And
the line-back beef and several other poker steers went along.

The wintered herd of beeves were grazed across to Fort Peck in little
less than three months. On reaching the agency, the cattle were in
fine condition and ready to issue to the Indian wards of our Christian
nation. In the very first allotment from this herd the line-back beef
was cut off with thirty others. It was fitting that he should die in
his prime. As the thirty head were let out of the agency corral, a
great shouting arose among the braves who were to make the kill. A
murderous fire from a hundred repeaters was poured into the running
cattle. Several fell to their knees, then rose and struggled on. The
scene was worthy of savages. As the cattle scattered several Indians
singled out the line-back poker steer. One specially well-mounted
brave ran his pony along beside him and pumped the contents of
his carbine into the beef's side. With the blood frothing from his
nostrils, the line-back turned and catching the horse with his horn
disemboweled him. The Indian had thrown himself on the side of his
mount to avoid the sudden thrust, and, as the pony fell, he was pinned
under him. With admirable tenacity of life the pilot-wheel steer
staggered back and made several efforts to gore the dying horse and
helpless rider, but with a dozen shots through his vitals, he sank
down and expired. A destiny, over which he had no seeming control,
willed that he should yield to the grim reaper nearly three thousand
miles from his birthplace on the sunny Nueces.

Abner Taylor, witnessing the incident, rode over to a companion and
inquired: "Did you notice my line-back poker steer play his last
trump? From the bottom of my heart I wish he had killed the Indian
instead of the pony."

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Cattle Brands, by Andy Adams

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