Under the influence of the tame valley cattle among
which they are driven, after a little milling around, the whole
bunch may gentle almost immediately, or, on the other hand, it
may break through and go crashing away on a wild stampede at a
moment's notice. Every experienced cowman knows enough to expect
the unexpected.
At Bronco Mesa the round-up had proceeded with unusual facility.
Scores of wiry, long-legged steers had drifted down the ridges or
gulches that led to the canon; and many a cow, followed by its
calf, had stumbled forward to the herd and apparently accepted
the inevitable. But before Helen Messiter had well started out of
the canyon's mouth the situation changed absolutely.
A big hill steer, which had not seen a man for a year, broke
through the human corral with a bellow near a point where Reddy
kept guard. The puncher wheeled and gave chase, Before the other
men could close the opening a couple of two-year-olds seized the
opportunity and followed its lead. A second rider gave chase, and
at once, as if some imp of mischief had stirred them, fifty tails
went up in wild flight. Another minute and the whole herd was in
stampede.
Down the gulch the five hundred cattle thundered toward the motor
car, which lay directly in their path.
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