'
'Sometimes on the fore quarter, don't they?' asked Bell. 'I've seen
brands there,--your horse has two, and our cow has one also.'
'Yes, a brand on the fore quarter shows that the animal has been
sold, but it always has the original brand on the hind quarter. When
a sale is effected, the new brand is put anywhere in front of the
fifth rib, and this constitutes what they call a venta, or sale. If
you notice some of the little "plugs" ridden by Santa Barbara boys,
you'll see that they bear half a dozen brands. By the way, if the
rodeo has been a very large one, they are several days branding the
cattle, so they are turned out to pastorear a little while each day.'
'The brand was absolute sign of ownership, you know, girls,' said Dr.
Winship; 'and though there was the greatest care exercised in
choosing and recording the brands, there was plenty of opportunity
for cheating. For instance, a man would often see unbranded cattle
when riding about, and there was nothing to prevent his dismounting,
building a fire, heating his iron, and putting his own brand on them.
Then, at the next rodeo, they were simply turned over to him, for, as
I say, the brand was absolute ownership.'
'Whene'er I take my rides abroad,
How many calves I see;
And, as I brand them properly,
They all belong to me,'
said Bell.
'How I should like to see a rodeo!' sighed Elsie. 'I can't imagine
how the vaqueros can fling the reata while they are riding at full
speed.
Pages:
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205