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The Famous Cow-Boys

HERE is a race of Each cattle-owner, or "rancher," has his men distinct in own registered brand or sign, which is character, who fol- branded on the flank or shoulder (or both) low a bold, free call- of all his cattle and horses. Sometimes ing on the great it is his initials, sometimes a mark such cattle-raising plains as a diamond or star, etc., or sometimes west, northwest and initial and mark combined. southwest of the Missis- At one time, when the great West was sippi River; a race of men not as settled as it is at present-when who have, by their cour- law and order were but as words, the age and hardihood, made altering of brands was a somewhat com the way easy for the com- mon trick among a certain class of lawing emigrant to follow: less gentry. But it was a desperate game men who, as a class, have to play; for as the cattle business of the been greatly and, to a plains, pure and simple, is but a relic of large extent, unjustly the old days and primitive customs of our maligned, and who go forefathers, so its followers retain, as under the somewhat odd title of "Cow- much as they dare, primitive methods of boys." dealing with right and wrong; and the With the first appearance of the spring punishment for tampering with the brand grass on the prairies the Cow-boy's activ- on a marked cow or steer very often ity begins, and, as a rule, right glad is he; comes from the muzzle of a revolver, or for during a frontier winter the work by the hasty expedient of a rope over the about the cattle ranches, if light, is nearest branch. But now that all brands monotonous; and this man of restless are registered, and the West is getting to energy is by no means content to remain be settled and its inhabitants civilized, inactive through the dreary prairie win- law is taking the place of personal vio ter, toasting his heels at the ranch-stove, and getting perhaps an occasional hunt by way of variety. lence.

Arrived at the spot where the "roundup" is to take place, the work begins First of all comes the "round-up," in real earnest, and it is by no means when two or more ranch-owners combine light. All the cattle are held in a great their forces and drive all cattle (some herd or "bunch" by various Cow-boys, thousand head, as a rule) found on the who keep them from spreading out, while ranges (or outlying plains over which the others of "the boys" from the various cattle feed) to a common centre, when owners present ride in among them and the branding of all calves and unmarked "cut out" those of the particular brands cattle takes place. they are after.

MAIL POWDER Stanley Wood