his questions being satisfactorily answered Cushenfoot drew up his saddle alongside of where Ramrod lay stretched on a blanket and seated himself this was a signal to the rest of us that he had a story so we drew near for he spoke so low that you must be near to hear him his ears on the frontier were rich in experience though he seldom referred to them addressing himself to Ramrod he began you might live amongst these border Mexicans all your life and think you knew them but every day you live you'll see new features about them you can't calculate on them with any certainty when they ought to do by any system of reasoning they never do they will steal an article and then give it away you've heard the expression robbing Peter to pay Paul well my brother played the role of Paul once himself it was out in Arizona a place called Las Palomas he was a stripling of a boy but could palover Spanish in a manner that would make a Mexican ashamed of his ancestry he was about 18 at this time and was working in a store one morning as he stepped outside the store where he slept he noticed quite a commotion over around the custom house he noticed that the town was full of strangers as he crossed over toward the crowd he was suddenly halted and searched by a group of strange men fortunately he had no arms on him and his ability to talk to them together with his boyish looks ingratiated him in their favor and they simply made him their prisoner just at that moment Nalcalde wrote up to the group about him and was ordered to halt he saw at a glance they were revolutionists and whirling his mount attempted to escape when one of them shot him from his horse the young fellow then saw what he was into they called themselves Timokis they belonged in Mexico and a year or so before they refused to pay taxes that the Mexican government levied on them and rebelled their own government sent soldiers after them resulting in about 800 soldiers being killed when they dispersed into small bands one of which was paying las palomas a social call that morning along the Rio Grande it is only a short step at best from revolution to robbery and either calling has its variations well, they took my brother with them to act as spokesmen in looting the town the custom house was a desired prize and when my brother interpreted their desires to the collector he consented to open the safe as life had charms for him even in Arizona Uncle Sam's strong box yielded up over a thousand dobes they turned their attention to the few small stores of the town looting them of the money and goods as they went there was quite a large store kept by a Frenchman who refused to open when he realized that the Timotki was honoring the town with his presence they put the boy in the front and ordered him to call on the Frenchman to open up he said afterward that he put in a word for himself telling him not to do any shooting through the door after some persuasion the store was opened and proved to be quite a prize then they turned their attention to the store where the boy worked he unlocked it and waved them in he went into the cellar and brought up half a dozen bottles of imported French cognac and invited the chief bandit and his followers to be good enough to join him in the meantime they had piled up on the counters such things as they wanted they made no money demand on him the chief asking him to set a price on the things they were taking he made a hasty inventory of the goods and gave the chief the figures about one hundred and ten dollars the chief opened a sack taken from the custom house and paid the bill with a flourish the chief then said that he had a favour to ask that my brother should cheer for the revolutionists to identify him as a friend that was easy so he mounted the counter and gave three cheers of Viva los Timokis he got down off the counter took the bandit by the arm and led him to the rear where with glasses in the air they drank to Viva los Timokis again then the chief and his men withdrew and recrossed the river it was the best day straight he had had in a long time now here comes in the native while the boy did everything from compulsion and policy the native element had looked upon him with suspicion the owners of the store knowing that the suspicion existed advised him to leave and he did the two prisoners were sleeping soundly sleep comes easily to tired men and soon all but the solitary guard were wrapped in sleep to fight anew in ranger's dream scathless battles there was not lacking the pathetic shade in the redemption of this state from crime and lawlessness in the village burying ground of round rock texas is a simple headstone devoid of any lettering save the name Sam Bass his long career of crime and lawlessness would feel a good sized volume he met his death at the hands of texas rangers years afterward a woman with all the delicacy of her sex and knowing the odium that was attached to his career came to this town from her home in the north and sought out his grave as only a woman can when some strong tie of affection binds this woman went to work to mark the last resting place of the wayward man concealing her own identity she performed these sacred rites clothing and mystery her relation to the criminal the people of the village would not have withheld their services and well meant friendship but she shrank from them being a stranger a year passed and she came again this time she brought the stone which marks his last resting place the chivalry of this generous people was aroused in admiration of a woman that would defy the columny attached to an outlaw while she would have shrunk from kindness had she been permitted such devotion could not go unchallenged so she disclosed her identity she was his sister Bass was northern born and this sister was the wife of a respectable practicing physician in Indiana woman like her love for a wayward brother followed him beyond his disgraceful end with her own hands she performed an act that has few equals as a testimony of love and affection for her own for many years afterwards she came annually her timidity having worn away after the generous reception accorded her at the hands of a hospitable people End of story 7