Cattle-Ranch to College

y-five years ago. Horse and rider passed up the single unpaved street; in the darkness no one noticed the fagge

mblers, freighters, and outlaws. The evening quiet was constantly broken by the sounds of revelry, and the rep

t to "Black Jack's," one of the most conspicuous saloons; here he stiffly dismounted and tied his pony to the pole where stood a row of o

ry! what's

dson! What drove you d

man? Come and driv

on him so thick and fast that no chanc

y-five miles up the river, they noticed that there was something out of the ordinar

any invitations to drink. "I think we'l

e trouble?" cho

came down to tell you that a big bunch of Indians crossed the river above

eckless of these wild men, living continual

attle over onto Woody Island and then started down the trail, giving the word to the fellows alo

nt on with his tale, the men drew nearer to him, their faces sh

ollowed thi

re? Where did they

Did they have any

fellow, in a red flannel shirt, asserted that they must have crossed the river at Elbow Island; another contradicted this statement and said that the stream was t

ed air of one who was fully acquainted with the facts and could end

he situation. "Dry up," said he; "let Harry talk,

travelling pretty light, and I guess they are looking for beef or anything else they can lay their hands on; probably they think they can scare us off with a few shots and then run the stock off. They had a l

r Jim Mackenzie

ewhat bent, but more from hardship than from age, entered the room. He was recognized at once as the sherif

gh cattlemen, accustomed to depend upon themselves, who when off duty acknowledged no law except their own wishes, instinctively looked for a leader when co

d take a couple of men with you back on the trail. Bring back Jim White and his outfit of wagons and stock; he's camped down on Hay Creek. There a

re's only a night-herder with them. The rest of you who have wagons and stock out, bring them in yourselves. All you loose men," he add

y, a frequenter of the place, Black Jack, the saloon keeper, and a couple

and calling out to each other; from time to time the rapidly diminishing sound of gal

en who were with him, without a word, waited for the announcement of his next move

expected railroad and the Missouri River, a town of considerable size was mapped and many streets with high-sounding names were projected. But only Main Street was actually laid out. The houses, which their

y able to take care of themselves. Not many of the inhabitants stayed the year round. The few who did remain through all seasons-the saloon keepers, horseshoers, stable keepers, and the thr

a seemingly hopeless tangle on the wagon tongues, and the tents were pitched against their sides or canvas lean-to's were rigged up. A number of greasy men lounged around the campfires, some

ck were brought, and, in a trice, harnessed to the heavy wagons. The mules were urged forward with shouts and cracking of whips, and

e, then branched off after giving some final orders, or

ng," h

man was leaving for a trip across the street or across th

that the settlement was in danger of attack from the dreaded Indian. The teamsters could still be heard shouting to their mule

ds one of the better-looking houses that stood on a little rise some distance from the Main Street settlement. Messengers had been sent i

the door and, without

he Westerner sleeps with one eye open, and is read

re?" shout

" answered

ment the door opened,

e and children further down. Harry Hodson just came down the

not wait to

care of the baby. We've got to be lively. You know what to do. You see, Mac," he said, turning to the

ght as well saddle up and come along with me so you

to look after the home, pack up the goods, catch and saddle the horses. It was a seemingly big task for boys of ten and twelve, but from the time these boys were able to walk they-in common with other boys of the frontier-had to look out largely for themse

elves were well aware of the ability of the plainsmen to cope with them when unhampered by women and children, so they practically never began hostilities until they could get their white enemies at a disadvantage. The few families were, therefore, their especial point of attack. It was their helplessness tha

fort of the solid log house by piling up the scanty furniture and bedding against the doors and windows, leaving only loopholes for their rifles; and though the present situation was one that wou

horses were kept), "I'll bet it's just those Indians we saw across the river, day before yesterday

onies. If it was ten dollars reward instead of five, it might have been worth while to run the risk o

hen led to the door, where they were saddled. As they were cinching them up-as the tightening of the girths is called-Mr. Worth retur

eed crossed and recrossed the dusty street. As soon as they were installed at their new-found shelter and their household goods disposed o

ther. This instinct made it much easier for the herder to gather his own, when there were many animals belonging to different outfi

rom the freighters' wagons, into the semblance of breastworks. As Joh

of men to help you and they reported that your shack was desert

etty quick shape; you see my boys, Johnny here and Ben, are first-rate hands to depend on in an emergency. They did pretty near the whole thing to-nigh

A BUCKING

about this before?" interrupte

lot of squaws in this bunch, so I didn't believe they were a war party. W

on generally knows what he's talking about." The sheriff was speaking more to himself than to his hearers. "I'm glad we've g

was succeeded by a time of waiting, a period of suspense that was,

her and brother were asleep, John could not close his eyes. He understood, as his younger brother could not, the danger that menaced the household and the town. Death, swift, by knife or bullet, or slow through torture, was sure to come if that band of Indians got inside the inclosure. He had heard gruesome tales describing the treatment

yote. Pickets were posted just over the rise to the north of the town, from which direction the

sound of galloping horses. Louder it grew, then fainter; then

o their feet, rifles

the calm voice of Mac

g of many hoofs a

l killed with the enemy's noiseless arrows? Or h

y stood, ears alert, eyes strained, their nerves keyed up to the tensest pitch, awai

They dashed down the incline toward the corral of wagons. But they were all riderless! Presently two riders appeared. They shouted a g

s to enter the inclosure; but it was too late; the bunch parted, turning to ri

n their vain attempts to head off their charges. The sheriff was just saying, "I wish some of you fellows would help round u

fresh horse," said "Casi

holes, succeeded in rounding up the frightened horses, and with the help of the h

ap, some one shouted: "What'll you take f

ndy, isn't he? My stock would have got awa

h, eh!" said Bill Sm

ed plugs; they were easy for Baldy. He was sadd

Then, turning to the group about him, "Some of you boys had better get breakfast," said he; "th