perate charges,
and even assist an unfortunate "puncher" in scaling the walls. In after
years we built proper corrals, and in the course of time, by frequent
and regular handling, the cattle became more docile and better-mannered.
For one thing, they were certainly easily gathered. When we wanted to
round them up we had only to ride out ten or twenty miles, swing round
and "holler," when all the cattle within sight or hearing would at once
start on the run for the ranch. These were not yet domesticated cattle
in that they always wanted to run and never to walk. Indeed, once
started it was difficult to hold them back. This was not very conducive
to the accumulation of tallow on their generally very bare bones.

I well remember the first bunch of steers sold off the ranch, which were
driven to Fort Wingate, to make beef for the soldiers. About two hundred
head of steers, from six to twelve years of age, all black, brown,
brindle or yellow, ne'er a red one amongst them; magnificently horned,
in fair flesh, perfect health and spirits; such steers you could not
"give away" to-day; but we got sixty dollars apiece for them and were
well rid of them; and how they walked! The ponies could hardly keep up
with them; and what cowman does not know the pleasure of driving fast
walking beef cattle? Ne'er a "drag" amongst them! You had only to
"point" them and let them "hit the trail"; but a stampede at night was
all the more a terrific affair, though even in such a case if they got
away they would keep together, and when you found one you found them
all. Such a bunch of magnificent, wild, proud-looking steer creatures
will never be seen again, in America at least, because you cannot get
them now of such an age, nor of such primitive colours; colours that, I
believe, the best-bred cattle would in course of long years and many
generations' neglect revert to.

The method adopted when an obstreperous steer made repeated attempts to
leave the herd was to send a bullet through his horn, which gave him
something to think about and shake his head over. No doubt it hurt him
terribly, but it generally was an effective check to his waywardness.
And when some old hoary-headed bull wanted to "gang his ain gait" a
piece of cactus tossed on to his back, whence it was difficult to shake
off, would give him also something to think about.

Another small herd we some time later disposed of were equally good
travellers, and indeed were driven from the