Fifteen Western Tales, March 1954 — page 58: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

| Net ty i ameal ge ee Ee ye ne i ee ee # he, aE , pS Se ae * « a aS - » Sa gu . aS : t S58 — oe Sage a Se SD pe ws 5, SS ee. Pe ee ee 7 PN ae oO ge Pe Se eae RES > > i. — ——— nw: * 2 - i ie 5 ‘< i ae ee = FIFTEEN WESTERN TALES pt ee Z * oS breath as the sky lightened in the far east. Chip knew they would have to hurry back into the canyon but before he could go he went over to the crumpled Apache that lay in the malapai rocks where he’d fallen. It was his father who saw it—the ‘three fingers on the dead Indian’s left hand. The thumb and forefinger were gone. “You evened it up, son!” said Whisper- ing Buckman. “You're sure enough a man—he’s a tough one.” The older man paused a moment “Was a tough one,” he added pointedly. Then they hurried down the trail, and Chip picked up his rifle. Above the sleep- ing Indian camp they quartered away from the descending, zig-zagging trail and side- hilled up-canyon. Quietly, carefully, they approached the rope-corral on the upper side, away from the camp. Chip and his father moved among the horses, calming them with soft whispers and gently strok- ing the muzzles. He felt his father’s hand on his knee and he leaned down to hear what he said. “Take ‘em up the canyon about a half mile. There’s a break on the left. It'll take you right up on top.” His father’s grip tightened on his leg. “Ill watch the backtrail.”’ Chip rode away,. slowly, herding the drifting horses toward the break in the rim of Sycamore. The feeder canyon took them up fast, and in a short while they topped out. His father was nowhere in sight at the moment. | | It was a strong daylight, when Chip agam looked back. He’d been watching for his father who had been a long‘ time in one canyon. Then he saw him, topping a ridge. He was horseback ! | Chip reined up and his father galloped down to him and pulled up his mount, an Apache’s horse. “They had one tied in camp,” he ex- plained to Chip’s questioning look. “I just took it.” The youth spurred his own mount after the band of horses that had slowed to a » walk. His father galloped up alongside. “No need to run them,” said his father casually. As they jogged along, Chip saw him take a flat stone from his pocket and begin whetting his long knife. oGG Cattle Country Quiz Answers (Questions on page 8) 1. False. The cry, “Give him air!” is given at a rodeo when the cowpoke is released to begin his ride. 2. True. A “half-rigged saddle” has a triangle of leather fastened on for a seat. 3. A person is in a “horn tossing mood” when he is angry at something. True. “horseman” is one who is skilled in horsemanship. 3 5. True. The term, “ladinos,” has been used to designate outlaw cattle of the brush country. 6. A cowpoke would be suffering from “lead poisoning” when he has been shot. 7. If the ranch bos sent you out for a “mail- order catalog on foot,” you should return with an over-dressed dude. 8. “Morral’” is a Spanish word which refers to a food bag for horses. 9. True. The “outrider” is likely to be com- missioned to ride almost anywhere to keep a watchful eye on his employer’s interests and concern. : 10. True. The “pickup man” picks up the horse of the rodeo contestant after the ride is over. 11. The cowpoke slang expression, “put the loop on” means “to rope.” 12. True. “Rawhide lumber” is a term used in reference to unfinished slabs with the bark still on. 13. If the ranch boss sent you for some “red disturbance,” you should return with some ° whiskey. : 14. True. A “rosadero” is a sort of leather shield sewed to the back of the stirrup leather. 15. “Round-pen” is slang for corral. 16. True. “Shorthorn” is a cow puncher slang term used in reference to the tenderfoot. 17. True. Slip shooting is generally more accu- rate than fanning. 18. “Smoke wagon” is still another rangeland slang term for the cowpoke’s gun. 19. A “sloper” is one who lives on the Pacific coast. Some have used the term to designate anyone living on the Western side of the Rocky Mountains. 20. True. In the old West, some camp cooks actually slept with their sourdough kegs as a means of hastening the fermentation of the dough. ; : Gomichooks.co