st effect. Ofttimes the more hysterical members of the herd are
shot, as a stampede means a great loss. Animals that stampede once are
prone to do it again. The mingling of herds increases the danger. In
old days the approach of a herd of buffalo was sure to start a stampede
among cattle. Men were detailed to turn the shaggy monsters aside
whenever they came within hearing.

Rivers are crossed by one of the cow-punchers swimming his horse in the
lead and the other men driving the animals after him.

Once near the shipping-point, the herd is allowed to rest up and
fatten, while the owner makes his deal with the cattle-buyers of Omaha
or Chicago.

The animals are driven or decoyed into the cars, and the last journey,
to the packing-house, begins. Punchers accompany them to feed and
water the beasts on the trip. They help turn them into the pens. One
night in Chicago, one meal, a dinner ending with a "Lillian Russell"
(peaches or apple pie covered with ice-cream) as dessert, and the
punchers start West again to begin anew the work of the fall roundup,
which is on a smaller scale than the spring one.

It is dawn in the valley of the Sweetwater. The spring rains
have freshened the verdure of the plain. Clumps of coarse grass fringe
the river's brink. Cacti and Spanish bayonets nod in the morning
breeze, which sweeps down from the mountains. Yucca palms and
sahuaroes glisten with the dew. In the distance rise the foot-hills
crowned with stunted live-oaks. On the horizon tower the mountains,
pine-clad to the timber-line, bare and desolate above.

The outfit of Sweetwater Ranch has gathered for the round-up and the
drive to the railroad. In the absence of her husband, Echo Payson had
assumed complete charge of the ranch, and with the help of Sage-brush
had carried on the work just as she thought Jack would do, hoping
against hope for his return in safety, and hiding her sorrow from those
about her.

Under a clump of cottonwood, a chuck-wagon has halted. Many of the
boys on the round-up are still asleep, the night herders returning to
camp. The cook has started his preparations for breakfast. His wagon
has a covered top like a prairie-schooner. The tail-board has been
lowered to form a table, supported by rawhide straps. About him are
scattered tin cups and kitchen utensils. A thin spiral of smoke arises
from the fire which has been made in a shallow pit to prevent a spread
of flames. The flickering fl