Wells Brothers

ork, and covered the two miles to the bend before the sun even streaked the east. Joel rode a wide circle around the entrance to the cove, in search

re blended into one in harmony with the surrounding scene. The cattle had bedded down rather compactly, and their breathing during the night had frosted on

utline on the drift of the day previous. Both agreed that the herd was fully five miles from the corral when the storm struck, and as it dro

t snowballs for breakfast. Relying on signs did us a heap of good. It was a perfect day, and within thirty minutes we were drifting blindly. It's all easy to figure out in advance

next storm will str

ver come at all," replied Joel. "There's no use sitting up at night to

wind-swept places of snow; and before noon, the cattle fell to feeding so ravenously that the herdsmen relayed each other, and a dinner for boy and horse was enjoyed at headquarters. In the valley the snow lay in drifts, but by holding the cattle on divides and southern slop

ral thaw and warm winds swept the drifts out of the valley. It was a welcome relief; the cattle recovered rapidly, the horses proved their mettle, while the boys came out more than victors. They

it was corraled at the regular hour. While opening the ice, the boys had turned their horses loose among the cattle, and on leading them out of the corral, the trio of prowlers had

ression of his, 'running like a scared wo

athlessly inquired Dell, throwing his

ok for tracks around the corral in the morning. My, but they were b

ills," said Dell, as they rode home. "Mr. Paul said that hunger wo

f wealth, and robes, and furry overcoats. The wolves had located the corral, th

t the plains from the British possessions to the Rio Grande, and left death and desolation in its pathway. Fortunately its harbingers threw its menace far in advance, affording the brothers ample time to reach the corral, which they did at a late evening hour. The day had been balmy and warm, the cattle came in, gor

ht and storm were holding high carnival. Towards morning a creeping cold penetrated the shack, something unknown before, and awoke the boys, shivering in their bl

his is a regular blizzard--those others were only squalls. I doub

f against the elements without, he announced himself as ready for the dash. It was less than a dozen rods between shack and stable, and setting a tallow dip in the window for a beacon, he t

hrow a blanket over my head. The sifting snow cut my

the horses. Both boys joined in the hazard, lashing themselves together with a long rope, and reached the stable in safety. On returnin

ter of the house was reached. "I got whipped off my feet, lost my bear

L W

hugging the leeward bank some little protection would be afforded and the stream would lead to the cattle. Near the middle of the afternoon, there was a noticeable abatement in the swirling snow, when the horses we

slowly milling about, not from any excitement, the exercise being merely voluntary and affording warmth. The boys fell to opening up the water, the cattle crowding around each opening and drinking to their contentment. An immense comb of snow hung in a semicircle around the bend, in places thirty feet high and perpendicular, while in others i

ats to withstand the cold, and only food was lacking in the present trial. After rendering every assistance possible, the boys remained at the corral, hop

inishing fourth, when for the first time the herd was grazed to surfeiting. The weather gradually faired off, the cattle were recovering their old form, when a freak of winter occurred. A week from the night the blizzard swept down from the north, soft winds crept up the val

tance. Even the horses were helpless, as the snow was too deep under the sleet, and any attempt to trample out pathways would have left the winter mounts bleeding and crippled. The emergency demanded men, but two boys came

sk as if it had been a threshing floor, and their flails rang out from contact with the icy sleet. By the time they had reached the divide it was high noon, and the boys were wearied by the morning task.

urn out the cattle. Point them up the broken-out trail, and bring my horse and come on ahead of the herd. If w

a shepherd. Fortunately the weather was clear and cold, and if temporary assistance could be rendered the cattle, a few days' sunshine would bare the ground on southern slopes and around

used, milling excitedly in a compact mass, while outside the inclosure the ground was fairly littered with wolf tracks. The herd, already weakened by the severity of the winter, had been held under a nervous s

o-night?" inquired Dell, o

ctive, it requires a drink. The bait is to be placed near running water--those wer

n fully a thousand acres lay bare, inviting the herd to feast to its heart's content. But a night on their feet had tired out the cattle, and it was with difficulty that they were prevented from lying dow

g roped shut. "Something must be done. Rest seems as needful as food. This is worse than any storm ye

s alarming, not from want of food, but from the hungry prowlers of the night. Before leaving, the brothers built a little fire out

rly in the evening, the herd was at rest, and the light of the bonfire soon lit up the corral and threw fancy shadows on the combing snow which formed the upper rim. The night was crimping cold, and at a late hour the

tant howling to repeat. "The fire ought to hold them at a distance un

cesses under the combing rim of snow. On riding within the corral, the dread of the excited cows proved to be a monster wolf, crouching on a shelf of snow. He arose on his haunches and faced the horsemen, revealing his fangs, while his breast was covered with tiny icicles, caused by

nger and older brother. The wolf was in hand, the horns of a hundred angry cows held the ene

inquired Dell, in the e

to him on a plate-

t us his pistol," meditat

the risk of a man's life to wound that wolf. He's cornered.

the horse from which Mr. Paul killed th

ideas. We've got to let that wo

that wolf and drag him to death, or wrap him to the centre gatepost and you can kill him with a fence-stay. Dog-toe, I'm going to rope a

ing it. Whatever happens, stick to your saddle. Cut th

Dell dismounted with a splendid assurance, tightened the cinches, tied his rope good and firm to the fork of the saddle tree, mounted, and announced himself as ready. The cattle were drifted left and

arose as if to spring, and the next instant Dog-toe whirled under spur and quirt, leaving only a blur behind as he shot across the corral. Only his rider had seen the noose fall true, the taut rope bespoke its own burden, and there was no time to shout. For an instant, Joel held his breath, only catching a swerve in the oncoming horse, whose rider bore d

a foot's length from his favorite rope. It had cut on the s

t post," said Dell, as he reined in and looked down on

hile I rouse out the cattle. I'll

APT

NG TH

was slowly opening to the sun. The creek, under cover of ice and snow, forced it

th of the Beaver, and although double the distance, an effort was made to break out a trail to the divide on the south. The herd was turned up the lane for the day, and taking t

aking out a pathway. The trail was beaten ten feet in width on an average, and by early noon the divide was reached. Several thousand acres l

would break under the weight of either of the boys. By walking well outside the trail, the sleet crushed to the extent of five or six feet, and by leading their horses, t

Dell. "It will hardly freeze a shoal

must take no chances of making our work sure. The moment the cattle quit

," argued the younger boy. "Under this crust

weather for to-night," said Joel, with a finali

earch of a known shallow in the creek. An old wood road crossed on the pebbly shoal, and forcing his horse

opping the reins and allowing Dog-toe to drin

, after emerging from under a concave bank, within a few fee

break a narrow trail across the water. This is perfect. We'll build an

ry caution urged was observed; the basins were handled with a hay fork, sledded to the scene, and dropped from horseback, untouched by a human hand. To make sure

spoor, "if that doesn't get a wolf,

comb," added Joel. "Wolves have a reputation of licking each other's

was at once suspected, and dashing up at a free gallop, the lads arrived in time to save the life of a young steer. The animal had grazed beyond the limits of the herd, unconscious of the presence of

fs, they bore down on the struggle, when the wolves suddenly forsook their victim and slunk away. The band numbered eight by easy co

laimed Dell, as the brothers reined in their h

makes it impossible to get food elsewhere. O

wolf to-day," boastfully said De

is weather lasts a month longer, some

d. At a distance, the wolves followed, peeping over the divide as the herd turned down the pathway leading to t

lightest change was noticeable and its portent dreaded. Following the blizzard, every moderation of the temperature broug

limits of all possibilities. He counted the victims of the poison for the night, estimated the number of wolves tributary to the Beaver, co

?" insisted Dell, as

answere

got seven out o

u had better scale down your e

ble to restrain his impulsive brother, together they reached the scene. Dell's heart failed him--not a dead wolf lay in sight. Every bait had been disturbed. Some

," remarked Joel, as he surve

fur, where they fought over the tallow. That's it; there wasn't enough suet to leave a good

the unforeseen is ever present. Their sponsors could only lay down the general rule, and the exceptions threw no foreshadows.

t more running water. I'll take these basins in and refill

and taken home to be refilled. It was Dell Wells's busy day. Cunning and caution were his helpers; slighting nothing, ever crafty on the side of safety, he cut, bored, and charred new basins, to double the original number. After loading, for fear of

s have you?" w

ty o

l the afternoon. Several times they crept up within one hund

ad. Everything's done, except to drag the carcass, and I d

ould allow the cattle time to bed down and the packs to gather. As usual, it was not the intention of the boys

f, will you have a hackberry plate, or do you prefer the scent of cottonwood? You'll find the tender, juicy kidney suet in the ash platters. Each table seats s

r chickens too s

ring all advice. "I'll carpet the dug-out wi

this morning," admonished his brothe

t night," answered Dell with emphasis, "no

he horses, as they covered the mile at a gallop, seemed to catch the frenzy of expectation. Dell led the way, ignor

d his poise. "I'll point them out and you

ew blindly wandered away for short distances. The poison had worked to a nicety; when the victims were collected, by actual count they numbered twenty-eight. It was a victory to just

" remarked Joel in a subdued voice,

diering this winter, and our one duty is to hold the fort. W

uet had been licked out of the holders. Of a necessity, no truce with the wolf became the slogan of the present campaign. No mushy sentiment was admissible--the fighting was not o

the head and legs, a horse could do the work of a dozen men. The corral fence afforded the ready snubbing-post, Dog-toe could pull his own weight on a rope from a saddle pommel, and theory, when reduced to the practical, is a welcome auxiliary. The head once bared, the carcass was snubbed to the centre gate post

vidently joined forces with the remnants of the day before, as there w

" said Joel, in explanation. "Rabbits and other rodents are at home under this sleet, and what is the

"Dog-toe and I are in the fur business. Let the wolves lick the bones

estion whether they would fall a prey to the wolves or succumb to the elements. A week of cruel winter followed the local storm, during which three head of cattle, cripples which had not fully recuperated, in the daily ma

eafter, not an eye for an eye, but in a ratio of ten to one. The dug-out looked like a trapper's cave, carpeted with pel

sleepless vigilance and sullen resolve on the part of the besieged, aided by fire and poison, alone held the fight

t kill of wolves lay in sight around the open water. While they were attempting to make a rough count of the dead from horseback, a wolf, supposed to be poisoned, sprang fully six feet into the air,

as blanched to the color of the snow, his horse tr

for breath. "Hold on. That's

n his flank. It's the griping of the poison. Half of them die i

ealing fangs that bespoke danger. Struggling to its feet, the wolf ran aimlessly in a circle, gradually enlarging until it struck a

hat corral it will kill a dozen cattle. That I've got a live horse under m

stant, and whirling Dog-toe, his rider reined the horse out over the lane leading to the herd's feeding ground to the south. The first quarter of a mile was an indistinct blur, out of which a horse might be seen, then a boy, or a wolf arose on wings and soa

teeth would sever any lasso. Shaking out a loop in his own rope, as Dell circled back over the other trail, Rowdy carried his rider within easy casting distance, th

g way with me," said Joel fr

smounted and kicked the dead wolf. "Did you notice

range industry, the siege was lifted and the Beaver valley groaned in her gladness. Sleet cracks ran for miles, every pool in the creek threw off its icy gorge, and the plain again smiled within her own limits. Had the brothers been thorough plai

oo soon," said Joel to his brother, when the us

, we lost twelve cattle against one hundred and ei