Some of the vaqueros form a circle round the cattle
that they have driven to the rodeo-ground, and hold them there while
others go back to the ranch for breakfast and fresh horses.'
'Fresh horses so soon?' said Mrs. Howard. 'I thought the mustangs
were tough, hardy little beasts, that would go all day without
dropping.'
'Yes, so they are; but you always have to begin to "part out" the
cattle with the freshest and best-trained horses you have. The
owners and their best vaqueros now go into the immense band of
cattle, and try to get the cows and the unbranded calves separated
from the rest. You can imagine what skilful engineering this takes,
even though you never saw it. Two work together; they start a
certain cow and calf and work them through the band of cattle until
they near the outside, and then "rush" them to a place three or four
hundred yards beyond, where other vaqueros are stationed to receive
and hold them. Of course the cattle don't want to leave the band,
and of course they don't want to stay in the spot to which they are
driven.'
'I don't blame them!' cried Bell impetuously. 'Probably the cows
remember the time when they were branded themselves, and they don't
want their dear little bossies put through the same operation.'
'Very likely. Then more cows and calves are started in the same way;
the greatest difficulty being had with the first lot, for the cattle
always stay more contentedly together as the group grows larger.
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