d a very depressing effect on all of us as
he was a boy well liked by us all, and it was hard to think that we
could not even give him a Christian burial. We left his remains trampled
into the dust of the prairie and his fate caused even the most hardened
of us to shudder as we contemplated it. After getting fairly rested we
proceeded on our journey north and were soon out of the Indian
Territory, though we often met small bands of roving bucks, but aside
from exchanging a few shots at each other they caused us no trouble. We
crossed Kansas and Nebraska and reached the end of our long journey
without further incident worthy of note, and we delivered our herd only
five head short which was not bad considering the distance we had
travelled and the events that had happened. It was a wonder that we had
been able to get through with half of our herd or men. Consequently it
was with genuine relief that we turned the cattle over to their new
owners and received our receipt therefor. We remained at the Mitchell
ranch in Wyoming several days, fraternizing with our northern brothers,
swapping yarns and having a good time generally. On the return journey
to Arizona we were of course, able to make better time and we returned
more direct by way of Colorado and Utah, taking note of the cattle
trails and the country over which we passed. In that way we secured
valuable information of the trails and the country that stood us in good
stead in future trips north. Arriving home at the Pete Gallinger ranch,
in Arizona, we became the heroes of the range, and we received unstinted
praise from our boss, but the loss of Cal Surcey was universally
regretted.

[Illustration: Tragic Death of Cal Surcey]

We were relieved of all duty until we got thoroughly rested up, while
our horses had the best the ranch afforded. But at a large cattle ranch
there is always something doing and it was not long before we were again
in the saddle and preparing for another trip on the trail. To the cow
boy accustomed to riding long distances, life in the saddle ceases to be
tiresome. It is only the dull monotony of following a large herd of
cattle on the trail day after day that tires the rider and makes him
long for something to turn up in the way of excitement. It does not
matter what it is just so it is excitement of some kind. This the cow
boy finds in dare-devil riding, shooting, roping and such sports when he
is not engaged in fighting Indians or protecting