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Updated: June 3, 2025
It was absolutely necessary to hold the numbers down to five thousand head, or as near that number as possible, and by keeping the ranch outfit on herd and my men out on round-ups, it was managed quietly, though we let no steer cattle two years old or over escape. When the gathering was finished, to the surprise of every one the herd counted out fifty-six hundred and odd cattle.
A trusty man was accordingly sent from my ranch to assist in the gathering of each of the four outside brands, to be present at all round-ups, to see that no steer cattle were held back, and that the dropping calves were cared for and saved. This precaution was not taken around my ranch, for any animal which failed to be counted my own men would look out for by virtue of ownership of the brand.
This was the chance for me to be relieved of my crass ignorance concerning round-ups, really to have a definite conception of the term instead of the sea of vagueness and conjecture into which I was plunged by the usual description "Oh, just a whole lot of cattle driven to one place, and those that need it are cut out and frescoed."
He told me all about "day-wranglers" and "night-hawks" and "war-bags" and "round-ups"; showed me how to tie a "bull-noose" and a "sheep-shank" and a "Mexican hacamore"; put me onto the twist-of-the-wrist and the quick arm-thrust that puts half-hitches 'round a steer's legs; showed me how a cowboy makes dance music with a broom and a mouth-harp and many other wonderful feats, none of which I can myself perform.
You was venison, and now you're veal. You put me in mind of a japonica in a window. You've been signed, sealed and diskivered. Requiescat in hoc signo. You make me thirsty." "A green chartreuse here," said Merritt to the waiter. "Whiskey straight," sighed Greenbrier, "and they're on you, you renegade of the round-ups." "Guilty, with an application for mercy," said Merritt.
During our short periodical round-ups of course I attended the "work" with the rest; but to spend one whole month, as I did once, without not only not conversing with, but absolutely not seeing a human being, is an experience that has probably come to very few men indeed. However, as said before, life in the White Mountains of Arizona was very enjoyable.
"Al can take the outfit and drift," said Tom, as though he were discussing some detail of the round-up. "He knows where and they can scatter, I'll give 'em a horse apiece as a a kinda bonus. I'll have to stay, looks like. Fall round-up's coming on." "Wel-ll," said Lance, throwing an arm over a rail and drumming with his fingers, "I was raised on round-ups.
The man who had once been his own foreman of round-ups straightened himself in his chair and smote the table with his fist. "No, by God, you won't not in a thousand years, McVickar! Maybe you could buy me maybe you have bought me in times past but you can't buy that boy! Listen, and I'll tell you what I'm going to do.
Half a dozen round-ups on the home range would be all that was necessary in completing the numbers allotted to the Edwards ranch. Three other cowmen were going to turn in a thousand head and furnish and mount a man each, there being no occasion to road-brand, as every one knew the ranch, brands which would go to make up the herd.
At this time of year it was his habit to corral all those saddlewise in order to select horses for the round-ups and to replace the ranch animals. The latter he turned loose for their turn at the freedom of the range. The horses chosen, next the men turned their attention to outfit. Each had, of course, his saddle, spurs, and "rope." Of the latter the chuck wagon carried many extra.
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