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Title: Ranching, Sport and Travel
Author: Thomas Carson
Release Date: January 16, 2007 [EBook #20382]
Language: English
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RANCHING, SPORT AND TRAVEL ***
Produced by Susan Skinner, Janet Blenkinship and the Online
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[Illustration: ONE OF THE "BOYS."
(Portrait. See p. 125.)
Frontispiece.]
RANCHING, SPORT AND TRAVEL
BY
THOMAS CARSON, F.R.G.S.
WITH SIXTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS
T. FISHER UNWIN
LONDON LEIPSIC
Adelphi Terrace Inselstrasse 20
1911
[_All Rights Reserved_]
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
This book is somewhat in the nature of an autobiography, covering as it
does almost the whole of the Author's life. The main portion of the
volume is devoted to cattle ranching in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
The Author has also included a record of his travels abroad, which he
hopes will prove to be not uninteresting; and a chapter devoted to a
description of tea planting in India.
CONTENTS
CHAP. PAGE
I. TEA PLANTING 13
In Cachar--Apprenticeship--Tea Planting described--Polo
--In Sylhet--Pilgrims at Sacred Pool--Wild
Game--Amusements--Rainfall--Return to Cachar--Scottpore
--Snakes--A Haunted Tree--Hill Tribes--Selecting
a Location--Return to England.
II. CATTLE RANCHING IN ARIZONA 42
Leave for United States of America--Iowa--New
Mexico--Real Estate Speculation--Gambling--Billy
the Kid--Start Ranching in Arizona--Description of
Country--Apache and other Indians--Fauna--Branding
Cattle--Ranch Notes--Mexicans--Politics--Summer
Camp--Winter Camp--Fishing and
Shooting--Indian Troubles.
III. CATTLE RANCHING IN ARIZONA (_continued_) 81
The Cowboy--Accoutrements and Weapons--Desert
Plants--Politics and Perjury--Mavericks--Mormons--Bog
Riding.
IV. ODDS AND ENDS 103
Scent and Instinct--Mules--Roping Contests--Antelopes
--The Skunk--Garnets--Leave Arizona.
V. RANCHING IN NEW MEXICO 117
The Scottish Company--My Difficulties and Dangers--Mustang
Hunting--Round-up described--Shipping
Cattle--Railroad Accidents--Close out Scotch Company's
Interests.
VI. ODDS AND ENDS 152
Summer Round-up Notes--Night Guarding--Stampedes--Bronco
Busting--Cattle Branding, etc.
VII. ON MY OWN RANCH 170
Locating--Plans--Prairie Fires and Guards--Bulls--Trading
--Successful Methods--Loco-weed--Sale of Ranch.
VIII. ODDS AND ENDS 198
The "Staked Plains"--High Winds--Lobo Wolves--Branding
--Cows--Black Jack--Lightning and Hail--Classing
Cattle--Conventions--"Cutting" versus
Polo--Bull-Fight--Prize-Fights--River and Sea
Fishing--Sharks.
IX. IN AMARILLO 226
Purchase of Lots--Building--Boosting a Town.
X. FIRST TOUR ABROAD 234
Mexico--Guatemala--Salvador--Panama--Colombia--Venezuela
--Jamaica--Cuba--Fire in Amarillo--Rebuilding.
XI. SECOND TOUR ABROAD 250
Bermudas--Switzerland--Italy--Monte Carlo--Algiers
--Morocco--Spain--Biarritz and Pau.
XII. THIRD TOUR ABROAD 256
Salt Lake City--Canada--Vancouver--Hawaii--Fiji
--Australia--New Zealand--Tasmania--Summer at Home.
XIII. FOURTH TOUR ABROAD 270
Yucatan--Honduras--Costa Rica--Panama--Equador--Peru
--Chile--Argentina--Brazil--Teneriffe.
XIV. FIFTH TOUR ABROAD 287
California--Honolulu--Japan--China--Singapore--Burmah
--India--Ceylon--The End.
APPENDIX 317
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
ONE OF THE "BOYS" (_see_ page 125) _Frontispiece_
PLUCKING TEA LEAF 20
NAGAS 37
ROPING A GRIZZLY 70
A SHOOTING SCRAPE 76
ONE OF OUR MEN, TO SHOW HANG OF SIX-SHOOTER 78
1883 IN ARIZONA, AUTHOR AND PARTY 80
WOUND UP, HORSE TANGLED IN ROPE 106
WATERING A HERD 116
HERD ON TRAIL, SHOWING LEAD STEER 137
CHANGING HORSES 153
A REAL BAD ONE 164
BREAKING THE PRAIRIE 230
FIRST CROP--MILO MAIZE 230
LLAMAS AS PACK ANIMALS 279
DRIFTING SAND DUNE, ONE OF THOUSANDS 279
PERUVIAN RUINS. NOTE DIMENSIONS OF STONES AND LOCKING SYSTEM 281
PALACE OF MAHARANA OF UDAIPUR 310
RANCHING, SPORT AND TRAVEL
CHAPTER I
TEA PLANTING
In Cachar--Apprenticeship--Tea Planting described--Polo--In
Sylhet--Pilgrims at Sacred Pool--Wild
Game--Amusements--Rainfall--Return to Cachar--Scottpore--Snakes--A
Haunted Tree--Hill Tribes--Selecting a Location--Return to England.
Having no inclination for the seclusion and drudgery of office work,
determined to lead a country life of some kind or other, and even then
having a longing desire to roam the world and see foreign countries, I
had arranged to accompany a friend to the Comoro Islands, north of
Madagascar; but changing my mind and accepting the better advice of
friends, my start was made, not to the Comoro Islands, but to India and
the tea district of Cachar. Accordingly the age of twenty-two and the
year 1876 saw me on board a steamer bound for Calcutta.
Steamers were slow sailers in those days, and it was a long trip via
Gibraltar, Suez, Malta, the Canal and Point de Galle; but it was all
very interesting to me.
Near Point de Galle we witnessed from the steamer a remarkable sight, a
desperate fight, it seemed to be a fight and not play, between a
sea-serpent, which seemed to be about fifteen feet long, and a huge ray.
The battle was fought on the surface of the water and even out of it, as
the ray several times threw himself into the air. How it ended we could
not see. Anyway we had seen the sea-serpent, though not the fabulous
monster so often written about, and yet whose existence cannot be
disproved. The sea-serpent's tail is flattened.
At Calcutta I visited a tea firm, who sent me up to Cachar to help at
one of the gardens till a vacancy should occur. Calcutta, by the way, is
or was overrun by jackals at night. They are the scavengers of the town
and hunt in packs through the streets, their wolfish yelling being a
little disconcerting to a stranger.
It was a long twelve days, but again a very interesting journey, in a
native river boat, four rowers (or towers), to my destination. I had a
servant with me, who proved a good, efficient cook and attendant. It was
rather trying to the "griffin" to notice, floating in the river, corpses
of natives, frequently perched upon by hungry vultures.
The tea-garden selected for me was Narainpore, successfully managed by a
fellow-countryman, who proved to be a capital chap and who made my stay
with him very pleasant. Narainpore was one of the oldest gardens, on
teelah (hilly) land and quite healthy. There I gave what little help I
could, picked up some of the lingo, and learned a good deal about the
planting, growth and manufacture of tea. Neighbours were plentiful and
life quite sociable. Twice a week in the cold weather we played polo,
sometimes with Munipoories, a hill tribe whose national game it is, and
who were then the undoubted champions. The Regent Senaputti was a keen
player, and very picturesque in his costume of green velvet zouave
jacket, salmon-pink silk dhotee and pink silk turban. In Munipoor even
the children have their weekly polo matches. They breed ponies specially
for the game, and use them for nothing else, nor would they sell their
best. Still, we rode Munipoor "tats" costing us from 50 rupees to 100.
They were exceedingly small, averaging not eleven hands high, but wiry,
active, speedy, full of grit, and seemed to love the game. As the game
was there played, seven formed a side, the field was twice as large as
now and there were no goals. The ball had to be simply driven over the
end line to count a score.
It may be remarked here that the great Akbar was so fond of polo, but
otherwise so busy, that he played the game at night with luminous balls.
These Munipoories were a very fine race of people, much lighter of
colour than their neighbouring tribes, very stately and dignified in
their bearing, and thorough sportsmen. Many of their women were really
handsome, and the girls, with red hibiscus blossoms stuck in their
jet-black hair, and their merry, laughing faces and graceful figures,
were altogether quite attractive to the Sahib Log.
But to return to tea. Our bungalow was of the usual type, consisting of
cement floor, roof of crossed bamboos and two feet of sun-grass thatch,
supported by immense teak posts, hard as iron and bidding defiance to
the white ants. The walls were of mats. Tea-gardens usually had a
surface of 300 to 1000 acres; some were on comparatively level ground,
some on hilly (teelah) land. These teelahs were always carefully
terraced to prevent the wash of soil and permit cultivation. The plants
were spaced about three to six feet apart, according to whether they
were of the Chinese, the hybrid, or the pure indigenous breed, the last
being the largest, in its native state developing to the dimensions of a
small tree.
I may as well here at once give a short sketch of the principal features
of tea planting and manufacture, which will show what the duties of a
planter are, and how various are the occupations and operations
embraced. One must necessarily first have labour (coolies). These are
recruited in certain districts of India, usually by sending good
reliable men, already in your employ, to their home country, under a
contract to pay them so much a head for every coolie they can persuade
(by lies or otherwise) to come to your garden. The coolies must then
bind themselves to work for you for, say, three to four years. They are
paid for their work, not much it is true, but enough to support them
with comfort; the men about three annas (or fourpence) a day, the women
two annas (or threepence). As they get to know their work and become
expert, the good men will earn as much as six annas a day, and some of
the women, when plucking leaf, about the same. This is more than
abundant for these people. They not only have every comfort, but they
become rich, so that in a few years they are able to rest on their
earnings, and work only at their convenience and when they feel like it.
They are supplied with nothing, neither food nor clothing; medicine
alone is free to them. The native staff of a garden consists of, say,
two baboos, or book-keepers and clerks, a doctor baboo, sirdars or
overseers, and chowkidars or line watchmen. A sirdar accompanies and has
charge of each gang of coolies on whatever branch of work. One is also
in charge of the factory or tea-house.
Plant growth ceases about the end of October. Then cold-weather work
begins, including the great and important operation of pruning, which
requires a large force and will occupy most of the winter. Also
charcoal-burning for next season's supply; road-making, building and
repairing, jungle-cutting, bridge-building, and nursery-making: that is,
preparing with great care beds in which the seed will be planted early
in spring. Cultivation is also, of course, carried on; it can never be
overdone. In the factory, some men are busy putting together or
manufacturing new tea-boxes, lining them carefully with lead, which
needs close attention, as the smallest hole in the lining of a tea-chest
will cause serious injury to the contents.
When spring opens and the first glorious "flush" is on the bushes, there
is a readjustment of labour. Pluckers begin to gather the leaf, and as
the season advances more pluckers are needed, till possibly every man,
woman and child may be called on for this operation alone, it being so
important that the leaf flush does not get ahead and out of control, so
that the leaf would get tough and hard and less fit for manufacture;
but cultivation is almost equally important, and every available
labourer is kept hard at it.
What a pleasure it is to watch a good expert workman, be he carpenter,
bricklayer, ploughman, blacksmith, or only an Irish navvy. In even the
humblest of these callings the evidence of much training, practice or
long apprenticeship is noticeable. To an amateur who has tried such work
himself it will soon be apparent how crude his efforts are, how little
he knows of the apparently simple operation. The navvy seems to work
slowly; but he knows well, because his task is a day-long one, that his
forces must be economised, that over-exertion must be avoided. This
lesson was brought home to me when exasperated by the seeming laziness
of the coolie cultivators, I would seize a man's hoe and fly at the
work, hoe vigorously for perhaps five minutes, swear at the man for his
lack of strenuousness, then retire and find myself puffing and blowing
and almost in a state of collapse.
If an addition or extension is being made to the garden, the already cut
jungle has to be burnt and the ground cleared in early spring, the soil
broken up and staked: that is, small sticks put in regular rows and
intervals to show where the young plants are to be put. Then when the
rains have properly set in the actual planting begins. This is a work
that requires a lot of labour and close and careful superintendence.
Imagine what it means to plant out 100 acres of ground, the plants set
only three or four feet apart! The right plucking of the leaf calls for
equally careful looking after. The women are paid by the amount or
weight they pluck, so they are very liable to pluck carelessly and so
damage the succeeding flush, or they may gather a lot of old leaf
unsuited for manufacturing purposes. In short, every detail of work,
even cultivation, demands close supervision and the whole attention of
the planter.
When the new-plucked leaf is brought home it is spread out to wither in
suitably-built sheds. (Here begins the tea-maker's responsibility.) Then
it must be rolled, by hand or by machinery; fermented, and fired or
dried over charcoal ovens; separated in its different classes, the
younger the leaf bud the more valuable the tea. It is then packed in
boxes for market, and sampled by the planter. He does this by weighing a
tiny quantity of each class or grade of tea into separate cups, pouring
boiling water on them, and then tasting the liquor by sipping a little
into the mouth, not to be swallowed, but ejected again.
[Illustration: PLUCKING TEA LEAF.]
All this will give an idea of the variety of duties of a tea-planter. He
has no time for shooting, polo, or visiting during the busy season. But
at mid-winter the great annual Mela takes place at the station, the
local seat of Government. The Mela lasts a couple of weeks, and it is a
season of fun and jollity with both planters and natives. There were two
or three social clubs in Silchar; horse and pony racing, polo, cricket
and football filled the day, dinner and sociability the night; and what
nights! The amount of liquor consumed at these meetings was almost
incredible.
Nothing can look more beautiful or more gratifying to the eye of the
owner than a tract of tea, pruned level as a table and topped with new
fresh young leaf-shoots, four to eight inches high, in full flush, ready
for the pluckers' nimble fingers.
At the end of one year I was offered and accepted the position of
assistant at a Sylhet garden, called Kessoregool, the property
consisting of three distinct gardens, the principal one being directly
overseered by the manager, an American. He, of course, was my superior.
My charge was the Lucky Cherra Gardens, some few miles away. There I
spent two years, learning what I could of the business, but without the
advantage of European society; in fact, the Burra Sahib and myself were
almost the only whites in the district, and as he was drunk quite half
the time, and we did not pull very well together, I was left to my own
resources. I found amusement in various ways. There was no polo, but
some of the native zemindars (landed proprietors) were always ready to
get up a beat for leopards, tigers, deer and pig. Their method was
simply to drive the game into a net corral and spear them to death. The
Government Keddas, under Colonel Nuttal, were also not far away in hill
Tipperah, and it was intensely interesting to watch operations. Close to
my garden also was a sacred pool and a very beautiful waterfall. This
was visited twice a year by immense numbers of natives, some from great
distances, for it was a famous and renowned place of pilgrimage. It
could only be approached through my garden; and as there was no wagon
road, the pilgrims were always open to inspection, so to speak; and they
were well worth inspection, as among them were many races, all ages,
both sexes, every caste or jat; robes, turbans and cupras of every shape
and colour; fakirs and wonder-workers, and beggars galore. Here, and on
such an occasion only, could the sahib see face to face the harems of
the wealthy natives, consisting of women who at no other time showed
themselves out of doors. Being the only sahib present I had all the "fun
of the fair" to myself, but always regretted the want of a companion to
share it with me.
As to wild game, there were lots of jungle fowl (original stock of our
familiar barn-door cocks and hens), a few pigeons, Argus pheasants,
small barking deer, pigs, sambur, barrasingha, metnas, crocodiles,
leopards, tigers, bears and elephants; but I had little time for
shooting and it was expensive work, the jungle being so thick that
riding elephants were quite necessary. If keen enough, one could sit all
night on a machan in a tree near a recent "kill," on the chance of
Stripes showing himself; but it never appealed to me much, that kind of
sport. If a tiger was raiding the cattle I would poison the "kill" with
strychnine. In this way I secured several very fine animals, getting two
at one time, so successfully poisoned that their bodies actually lay on
the dead bullock. One time I shot an enormous python, some eighteen feet
in length, which took several men to carry home. Monkeys were plentiful
and of several kinds. I was very fond of wandering amongst the high-tree
jungle and quietly watching their antics. In the dense forest there is
little undergrowth, so that one can move about freely and study the
extraordinary forms of vegetation displayed. Ticks and leeches are to
be dreaded--a perfect nuisance. If you sit down or pause for a few
moments where no leeches are in sight, suddenly and quickly they will
appear marching on you, or at you, at a gallop.
The popular idea of a wealth of flowers in tropical jungles is a
misconception. In tree jungle no flowers are to be found, or at any rate
they are not visible. But if one can by some means attain an elevation
and so be able to overlook the tree-tops, he will probably be rewarded
with a wonderful display, as many jungle trees are glorified with crowns
of gorgeous colours. There will he also discover the honey-suckers,
moths, butterflies, the beetles, and all the other insect brood which he
had also vainly looked for before. The fruits are likewise borne aloft,
and therefore at the proper time these tree-tops will be the haunt of
the monkeys, the parrots, the bats, the toucans, and all frugivorous
creation.
Of all fruits the durian is the most delicious. Such is the universal
opinion of men, including A. R. Wallace, who have had the opportunity of
becoming familiar with it. It is purely tropical, grows on a lofty tree,
is round and nearly as large as a cocoanut. A thick and tough rind
protects the delicacy contained within. When opened five cells are
revealed, satiny white, containing masses of cream-coloured pulp. This
pulp is the edible portion and has an indescribable flavour and
consistence. You can safely eat all you want of it, and the more you eat
the more you will want. To eat durian, as Mr Wallace says, is alone
worth a voyage to the East. But it has one strange quality--it smells so
badly as to be at first almost nauseating; some people even can never
bring themselves to touch it. Once this repulsion is mastered the fruit
will probably be preferred to all other foods. The natives give it
honourable titles, exalt it, and even wax poetical over it.
Of course we all know the multitudinous uses of the bamboo. This grass
is one of the most wonderful, beautiful and useful of Nature's gifts to
uncivilized man. And yet one more use has been found for it. In the East
a new industry has sprung up, viz., the making of "Panama" hats of
bamboo strips or threads. In texture and pliability these hats are said
to even surpass the genuine "Panamas," are absolutely impervious to
rain, and can be produced at a much lower cost.
The Looshais killed pigs, and even tigers, by ingeniously setting
poisoned arrows in the woods, which were released by the animals
pressing on a string. One of my coolies was unfortunate enough to be
shot and killed in this way.
Growing on decayed tree stumps I frequently found a saprophyte
(_hymenophallus_), much larger than its English representative, indeed a
monster in comparison, and possessing a vile and most odious smell, yet
attractive to certain depraved insects.
I made a very fine collection of butterflies, moths and beetles, which,
however, was entirely destroyed by worms or ants during its passage to
England. The magnificent Atlas moth was common in Sylhet and Cachar.
What an extraordinarily beautiful creature it is, sometimes so large as
to cover a dinner-plate. I never was privileged to see it fly. It seemed
to be always in a languid or torpid condition.
Thunderstorms occur almost daily during the wet season. By lightning I
lost several people. In one case, whilst standing watching a man remove
seedlings from a nursery bed, standing indeed immediately behind and
close to him, there came a thrilling flash of lightning. It shook myself
as well as several women who stood by. The man in front of me, who had
been sitting on his haunches with a steel-ribbed umbrella over him,
remained silent and still. At last I called on him to continue his work
and pulled back the umbrella to see his face. He was stone dead.
Examination showed a small blackish spot where the steel rib had rested
and conveyed the fatal shock.
The approach of the daily rainstorm, usually about noon, was a
remarkable sight. Immense fan-shaped, thunderous-looking clouds would
come rolling up, billow upon billow, travelling at great speed and
accompanied by terrific wind. A flash of lightning and a crashing peal
of thunder and the deluge began, literally a deluge. The rainfall
averaged about 180 inches in seven months. At Cherrapunji, in the Kassia
Hills, within sight of my place and only about twenty miles distant, the
rainfall was and is the greatest in the world, no other district
approaching it in this respect, viz., averaging per annum 450 inches;
greatest recorded over 900 inches; and there is a record of _one_ month,
July, of a fall of nearly 400 inches; yet all this precipitation takes
place during the six or seven wet months, the rest of the year being
absolutely dry and rainless. These measurements are recorded at the
Government Observatory Station and need not be disputed. It may readily
be supposed that the wet season, summer, with its high temperature and
damp atmosphere, was very trying to the European, and even to the
imported coolies. Imagine living for six continuous months in the
hottest palm-house in Kew Gardens; yet the planter is out and about all
day long; nearly always on pony back, however, an enormously thick solah
toppee hat or a heavy white umbrella protecting his head. The dry, or
cold season, however, was delightful.
Close to Lucky Cherra Garden was a tract of bustee land on which some
Bengali cultivators grew rice and other crops. Our Company's boundary
line in some way conflicted with theirs, and a dispute arose which soon
developed into a series of, first, most comical mix-ups, and afterwards
into desperate "lathi" fights. The land in dispute was being hurriedly
ploughed by buffalo teams belonging to the Bengalis; to uphold our claim
I also secured teams and put them to ploughing on the same piece of
ground. This could only lead to one thing--as said before, terrific
lathi fights between the teamsters. For several days I went down to see
the fun, taking with me a number of the stoutest coolies on the garden.
The men seemed to rather enjoy the sport, though a lick from a lathi (a
formidable tough, hard and heavy cane) was far from a joke. Finally the
bustee-wallahs agreed to stop operations and await legal judgment.
After eighteen months I was suddenly left in sole charge of all the
Company's gardens, the Burra Sahib having finally succumbed to drink;
but I was not long left in charge, being soon relieved by a more
experienced man. Shortly after I was ordered to Scottpore Garden in
Cachar, the manager of which, a particularly fine man and a great
friend of mine, had suffered the awful death of being pierced by the
very sharp end of a heavy, newly-cut bamboo, which he seems to have
ridden against in the dark. He always rode at great speed, and he too,
in this way, was a victim of drink. The tremendously high death-rate
amongst planters was directly due to this fatal habit.
Scottpore was a new (young) garden, not teelah, but level land, having
extremely rich soil. The bushes showed strong growth and there were no
"vacancies"; indeed it was a model plantation. Unfortunately, it had the
character of extreme unhealthiness. Of my three predecessors two had
died of fever and one as before mentioned. The coolie death-rate was
shocking; so bad that, during my management, a Government Commission was
sent to look into the situation, and the absolute closing of the garden
was anticipated. The result was that I was debarred from recruiting and
importing certain coolies from certain districts in India, they being
peculiarly susceptible to fever and dysentery. Almost every day at
morning muster the doctor reported so and so, or so many, dead, wiped
off the roll. Naturally the place suffered from lack of labour, a
further draining of the force being the absconding of coolies, running
off, poor devils, to healthier places, and the stealing of my people by
unscrupulous planters.
On several occasions, when riding home on dark nights, have I detected
white objects on the side of the road. Not a movement would be seen, not
a sound or a breath heard, only an ominous, suspicious silence reigned;
it meant that these were some of my people absconding, being perhaps led
off by a pimp from another garden--and woe betide the pimp if caught. I
would call out to them, and if they did not respond would go after them;
but generally they were too scared to resist or to attempt further to
escape; so I would drive them in front of me back to the garden, inspect
them and take their names, try to find out who had put them up to it,
etc., and dismiss them to the lines in charge of the night-watchman. You
could not well punish them, though a good caning was administered
sometimes to the men. Thus the plantation, instead of presenting a
clean, well-cultivated appearance, had often that of an enormous
hayfield; nevertheless the output and manufacture of tea was large and
the quality good. All that I myself could and did take credit for was
this "quality," as the prices obtained in Calcutta were the best of all
the Company's gardens.
At Scottpore there was no lack of neighbours. My bungalow was on two
cross-roads, a half-way house so to speak; consequently someone was
continually dropping in. Frequently three or four visitors would arrive
unannounced for dinner; the house was always "wide open." Whisky, brandy
and beer were always on the sideboard, and in my absence the bearer or
khansamah was expected, as a matter of course, to offer refreshments to
all comers. The planter's code of hospitality demanded this, but it was
the financial ruin of the Chota Sahib, depending solely on his modest
salary.
At Scottpore I went in strong for vegetable, fruit and flower gardening,
and not without success. Visitors came from a distance to view the
flower-beds and eat my green peas, and I really think that I grew as
fine pineapples and bananas as were produced anywhere. The pineapple of
good stock and ripened on the plant is, I think, the most exquisite of
all fruits. A really ripe pine contains no fibre. You cut the top off
and sup the delicious mushy contents with a spoon.
In such a hot, steamy climate as we had in these tea districts, the
rapidity of growth of vegetation is, of course, remarkable. Bamboos
illustrate this better than other plants, their growth being so much
more noticeable, that of a young shoot amounting to as much as four
inches in one night. It sometimes appeared to my imagination that the
weeds and grass grew one foot in a like period, especially when short of
labour. The planter usually takes a pride in the well-cultivated
appearance of the garden in his charge; but how can one be proud if the
weeds overtop the bushes? It may be appropriate here to note that
eighty-five per cent. of the twenty-four hours' growth of plants occurs
between 12 p.m. and 6 a.m.; during the noon hours the apparent growth
almost entirely ceases.
Garden coolies are generally Hindoos and are imported from far-off
districts. The local peasantry of Bengal are mostly Mohammedans and do
not work on tea-gardens, except on such jobs as cutting jungle,
building, etc. They speak a somewhat different tongue, so that we had to
understand Bengali as well as Hindustani. I may mention here that as
Hindoos regard an egg as defiling, and Mohammedans despise an eater of
pork, our love for ham and eggs alienates us from both these classes;
what beasts we must be! The Hindoos and the Bengal Mussulmans are
characterized by cringing servility, open insolence, or rude
indifference. Contrast with this the Burmese agreeableness and
affability, or the bearing of the Rajput and the Sikh. In those days the
natives cringed before the Sahib Log much more than they do now. Then
all had to put their umbrellas down on passing a sahib, and all had to
leave the side-walk on the white man's approach; not that the law
compelled them to do so, it was simply a custom enforced by their
masters, in the large cities as well as in the mofussil.
We thought it advisable at all costs to keep the coolies in a proper
state of subjection. Thus, when on a certain occasion a coolie of mine
raised his kodalie (hoe) to strike me I had to give him a very severe
thrashing. Another time a man appeared somewhat insolent in his talk to
me and I unfortunately hit him a blow on the body, from the effects of
which he died next day. Some of these people suffer from enlarged
spleens and even a slight jar on that part of their anatomy may prove
fatal.
A few more notes. Among the Sontals in Bengal the snake stone, found
within the head of the Adjutant-bird, is applied to a snake bite exactly
in the same way and with the same supposed results as the Texas
madstone, an accretion found, it is said, in the system of a white stag.
Many natives of India die from purely imaginary snake bites.
In Oude there have been many instances verified, or at least impossible
of contradiction, of so-called wolf-children, infants stolen by wolves
and suckled by them, that go on all fours, eat only raw meat, and, of
course, speak no language.
The Nagas, a hill tribe and not very desirable neighbours, practise the
refined custom of starving a dog, then supplying it with an enormous
feed of rice; and when the stomach is properly distended, killing it,
the half-digested mess forming the _bonne-bouche_ of the tribal feast.
Snake stories are always effective. I have none to tell. My bungalow
roof, the thatch, was at all times infested by snakes, some quite large.
At night one frequently heard them gliding between the bamboos and
grass, chasing mice, beetles, or perhaps lizards, and sometimes falling
on the top of the mosquito bar, or even on the dinner-table; but these
were probably harmless creatures, as most snakes are. The cobra was not
common in Cachar. It may be said here that a snake's mouth opens
crossways as well as vertically, and each side has the power of working
independently, the teeth being re-curved backwards. Prey once in the
jaws cannot escape, and the snake itself can only dispose of it in one
way--downwards.
At Scottpore I employed an elephant for certain work, such as hauling
heavy posts out of the jungle. Sometimes his "little Mary" would trouble
him, when a dose of castor oil would be effectively administered.
Unfortunately, he misbehaved, ran amok, and tried to kill his mahout,
and so that hatthi (elephant) had to be disposed of.
When clearing jungle for a tea-garden the workmen sometimes come on a
certain species of tree, of which they are in great dread. They cannot
be induced to cut it down and so the tree remains. Such a one stood
opposite my bungalow, a stately, handsome monarch of the forest. It was
a sacred, or rather a haunted tree, but as its shade was injurious to
tea-plant growth I was determined to have it destroyed. None of my
people would touch it; so I sent over to a neighbour and explained the
facts to him, requesting him to send over a gang of his men to do the
deed. I was to see that they had no communication with my own people.
Well, his men came and were put to work with axes. The result? Two of
them died that day and the rest bolted. Yet this is not more
extraordinary than people dying of imaginary snake bites.
Shortly afterwards an incident occurred to still further strengthen the
native belief that the tree was haunted. I had a very fine bull terrier
which slept in the porch at night, the night-watchman also sleeping
there. One time I was aroused by terrific yells from the dog, and called
to the watchman to know the trouble. After apparently recovering from
his fright he told me the devil had come from the tree and carried off
the dog. The morning showed traces of a tiger's or leopard's pugs, and
my poor terrier was of course never seen again.
The hill tribes surrounding the valley of Cachar were the Kassias,
Nagas, Kookies, Munipoories and Looshais, all of very similar type,
except that the Munipoories were of somewhat lighter skin, were more
civilized and handsomer. The Kassias were noted for their wonderful
muscular development, no doubt accounted for by their being
mountaineers, their poonjes (villages) being situated on the sides of
high and steep mountains. All their market products, supplies, etc.,
were packed up and down these hills in thoppas, a sort of baskets or
chairs slung on the back by a band over the forehead. In this way even a
heavy man would be carried up the steep mountain-side, and generally by
a woman.
Once, in later years, whilst in Mexico, near Crizaba, I was intensely
surprised to meet in the forest a string of Indios going to market and
using this identical thoppa; the similar cut of the hair across the
forehead, the blanket and dress, the physical features, even the
peculiar grunt emitted when carrying a weight, settled for me the
long-disputed question of the origin of the Aztecs. In Venezuela I saw
exactly the same type in Castro's Indian troops, as also in the Indian
natives of Peru.
[Illustration: NAGAS]
The Kassias were fond of games, such as tossing the caber, putting the
weight and throwing the hammer, apparently a tribal institution. The
Kookies and Nagas were restless, warlike and troublesome, and addicted
to head hunting. They periodically raided some tea-gardens to secure
lead for bullets, and incidentally heads as trophies. Several planters
had been thus massacred, and at outlying gardens there was always this
dread and danger. On one occasion an urgent message was brought to me
from such a garden, whose manager happened to be in Calcutta. His head
baboo begged me to come over and take charge, if only to reassure the
coolies, who had been running off into the jungle on the report of a
threatened Naga raid. On going over I found the people tremendously
excited, and most of them scared nearly to death. My presence seemed to
allay their fright, though if the savages had come we could have done
nothing, having only a few rifles in the place and the coolies totally
demoralized. Luckily Mr Naga did not appear.
The Looshais were a particularly warlike race, and gardens situated near
their territory were supplied by Government with stands of arms and had
stockades for defence in case of attack.
The tea-planter's life was to me a very enjoyable one. There was lots of
interesting work to be done, lots of sport and amusement, and lots of
good fellows. The life promised to be an ideal one. For its enjoyment,
however, indeed for its possibility, there is one essential--good
health. Unfortunately that, during the whole period at Scottpore, was
not mine; for the whole eighteen months fever had its grip on me;
appetite was quite gone, and I subsisted on nothing but eggs, milk and
whisky. Six months more would have done me up; but just at this time
came the announcement of my father's death. For this reason and on
account of my health I resigned the position and prepared to visit home,
meaning to return, however, to India.
I determined before going to look out a piece of land suitable for a
small plantation; and, after much consideration, decided to hunt for it
in Eastern Sylhet. So bidding adieu to friends I hied me down to the
selected district, secured a good man as guide (a man of intelligence
and intimate knowledge of the country was essential), and hired an
elephant to carry us and break a way through the jungle. In the course
of our search we came to a piece of seemingly swampy ground; the high
reeds which had once covered it had been eaten down and the surface of
the bog trodden on till it became caked, firm and almost solid. Our
path was across it, but on coming to the edge the elephant refused to
proceed. On the mahout urging him he roared and protested in every way,
so much so that I was somewhat alarmed and suggested to the mahout that
the elephant knew better than he the danger of proceeding. Finally,
however, the elephant decided to try the ground, and carefully and
slowly he made his way across, his great feet at every step depressing
the surface, which perceptibly waved like thin ice all around him. I was
prepared and ready to jump clear at the first sign of danger, for had we
broken through we should have probably all disappeared in the bog.
Hatthi was as much relieved as myself on reaching terra firma. My guide
told me that this land had no bottom, that under the packed surface
there was twenty feet of soft, black, loamy mud. This set me thinking. I
was after something of this nature. In the course of the next day we
came upon a somewhat similar piece of ground, some 300 acres in extent,
still covered with the original reeds and other vegetation. The soil was
in places exposed and was of a rich, dark brown loamy character. Taking
a long ten-foot bamboo and pressing it firmly on the ground it could be
forced nearly out of sight. That was enough for me. The object sought
for was found. Further tests with a spade and bamboo were made at
different points; deep drainage seemed practicable, and, what was quite
important, a small navigable river bounded the property. Then I hunted
up a native surveyor, traced the proposed boundaries, got numbers and
data, etc., to enable me to send my application to the proper quarter,
which I soon afterwards did, making a money deposit in part payment to
the Government. My task was completed, and I at once started for
Calcutta and home.
As things turned out I never returned to the country and so had to
abandon my rights, etc.; but in support of my judgment I was very much
gratified to learn years afterwards that someone else had secured and
developed this particular piece of land as a tea-garden, and that it had
turned out to be the most valuable, much the most valuable, piece of tea
land, acre for acre, in the whole country. Often and bitterly since then
have I regretted not being able to return and develop and operate this
ideal location. More than that, I had learned the tea-growing business,
had devoted over three years to its careful study, felt myself in every
way competent, and had found a life in many ways suited to my tastes.
All this had to be abandoned. In India the white man lives in great
luxury. He has a great staff of servants, his every whim and wish is
anticipated and satisfied, his comfort watched over. To leave _this_,
to go straight out to the West, the wild and woolly West, where servants
were not! The very suggestion of such a thing to me on leaving India
would have received no consideration whatever. It would have seemed
utterly impossible, but "El Hombre propone y el Deos depone" as the
Mexicans say.
During the whole four years' stay in India I was practically barred from
ladies' society, nearly all the planters being unmarried men. Alas! for
twenty years longer of my life this very unfortunate and demoralizing
condition was to continue.
There were no railroads then to Cachar and no steamers, so I again
performed the journey to Calcutta in a native boat, and there,
by-the-bye, I witnessed the sight for the first time of an apparent
lunatic playing a game called Golf; a game which later was to be more
familiar to me, and myself to become one of the greatest lunatics of
all. The run home was in no way remarkable, except for the intense
anticipated pleasure of again seeing the old country.
CHAPTER II
CATTLE RANCHING IN ARIZONA
Leave for United States of America--Iowa--New Mexico--Real Estate
Speculation--Gambling--Billy the Kid--Start Ranching in
Arizona--Description of Country--Apache and other
Indians--Fauna--Branding Cattle--Ranch
Notes--Mexicans--Politics--Summer Camp--Winter Camp--Fishing and
Shooting--Indian Troubles.
My health seemed to have reached a more serious condition than imagined;
and so on the advice of my friends, but with much regret, I decided to
henceforth cast my lot in a more bracing climate. Having no profession,
and hating trade in any form, the choice was limited and confined to
live stock or crop farming of one kind or another.
Accordingly, after six months at home and on complete recovery of
health, I took my way to the United States of America, first to Lemars
in Iowa, where was a well-known colony of Britishers, said Britishers
consisting almost entirely of the gentlemen class, some with much money,
some with little, none of them with much knowledge of practical business
life or affairs, all of them with the idea of social superiority over
the natives, which they very foolishly showed. Sport, not work, occupied
their whole time and attention. Altogether it seemed that this was no
place for one who had to push his fortunes. The climate, too, seemed to
be far from agreeable, in summer being very hot, in winter very cold;
so, with another man, I decided to go further west and south, to the
sheep and cattle country of New Mexico; not that I had any knowledge of
sheep or cattle, hardly knowing the one from the other; but the nature
of Ranch life (Ranch with a big R) and the romance attaching to it had
much to do with my determination.
Arrived in New Mexico I went to live with a sheepman--a practical
sheepman from Australia--to study the industry and see how I liked it.
In the neighbourhood was a cattle ranch and a lot of cowboys. I saw much
of _their_ life, and was so attracted by it that the sheep proposition
was finally abandoned as unsuitable. Still, I was very undecided, knew
little of the ways of the country and still less of the cattle business.
I moved to the small town of Las Vegas, then about the western end of
the Santa Fé railroad. Here I stayed six months, making acquaintances
and listening to others' experiences.
Las Vegas was then a true frontier town. It was "booming," full of life
and all kinds of people, money plentiful, saloons, gambling-dens and
dance-halls "wide open." Real Estate was moving freely, prices
advancing, speculation rife, and--I caught the infection! A few
successful deals gave me courage and tempted me further. I became a real
gambler. On some deals I made tremendous profits. I even owned a saloon
and gambling-hall, which paid me a huge rental and gave me my drinks
free! The world looked "easy."
Not content with Las Vegas, I followed the road to Albuquerque and
Socorro, had some deals there and spent my evenings playing poker, faro
and monte with the best and "toughest" of them. Santa Fé, the capital,
was then as much a "hell" as Las Vegas.
Let me try to describe one of these gambling resorts. A long, low room,
probably a saloon, with the pretentious bar in front; tables on either
side of the room, and an eager group round each one, the game being
roulette, faro, highball, poker, crapps or monte. The dealers, or
professional gamblers, are easily distinguished. Their dress consists
invariably of a well-laundered "biled" (white) shirt, huge diamond stud
in front, no collar or tie, perhaps a silk handkerchief tied loosely
round the neck, and an open unbuttoned waistcoat. They are necessarily
cool, wide-awake, self-possessed men. All in this room are chewing
tobacco and distributing the results freely on the floor. Now and then
the dealers call for drinks all round, perhaps to keep the company
together and encourage play. But poker, the royal game, the best of all
gambling games, is generally played in a retired room, where quietness
and some privacy are secured. Mere idlers and "bums" are not wanted
around; perhaps the room is a little cleaner, but the floor is littered,
if the game has lasted long, with dozens of already used and abandoned
packs of cards. At Las Vegas the majority of the players were cowboys
and cattlemen; at Socorro miners and prospectors; at Albuquerque all
kinds; at Santa Fé politicians and officials and Mexicans, but Chinamen,
always a few Chinamen, everywhere; and what varied types of men one rubs
shoulders with! The cowpunchers, probably pretty well "loaded" (tipsy),
the "prominent" lawyer, the horny-handed miner, the inscrutable "John";
the scout, or frontier man, with hair long as a woman's; the half-breed
Mexican or greaser elbowing a don of pure Castilian blood; the men all
"packing" guns (six-shooters), some in the pocket, some displayed
openly. The dealer, of course, has his lying handy under the table; but
shooting scrapes are rare. If there is any trouble it will be settled
somewhere else afterwards.
But things took a turn; slackness, then actual depression in Real Estate
values set in, and oh! how quickly. Like many others, I got scared and
hastened to "get out." It was almost too late, not quite. On cleaning
up, my financial position was just about the same as at the beginning of
the campaign. It was a lesson, a valuable experience; but I admit that
Real Estate speculation threw a glamour over me that still remains. It
is the way to wealth for the man who knows how to go about it.
About this time two Englishmen arrived in Las Vegas, and we soon got
acquainted. One could easily see that they were not tenderfeet. On the
contrary, they appeared to be shrewd, practical men of affairs. They had
been cattle ranching up north for some years, had a good knowledge of
the business, and were "good fellows." They had come south to look out a
cattle ranch and continue in the business. They wanted a little more
capital, which seemed my opportunity, and the upshot was that we formed
a partnership, for good or for ill, which lasted for many years (over
twelve), but which was never financially successful. Considering my
entire ignorance of cattle affairs, and having abounding confidence in
my two partners, I agreed to leave the entire control and management in
their hands.
It was about this time (1883) that I was fortunate enough to meet at
Fort Sumner the then great Western celebrity, "Billy the Kid." Billy was
a young cowboy who started wrong by using his gun on some trivial
occasion. Like all, or at least many, young fellows of his age he wanted
to appear a "bad man." One shooting scrape led to another; he became an
outlaw; cattle troubles, and finally the Lincoln County War, in which he
took a leading part, gave him every opportunity for his now murdering
propensities, so that soon the tally of his victims amounted to some
twenty-five lives. The Lincoln County New Mexico "War," in which it is
believed that first to last over 200 men were killed, was purely a
cattleman's war, but the most terrible and bloody that ever took place
in the West. New Mexico was at that time probably the most lawless
country in the world.
Only a month after my meeting Billy in Fort Sumner he was killed there,
not in his "boots," but in his stockings, by Sheriff Pat Garret. He was
shot practically in his bed and given no "show." His age when killed was
only twenty-three years. There were afterwards many other "kids" emulous
of Billy's renown, because of which, and their youthfulness, they were
always the most dangerous of men.
Our senior partner, not satisfied with New Mexico, went out to Arizona
for a look round, liked the prospect, and decided to locate there, so we
moved out accordingly. Arizona (Arida Zona) was at this time a
practically new and unoccupied territory; that is, though there were a
few Mexicans, a few Mormons and a great many Indians, a few sheep and
fewer cattle, it could not be called a settled country, and most of the
grazing land was in a virgin state.
My partner had bought out a Mexican's rights, his cattle, water-claims,
ranches, etc., located at the Cienega in Apache county, near the
head-waters of the Little Colorado River. To close the deal part payment
in advance had to be made; and to ensure promptness the paper was given
to my care to be delivered to the seller as quickly as possible.
Accordingly I travelled by train to the nearest railroad point,
Holbrook, found an army ambulance about to convey the commanding officer
to Camp Apache, and he was good enough to allow me to accompany him part
of the way. It was a great advantage to me, as otherwise there was no
conveyance, nor had I a horse or any means of getting to the ranch,
about eighty miles. Judging from the colonel's armed guard and the fact
of travelling at night, it occurred to me that something was wrong, and
on questioning him he told me that he would not take any "chances," that
the Apaches were "out" on the war-path, but that they never attacked in
the dark. This lent more interest to the trip, though it was interesting
enough to me simply to see the nature of the country where we had
decided to make our home. We got through all right. Next morning I hired
a horse and reached the ranch the same day.
As this was to be our country for many years to come, it will be well to
describe its physical features, etc. Arizona, of course, is a huge
territory, some 400 by 350 miles. It embraces pure unadulterated desert
regions in the west; a large forest tract in the centre; the rest has a
semi-arid character, short, scattering grass all over it; to the eye of
a stranger a dreary and desolate region! The east central part, where we
were, has a general elevation of 4000 to 6000 feet above sea-level, so
that the fierce summer heat is tempered to some extent, especially after
sundown. In winter there were snowstorms and severe cold, but the snow
did not lie long, except in the mountains, where it reached a depth of
several feet.
The Little Colorado River (Colorado Chiquito), an affluent of the
Greater River, had its headquarters in the mountains, south of our
ranch. It was a small stream, bright and clear, and full of speckled
trout in its upper part; lower down most of the time dry; at other times
a flood of red muddy water, or a succession of small, shallow pools of a
boggy, quicksandy nature, that ultimately cost us many thousands of
cattle. The western boundary of Arizona is the Big Colorado River.
Where the Santa Fé railroad crosses it at the Needles is one of the
hottest places in North America. In summer the temperature runs up to as
high as 120 degrees Fahr., and I have even heard it asserted to go to
125 degrees in the shade; and I cannot doubt it, as even on our own
ranch the thermometer often recorded 110 degrees; that at an elevation
of 4000 feet, whereas the Needles' elevation above sea-level is only a
few hundreds. At Jacobabad, India, the greatest heat recorded is 126
degrees, and at Kashan, in Persia, a month--August--averaged 127
degrees, supposed to be the hottest place on earth.
Above the Needles begins or ends the very wonderful Grand Cañon,
extending north for 270 miles, its depth in places being as much as 6000
feet, and that at certain points almost precipitously. The wonderful
colouring of the rocks, combined with the overpowering grandeur of it,
make it one of the most impressive and unique sights of the world.
Now, stop and think what that is--2000 yards! say a mile; and imagine
the effect on a stranger when he first approaches it, which he will
generally do without warning--nothing, absolutely nothing, to indicate
the presence of this wonderful gorge till he arrives at its very brink.
Its aspect is always changing according to the hour of day, the period
of the year, the atmospheric conditions. The air is dry and bracing at
all times; and as pure, clear and free from dust or germs as probably
can be found anywhere on earth. The panorama may be described as
"_wunderschön_." Anyone of sensibility will sit on the rock-rim for
hours, possibly days, in dumb contemplation of the beauty and immensity.
No one has yet, not even the most eloquent writer, been quite able to
express his feelings and sentiments, though many have attempted to do so
in the hotel register; some of the greatest poets and thinkers admitting
in a few lines their utter inability. Our Colorado Chiquito in its lower
parts has an equally romantic aspect.
Close to our ranch was another of Nature's wonders, a petrified forest,
quite unique in that the exposed tree trunks are solid masses of agate,
chalcedony, jasper, opal and other silicate crystals, the variety of
whose colouring, with their natural brilliancy, makes a wonderfully
beautiful combination. These trees are supposed to have been the Norfolk
Island pine, a tree now extinct, are of large dimensions, all prostrate,
lying in no particular order, and all broken up into large or smaller
sections. Many carloads have been removed and shipped to Eastern
factories, where the sections are sawn through and polished, and the
most lovely table tops, etc., imaginable produced. One must beware of
rattlesnakes when prowling about these "ruins."
To complete the physical description of Arizona territory something must
be said of the pine-clad mountain range to the south of us. The bulk of
this area constituted the Apache Indian Reservation. It was reserved for
these Indians as a hunting-ground as well as a home. No one else was
allowed to settle within its boundaries, or graze their sheep or cattle
there. It was truly a hunter's paradise, being largely covered with
forest trees, broken here and there by open parks and glades and meadow
lands, drained by streams of clear cool water, which combining, produced
a few considerable-sized rivers, "hotching" with trout, unsophisticated
and so simple in their natures that it seemed a positive shame to take
advantage of them. These mountains were the haunt of the elk, the
big-horned sheep, black-and white-tailed deer, grizzly, cinnamon, silver
tip, and brown and black bears; the porcupine, racoon and beaver; also
the prong-horned antelope, though it is more of a plains country animal.
But more of this some other time.
The Apache Indians (Apache is not their proper name, but Tinneh; the
former was given to them by the Mexicans and signifies "enemy") were
and are the most dreaded of all the redskin tribes. They always have
been warlike and perhaps naturally cruel, and at the time of our arrival
in the country they had about attained their most bloodthirsty and
murderous character. Shocking ill-treatment by white skalawags and
United States officials had changed their nature; but more about them
also by-and-by.
North of us were the numerous and powerful Navajo Indians. They were not
so much dreaded by us, their Reservation being further away, and they
then being of a peaceful disposition, devoted to horse and sheep
breeding and the manufacture of blankets.
These are the famous Navajo blankets so often seen in English homes,
valued for the oddness of their patterns and colours, but used in
Arizona mainly as saddle blankets. The majority of them are coarsely
made and of little intrinsic value; but others, made for the chiefs or
other special purposes, are finely woven, very artistic, and sell for
large sums of money. Rain will not penetrate them and they make
excellent bed coverings.
These Navajoes used to declare that they would never quit the war-path
till a certain "Dancing Man" appeared, and that they would never be
conquered till then. An American officer, named Backus, at Fort
Defiance, constructed a dummy man, who danced by the pulling of wires,
and showed him to the Indians. They at once accepted him as their
promised visitor, and have since then never gone on the war-path. This
may seem an incredible tale, but is a fact.
Also near us were the Zuni Indians, who, like the Pueblo Indians, lived
in stone-built communal houses, had entirely different customs to those
of the Apaches and Navajoes, and are perhaps the debased descendants of
a once powerful and advanced nation. Whilst speaking of Indians, it may
be said that the plains tribes, such as the Comanches, believe in the
immortality of the soul and the future life. All will attain it, all
will reach the Happy Hunting-Ground, unless prevented by such accidents
as being scalped, which results in annihilation of the soul.
Is it not strange that though these barbarians believe in the
immortality of the soul yet our materialistic Old Testament never even
suggests a future life; and it seems that no Jew believes or ever was
taught to believe in it.
Indian self-torture is to prove one's endurance of pain. A broad knife
is passed through the pectoral muscles, and a horse-hair rope inserted,
by which they must swing from a post till the flesh is torn through.
Indians will never scalp a negro; it is "bad medicine." By the way, is
not scalping spoken of in the Book of Maccabees as a custom of the Jews
and Syrians? The tit-bits of a butchered carcass are, to the Indians,
the intestines, a speciality being the liver with the contents of the
gall bladder sprinkled over it! Horses, dogs, wolves and skunks are
greatly valued for food.
Amongst certain tribes Hiawatha was a Messiah of divine origin, but born
on earth. He appeared long ago as a teacher and prophet, taught them
picture-writing, healing, etc.; gave them the corn plant and pipe; he
was an ascetic; told them of the Isles of the Blessed and promised to
come again. In Mexico Quetzalcohuatl was a similar divine visitor,
prophet and teacher.
But to return to our own immediate affairs. At a reasonable price we
bought out another cattleman, his ranches, cattle and saddle horses. As
required by law, we also adopted and recorded a cattle brand. Our first
business was to brand our now considerable herd, which entailed an
immense amount of very hard work. This in later years would have been no
very great undertaking, but at that time "squeezers" and branding
"chutes" were not known. Our corrals were primitive and not suited for
the work, and our cattle extraordinarily wild and not accustomed to
control of any kind. Indeed, the men we had bought out had sold to us
for the simple reason that they could not properly handle them. The
four-legged beasties had got beyond their control, and many of them had
almost become wild animals. These cattle, too, had very little of the
"improved" character in them. Well-bred bulls had never been introduced.
Some of the bulls we found had almost reached their allotted
span--crusty old fellows indeed and scarred in many a battle;
"moss-heads" we called them, and the term was well applied, for their
hoary old heads gave the idea of their being covered with moss.
Most of the cattle had never been in a corral in their lives, and some
of the older steers were absolute "outlaws," magnificent creatures, ten
to twelve years of age, with immense spreading horns, sleek and glossy
sides, and quite unmanageable. They could not be got into a herd, or if
got in, would very soon walk out again. Eventually some had to be shot
on the range like any wild animal, simply to get rid of them; but they
at least afforded us many a long and wild gallop.
There was one great steer in particular, reckoned to be ten or twelve
years old, quite a celebrity in fact on account of his unmanageableness,
his independence and boldness, which we had frequently seen and tried
to secure, but hitherto without success. He had a chum, another outlaw,
and they grazed in a particular part of the range far from the haunts of
their kin and of man. Three of us undertook to make one more effort to
secure him. At the headquarters ranch we had gathered a herd of cattle
and we proposed to try and run the steer in that direction, where the
other boys would be on the lookout and would head him into the round-up.
Two of us were to go out and find the steer and start him homewards; I
myself undertook to wait about half-way, and when they came in sight to
take up the running and relieve them. They found him all right about
twenty miles out, turned him and started him. No difficulty so far. He
ran with the ease of a horse, and he was still going as he willed,
without having the idea of being coerced. Meantime I had been taking it
easy, lolling on the ground, my horse beside me with bridle down.
Suddenly the sound of hoof-beats and a succession of yells warned me to
"prepare to receive cavalry." Through a cleft in a hill I could see the
quarry coming at a mad gallop directly for me, the two men pounding
along behind. I had just time and no more to tighten girth and get into
the saddle when he was on me, and my horse being a bit drowsy it needed
sharp digging of the spurs to get out of the way. I forget how many
miles the boys said they had already run him, but it was a prodigious
distance and we were still eight miles from the ranch. The steer was
getting hot, it began to suspect something, and to feel the pressure. As
he came down on me he looked like a mountain, his eyes were bright, he
was blowing a bit, and looked particularly nasty. When in such a
condition it does not do to overpress, as, if you do, the chances are
the steer will wheel round, challenge you and get on the fight. Much
circumspection is needed. He will certainly charge you if you get too
near, and on a tired horse he would have the advantage. So you must e'en
halt and wait--not get down, that would be fatal--wait five minutes it
may be, ten minutes, or a quarter of an hour, till the gentleman cools
off a bit. Then you start him off again, not so much driving him now, he
won't be driven, but guiding his course towards the herd. In this case
we succeeded beautifully, though at the end he had to be raced once
more. And so he was finally headed into the round-up; but dear me, he
only entered it from curiosity. No round-up for him indeed! no corral
and no going to market! He entered the herd, took a look round, a sniff
and a smell, and was off again out at the other side as if the devil was
after him, and indeed he wasn't far wrong. The chase was abandoned and
his majesty doomed later on to a rifle bullet wherever found.
Our principal and indeed only corral at that time was of solid stone
walls, a "blind" corral, and most difficult to get any kind of cattle
into. While pushing them in, each man had his "rope" down ready to at
once drop it over the horns of any animal attempting to break back. Thus
half our force would sometimes be seen tying down these truants, which
were left lying on the ground to cool their tempers till we had time to
attend to them; and it is a fact that some of these individuals,
especially females, died where they lay, apparently of broken hearts or
shame at their subjection. They showed no sign of injury by rough usage,
only their damnable tempers, rage and chagrin were responsible for their
deaths.
Inside the corral everything, of course, had to be roped and thrown to
be branded. It was rough and even dangerous work, and individual
animals, again generally cows, would sometimes make desperate charges,
and even assist an unfortunate "puncher" in scaling the walls. In after
years we built proper corrals, and in the course of time, by frequent
and regular handling, the cattle became more docile and better-mannered.
For one thing, they were certainly easily gathered. When we wanted to
round them up we had only to ride out ten or twenty miles, swing round
and "holler," when all the cattle within sight or hearing would at once
start on the run for the ranch. These were not yet domesticated cattle
in that they always wanted to run and never to walk. Indeed, once
started it was difficult to hold them back. This was not very conducive
to the accumulation of tallow on their generally very bare bones.
I well remember the first bunch of steers sold off the ranch, which were
driven to Fort Wingate, to make beef for the soldiers. About two hundred
head of steers, from six to twelve years of age, all black, brown,
brindle or yellow, ne'er a red one amongst them; magnificently horned,
in fair flesh, perfect health and spirits; such steers you could not
"give away" to-day; but we got sixty dollars apiece for them and were
well rid of them; and how they walked! The ponies could hardly keep up
with them; and what cowman does not know the pleasure of driving fast
walking beef cattle? Ne'er a "drag" amongst them! You had only to
"point" them and let them "hit the trail"; but a stampede at night was
all the more a terrific affair, though even in such a case if they got
away they would keep together, and when you found one you found them
all. Such a bunch of magnificent, wild, proud-looking steer creatures
will never be seen again, in America at least, because you cannot get
them now of such an age, nor of such primitive colours; colours that, I
believe, the best-bred cattle would in course of long years and many
generations' neglect revert to.
The method adopted when an obstreperous steer made repeated attempts to
leave the herd was to send a bullet through his horn, which gave him
something to think about and shake his head over. No doubt it hurt him
terribly, but it generally was an effective check to his waywardness.
And when some old hoary-headed bull wanted to "gang his ain gait" a
piece of cactus tossed on to his back, whence it was difficult to shake
off, would give him also something to think about.
Another small herd we some time later disposed of were equally good
travellers, and indeed were driven from the ranch in one day to Camp
Apache, another military post, a distance of over 40 miles. In this case
the trail was through forest country where there was no "holding"
ground, so they had to be pushed through.
Our herd increased and throve fairly well for a number of years till
other "outfits" began to throw cattle into the country, and sheepmen
began to dispute our right to certain grazing lands. We did not quite
realize it at the time, but it was the beginning of the end. We had gone
into a practically virgin country, controlled an immense area, and the
stock throve accordingly. But others were jealous of our success, threw
in their cattle as already said, and their sheep, and ultimately we
swamped one another. The grass was eaten down, over-grazed, droughts
came, prices broke, and so the end. From 500 our annual calf brand
mounted to 4000; halted there, and gradually dropped back to the
original tally. Our cattle, from poverty, bogged in the river, or
perished from hunger. This was all due to the barbarous grazing system
under which we worked, the United States refusing to sell or lease land
for grazing purposes; consequently, except at the end of a gun, one had
no control over his range. Cattle versus sheep wars resulted, stealing
became rampant and success impossible.
Among other sales made was that of some 1500 steers, of all ages, which
we drove right up to the heart of Colorado and disposed of at good
prices. This drive was marked by a serious stampede, on a dark night in
rough country, by which two of the boys got injured, though happily not
seriously. Then another time we made an experimental shipment of 500 old
steers to California, to be grazed and fattened on alfalfa. They were
got through all right and put in an alfalfa field, and I remained in
charge of them. Our cattle were not accustomed to wire fences, or being
penned up in a small enclosure, and of course had never seen alfalfa; so
for a week or more they did nothing but walk round the fence, trampling
the belly-high lucerne to the ground. Gradually, however, they got to
eating it, and in six weeks began to pick up. Briefly stated, this
adventure was a financial failure. Like the cattle I had been myself an
entire stranger to the wonderful alfalfa plant, and I never tired
marvelling at its exuberance of growth and its capacity for supporting
animal life. The heat in San Joachin Valley in high summer is almost
overpowering, and vegetable growth under irrigation quite phenomenal.
Alfalfa was cut some six or seven times in the season; each time a heavy
crop. After taking cattle out of one pasture, then grazed bare, it was
only three weeks till the plant was in full growth again, in full
flower, two feet high and ready for the reception of more live stock.
The variety of animal life subsisting on alfalfa was extraordinary. All
kinds of domestic stock throve on it and liked it. In our field, besides
cattle, were geese, ducks, turkeys, rabbits and hares in thousands,
doves and quails in flocks, and gophers innumerable; frogs, toads, rats
and mice; while bees, wasps, butterflies and moths, and myriads of
other insects were simply pushing one another out of the way. It was a
wonderful study.
In Utah much difficulty was found in growing clover. This was accounted
for by the fact that there were no old maids in that polygamous country.
Old maids naturally were not allowed! And there being none, there were
of course no cats to kill the mice that eat the bumble-bees' nests;
thus, no bumble-bees to fertilize it, therefore no clover. Old maids
have found their function.
Figs could not be grown successfully in California till the Smyrna wasp
had been imported to fertilize the flower.
And while talking of bees: on the Mississippi River bee-keepers are in
the habit of drifting their broods on rafts up the river, following the
advance of spring and thus securing fresh fields and pastures new of the
young spring blossoms; which is somewhat similar to the Chinaman's habit
of carrying his ducks (he does love ducks), thousands of them, on rafts
and boats up and down the broad Yangtse to wherever the richest grazing
and grub-infested beds may be found.
I should not forget to say that care must be used in putting cattle on
alfalfa. At some seasons it is more dangerous than at others. A number
of these steers "bloated," and I had to stick them with a knife promptly
to save their lives. A new experience to me, but I soon "caught on."
But something must be said about our little county town, San Juan,
county seat of Apache County in which we were located. St Johns
consisted of one general store, three or four saloons, a drug store, a
newspaper office, court-house, jail, etc. A small settlement of Mormons,
who confined themselves to farming on the narrow river bottom, and an
equal number of Mexicans, an idle and mischievous riffraff, though one
or two of them had considerable herds of sheep, and others were county
officials. County affairs were dreadfully mismanaged and county funds
misused. For our own protection we had to take part in politics, form an
Opposition, and after a long struggle, in which my partners did noble
service, we carried an election, put in our own officials, secured
control of the county newspaper, and had things as we wanted them. But
it was a bitter fight, and the old robber gang, who had run the county
for years, were desperate in their resentment. Unfortunately, this
resentment was basely and maliciously shown by an attempt, successful
but happily not fatal, to poison one of my partners. He had a long and
grim fight with death, but his indomitable will pulled him through. I
myself, though I had little to do with politics, had a narrow escape
from a somewhat similar fate. Living at that time, in winter, at what
was called the Meadows Camp, I usually had a quarter of beef hung in the
porch. Frost kept it sweet and sound for a long period, and every day it
was my practice to cut off a steak for consumption. There were two cats,
fortunately, and a slice was often thrown to them. One morning I first
gave them their portion, then cut my own. In a few minutes the
unfortunate animals were in the throes of strychnine poisoning and died
in short order. It was a shock to me and a warning.
The Mexicans continued for some time to be mean and threatening.
Bush-whacking at night was attempted, and they even threatened an attack
on our headquarters ranch; but we were a pretty strong outfit, had our
own sheriff, and by-and-by a number of good friends.
In our district rough country and timber prevented the cattle drifting
very much. In winter they naturally sought the lower range; in summer
they went to the mountains. Headquarters was about half-way between. It
was finally arranged that I should take charge of the lower winter camp
during winter and the mountain camp during summer. My partners mostly
remained at headquarters. In summer time, from April to the end of
October, this arrangement suited me very well indeed; in fact, it was
made at my own suggestion; and the life, though a solitary one for long
periods, suited me to the ground and I enjoyed it immensely. Practically
I lived alone, which was also my own wish, as it was disagreeable to
have anyone coming into my one-roomed cottage, turning things over and
making a mess. I did my own cooking, becoming almost an expert, and have
ever since continued to enjoy doing so. Of course I could have had one
of the boys to live with me; but no matter what good fellows cowboys
generally are, their being in very close companionship is not agreeable,
some of their habits being beastly. Thus it came about that my life was
a very solitary one, as it had been in India, and as it afterwards
continued to be in New Mexico and Texas. Few visitors came to my camp in
summer or winter. Now and then I was gladdened by a visit of one or
other of my partners, one of whom, however, cared nothing for fishing or
shooting, and the other was much of the time entirely absent from the
country. During our short periodical round-ups of course I attended the
"work" with the rest; but to spend one whole month, as I did once,
without not only not conversing with, but absolutely not seeing a human
being, is an experience that has probably come to very few men indeed.
However, as said before, life in the White Mountains of Arizona was very
enjoyable. Peaks ran up to 10,000 feet; and the elevation of my camp
was about 8000 feet. Round about were extensive open parks and meadows,
delightfully clear creeks and streams; grass a foot high, vast stretches
of pine timber, deep and rocky cañons, etc., etc.
When we first shoved our cattle up there the whole country was a virgin
one, no settlements or houses, no roads of any kind, except one or two
Indian hunting trails, no cattle, sheep or horses. There were, as
already stated, elk, mountain sheep, antelope, deer, bears, panthers,
porcupines, coons, any amount of wild turkey, spruce grouse, green
pigeons, quail, etc., etc. There were virgin rivers of considerable
size, swarming with trout, many of which it was my luck to first explore
and cast a fly into. Most of this lovely country, as said before, was
part of the Apache Indian Reservation, on which no one was allowed to
trespass; but the boundary line was ill-defined and it was difficult to
keep our cattle out of the forbidden territory. Indeed, we did not try
to do so.
The Indian settlement was at Fort Apache, some thirty miles from my
camp. These people, having such an evil reputation, are worthy of a few
more notes. Such tales of cruelty and savagery were told of them as to
be almost incredible. They were the terror of Arizona and New Mexico,
yet they were not entirely to blame. Government ill-treatment of
Cochise, the great chief of the Chiricaua Apaches, had set the whole
tribe on the war-path for ten years. A military company, called the
Tombstone Toughs, was organized in Southern Arizona to wipe them out,
but accomplished nothing. Finally, America's greatest Indian fighter,
General Crook, was sent to campaign in Arizona in 1885. The celebrated
chiefs, Geronimo and Natchez, broke out again and killed some
twenty-nine white people in New Mexico and thirty-six in Arizona before
Crook pushed them into the Sierra Madre Mountains in Sonora, where at
last Geronimo surrendered. Victorio was an equally celebrated Apache
war-chief and was out about the same time. Fortunately these last raids
were always made on the south side of the Reservation. We were happily
on the north side, and though we had frequent scares they never gave us
serious trouble. So here were my duties and my pleasures.
The saddle horses when not in use were in my care. The cattle also, of
course, needed looking after. I was in the saddle all day. Frequently it
would be my delight to take a pack-horse and go off for a week or two
into the wildest parts of the Reservation, camp, and fish and shoot
everything that came along, but the shooting was chiefly for the pot.
Young wild turkeys are a delicacy unrivalled, and I became so expert in
knowing their haunts that I could at any time go out and get a supply.
One of my ponies was trained to turkey hunting. He seemed to take a
delight in it. As soon as we sighted a flock, off he would go and take
me up to shooting range, then stop and let me get two barrels in, and
off again after them if more were needed. Turkeys run at a great rate
and will not rise unless you press them.
Big game shooting never appealed to me much. My last bear, through lack
of cartridges to finish him, went off with a broken back, dragging
himself some miles to where I found him again next morning. It so
disgusted me as to put me off wishing to kill for killing's sake ever
afterwards. A wounded deer or antelope, or a young motherless fawn, is a
most pitiable sight.
There was, and perhaps still is, no better bear country in America than
the Blue River district on the border of Arizona and New Mexico. On
these shooting and fishing trips I was nearly always alone, and many
times experienced ridiculous scares. Camping perhaps in a deep cañon, a
rapid stream rushing by, the wind blowing through the tall pines, the
horses tethered to tree stumps, a menagerie-like smell of bears
frequently quite apparent, your bed on Mother Earth without tent or
covering, if your sleep be not very sound you will conjure up all sorts
of amazing things. Perhaps the horses take fright and run on their
ropes.
[Illustration: ROPING A GRIZZLY. (By C. M. Russell.)]
You get up to soothe them and find them in a lather of sweat and scared
to a tremble. What they saw, or, like men, imagined they saw or heard in
the black darkness, you cannot tell. Still you are in an Indian country
and perhaps thirty miles from anywhere. Many a night I swore I should
pack up and go home at daylight, but when daylight came and all again
seemed serene and beautiful--how beautiful!--all fear would be
forgotten; I would cook my trout or fry the breast of a young turkey,
and with hot fresh bread and bacon grease, and strong coffee.--Why,
packing up was unthought of!
One of my nearest neighbours was an old frontiers-man and Government
scout. He had married an Apache squaw, been adopted into the tribe
(White Mountain Apaches) and possessed some influence. He liked
trout-fishing, so once or twice I accompanied him with his party, said
party consisting of his wife and all her relatives--indeed most of the
tribe. The young bucks scouted and cut "sign" for us (another branch of
the Apaches being then on the war-path), the women washed clothes, did
the cooking, cleaned and smoked the fish, etc. These Indians were
rationed with beef by the Government, while they killed no doubt quite a
number of our cattle, and even devoured eagerly any decomposed carcass
found on the range; but they preferred the flesh of horses, mules and
donkeys, detesting pork and fish.
In these mountains in summer a serious pest was a green-headed fly,
which worried the cattle so much that about noon hour they would all
congregate in a very close herd out in the open places for
self-protection. No difficulty then in rounding up; even antelope and
deer would mix with them. When off on a fishing and hunting trip it was
my custom to set fire to a dead tree trunk, in the smoke of which my
horses would stand for hours at a time, even scorching their fetlocks.
In these mountains, too, was a place generally called the "Boneyard,"
its history being that some cattleman, stranger to the country, turned
his herd loose there and tried to hold them during the winter. A heavy
snowfall of several feet snowed the cattle in so that they could not be
got out or anything be done with them. The whole herd was lost and next
spring nothing but a field of bones was visible.
At another time and place a lot of antelope were caught in deep snow and
frozen to death. A more remarkable case was that of a bunch of horses
which became snowed in, the snow being so deep they could not break a
way out. The owner with great difficulty managed to rescue them, when it
was found they had actually chawed each other's tails and manes off.
Indian dogs have a great antipathy to white men, likewise our own dogs
towards Indians, which our horses also share in. Horses also have a
dread of bears. Once when riding a fine and high-strung horse a bear
suddenly appeared in front. Knowing that my mount, as soon as he smelt
the bear, would become uncontrollable, I quickly shot the bear from the
saddle, and immediately the scared horse bolted.
To preserve trout I sometimes kippered them and hung them up to dry.
Quickly the wasps would attack them, and, if not prevented, would in a
short space of time leave absolutely nothing but a skeleton hanging to
the string. It was later demonstrated that cattle, too, thought them a
delicacy, no doubt for the salt or sugar ingredients. Snakes also have a
weakness for fish, and I have seen them approach my trout when thrown on
the river bank and drag them off for their own consumption.
While fishing or shooting one must always be on the careful lookout for
rattlesnakes. In the rough cañons and river banks the biggest rattlers
are found, and you may jump, tumble or scramble on the back of one and
run great chance of being bitten. On the open prairie, where smaller
rattlers are very plentiful, they always give you warning with their
unique, unmistakable rattle. Once, on stooping down to tear up by the
roots a dangerous poison weed, in grasping the plant my hand also
grasped a rattlesnake. I dropped it quick enough to escape injury, but
the cold sweat fairly broke out all over me. The bite is always painful,
but not always necessarily fatal.
"Rustlers" is the common name given to cattle or horse thieves. Arizona
had her full share of them. That territory was the last resort of
outlaws from other and more civilized states. Many of our own "hands"
were such men. Few of them dare use their own proper names; having
committed desperate crimes in other states, such as Texas, they could
not return there. Strange to say, the worst of these "bad" men often
made the best of ranch hands. Cowboys as a class, that is, the genuine
cowboys of days gone by, were a splendid lot of fellows, smart,
intelligent, self-reliant and resourceful, also hard and willing
workers. If they liked you, they would stay with you in any kind of
trouble and be thoroughly loyal. No such merry place on earth as the cow
camp, where humour, wit and repartee abounded. The fact of every man
being armed, and in these far-off days probably a deadly shot, tended to
keep down rowdyism and quarrelling. If serious trouble did come up, it
was settled then and there quickly and decisively, wrongly or rightly.
Let me instance a case.
In round-up camp one day a few hot words were suddenly heard, guns began
to play, result--one man killed outright and two wounded. The case of
one of the wounded boys was rather peculiar. His wound was in the thigh
and amputation was necessary. Being a general favourite, we, myself and
partners, took turns nursing him, dressing his wounds and cheering him
up as well as we could. He rapidly recovered, put on flesh and was in
high spirits, and, as the doctor said, quite out of danger; but one day
this big strong young fellow took it into his foolish head that he was
going to die. Nothing would persuade him to the contrary, and so die he
did, and that without any waste of time. In preparing a body for burial
it is the custom, a burial rite indeed, not to wrap the corpse in a
shroud, but to dress it in a complete ordinary costume, a brand-new suit
of black clothes, white shirt, socks, etc., etc.--whether boots or not I
forget, but rather think so--dress him probably better than the poor
fellow was ever dressed before, and in this manner he was laid in the
ground. The man who started the shooting was named "Windy M'Gee,"
already an outlaw, but then cook for our mess wagon. Shortly afterwards
he killed a prominent lawyer in our little town, or at least we
suspected him strongly, though another man suffered for the crime; but
such incidents as these were too common to attract world-wide
attention.
On another occasion one of our men got shot in the thigh, by whom or how
I do not now remember, but he was a different sort of man from the boy
just mentioned. We knew him to be quite a brave, nervy man in action,
having been in one of our fighting scrapes with rustlers; but as a
patient he showed a most cowardly disposition, developing a ferocious
temper, rejecting medical advice, cursing everybody who came around, so
that he lay for months at our charge, until we really got to wish that
he would carry out his threat of self-destruction. He did not, but he
was crippled for life and did not leave a friend behind.
[Illustration: A SHOOTING SCRAPE. (By C. M. Russell.)]
Then, too, the cowboy, in matter of accoutrements, was a very splendid
fellow indeed. His saddle was gaily decorated with masses of silver, in
the shape of buttons, buckles and trimmings, etc. Likewise his bridle
and bit; his spurs were works of loving art from the hands of the
village metal-worker, and likewise heavily plated with silver. The
rowels were huge but blunt-pointed, and had little metal bells attached.
His boots cost him near a month's pay, always made to careful order,
with enormously high and narrow heels, as high as any fashionable
woman's; his feet were generally extremely small, because of his
having lived in the saddle from early boyhood up. He wore a heavy
woollen shirt, with a gorgeous and costly silk handkerchief tied loosely
round his neck. His head-covering was a very large grey felt hat, a
"genuine Stetson," which cost him from five to twenty dollars, never
less. To keep the big hat in place a thong or cord is tied around and
below the back of the head instead of under the chin, experience having
proved it to be much more effective in that position. His six-shooter
had plates of silver on the handle, and his scabbard was covered with
silver buttons. It should be said that a saddle, such as we all used,
cost from forty to sixty dollars, and weighed generally about forty
pounds, not counting saddle blankets. Sometimes the saddle had only one
"cinch" or girth, generally two, one of which reached well back under
the flank. Such heavy saddles were necessary for heavy work, roping big
cattle, etc. The stirrups were then generally made of wood, very big and
broad in sole and very heavy, sometimes covered with tapaderos, huge
leather caps to save the feet from thorns in heavy brush, and protect
them from cold in severe weather.
To protect our legs we wore over the trousers heavy leather chaparejos,
sometimes of bear or buffalo hide. Let it be noted that a genuine
cowpuncher never rolls his shirt sleeves up, as depicted in romancing
novels. Indeed he either protects his wrists with leather wristlets, or
wears long gauntlet gloves. Mounted on his favourite horse, his was a
gay cavalier figure, and at the "Baillie" he felt himself to be
irresistible to the shy and often very pretty Mexican señoritas. There
you have a pretty faithful picture of the cowboy of twenty-five years
ago.
It remains to say something of the "shooting irons." In the days of
which I write there was no restriction to the bearing of arms. Every man
carried a six-shooter. We, and most of our outfit, habitually carried a
carbine or rifle as well as the smaller weapon. The carbine was carried
in a scabbard, slung from the horn, under the stirrup flap, and so under
the leg. This method kept the weapon steady and left both arms free. By
raising the leg it was easily got at, and it interfered in no way with
the use of the lariat (La Riata). The hang of the six-shooter required
more particular consideration; when needed it would be needed _badly_,
and therefore must be easily drawn, with no possible chance of a hitch.
The butt of a revolver must point forwards and not backwards, as shown
in the accompanying illustration, a portrait of one of our men as he
habitually appeared at work. We ourselves did not go the length of
wearing three belts of cartridges and two six-shooters; but two belts
were needed, one for the rifle and the other for the smaller weapon.
Some of the boys were always getting into scrapes and seemed to enjoy
protracted fights with the Mexicans. There must be no flap to the
scabbard, and the point must be tied by a leather thong around the thigh
to keep it in correct position; and of course it was hung on the right
side and low down on the hip, so as to be easily got at. Only when
riding fast was a small loop and silver button passed through the
trigger guard to prevent the gun from jolting out and being lost. The
chambers were always kept full and the weapons themselves in perfect
working order. Very "bad" men tied back or removed the trigger
altogether, cocking and releasing the hammer with the thumb, or
"fanning" it with the left hand. This permitted of very rapid firing, so
that the "aar would be plumb full of lead."
[Illustration: ONE OF OUR MEN. (To show the hand of six-shooter.)]
As an instance of quick shooting, two of our neighbours had threatened
to kill each other at sight: and we were all naturally interested in the
results. When the meeting did take place, quite unpremeditated, no
doubt, each man saw the other about the same instant, but one of them
was just a little the quicker, and put a bullet through his enemy's
heart. It was a mortal wound of course; but before the unlucky man fell
he was also able to "get his work in," and both fell dead at the same
instant. This was no duel. The first to fire had the advantage, but the
"dead" man was too quick for him, and he did not escape. If I remember
right, a good riddance.
There was one other way of "packing a gun." It was called the Arizona
way. Legal gentlemen, some gamblers, and others who for various reasons
wished to appear unarmed, simply put the pistol in the coat side pocket,
and in use fired from that position through the pocket. It was not often
so used, but I have known cases of it. In this way it was difficult to
know whether a man was "heeled" (armed) or not. Of course our usual
weapon, the long Colt 45° six-shooter could not be so used, being too
cumbrous.
[Illustration: 1883 IN ARIZONA. AUTHOR AND PARTY.]
CHAPTER III
CACTUS RANCHING IN ARIZONA--_continued_
The Cowboy--Accoutrements and Weapons--Desert Plants--Politics and
Perjury--Mavericks--Mormons--Bog Riding.
The "rustling" of cattle was very common in Arizona in these days. By
"rustling" is not meant the petty burning out of a brand, or stealing of
calves or odd beef cattle. It was carried on on the grand scale. Bands
of rustlers operated together in large bodies. Between our range and the
old Mexican border extended the Apache Reservation, a very large tract
of exceedingly rough country, without roads of any description, the only
signs of human presence being an occasional Indian trail and abandoned
wickyups. Beyond the Reservation lay certain mining towns and camps,
such as Clifton, Camp Thomas, Tombstone, and others; and then the
Mexican frontier.
The rustlers' business was to steal cattle, butcher them in the
mountains, and sell the beef to the mining towns; or drive them over
into Old Mexico for disposal, and then again drive Mexican cattle or
horses back into Arizona. Some of these gangs were very powerful and
terrorized the whole country, so much so that decent citizens were
afraid "to give them away."
Our cattle ranged well into the mountains, and up to a certain period we
had no occasion to think that any "dirty" work was going on; but at last
we "tumbled" to the fact that a gang was operating on our range. Word
was brought us that a bunch of some 200 cattle had been "pulled"
(Scotch, lifted). I was off the ranch at the time, but one of my
partners at once started on the trail with three of the men. After some
days very hard riding they caught up on the thieves at early dawn, in
fact when still too dark to see very well. Shooting began at once. None
of our men were hurt. Two of the enemy were badly wounded, but managed
in the darkness to scramble off into the rocks, or were carried off by
their companions. Our party captured their saddle horses and camp
outfit, but did not feel themselves strong enough to continue the chase
in such a country. The cattle were found close to the camp, but so
footsore that it was impossible to move them homewards. They then
returned to the ranch, and we at once organized a strong force of some
seventeen men, well mounted and abundantly supplied with ammunition,
etc. Again taking the trail we met the cattle on their way home, and
gave them a push for a mile or so; and thinking them safe enough we
prepared to continue south.
On arriving at the scene of last week's fight we noticed that the big
pine trees under which the rustlers camped had gun-rests notched in the
sides of them, not newly made, but showing that they had been cut a long
while ago, probably in anticipation of just what had happened.
That day in camp, a horseman, the most innocent-looking of individuals,
appeared, took dinner with us, and gave some plausible reason for his
presence in that out-of-the-way place. It is strictly against cowboy
etiquette to question a guest as to his personality, his movements or
his occupation. We, however, felt very suspicious, especially as after
he had gone we stumbled on to a coffee-pot and frying-pan, still warm,
which had evidently been thrown into the bushes in great haste. In fact,
this confirmed our suspicions that our visitor was one of the gang, and
we thereafter stood careful guard round our horses every night. The
cattle we decided to leave alone to take their chances of getting home,
thinking the rustlers would not have the "gall", in face of our near
presence, to again try to get off with them; but they did! These cattle
never reached the ranch. Had they been left alone their wonderful homing
instinct would certainly have got them there just as quick as they
could travel. However, we did not realize the fact of the second raid
till on our return no sign of these cattle could be found. So we
continued south, passing through the roughest country I ever set eyes
on, the vegetation in some places being of the most extraordinary
nature, cacti of all kinds forming so thick a jungle that one could
hardly dismount. Such enormous and freakish-looking growths of this
class of plant few can have ever looked on before. The prickly pear
"nopal" was the most common, and bore delicious, juicy and refreshing
fruit. Indeed, being out of water and short of "chuck," we were glad to
accept Nature's offering, but at a dreadful cost, for in a little while
our mouths and tongues were a mass of tiny, almost invisible spines,
which the most careful manipulation of the fruit could not prevent. But
the most astonishing of these growths was the pitahaya (correct name
saguarro), or gigantic columnar cactus, growing to a height of thirty to
fifty feet, bearing the fruit on their crowns; a favourite fruit of the
Pima Indians, though by what means they pluck it it would be interesting
to know. Besides an infinite variety of others of the cactus family,
there were yuccas, agaves and larreas; the fouquiera and koberlinia,
long and thorny leafless rods; artemisias and the algarrobbas or
mesquite bean-trees, another principal food of the Indians and valuable
for cattle and horses. The yucca when in full bloom, its gigantic
panicles bearing a profusion of large white bells, is one of Nature's
most enchanting sights. Besides all these were massive biznagas, cholas,
bear-grass or palmilla, and the mescal, supplying the principal
vegetable food of the Apaches. Never in Texas, Arizona, or even Old
Mexico, have I seen such a combination of varieties of such plants
growing in such profusion and perfection; but being no botanist, and
quite incompetent to give a proper appreciation of these wonders, we
will return to the trail.
At one place, hidden in a cañon, we ran on to a stone-built and
fortified butchering establishment, but without sign of life around.
Continuing, we finally came to Clifton, the copper-mining town, then
perhaps the "hardest" town in Arizona. The townspeople appeared pleased
to see us. Martial law was prevailing, and they seemed to think we were
a posse deputized to assist in restoring order. Anyway, the sheriff
informed us that nearly thirty men had left the town that day for their
camp, a fortified position some ten or fifteen miles away. They were all
rustlers, and somehow or other had heard of our coming. Mr Sheriff was
also kind enough to advise us that we were not nearly strong enough to
tackle them; so adopting his advice, after securing supplies, we rode
off, and by travelling all night and working round avoided the enemy's
"position." Next day we unexpectedly ran on to a large bunch of our own
cattle quietly grazing on the hillside. We rounded them up, but our
brands were so completely burned out and effaced that, when we put them
in the corral at Camp Thomas and claimed ownership, the sheriff refused
to acknowledge it, and we had to draw his attention to a small jaw brand
lately adopted by us but unnoticed by the thieves, and therefore not
"monkeyed" with. This was proof enough, and so our long and tedious trip
was to some extent compensated for. The particular rustlers we were
after we could hear nothing of, except one man, who was lying wounded at
a certain establishment, but who was carefully removed before we got to
the place.
On returning home there were only two possible passes through the
mountains. It was lucky we took the one, as the other, we afterwards
learned, had been put into a state of defence and manned by the outlaws,
who in such a place could have shot us all down without danger to
themselves.
This short narrative will give some sort of idea of the state of the
country at that period. Thereafter it became necessary that the cattle
in the mountains should be more carefully guarded and looked after, and
the duty fell to me to "cut sign." By "cutting sign" is meant, in this
instance, the riding round and outside of all our cattle, pushing back
any that had strayed too far, and carefully looking out for fresh sign
(footprints) of cattle or horses leading beyond our range limits. Such
sign was always suspicious, and the trail must be followed till the
stock was found and accounted for. If horse tracks accompanied the
cattle it would be a dead sure proof that something was wrong. I
continued this work for a long time, but nothing suspicious occurred. At
last, one day when searching the open country with my field-glasses, I
was gratified and at the same time alarmed to see three or four men
driving a considerable herd of cattle in the direction, and on exactly
the same trail as before taken by the rustlers. Convinced that all was
not right, and quite realizing that there was the prospect of serious
trouble for myself, I lit out for them, keeping as well under cover as
possible, till, on mounting a small tree-covered knoll, I found myself
directly overlooking their camp. There were the cattle, from four to
five hundred, and there the men, preparing their mid-day meal, four of
them in all, and all strangers to me. It was necessary at all costs to
know who they were, so I was obliged to disclose myself by going into
their camp. The number of saddle horses they had with them led me to
think that they were not real professional cattle thieves. Had they
been indeed rustlers it would have been a risky thing to do, as they
would have had to dispose of me in some way or other. By my horse brand
they at once knew what "outfit" I belonged to. Their brands, however,
were strange to me. They asked me to eat, of course; and I soon found
out that their party was headed by one Pete----, whose reputation I had
often heard of as being of the worst. He said he had been grazing these
cattle in some outlying park, and was now taking them home to his
ranches somewhere in New Mexico. That was all right; but since he had
passed through part of our range it was necessary to inspect the herd.
This he resisted by every means he could think of, asserting that they
were a "clean" bunch, with no "strays," and that he was in a great hurry
to push on. I insisted, however, on riding through them, when, not much
to my surprise, I found about twenty large unbranded calves, apparently
without their "mammies." On asking Pete for an explanation: "Oh," he
said, "the mammies were shore in the herd" and he "warn't no cow thief,"
but on my persisting he finally exclaimed, "Well, take your damned
_caves_ and let's get on," or some such words; so I started in and cut
out nearly twenty big unbranded calves, which certainly did not have
their mothers with them; which, therefore, were clearly not his
property; were probably ours, but whether they were or not did not
matter to me. Pete and his men pulled out home, but I caught and branded
over half of these calves before turning them loose, and it is probable
we got the rest of them at the next round-up. When a man is
single-handed and has to make his fire up as well as catch and tie down
the calves he has his hands pretty full. In this case I used only one
fire and so had to drag the calves up close to it; every bit of tie rope
in my pocket, thongs cut off the saddle, even my pocket-handkerchief,
were all brought into service; as at one time there were as many as four
calves tied down at once. I had only the one little branding-iron, a
thin bent iron rod, generally carried tied to the saddle alongside the
carbine. The branding-iron must be, if not quite red-hot, very nearly
so. Then the calf has to be ear-marked and altered.
When the mothers are near by the bellowing of the young ones as the hot
iron burns into the hide makes them wild with fear and anxiety, and the
motherly instinct to charge is strained to the utmost, though they
seldom dare to do it. The calves themselves, if big and stout enough,
will often charge you on being released, and perhaps knock you over with
a painfully hard punch.
This was merely an adventure which lent some excitement and interest to
the regular work. Happily no more serious raid on our cattle occurred
in that direction, but one never knew when a little "pulling" might take
place and so had to be constantly on the alert.
About this time certain ill-disposed individuals tried "to get their
work in on us" by asserting land frauds on our part. They tried every
possible way to give us "dirt," that is, to put us to trouble and
expense, and even send us to the pen if they could. They succeeded in
having me indicted for perjury by the Grand Jury at Prescott, the then
capital of Arizona. It cost us some money, but no incriminating evidence
was forthcoming and the trial was a farce. The trial jury consisted of
miners, cattlemen, saloon-keepers and others, and by mixing freely with
them, standing drinks, etc., we managed to "correct" any bad feeling
there might have been against us. Certainly these jurymen might have
made trouble for me, but they did not. This notwithstanding that my
friend, a special land agent sent out from Washington and principal
witness against me, swore that I had assaulted him at a lonely place
(and I well remember the occasion), and that he felt his life in such
danger that he had to travel with a guard, etc. This came from politics.
Having described summer life and occupations, and before going to winter
camp, something must be said about our headquarters ranch, situated
some twenty miles off. Here were the grain-house, the hay stacks, wagon
sheds, corrals, the kitchen, general messroom, the bunk house and
private rooms for ourselves. There was a constant succession of
visitors. Nearly every day some stranger or neighbour "happened" in for
a meal. Everyone was welcome, or at least got free board and lodging and
horse feed. There being a paid cook made things different.
But it was hot down here in summer-time, hot and dry and hardly
attractive. The lower part of the range was much of it sandy country.
With the temperature at 110° in the shade the sand would get so hot as
to be almost painful to walk on, certainly disagreeable to sit on. And
when one wanted to rest the only shade you could find would be in the
shadow of your horse, which at noon meant your sitting right under him;
and your saddle, on remounting, would be so hot as to be really very
uncomfortable. Between round-ups there was not much work to do. Before
round-up a general shoeing of the horses had to be gone through. I shod
my own, except in cases of young ones undergoing the operation for the
first time, when assistance was needed. Except poker every night we had
few amusements. It was almost a daily programme, however, to get our
carbines and six-shooters out and practise at targets, firing away box
after box of ammunition. No wonder we were pretty expert shots, but
indeed it needs much practice to become so.
It should be said that amongst our visitors there were, no doubt, many
angels whom we entertained unawares; but also, and no doubt of this,
many blackguards and desperadoes, "toughs" and horse-thieves.
An old English sailor, who had farmed a little in the mountains, was on
one occasion left alone at our headquarters to take charge of it during
our absence on the work. Two men came along and demanded something which
the old man would not give and they deliberately shot him dead. We
caught the miscreants, but could not convict them, their plea being
self-defence. They really should have been hung without trial.
Lynchings of cattle and horse thieves and other criminals were not then
uncommon. I have twice come on corpses swinging in the wind, hung from
trees or telegraph posts. But the most distressing sight witnessed was
in Denver's fair city when a man, still alive, was dragged to death all
through the streets by a rope round his neck, followed by a howling mob!
By the way, a strange couple once surprised me at my mountain camp,
viz., two individuals dressed much alike, both wearing the hair in a
long pigtail, both dressed in leather "chaps," high-heeled boots,
woollen shirts, big felt hats, rifles and six-shooters, and both as
"hard"-looking as they ever make them. One was a man, the other a woman!
They volunteered to me nothing of their business, but I watched the
horses a little closer. And I may as well here give another little
incident that occurred in my summer camp.
A United States cavalry officer appeared one day at my door and demanded
that I at once move the cattle off the Reservation. This was a sudden
and rather big order. I told him that I was alone and could not possibly
do it at once, or for several days. "Oh," he said, he "would help me,"
he having some forty nigger troopers with him. "All right," I said, and
took the men along with me, got back behind the cattle, spread these
novel cowboys out and began to drive, when such a shouting and shooting
of guns took place as never was heard before in these parts. We drove
the cattle, really only a thousand head or so, back to the supposed
Reservation border, quite unmarked and vague, and so left them, only to
wander back again at their leisure to where they had been. The officer
made all kinds of threats that he would turn the Indians loose on them,
but nothing more was then done.
At my winter camp, some thirty-five miles below headquarters, there was
a good three-roomed frame house, a corral, etc., and the Little Colorado
River flowed past near by. It was to these lower parts of the range that
most of our cattle drifted in winter time. Two or three other large
cattle-ranches marched with us there.
A small Mormon settlement was not far off. These Mormons were a most
venturesome people and daring settlers. Certainly they are the most
successful colonists and a very happy people. Living in close community,
having little or no money and very little live stock to tempt Providence
(rustlers), theirs is a peaceable, though possibly dull, existence. They
had frequent dances, but we Gentiles were not admitted to them.[1]
[Footnote 1: _See_ Appendix, Note 1.]
In winter one lives better than in the hot weather, table supplies being
more varied. In summer, excepting during the round-ups, we never had
butcher meat, and in my camp butter, eggs and milk were not known; but
in winter I always had lots of good beef, potatoes, butter and some eggs
from the Mormons, but still no milk. This was varied, too, by wild duck,
teal and snipe shot along the river bottom.
Talking of snipe, it is very wonderful how a wounded bird will carefully
dress and apply down and feathers to the injury, and even apply splints
and ligatures to a broken limb.
My principal duties at this season consisted in riding the range on the
lookout for unbranded calves, many calves always being missed on the
round-up. This was really rather good sport. Such calves are generally
big, strong, fat, and run like jack-rabbits, and it takes a fast and
keen pony to catch them. Occasionally you would be lucky enough to find
a maverick, a calf or a yearling so old as to have left its mother and
be still running loose without a brand and therefore without an owner.
It was particular satisfaction to get one's rope, and therefore one's
brand, on to such a rover, though it might really not be the progeny of
your own cattle at all. It was no easy job either for one man alone to
catch and brand such a big and wild creature, especially if among the
brush and cedar trees. A certain stimulant to your work was the fact
that you were not the only one out on a maverick hunt. There were
others, such as your neighbours, or even independent gentlemen, expert
with the rope and branding-iron, who never bought a cow critter in their
lives, but started their herds by thus stealing all the calves they
could lay hands on. A small crooked iron rod, an iron ring, or even an
old horseshoe, did duty as branding-iron on these occasions. The ring
was favoured by the latter class of men, as it could be carried in the
pocket and not excite suspicion. Of course we branded, marked and
altered these calves wherever we found them. "Hair branding" was a
method resorted to by dishonest cowboys; by burning the hair alone, and
not the hide, they would apparently brand the calf with its rightful
owner's brand; but later, when the calf had grown bigger and left its
mother, they would slap on their own brand with comparative safety. One
had to be constantly on the lookout for such tricks.
The Mexicans, too, were fond of butchering a beef now and then, so they
too required watching; but my busiest time came with early spring, when
the cattle were in a poor and weak condition. The river-bed, too, was
then in its boggiest state. Cattle went in to drink, stuck, and could
not get out again, and thus some seasons we lost enormous numbers of
them. Therefore I "rode bog" every day up and down the river. When I
found an animal in the mud I had to rope it by the horns or feet and
drag it by main force to solid ground. A stout, well-trained horse was
needed. It was hard, dirty work and exasperating, as many of those you
pulled out never got up again, and if they did would invariably charge
you. No special tackle was used; you remain in the saddle, wrap the rope
round the horn and dig the spurs in. Of course, on your own beat, you
dragged out all you could, no matter of what brand; but when, as often
happened, you failed to get them out, and they belonged to someone else,
you were not allowed to shoot them; so that there the poor creatures lay
for days, and perhaps even weeks, dying a lingering, but I am glad to
think and believe not a painful, death. What an awful death for a
reasoning, conscious man. Dumb animals, like cattle, happily seem to
anticipate and hope for nothing one way or another. Once I found a mare
in the river in such a position under a steep bank that nothing could be
done for her. Her young colt was on the bank waiting and wondering. Very
regretfully I had to leave them and carefully avoided passing that way
for some days to come till the tragedy had terminated. The Little
Colorado River, and afterwards the Pecos River in New Mexico, I have
often seen so thick with dead and dying cattle that a man might walk up
and down the river on the bodies of these unfortunate creatures. The
stench would become horrible, till the spring flood came to sweep the
carcasses to the sea or covered them up with deposit.
Quicksand is much more holding than mere river mud. If only the tip of
the tail or one single foot of the animal is covered by the stuff, then
even two stout horses will not pull it out. The Pecos River is
particularly dangerous on account of its quicksandy nature, and it was
my custom, when having to cross the mess wagon, to send across the
ramuda of two or three hundred saddle horses to tramp the river-bed
solid beforehand. On one occasion when crossing quite a small stream my
two driving ponies went down to their hocks, so that I had to cut the
traces and belabour them hard to get them out. Had they not got out at
once they never would have done so. My ambulance remained in the
river-bed all night and till a Mexican with a bull-team luckily came
along next day.
At the Meadows, my winter camp, I had to fill a contract of two or three
fat steers for the town butcher every week. With a man to help me we had
to go far afield and scour the range to get suitable animals, the best
and fattest beeves being always the furthest out. After corralling,
which might mean a tremendous amount of hard galloping and repeated
failures, the most difficult part of the job was the actual killing,
which I accomplished by shooting them with a six-shooter, not a carbine.
Only when a big steer has its head down to charge can you plant a bullet
in exactly the right spot, a very small one, too, on the forehead, when
he will drop like a stone. It was very pretty practice, but risky, as to
get them to charge you must be afoot and inside the corral. The butcher
was rather astonished when I first accomplished this trick, but it
saved time and a lot of trouble. Such were my winter duties.
Sometimes neighbours would look in, and the weekly mail and home papers
helped to pass the time. I read a great deal, and so the solitariness of
the position was not so trying as one might suppose. Indeed, books were
more to me than the neighbours' society.
"Incidents" occurred, of course, but I will only mention one. In winter
I only kept up two saddle horses, picked ponies, favourites and almost
friends. They were fed with grain night and morning, and, to save hay,
were allowed to graze out at night. They regularly returned at early
morning for their feed, so I never had to go after them. One morning,
however, they did not appear. It was quite unaccountable to me and very
awkward, as it left me afoot and unable to do anything. Not till about
10 a.m. did they come galloping in, greatly excited, their tails in the
air, puffing and snorting. It did not look quite right. Someone had been
chasing them. At noon, while preparing early dinner, a man, a stranger,
rode up to the house, and of course was invited to eat. He was very
reticent, in fact would hardly speak at all, and gave no hint as to who
he was or anything about himself. While eating there was suddenly a
rapid succession of rifle-shots heard outside. We both rushed to the
door and saw a man riding for life straight to the house, with half a
dozen others shooting at him from horseback. He was not touched, only
his horse being killed at the door. The new-comer and my strange guest
at once showed that they were very intimate indeed, so that I quickly
and easily put two and two together. The following party in the meantime
had stopped and spread out, taking positions behind the low hills and
completely commanding the house. Only their big hats showed and I could
not make out whether they were Mexicans or white men. My two guests
would tell me nothing, except to assert that they knew nothing of their
followers, or why they began shooting. Realizing that these two had me
at their mercy, that they could make me do chores for them, fetch water,
cook, feed and attend to the horses till nightfall, when with my own two
fresh mounts they might possibly make a bolt for it, I got a bit
anxious, and determined to find out who the larger party were. So
walking out and waving my hat I caught their attention and, on advancing
further, one of the party came out and met me. They were neighbouring
cattlemen, and explained that the two men in my house were rustlers, and
they were determined to take them dead or alive. They asked me to join
their party as they were going to "shoot up" the house if necessary. To
this I would not consent and went back. After a deal of talk and
persuasion the two men finally agreed to give me their guns, preliminary
to meeting two of the other party, who were also asked to approach
unarmed. They met, much to my relief, and when, somehow or other, the
two men allowed themselves to be surrounded by the rest they saw the
game was up and surrendered. Then the funny thing happened and the one
reason for the telling of this story. They all came down to the house,
had dinner together, chatted and cracked jokes, and not a word was said
about the immediate trouble. They were all "punchers," had worked
together, knew each other's affairs, etc., etc. The one party was about
to send the other to the penitentiary, or perhaps the gallows; but you
would have thought it was only a pleasant gathering of long-separated
friends. The two rustlers were lodged in the county jail, quickly broke
out, and soon afterwards died in their "boots," one at the hands of the
sheriff.
For tracking jail-breakers Indians, Navajoes or Apaches were sometimes
employed, and the marvellous skill they showed was simply astonishing
and inexplicable; all done by reading the "sign" left by the escaping
party, but "sign" often quite unnoticeable to the white man. Indeed, an
Indian would follow a trail by sign much as a hound will do by scent.
Talking of scent, the homing instinct of horses and cattle is very
wonderful and mysterious; but it is not generally known that a horse has
also great power of scent. A horse will follow its mate (nearly all
horses have their chums) many miles merely by sense of smell, as my long
experience of them has amply proved to me. On one occasion I for some
reason displaced the near horse of my driving team and hitched up
another. After driving a distance of fifteen miles and returning
homewards on the same road, soon in the distance could be seen said near
horse busy with nose on the ground picking up the trail, and so absorbed
in it that even when we got up quite close he did not notice us. When he
did recognize his chum and companion his evident satisfaction was
affecting.
CHAPTER IV
ODDS AND ENDS
Scent and Instinct--Mules--Roping Contests--Antelopes--The
Skunk--Garnets--Leave Arizona.
This shall be a sketchy chapter of odds and ends, but more or less
interesting according to the individual reader.
The horse's intelligence is nothing compared to that of the mule, and as
riding animal in rough country a mule should always be used. In Mexico,
Central American States and the Andes mules are alone used; and what
splendid, even handsome, reliable creatures they are on roads, or rather
trails, such as it would be hazardous to take horses over. I once saw
the unusual sight of two big strong mules (our ammunition pack animals)
roll together down a very steep hillside. Happily neither mules nor
loads were at all damaged, but it was a steepish hill, as on our
returning and trying to climb it we had to dismount and hang on to the
horses' tails. Another good point about mules is that they will not
founder themselves. Put an open sack of grain before a hungry mule and
he will eat what he wants, but never in excess, whereas a horse would
gorge and founder himself at once.
As said before, the homing instinct of horses and cattle is very
remarkable. I have known horses "shipped" by a railway train in closed
cars to a distance of over 400 miles, some of which on being turned
loose found their way back to their old range. Cattle, too, may be
driven a hundred or two hundred miles through the roughest country,
without roads or trails of any kind, and even after being held there for
several weeks will at once start home and take exactly the same route as
that they were driven over, even though there be no "sign" of any kind
to guide them and certainly no scent.
On my shooting and fishing trips I rode one horse and packed another.
The packed horse, on going out, had to be led, of course, unless indeed
he was my saddle-horse's chum. But on going home, after even a couple of
weeks' absence, I simply turned the pack-horse loose, hit him a lick
with the rope, and off he would go with the utmost confidence as to the
route, and follow the trail we had come out on, each time a different
trail be it remembered, with ridiculous exactitude; yet there was no
visible track or sign of any kind. Indeed, I would often find myself
puzzled as to our whereabouts and feel quite confident we were at fault,
when suddenly some familiar tree or landmark, noticed on going out,
would be recognized.
Parts of our Arizona range were covered with great beds of broken
malpais rock, really black lava, hard as iron, with edges sharp and
jagged. Over such ground we would gallop at full speed and with little
hesitation, trusting absolutely to our locally-bred ponies to see us
through. English horses could never have done it, and probably no
old-country horseman would have taken the chances. We got bad falls now
and then, but very seldom indeed considering conditions.
The bits used then were murderous contrivances, being of the kind called
spade or ring bits. By means of them a horse could be thrown on his
haunches with slight effort, even his jaw may be broken. Luckily the bit
is little used by the cowboy. His horse knows its painful character, and
so obeys the slightest raising of the rider's hand. It should also be
remarked that the cow-pony is guided, not by pulling either the right or
left rein, but by the rider carrying his bridle hand over to the _left_
if he wants to go to the left, and vice versa. There is no pulling on
the mouth. The pony does not understand that; it is the slight pressure
of the right rein on the _right_ side of the neck that turns him to the
_left_.
The reata in those days was nearly always made of plaited raw hide, and
often made by the boys themselves, though a good reata required a long
time to complete and peculiar skill in the making of it. Quirts
(quadras) and horse hobbles were also made of raw hide.
As everyone knows, the horn of the saddle is used in America to hold
roped cattle with. In South America a ring fixed to the surcingle is
used; while in Guatemala and Costa Rica the reata is tied to the end of
the horse's tail!
It is a very pretty sight to see a skilled roper (the best are often
Mexicans) at work in a corral or in a herd; or better still, when after
a wild steer on the prairie. But roping is hardly ever used nowadays,
one reason of the "passing" of the old-time cowboy. We used to have
great annual roping competitions in New Mexico and Texas, when handsome
prizes were given to the men who would rope and tie down a big steer in
quickest time. I once or twice went in myself to these competitions and
was lucky enough to do fairly well, being mounted on a thoroughly
trained roping horse; but it is a chancy affair, as often the best man
may unluckily get a lazy sort of steer to operate on, and it is much
more difficult to throw down such an animal than a wild, active,
fast-galloping one; for this reason, that on getting the rope over his
horns you must roll him over, or rather _flop_ him over, on to his
back by a sudden and skilful action of your horse on the rope. If
properly thrown, or flopped hard enough, the steer will lie dazed or
stunned for about half a minute. During that short period, and only
during that short period, you must slip off your horse, run up to the
steer and quickly tie his front and hind feet together, so tightly and
in such a way that he cannot get up. Then you throw up your hands or
your hat, and your time is taken. While you are out of your saddle your
horse will, if well trained, himself hold the steer down by carefully
adjusting the strain on the rope which still connects the animal's horns
with the horn on the saddle.
[Illustration: WOUND UP. (Horse tangled in rope.) (By C. M. Russell.)]
I may here tell a wonderful story of a "buck" nigger who sometimes
attended these gatherings. He was himself a cowboy, and indeed worked in
my neighbourhood and so I knew him well. He was a big, strong, husky
negro, with a neck and shoulders like a bull's. You cannot hurt a nigger
any way. Well, this man's unique performance was to ride after a steer,
the bigger and wilder the better, and on getting up to him to jump off
his horse, seize the steer by a horn and the muzzle, then stoop down and
grip the animal's upper lip with his teeth, turn his hands loose, and so
by means of his powerful jaws and neck alone throw down and topple the
steer over. The negro took many chances, and often the huge steer would
fall on him in such a way as would have broken the neck or ribs of any
ordinary white man. In this case also the steer must be an active one
and going at a good pace, otherwise he could not be thrown properly.
Stock-whips were never allowed. Useful as they may be at times, still
the men are liable to ill-treat the cattle, and we got on quite well
without them. Dogs, too, of course, were never used and never allowed on
the range. They so nearly resemble the wolf that their presence always
disturbs the cattle.
This deprivation of canine society, as it may be imagined, was keenly
felt by us all, perhaps more especially by myself. Had I only then had
the companionship of certain former doggy friends life would have been
much better worth living. As a protection at night too, when out on long
journeys across the country, during the hunting and fishing trips, or
even at the permanent camps, the presence of a faithful watch-dog would
probably have saved me from many a restless night.
The Navajo Indian's method of hunting antelope was to strew cedar
branches or other brush in the form of a very long wing to a corral,
lying loose and flat on the ground. The antelope on being driven against
it will never cross an obstruction of such a nature, though it only be
a foot high, but will continue to run along it and so be finally driven
into the corral.
And antelope are such inquisitive animals! On the Staked Plains of New
Mexico the Mexicans approach them by dressing themselves up in any
ridiculous sort of fashion, so as least to resemble a human being. In
this way they would not approach the antelope, but the antelope would
approach them, curious to find out the nature of such an unusual
monstrosity. Antelope, there, were still very plentiful, and even in my
own little pasture there was a band of some 300 head. Only at certain
times of the year did they bunch up together; at other times they,
though still present, were hardly noticeable.
I would like to make note of the curious misnaming of wild animals in
North America. Thus, the antelope or pronghorn is not a true antelope,
the buffalo is not a buffalo, the Rocky Mountain goat is not a goat, and
the elk is not an elk. By the same token the well-known "American aloe,"
or century plant, is not an aloe, but an agave.
While in Arizona I used to carry in a saddle pocket a small sketch-book
and pencil, and on finding one of the beautiful wild flowers the Rocky
Mountains are so famous for, that is, a new kind, I would at once get
down and take a sketch of it, with notes as to colour, etc. The boys
were at first a bit surprised, and no doubt wondered how easily an
apparent idiot could amuse himself. I was considerably surprised myself
once when busy sketching on the banks of a brawling stream in the
mountains. A sudden grunt as of a bear at my elbow nearly scared me into
the river. On turning round, there was an armed Apache brave standing
close behind me; but he was only one of a hunting party. What sentiment
that grunt expressed I never learnt.
It is remarkable how a range or tract of country that has been
overstocked or over-grazed will rapidly produce an entirely new flora,
of a class repugnant to the palate of cattle and horses. In this way our
mountain range in particular, when in course of a very few years it
became eaten out, quickly decked itself in a gorgeous robe of brilliant
blossoms; weeds we called them, and weeds no doubt they were, as our
cattle refused to touch them. Certain nutritious plants, natives of the
soil, such as the mescal, quite common when we first entered the
country, were so completely killed out by the cattle that later not a
single plant of the kind could be found.
Amongst the fauna of Arizona was, of course, the ubiquitous prairie dog;
and as a corollary, so to speak, the little prairie owl (_Athene
cunicularis_), which inhabits deserted dog burrows and is the same bird
as occupies the Biscacha burrows in Argentina. Rattlesnakes, so common
around dog-towns, enter the burrows to secure the young marmots. Another
animal frequently seen was the chaparral-cock or road-runner, really the
earth cuckoo (_Geococcyx Mexicanus_), called paisano or pheasant, or
Correcamino, by the Mexicans. It is a curious creature, with a very long
tail, and runs at a tremendous rate, seldom taking to flight. Report
says that it will build round a sleeping rattlesnake an impervious ring
of cactus spines. Its feathers are greatly valued by Indians as being
"good medicine," and being as efficacious as the horseshoe is with us.
A still more curious animal, not often seen, was the well-named Gila
monster or Escorpion (_Heloderma suspectum_), the only existing animal
that fills the description of the Basilisk or Cockatrice of mediæval
times; not the _Basilicus Americanus_, which is an innocent herbivorous
lizard. This Gila monster is a comparatively small, but very hideous
creature, in appearance like a lizard, very sluggish in its movements,
and rightly owning the worst of reputations. Horned toads, also hideous
in appearance, and tarantulas (_Mygales_), very large centipedes and
scorpions, were common, and lived on, or rather were killed because of
their reputation, but they seldom did anyone harm.
But the most highly appreciated, that is the most feared and detested,
of wild creatures was the common skunk, found everywhere, mostly a night
wanderer and a hibernator. He is a most fearless animal, having such
abundant and well-reasoned confidence in his mounted battery, charged
with such noxious gases as might well receive the attention of our
projectile experts. The first time I ever saw one he came into my
mountain hut. Knowing only that he was "varmint" I endeavoured to kill
him quickly with a spade. Alas! the spade fell just a moment too late
and henceforth that hut was uninhabitable for a month. The only way to
get one out of the house is to pour buckets of cold water on it. That
keeps the tail down (unlike a horse, which cannot kick when his tail is
up); but when his tail goes up, then look out! The skunk is also more
dreaded by the cowboy and the frontiers-man than the rattlesnake. It is
their belief that a bite from this creature will always convey
hydrophobia. Being a night prowler it frequents cow camps, and often
crawls over the beds spread on the ground, and it certainly has a habit
of biting any exposed part of the human body. When it does so, the
bitten man at once starts off to Texas, where at certain places one can
hire the use of a madstone. The madstone is popularly supposed to be an
accretion found somewhere in the system of a white stag. It is of a
porous nature, and if applied to a fresh wound will extract and absorb
the poison serum. Texans swear that it "sticks" only if there be poison
present--does not stick otherwise. A fanciful suggestion! And yet, no
doubt, the skunk does sometimes convey hydrophobia through its bite. I
have myself often had the pleasant experience of feeling and knowing
that a skunk was crawling over my carefully-covered-up body. But enough
of this very objectionable creature.
In Texas some of the boys used to carry in their pockets a piece of
"rattlesnake root," which when scraped and swallowed after a bite was
held to be an antidote, though otherwise a virulent poison.
In this placid land of ours, so free of pests, mosquitoes, fleas and
leeches, we are also free of the true skunk; but we do have, as perhaps
you are aware, a small creature armed and protected in much the same
way. This is the bombardier-beetle, common in certain other countries,
but also found in England, which if chased will discharge from its stern
a puff of bluish-white smoke, accompanied by a slight detonation. It can
fire many shots from its stern chasers. It is said that a highly
volatile liquid is secreted by glands, which when it meets the air
passes into vapour so suddenly as to produce the explosion.
The Mexicans of the United States deserve more than a passing notice.
Many of them have Indian blood and are called Greasers, but the majority
are of fairly pure Spanish descent. Contact with the Americans has made
them vicious and treacherous. They have been robbed of their lands,
their cattle and their horses, bullied and ill-treated in every possible
way. But even now many of them retain their character, almost universal
amongst their compatriots in Old Mexico, for hospitality, unaffected
kindness, good breeding and politeness. A Mexican village in autumn is
picturesque with crimson "rastras" of Chile pepper hung on the walls of
the adobe houses. To the Mexicans we owe, or rather through them to the
Aztecs, the delightfully tasty and delicious enchiladas and tamales.
Among native animals should not be forgotten the common jacket-rabbit
(hare). She affords capital coursing, and someone has said runs faster
than an ice boat, or a note maturing at a bank, so she must indeed be
speedy. It is interesting to recall that puss in Shakespeare's time was
_he_ and not _she_. Among our feathered friends the humming-bird was not
uncommon. These lovely but so tiny little morsels are migrants. Indeed
one of the family, and one of the tiniest and most beautiful, is known
to summer in Alaska and winter in Central America; thus accomplishing a
flight twice a year of over two thousand miles.
An interesting little note too may be made of the fact that the garnets
of Arizona are principally found on ant-heaps, being brought to the
surface by the ants and thrown aside as obstructions only fit for the
waste-basket. But they are very beautiful gems and are regularly
collected by the Indians.
There was little or no gold mining in our part of the territory; but
there were current many tales of fabulously rich lost Claims, lost
because of the miners having been massacred by the Indians or other
causes. In likely places I have myself used the pan with the usual
enthusiasm, but luckily never with much success.
The practice of that very curious custom, the "couvade," seems to be
still in force among some of the Arizona Indian tribes, among whom so
many other mysterious rites and customs prevail.
The loco-weed (yerba-loco) was common in our country and ruined many of
our horses, but more about it hereafter.
After ten years, a long period of this life in Arizona, an offer came to
me which, my partners consenting, was gladly accepted, viz., to take
charge of and operate certain cattle-ranches in New Mexico in the
interests of a Scottish Land and Mortgage Company. Things had not been
going well with us and the future held out no prospects of improvement.
Also I had been loyal to my agreement not to take or seek any share in
the management of affairs, and the natural desire came to me to assume
the responsibility and position of a boss. But dear me! had I foreseen
the nature of the work before me, and the troubles in store, my
enthusiasm would not have been quite so great.
[Illustration: WATERING A HERD.]
CHAPTER V
RANCHING IN NEW MEXICO
The Scottish Company--My Difficulties and Dangers--Mustang
Hunting--Round-up described--Shipping Cattle--Railroad
Accidents--Close out Scotch Company's Interests.
Bidding good-bye to Arizona I travelled to Las Vegas, New Mexico, now
quite an important place. Calling on Mr L----, the manager of the
Mortgage Company, and the Company's lawyers, the position of affairs was
thus stated to me. The Company had loaned a large sum of money to a
cattleman named M----, who owned a large ranch with valuable
water-claims and a very fine though small herd of cattle. M---- had paid
no interest for several years and attempted to repudiate the loan, so
the Company decided to foreclose and take possession. Well, that seemed
all right; so after getting power of attorney papers, etc., from the
Company, I started down to the ranch, some eighty miles and near Fort
Sumner, and introduced myself to M----, who at once refused to turn over
the property to me or to anyone else, and sent me back to Las Vegas in a
somewhat puzzled state of mind. Recounting my experience to Mr L----
and the lawyers, after a long confab they decided that I should go down
again and _take_ possession. They refused me the services of a sheriff
or a deputy to serve the papers and represent the law. No, I was to take
possession in any way my wits might suggest; they merely proposing that
everything I did I should put on paper and make affidavit to and send up
to them. By this time I had learned that M---- was very much stirred up
about it, was quite determined to give nothing up, and that really he
was a dangerous man who, if pushed to extremities, might do something
desperate. The lawyers told me there was another, a right, usual and
legal way of taking possession, but for private reasons they did not
wish to proceed in that way; and so I finally agreed to go down again
and do what I could.
Buying some horses and hiring a Mexican vaquero to show me the country,
and especially to be a witness to whatever took place, we pulled out for
Fort Sumner. The spring round-up was about to begin, and near by I found
M----'s "outfit" wagon, "cavayad" of horses, his full force of "hands"
and the foreman H----. After dining with them I pulled out my papers to
show H---- who I was and told him I had come there to take possession of
M----- 's saddle horses, the whole "ramuda" in fact of nearly a hundred
head. Oh, no! he had no instructions to give them up; he did not know
anything of the matter and he certainly would not let me touch them! I
said I had come to carry out my orders and meant to do so; and mounting,
rode out to gather up the grazing ponies. At once they came after me,
not believing that anyone would dare do such a thing in their presence,
and began to jostle me, with more evil intentions in their eyes.
Desisting at once, and before they had gone too far, I told them that
that was all I wanted, said good-bye in as friendly a way as possible,
and went before a Justice of the Peace and made affidavit of having
attempted to take possession of the horses till resisted by force, in
fact, that physical violence had been used against me. This was sent to
Las Vegas, and in due course the lawyers advised me that it was
satisfactory and recommended me to adopt similar methods when attempting
to get possession of the ranches, cattle, stock horses, etc.
This was a funny position to be in! M----was a popular man; the other
cattlemen would certainly side with him and resent such novel and
apparently high-handed proceedings. Myself was an entire stranger in the
whole of that huge country, devoted solely to cattle interests, and of
course did not have a friend nor did expect to have any. In fact M----
's appellation of me as that "damned Scotsman" became disagreeably
familiar. The round-up was then a long way off down the river, some 100
miles, working up towards Fort Sumner; so I decided to visit the
ranches. We rode out to one where was a house (unoccupied) and a spring,
there stayed one night, and on departing left an old coffee-pot, some
flour, etc., as proof of habitation and so gave myself the right to
claim having taken possession. From there to the headquarters ranch was
some thirty-five miles. On our route we came across a number of M----'s
stock horses (he claimed about four to five hundred) and, taking the
opportunity, we got together some 200 head, inspected them, and in this
way, the only way open to me, claimed having taken possession. But now
with fear and trembling we approached the ranch where M---- and his
family, as I knew, were residing. A hundred yards from the house was the
main spring of water, to which and at which we went and camped for
dinner. Somehow or other M---- heard of our presence and out he came, a
shot-gun in his hand, fury in his eyes, and his wife clinging to his
coat-tails. No doubt he meant to shoot, but I was quite ready for him
and put a bold face on it. Things looked nasty indeed and I was
determined to fire should he once raise his gun. Perhaps this boldness
made him think a bit, and I was very much relieved indeed when he
resorted to expressive language instead of any more formidable
demonstration. Though it was necessary to tell him that I was come to
take possession of the ranch, he was not on to the affidavit game, and
the result was that on returning to Fort Sumner I swore to having
attempted to take possession but had been resisted by force. As
explained before, such an affidavit was, in the eye of the law, a strong
point in our contention of having taken possession. At least, so our
legal advisers affirmed.
From Fort Sumner I then started for the round-up, taking with me a white
man, the Mexican having got scared and quit. Having bought more horses,
enough to fully mount two men, we joined the work. Fortunately M----'s
outfit had gone up the river with a large herd of cattle, and was during
their absence represented by the foreman of another ranch. What I did
was to get all the foremen together (there were some ten wagons on the
work) and explain to them who I was, that I was there to work and handle
the M---- cattle, that if they would help me I should be obliged, but
they were to understand that they would be regarded as doing it for my
Company. They only said they were going to help in the usual way to
gather the cattle and brand the calves; that I could work or not as I
liked; that, in fact, it was none of their business as to whose the
cattle were. So after working on a bit an affidavit was sent in that I
had "worked" the cattle and had _met no resistance_. But mine was an
extremely disagreeable position.
During this round-up I noticed that M----was carefully gathering all the
steers and bulls of any age he could find. I notified my people and
asked them to send the sheriff down to help me. Things were coming to a
point as it were; it was evidently M----'s intention to drive the
steers out of the territory, knowing that once over the Texas line we
could no longer enjoin him. His whole force of men depended on this to
get their wages out of these steers, as every one of them was at least
three months in arrears, some of them six, twelve, and even eighteen
months. Thus I knew they would make every effort to succeed in the drive
and would be desperate men to interfere with. The last day of the
round-up was over, and in the evening I was careful to note the
direction taken by the herd.
In the meantime L---- had sent me a restraining paper to serve and I was
of course determined to do it; but late that night my relief was great
to see the sheriff, a Mexican, drive into camp. Here was a proper
representative of the law at last, though I do not think he himself
liked the job overmuch, officers of his breed being habitually treated
with contempt by the white men. We agreed to take up the trail early
next morning, knowing that the distance to the line was forty miles
straight across the Staked Plains, no fences, no roads or trails, and no
water for thirty miles at least. So up and off before daybreak, he
driving a smart pair of horses, I with only my saddle pony, at as quick
a gait as a wheeled vehicle could move; drove till his team began to
play out, when luckily we came upon a mustang-hunter's camp and were
supplied with two fresh mounts. Pushing on we at last spied in the far
distance what was unmistakably a herd of cattle. Experience told me that
the cattle had been watered, a fact which was thankfully noted. Watered
cattle cannot be driven except at a very slow walk, and the herd was
still seven or eight miles from the Texas line. M----'s foreman had
made a fatal mistake! Had he not watered them they might have escaped
us. They must have thought they had hoodwinked me and were probably then
rejoicing at their success. They had certainly made a noble effort,
having travelled all night and on till noon next day at a speed I had
not thought possible. (There were even bulls in the herd.) One can
imagine the feelings of the party when they at last saw us two riding at
top speed directly on their trail. Cuss words must have flown freely,
and no doubt the more desperate ones talked resistance. I was really
anxious myself as to what course they would decide on, M---- not being
with them, and they thinking of nothing but the settlement of their
wages. On coming up to them they looked about as "mad" as any men could
be. But they decided rightly; and seeing the game was up, merely tried
to get me to promise to pay their back wages. This I would not do, but
said there was time enough to talk that over afterwards; that meantime
the herd must be driven back to its proper range, and to this they
finally agreed. Word was brought in that M---- was lying out on the
prairie, prostrated by the sun, helped no doubt by his realizing that
his little scheme had been defeated. We had him brought into camp, but I
declined to see him and returned to Fort Sumner. Soon afterwards M----
threw up the sponge, so to speak, and agreed to turn the property over
to us. These M---- cattle, numbering only 2000, did not justify the
running of a mess wagon and full outfit, so I made arrangements with a
very strong neighbouring ranch company to run the cattle for us, only
myself attending the round-ups to see that our interests were properly
protected.
Meantime the stock horses must be looked after. Fraudulently M---- had
started new brands on the last two crops of colts, the pick of them
going into his wife's brand; and her mares ranged with M----'s, now
ours. The band ran apparently anywhere. They had the whole Staked Plains
of New Mexico to wander over, there being then absolutely no fences for
a distance of 200 miles. Some 200 head of the gentler stock ranged near
home; the balance, claimed to number some 300 more, were mixed up with
the mustangs and were practically wild creatures, some of them having
never been rounded up for over two years.
By this time some of M----'s old hands had come over to my side. They
knew the country, knew how best to handle these horses, and by
favourable promise I got them to undertake to help in discriminating as
to which colts were the Company's property and which Mrs M----'s. So I
put up an "outfit," wagon, cook, mounts for seven or eight men, etc.,
and set out on a very big undertaking indeed, and one that M----himself
had not successfully accomplished for several years--a clean round-up of
all the stock horses in the country. These Staked Plains (Llanos
Estacados) were so called because the first road or trail across them
had to be staked out with poles at more or less long intervals to show
direction, there being no visible landmarks in that immense level
country. They are one continuous sweep of slightly undulating, almost
level land, well grassed, almost without living water anywhere, but
dotted all over with depressions in the ground, generally circular, some
of great size, some deeper than others, which we called "dry lakes,"
from the fact that for most of the year they were nearly all dry, only
here and there, and at long distances apart, a few would hold sufficient
muddy water to carry wild horses and antelope through the dry season.
But which lakes held water and which not was only known to these wild
mustang bands and our mares that ran with them. We took out with us some
hundred of the gentler mares, the idea being to graze these round camp,
and on getting round a bunch of the outlaws to drive them into this herd
and so hold them. Nearly every bunch we found had mustangs amongst them.
The mustang stallions we shot whenever possible. They were the cause of
all our trouble. These stallions did not lead the bands, but fell
behind, driving the mares in front and compelling them to gallop. When
pressed, the stud would wheel round as if to challenge his pursuers. He
presented a fine spectacle, his eyes blazing and his front feet pawing
the ground. What a picture subject for an artist! The noble stallion,
for he does look noble, no matter how physically poor a creature he may
chance to be, wheeling round to challenge and threaten his pursuer, his
mane and tail sweeping the ground, fury breathing from his nostrils and
his eyes flashing fire! Is he not gaining time for his mares and progeny
to get out of danger? A noble object and a gallant deed! Then was the
time to shoot. But, yourself being all in a sweat and your horse
excited, straight shooting was difficult to accomplish. We worked on a
system; on finding a band, one man would do the running for six or eight
miles, then another would relieve him, and so on, the idea being to get
outside of them and so gradually round them in to the grazing herd. We
had special horses kept and used for this purpose, fast and long-winded,
as the pace had to be great and one must be utterly regardless of dog
and badger holes, etc. This kind of work we kept up for a couple of
weeks, some days being successful, some days getting a run but securing
nothing. We made a satisfactory gathering of all the gentler and more
tractable mares, but some of the wilder ones we could not hold. At night
we stood guard over the band, and it was amusing, and even alarming, how
the stallions would charge out and threaten any rider who approached too
near his ladies. A good deal of fighting went on too between these very
jealous gentlemen. As illustrating what the wild stallions are capable
of, I may relate here how, one night when we had a small bunch of quite
gentle mares and colts in a corral, a mustang stallion approached it,
tore down the gate poles, took the mares out and forced them to his own
range, some thirty miles away; and he must have driven them at a great
pace, as when we followed next morning it was quite that distance before
we saw any sign of them. The story is told of M---- himself who one dark
night saw what he supposed was one of these depredators, shot it with
his rifle, and found he had killed the only highly-bred stud he
possessed.
At last we started homewards, meaning to separate the properties of the
two claimants; but M---- owned the only proper horse-separating corral
in the whole country, and from obstinacy and cussedness would not let us
use it. Here was a pretty go! To drive to any other corral would mean
taking M----'s horses off their proper range and the law forbade us
doing so, and he knew it. So we were compelled to do what I reckon had
never been done or attempted before--separate the horses on the open
prairie! First we cut out and pushed some half a mile away all mares and
young unbranded colts to which the Company's title could not be
disputed; also the stallions and geldings of like nature; then came the
critical and difficult part of the operation--to cut out and separate
mothers from their unbranded colts, and branded colts, some even one or
two years old, from their mothers. And not only cut them out, but hold
them separate for a full couple of hours! No one can know what this
means but one who has tried it. I had done a fair amount of yearling
steer-cutting; but hard as that work is, it is nothing compared with the
separating of colts from their dams. The only way was to suddenly scare
the colt out and race him as hard as you could go to the other bunch.
But if by bad luck its mother gave a whinny, back the colt would come
like a shot bullet, and nothing on earth could stop him. Fortunately I
had kept a fresh horse in reserve, a very fine fast and active cutting
pony. I rode him myself, and but for him we would never have
accomplished what we did. When we got through our best horses were all
played out. But it was absolutely necessary to move our own mare band to
the nearest corral at Fort Sumner, a distance of thirty miles, which we
did that evening. To night-herd them would have been impossible. The
title to many of these colts, branded and unbranded, was very much mixed
up, and indeed still in the Courts. Nevertheless I prepared next morning
to brand them for the Company. The fire was ready, the irons nearly hot,
when up drove M----in a furious rage. I do not think I ever saw a man
look so angry and mean. He held a shot-gun in his hand and, presenting
it at me, swore he would kill me if I dared to proceed any further. My
foreman, who knew him well, warned me to be careful; there seemed no
doubt that he meant what he said; he was too mad to dispute with, and
so! well, his bluff, if it were a bluff, carried the day and I ordered
the mares to be turned loose. As it turned out afterwards it was well I
did so, as further legal complications would have resulted. But as I
began to think of and remember the time that had been spent and the
amount of hard work in collecting these horses, I felt rather ashamed of
my action. And yet, can one be expected to practically throw his life
away, not for a principle, but for a few head of young colts not even
his own property? But, as said before, the disputed title influenced me
to some extent; that, and the muzzle of the shot-gun together certainly
did.
A word about mustangs. They were very wary, cunning animals, keen of
scent and sharp of eye. Invariably, when one first sighted them, they
would be one or two miles away, going like the wind, their tails and
manes flying behind them; and be it noted that when walking or standing
these manes as well as tails swept the ground. Few of them were of any
value when captured; many of them were so vicious and full of the devil
generally that you could do nothing with them, and they never seemed to
lose that character. Like the guanaco of South America, the wild
stallion always dungs in one particular spot, near the watering-place,
so that when hunting them we always looked out for and inspected these
little hillocks. It may also be mentioned here that guanacos, like wild
elephants and wild goats, have their dying ground, so to speak, where
immense quantities of their bones are always found. Cattle when about to
die select if possible a bush, tree or rocky place, perhaps for privacy,
quietness, or some other reason unknown to us.
The next and last time we rounded up the stock horses I left the wilder
ones alone, and gave a contract to some professional mustangers to
gather them at so much per head. These men never attempt to run them
down. They "walk" them down. A light wagon, two mules to pull it, lots
of grain, some water and supplies, are what you need. On sighting a band
you simply walk your team after them, walk all day and day after day,
never giving them a rest. Keep their attention occupied and they will
neglect to feed or drink. Gradually they become accustomed to your
nearer presence, and finally you can get up quite close and even drive
them into your camp, where your companions are ready with snare ropes
to secure them, or at least the particular ones you want to catch.
Prince, a horse I used to ride when mustang hunting, once accidentally
gave me a severe tumble. He was running at full speed when suddenly a
foreleg found a deep badger hole; over he went of course, head over
heels, and it is a miracle it did not break his leg off. These badger
holes, especially abandoned ones, go right down to a great depth, and
the grass grows over them so that they are hardly visible. Dog holes
always have a surrounding pile of earth carefully patted firm and trod
on, no doubt to prevent entrance of rain flood-water; thus they are
nearly always noticeable. Dog towns are sometimes of great extent, one
in my pasture being two miles long and about a mile wide. They are
generally far from water, many miles indeed, often on the highest and
driest parts of the plain and where the depth to water may be 500 feet
or more. They must therefore depend entirely on the juices of the green
grass, though in dry seasons they cannot even have that refreshment; and
they never scrape for roots. But even the small bunnies (called
cotton-tails) are found in like places and must subsist absolutely
without water, as they do not, or dare not, on account of wolves, etc.,
get far away from their holes.
No sooner was the M---- trouble well over than my Company saw fit to
foreclose on two other cattle outfits, one of which bowed to the law at
once. The other gave us, or rather me, a lot of unnecessary trouble, and
I had again "to take chances" of personal injury. All these cattle were
thrown on to the M---- range, and this increased the herd so much as to
justify the running of our own wagon and outfit.
Eastern New Mexico, the country over which our cattle ranged, was a huge
strip of territory some 250 miles by 100 miles, no fences, no settlers,
occupied only by big cattle outfits owning from 8000 to 75,000 cattle
each. The range was, however, much too heavily stocked, the rains
irregular, severe droughts frequent, and the annual losses yearly
becoming heavier; so heavy in fact that owners only waited a slight
improvement in prices to sell out or drive their cattle out of the
country. The way the cattle were worked was thus. The spring round-up
began in March, far down the river, and slowly worked north to our
range. Our wagon, one of many more, would join the work some 110 miles
south of our range, but I sent individual men to much greater distances.
The work continued slowly through the range, branding the spring calves,
and each outfit separating its own cattle and driving its own herd.
Twelve or more wagons meant some 300 riders and about 3000 saddle
horses. So the operation was done on a grand scale; thousands of cattle
were handled every day, and altogether such a big round-up was a very
busy and interesting scene. Intricate and complicated work it was, too,
though not perhaps apparent to an outsider; but under a good round-up
boss, who was placed over the bosses of all the wagons, it was wonderful
how smoothly the work went on. A general round-up took a long time and
was no sooner over than another was begun at the far south border (the
Mexico line) and the thing repeated. Our own cattle had got into the
habit of drifting south whenever winter set in. It took us all summer to
get them back again, and no sooner back than a cold sleet or rain would
start them south. In fact, in winter few of our own cattle were at home,
the cattle on our range being then mostly those drifted from the
northern part of the territory. Such were the conditions in a "free
range" country, and these conditions broke nearly all these big outfits,
or at least compelled them to market their stuff for whatever it would
bring. Partly on account of long-drawnout lawsuits we held on for seven
or eight years, when on a recovery of prices our Company also closed out
its live-stock interests.
During the turning-over of these, the Company's cattle, to the
purchasers, of course they had to be all branded, not with a recorded
brand, but simply with a tally brand, thus /**, on the hip. Had there
been a convenient separate pasture to put the tallied cattle into as
they were tallied, much work would have been saved and no opportunity
offered for fraud, such as will now be suggested and explained. The
method adopted was to begin gathering at one end of the range, tally the
herd collected, and then necessarily turn them loose. But we had bad
stormy weather and these tallied cattle drifted and scattered all over
the country and mixed up with those still not rounded up. This at once
gave the opportunity for an evilly-inclined man to do just as was soon
rumoured and reported to me. It was even positively asserted to me by
certain cowmen (this was while I was confined in bed from an accident)
that the buyer had a gang of men out operating on the far end of the
range, catching and tally-branding for him the still untallied cattle. A
simple operation enough, in such an immense district, where four men
with their ropes could, in a few undisturbed days' work, cheat the
Company out of enough cattle at $20 a head to be well worth some risk.
Several men were positive in their assertions to me. But I knew these
gentlemen pretty well--cattle-thieves themselves and utterly
unprincipled; perhaps having a grudge against the said buyer, perhaps
wanting merely to annoy me, and also possibly hating to see such a fine
opportunity not taken advantage of. In the end, when brought to the
scratch, not one of these informers would testify under oath. Whether
afraid to, as they would undoubtedly have run strong chances of being
killed, or whether they were just mischief-makers, as I myself have
always believed, it is impossible to know accurately. The buyer, being a
man of means and having many other interests in the district, would
certainly hesitate long before he took such a very dangerous risk of
discovery. All that can be said about it is that though I employed
detectives for some time to try to get evidence bearing on the subject,
no such evidence was ever obtained. The shortage in the turnover was due
simply to the usual miscalculation of the herd; the herd which never
before had been counted and could not, under range conditions, be
counted.
These were still "trailing" days, which means that steers sold or for
sale were driven out of the country, not shipped by rail cars. One great
trail passed right through our ranch (a great nuisance too), and by it
herd after herd, each counting, maybe, 2500 cattle, was continually
being trailed northwards, some going to Kansas or the Panhandle, most of
them going as far north as Nebraska, Wyoming and Montana. These latter
herds would be on the trail continuously for two or three months. Our
own steers were always driven to the Panhandle of Texas, where, if not
already contracted to buyers, they were held till sold.
[Illustration: HERD ON TRAIL. SHOWING LEAD STEER.]
A herd of breeding-stock when on the trail must be accompanied by one or
more calf wagons, wagons with beds well boxed up, in which the youngest
or new-born calves are carried, they being lifted out and turned over to
their mother's care at night or during stoppages. In the old days, when
such calves had no value, they were knocked on the head or carelessly
and cruelly abandoned.
It is a strange fact to note that when a herd is on the trail there is
always a particular steer which, day after day and week after week,
occupies a self-assigned position at the head of the herd, and is
therefore called the "lead steer." I have often wondered what his
thoughts might be, if any; why he so regularly placed himself at the
head of affairs and was apparently so jealous of his commanding
position. Yes, the lead steer is a mysterious creature, yet if displaced
by death or some such cause, another long-legged, keen traveller will at
once take his place. It should be explained that a herd on the trail
travels naturally best in an extended form, two deep, seldom more than
three or six, except towards the tail end, called the "drag": so that a
herd of 2000 steers will form a much-attenuated line a mile in length
from one end to the other.
Which reminds me of an incident in this connection. I was moving a small
lot of steers, some 400 head in all, to pasture in the Panhandle of
Texas. The force consisted only of the wagon driver, one cowboy and
myself. But the cowboy turned out to be quite ignorant of the art of
driving cattle, did more harm than good, and so annoyed me that I
dismissed him to the rear to ride in the wagon if he so chose, and
myself alone undertook to drive, or rather not so much to drive, that
being hardly necessary, as to guide the herd on its course. I got them
strung out beautifully half a mile long, and they were making good time,
when suddenly a confounded sheep herder and his dog met the lead steers
and the procession was at once a scene of the most utter confusion. It
should be explained here that, in the case of a small herd thus strung
out, its guidance, if left to only one man, may be done from the rear by
simply riding out sharply to one side or the other and calling to the
lead cattle. How I did curse that wretch and his dog. A man on foot was
bad enough; but a man on foot with a dog! Horrors! Yet, perhaps, barring
the delay in getting the cattle started again, the incident had its
uses, as it had just previously occurred to me that the line was getting
a bit too long and might soon be out of control. Such are the uses of
adversity.
It can be understood that even a small herd of 400 lusty young steers
can keep a man, or even two or three men, busy enough, especially if
there are any cattle on the range you are passing through. In this case
there were fortunately few.
Amarillo, being the southern end of the Kansas railroad, was a great
cattle market. Buyers and sellers met there; and there, immediately
around the town, were congregated at any time in spring as many as
40,000 cattle, all under herd. Amarillo was then the greatest cattle
town in the world. She was the successor of such towns as Wichita and
Fort Dodge, simply because she was at the western terminus of the
railway. Though a pretty rowdy town her manners were an improvement on
such places as Dodge, where in the height of her wickedness a gambling
dispute, rivalry for the smile of a woman, or the slightest discourtesy,
was sufficient ground for the shedding of blood.
My life during these eight years had its pleasures and its troubles;
certainly much discomfort and a lot of disagreeable work. During the
working season, April to November, my time was mostly spent with the
round-up or on the trail, with occasional visits to our head office in
Las Vegas, and also to Amarillo on business matters. To cover these
immense distances, near 300 miles (there were few or no desirable
stopping-places), I used a light spring wagon or ambulance, holding my
bedding, mess-box, grain for the team, some water, stake ropes, and a
hundred other things. I nearly always camped out on the prairie, of
course cooked my own meals, was out in all kinds of weather--sun, rain,
heat and drought, blizzards and frightful lightning storms. My favourite
team was a couple of grey ponies. From being so much together we got to
understand each other pretty thoroughly, and we had our adventures as
well. Once on going up a very steep hill the ponies lost their footing.
The wagon backed and turned over, and ponies and wagon rolled over and
over down the hill among the rocks till hung up on a cedar stump. I was
not much hurt, but found the ponies half covered with stones and rocks
that had rolled on to them, the wagon upside down and camping material
scattered everywhere. Cutting the tugs and rolling the stones away the
ponies jumped up miraculously little injured, and even the wagon still
serviceable, but I had to walk a long way to get assistance. Then we
have fallen through rotten bridges, stuck in rivers and quicksands, and
all sorts of things.
One pony of this team, "Punch," was really the hardiest, best-built,
best-natured and most intelligent of any I have ever known. Many a
time, on long trips, has the other pony played completely out and
actually dropped on the road. But Punch seemed to be never tired. He was
a great pet too, and could be fondled to your heart's content. He had no
vice, yet was as full of mischief as he could possibly pack. His
mischief, or rather playfulness, finally cost him his life, as he once
got to teasing a bull, the bull charged, and that was his end.
It was with this team too that when driving in New Mexico through a
district where white men were seldom seen, but on a road which I had
often selected as a shorter route to my destination, I came on a Mexican
ill-treating his donkey. His actions were so deliberate as to rouse my
ire, and I got down, took the club from him and threatened castigation.
On proceeding on the road I passed another Mexican mounted on a horse
and carrying a rifle. Happening by-and-by to look back much was my
surprise, or perhaps not very much, to see the gun and horse handed over
to the first man, and himself mounted and galloping after me. Knowing at
once what it meant, that his game was to bushwhack me in the rough cañon
immediately in front, I put the whip to my team to such good purpose
that we galloped through that cañon as it had never been galloped
through before. I would have had no show whatever in such a place, and
so was extremely glad to find myself again in the open country.
Another time I hitched up another team, one of which, a favourite
mustang-chaser, had never been driven. We made some ten miles all right
till we came to the "jumping-off" place of the plains, a very steep,
long and winding descent. Just as we started down, Prince, the horse
mentioned, got his tail over the lines, and the ball began. We went down
that hill at racing speed, I having absolutely no control over the
terrified animals, which did not stop for many miles. Again, with the
same team I once started to Amarillo, being half a day ahead of the
steer herd. First evening I camped out at a water-hole and staked out
Prince with a long heavy rope and strong iron stake pin. The other horse
was hobbled with a rope hobble. Some wolves came in to water, and I was
lying on my bed looking at them when the horses suddenly stampeded, the
strong stake rope and pin not even checking Prince. They were gone and I
was afoot! Prince ran for forty miles to the ranch. The hobbled horse we
never saw again for more than twelve months, but when found was fat and
none the worse. Next day the trail outfit came along and so I hitched up
another team.
But the worst trouble I used to have was with a high-strung and almost
intractable pair of horses, Pintos, or painted, which means piebald, a
very handsome team indeed, whose former owner simply could not manage
them. Every time we came to a gate through which we had to pass I, being
alone, had to get down and throw the gate open. Then after taking the
team through I had of course to go back to shut the gate again. Then was
the opportunity apparently always watched for by these devils, and had I
not tied a long rope to the lines and trailed it behind the wagon they
would many times have succeeded in getting away.
Yet it is only such a team that one can really care to drive for
pleasure; a team that you "feel" all the time, one that will keep you
"interested" every minute, as these Pintos did. How often nowadays does
one ever see a carriage pair, or fours in the park or elsewhere that
really needs "driving"?
"Shipping" cattle means loading them into railroad cars and despatching
them to their destination. The cattle are first penned in a corral and
then run through chutes into the cars. One year I sold the Company's
steers, a train-load, to a Jew dealer in Kansas. They were loaded in the
Panhandle and I went through with them, having a man to help me to look
after them, our duty being to prod them up when any were found lying
down so they would not be trodden to death. At a certain point our
engine "played out" and was obliged to leave us to get coal and water.
While gone the snow (a furious blizzard was blowing) blew over the track
and blocked it so effectively that the engine could not get back. The
temperature was about zero and the cattle suffered terribly; but there
we remained stuck for nearly two days. When we finally got through, of
course the buyer refused to receive them, and I turned them over to the
railway company and brought suit for their value. The case was thrice
tried and we won each time; and oh, how some of these railroad men did
damn themselves by perjury! But it is bad business to "buck" against a
powerful railway corporation. This will serve to give an idea as to what
shipping cattle means. Many hundreds of thousands, or even millions, are
now shipped every year. Trail work is abandoned, being no longer
possible on account of fences, etc. Such great towns as Chicago and
Kansas City will each receive and dispose of in one day as many as ten
to twenty thousand cattle, not counting sheep or hogs.
It was when returning to Amarillo after this trip that I was fortunate
enough to save the lives of a whole train-load of people. One night our
passenger train came to a certain station, and the conductor went to get
his orders. Nearly all the passengers were asleep. When he returned I
happened to hear him read his orders over to the brakeman. These orders
were to go on to a certain switch and "side track" till _three_ cattle
trains had passed. At that point there was a very heavy grade and cattle
trains came down it at sixty miles an hour. Two trains swung past us,
and to my surprise the conductor then gave the signal to go ahead. We
did start, when I at once ventured to remark to him that only two trains
had so far gone by. He pooh-poohed my assertion; but after a few minutes
began to think that he himself might just possibly be wrong. Meantime I
got out on the platform and was ready to jump. The conductor most
fortunately reversed the order, and the train was backed on to the
siding again, none too soon, for just then the head-light of the third
cattle train appeared round a curve and came tearing past us. It was a
desperately narrow escape and I did not sleep again that night. Writing
afterwards to the general manager of the railway company about it my
letter was not even acknowledged, and of course no thanks were received.
While on the subject of railroad accidents it has been my misfortune to
have been in many of them, caused by collisions, spreading of rails,
open switches, etc., etc., but I will only detail one or two. Once when
travelling to Amarillo from a Convention at Fort Worth the train was
very crowded and I occupied an upper berth in the Pullman. As American
trains are always doing, trying to make up lost time, we were going at a
pretty good lick when I felt the coach begin to sway. It swayed twice
and then turned completely over and rolled down a high embankment.
Outside was pitch dark and raining. There was a babel of yells and
screams and callings for help. I had practically no clothes on, no
shoes, and of course could find nothing. Everything inside, mattresses,
bedding, curtains, baggage, clothing, babies, women and men were mixed
up in an extraordinary way. Above me I noticed a broken window, through
which I managed to scramble, and on finding out how things were returned
to the coach to help other passengers. Underneath me seemed to be a
dying man. He was in a dreadful condition and at his last gasp, etc.,
and he made more row than the rest put together. Reaching down and
removing mattresses, he grasped my hand, jumped up and thanked me
profusely for _saving_ his life. He was not hurt a bit, indeed was the
only man in the lot who escaped serious injury. The men behaved much
worse than the women. However we soon had everybody out and the injured
laid on blankets. Meantime a relief train had arrived with the doctor,
etc. He examined us all, asked me if I was all right, to which I replied
that I was, as I really felt so at the time. But in half an hour I was
myself lying on a stretcher and unable to move, with a sprained back and
bruised side, etc., and a claim for damages against the railway company.
Another time, when riding in the caboose (the rear car) of a long
freight train, with the conductor and brakeman, the train in going down
a grade broke in three. The engine and a few cars went right on and left
us; the centre part rushed down the hill, our section followed and
crashed into it, and some seven or eight cars were completely
telescoped. I had been seated beside the stove, my arm stretched round
it, when, noticing our great speed, I drew the conductor's attention to
it. He opened the side door to look out. Just then the shock came and he
got a frightful lick on the side of the head, and myself was thrown on
top of the hot stove; but none of us were seriously hurt.
Again, once when making a trip to Kansas City and back, the whole
Pullman train went off the track and down the embankment; and on the
return journey we ran into an open switch and were derailed and one man
killed. Both might have been very serious affairs.
With the closing out of the Mortgage Company's interests of course my
salaried employment came to an end. But before closing this chapter it
should be mentioned that I had in the meantime suffered a nasty accident
by a pony falling back on me and fracturing one leg. It occurred at the
round-up, and I was driven some thirty miles, the leg not even splinted
or put in a box, to my ranch. I sent off a mounted man to Las Vegas, 130
miles, for a surgeon, but it was a week before he got down to me and the
leg was then in a pretty bad shape. He hinted at removing it, but
finally decided to set it and put it in plaster, which he did. He then
left me. The leg gave me little trouble, but unfortunately peritonitis
set in. The agony then suffered will not soon be forgotten. There was a
particularly ignorant woman, my foreman's wife, in the house; but I had
practically no nursing, no medicine of any kind, and the diet was hardly
suited for a patient. The pain became so great that I was not able to
open my mouth, dared not move a muscle, and was reduced to a mere
skeleton. Then it occurred to my "guardians" to send once more for the
doctor. Another week went by, and when he came I had just succeeded in
passing the critical stage and was on the mend. In after years this
attack led to serious complications and a most interesting operation,
which left me, in my doctor's words, "practically without a stomach";
and without a stomach I have jogged on comfortably for nearly ten years.
How a little thing may lead to serious consequences! I had previously,
and have since, had more or less serious physical troubles, but a good
sound constitution has always pulled me through safely. Among minor
injuries may be mentioned a broken rib, a knee-cap damaged at polo, and
another slightly-fractured leg, caused again by a pony just purchased,
and being tried, falling back on me; not to mention the _sigillum
diavoli_ (don't be alarmed or shocked) which occasionally develops, and
always at the same spot.
While the round-up and turnover of the Company's cattle was proceeding,
I thought it well to keep lots of whisky on hand to show hospitality
(the only way) to whomsoever it was due. On receiving a large keg of it
I put it in my buggy and drove out of camp seven or eight miles to some
rough ground, and having, in Baden-Powell way, made myself sure no one
was in view and no one spying on my movements I placed it amongst some
rocks and brush in such a way that no ordinary wanderer could possibly
see it. From this store it was my intention to fill a bottle every other
day and so always have a stock on hand. But Kronje or De Wett was too
"slim" for me; a few days afterwards on my going there, like a thief in
the night--and indeed it was at night--I found the keg gone. Someone
must have loaded up on it, someone who had deliberately watched me, and
his joy can be easily pictured. So someone was greatly comforted, but
not a hint ever came to me as to who the culprit was.
My intercourse with M---- provided some of the closest "calls" I ever
had (a call means a position of danger); still not so close as on a
certain occasion, at my summer camp in Arizona, when one of the men and
myself were playing cards together. We were alone. The man was our best
"hand," and a capital fellow, though a fugitive from justice, like some
of the others. It became apparent to me that he was cheating, and I was
rash enough to let him understand that I knew it, without however
absolutely accusing him of it. At once he pulled out his gun, leant
over, and pointed it at me. What can one do in such a case? He had the
"drop" on me; and demanded that I should take back what I had said.
Well, I wriggled out of it somehow, told him he was very foolish to make
such a "break" as that, and talked to him till he cooled down. It was an
anxious few minutes, and I am very proud to think he did not "phase" me
very much, as he afterwards admitted. Peace was secured with honour.
I was lucky to be able to leave the West and the cattle business with a
hide free from perforations and punctures of any kind.
CHAPTER VI
ODDS AND ENDS
Summer Round-up Notes--Night Guarding--Stampedes--Bronco
Busting--Cattle Branding, etc.
Round-up and trail work had many agreeable aspects, and though it was at
times very hard work, still I look back to it all with fond memories.
The hours were long--breakfast was already cooked and "chuck" called
long before sunrise; horses were changed, the night horses turned loose
and a fresh mount for the morning's work caught out of the ramuda. By
the time breakfast was over it was generally just light enough to see
dimly the features of the country. The boss then gave his orders to the
riders as to where to go and what country to round-up, also the round-up
place at noon. He started the day-herd off grazing towards the same
place, and finally saw the wagon with its four mules loaded up and
despatched. There was generally a "circus" every morning on the men
starting out to their work. On a cold morning a cow-horse does not like
to be very tightly cinched or girthed up. He resents it by at once
beginning to buck furiously as soon as his rider gets into his saddle.
[Illustration: CHANGING HORSES.]
Even staid old horses will do it on a very cold morning. But the "young
uns," the broncos, are then perfect fiends. Thus there is nearly always
some sport to begin the day with. By noon the round-up has been
completed and a large herd of cattle collected. Separating begins at
once, first cows and calves, then steers and "dry" cattle, the property
of the different owners represented. Dinner is ready by twelve, horses
changed again and the day-herd is watered, and then the branding of the
calves begins. But wait. _Such_ a dinner! With few appliances it is
really wonderful how a mess-wagon cook feeds the crowd so well. His fuel
is "chips" (_bois des vaches_); with a spade he excavates a sunken
fireplace, and over this erects an iron rod on which to hang pots, etc.
He will make the loveliest fresh bread and rolls at least once a day,
often twice; make most excellent coffee (and what a huge coffee-pot is
needed for twenty or thirty thirsty cowpunchers), serve potatoes, stewed
or fried meat, baked beans and stewed dried fruit, etc. Everything was
good, so cleanly served and served so quickly. True, any kind of a mess
tastes well to the hungry man, but I think that even a dyspeptic's
appetite would become keen when he approached the cattleman's chuck
wagon. Dinner over the wagon is again loaded up, the twenty or more beds
thrown in, the team hitched and started for the night camping-ground,
some place where there is lots of good grass for the cattle and saddle
horses, and at the same time far enough away from all the other herds.
The saddle horses in charge of the horse "wrangler" accompany the wagon.
The men are either grazing and drifting the day-herd towards the camp,
or branding morning calves, not in a corral but on the open prairie. The
calves, and probably some grown cattle to be branded, must be caught
with the rope, and here is where the roper's skill is shown to most
advantage. At sundown all the men have got together again, night horses
are selected, supper disposed of, beds prepared and a quiet smoke
enjoyed.
If a horse-hair rope be laid on the ground around one's bed no snake
will ever cross it. But during work the beds are seldom made down till
after sunset, by which time rattlesnakes have all retired into holes or
amongst brush, and so there is little danger from them.
First "guard" goes out to take charge of the herd. The herd has already
been "bedded" down carefully at convenient distance from the wagon.
Bedding down means bunching them together very closely, just leaving
them enough room to lie down comfortably. They, if they have been well
grazed and watered, will soon all be lying resting, chewing their cuds
and at peace with the world. Each night-guard consists of two to four
men according to the size of the herd, and "stands" two to four hours.
The horse herd is also guarded by "reliefs." In fine weather it is no
great hardship to be called out at any hour of the night, but if it
should be late in autumn and snow falling, or, what is worse still, if
there be a cold rain and a bitter wind it is very trying to be compelled
to leave your warm bed at twelve or three in the morning, get on to your
poor shivering horse and stand guard for three hours.
It should be explained that "standing" means not absolute inaction but
slowly riding round and round the herd. Yes, it is trying, especially in
bad weather and after working hard all day long from before sun-up. How
well one gets to know the stars and their positions! The poor
night-herders know that a certain star will set or be in such and such a
position at the time for the next relief. Often when dead tired, sleepy
and cold, how eagerly have I watched my own star's apparently very slow
movement. The standard watch is at the wagon, and must not be "monkeyed"
with, a trick sometimes played on tenderfeet. Immediately time for
relief is up the next is called, and woe betide them if they delay
complying with the summons. Of course the owner or manager does not
have to take part in night-herding, but the boys think more of him if he
does, and certainly the man he relieves appreciates it.
In continued wet and cold weather such as we were liable to have late in
October or November, when it might rain and drizzle for a week or two at
a time, our beds would get very wet and there would be no sun to dry
them.
Consequently we practically slept in wet, not damp, blankets for days at
a time; and to return from your guard about two in the morning and get
into such an uninviting couch was trying to one's temper, of course.
Even one's "goose haar piller," as the boys called their feather pillow,
might be sodden. To make your bed in snow or be snowed over is not
nearly so bad.
No tents were ever seen on the round-up. Everyone slept on the open bare
ground. But for use during my long drives across country I got to using
a small Sibley tent, nine feet by nine feet, which had a canvas floor
attached to the walls, and could be closed up at night so as to
effectually prevent the entrance of skunks and other vermin. This tent
had no centre pole whatever. You simply drove in the four corner
stake-pins, raised the two light rods over it triangularwise, and by a
pulley and rope hoist up the peak. The two rods were very thin, light
and jointed; and in taking the tent down you simply loosed the rope,
knocked out the stake-pins, and that was all.
During these long guarding spells you practically just sit in your
saddle for four hours at a stretch. You cannot take exercise and you
dare not get down to walk or you will stampede the cattle. But, yes, you
may gallop to camp if you know the direction, and drink a cup of hot
strong coffee, which in bad weather is kept on the fire all night,
re-light your pipe and return to "sing" to the cattle.
Then the quiet of these huge animals is impressive. About midnight they
will get a bit restless, many will get on their feet, have a stretch and
a yawn, puff, cough and blow and in other ways relieve themselves, and
if allowed will start out grazing; but they are easily driven back and
will soon be once more resting quietly.
The stampeding of the herd on such a night is almost a relief. It at
once effectually wakes you up, gets you warm, and keeps you interested
for the rest of your spell, even if it does not keep you out for the
rest of the night.
I should explain that "singing" to the cattle refers to the habit
cowboys have, while on night-guard, of singing (generally a sing-song
refrain) as they slowly ride round the herd. It relieves the monotony,
keeps the cattle quiet and seems to give them confidence, for they
certainly appear to rest quieter while they know that men are guarding
them, and are not so liable to stampede.
Stampeding is indeed a very remarkable bovine characteristic. Suppose a
herd of cattle, say 2000 steers, to be quietly and peacefully lying down
under night-guard. The air is calm and clear. It may be bright
moonlight, or it may be quite dark; nothing else is moving. Apparently
there is nothing whatever to frighten them or even disturb them; most of
them are probably sound asleep, when suddenly like a shot they, the
whole herd, are on their feet and gone--gone off at a more or less
furious gallop. All go together. The guard are of course at once all
action; the men asleep in camp are waked by the loud drumming of the
thousands of hoofs on the hard ground and at once rush for their horses
to assist. The stampede must be stopped and there is only one way to do
it--to get up to the lead animals and try to swing them round with the
object of getting them to move in a circle, to "mill" as we called it.
But the poor beasts meantime are frantic with fear and excitement and
you must ride hard at your level best, and look out you don't get
knocked over and perhaps fatally trampled on. You must know your
business and work on one plan with your fellow-herders. On a pitch dark
night in a rough country it is very dangerous indeed. The cattle may
run only a short distance or they may run ten miles, and after being
quieted again may once more stampede. Indeed, I took a herd once to
Amarillo and they stampeded the first night on the trail and kept it up
pretty near every night during the drive. But, as said before, the
remarkable part of the performance is the instantaneous nature of the
shock or whatever it is that goes through the slumbering herd, and the
quickness of their getting off the bed-ground. Cow and calf herds are
not so liable to stampede, but horses are distinctly bad and will run
for miles at terrific speed. Then you must just try and stay with them
and bring them back when they stop, as you can hardly expect to outrun
them. Still, I do not think that stampeded horses are quite so crazy as
cattle, and they get over their fright quicker.
Let me try to illustrate a little better an actual stampede. The night
was calm, clear, but very dark--no moon, and the stars dimmed by fleecy
cloud strata. The herd of some 2000 steers was bedded down, and had so
far given no trouble. Supper was over and the first guard on duty, the
rest of the men lying on their beds chatting and smoking. Each man while
not on duty has his saddled horse staked close by. Soon everyone has
turned in for the night. A couple of hours later the first guard come
in, their spell being over, and the second relief takes their place.
The cattle are quiet; not a sound breaks the silence except the low
crooning of some of the boys on duty. But suddenly, what is that
noise?--like the distant rumbling of guns on the march, or of a heavy
train crossing a wooden bridge! To one with his head on the ground the
earth seems almost to tremble. Oh, we know it well! It is the beating of
8000 hoofs on the hard ground. The cowboy recognizes the dreaded sound
instantly: it wakens him quicker than anything else. The boss is already
in his saddle, has summoned the other men, and is off at full gallop.
The cook gets up, re-trims his lamp, and hangs it as high on the wagon
top as he can, to be visible as far as possible. It is good two miles
before we catch up on the stampeded herd, still going at a mad gallop.
The men are on flank trying to swing them round. But someone seems to be
in front, as we soon can hear pistol-shots fired in a desperate
endeavour to stop the lead steers. But even that is no avail, and indeed
is liable to split the herd in two and so double the work. So the
thundering race continues, and it is only after many miles have been
covered that the cattle have run themselves out and we finally get them
quietened down and turned homewards. Someone is sent out scouting round
to try to get a view of the cook's lantern and so know our whereabouts.
But have we got all the cattle? The men are questioned. Where's Pete?
and where's Red? There must be cattle gone and these two men are staying
with them. Well, we'll take the herd on anyway, bed them down again, get
fresh horses, and then hunt up the missing bunch. So, the cattle once
more "bedded," and every spare hand left with them, as they are liable
to run again, two of us start out to find if possible the missing men.
We first take a careful note of the position of any stars that may be
visible, then start out at an easy lope or canter. It is so dark that it
seems a hopeless task to find them. Good luck alone may guide us right;
and good luck serves us well, for after having come some eight or nine
miles we hear a man "hollering" to us. He had heard our horses' tread,
and was no doubt mightily relieved at our coming, as of course he was
completely lost in the darkness and had wisely not made any attempt to
find his way. But there he was, good fellow, Red! with his little bunch
of 200 steers. Yes, the herd had split, that's how it was. But where is
Pete? Oh! he doesn't know; last saw him heading the stampede; never saw
him since. Can he be lost and still wandering round? That is not likely,
and we begin to suspect trouble. The small herd is directed campwards,
and some of us again scout round, halloing and shouting, but keeping our
eyes well "skinned" for anything on the ground. At last, by the merest
chance, we come on something; no doubt what it is--the body of a man.
"Hallo, Pete! What's the matter?" He stirs. "Are you badly hurt?"
"Dog-gone it, fellows, glad to see you! My horse fell and some cattle
ran over me. No! I ain't badly hurt; but I guess you'll have to carry me
home." The poor fellow had several ribs broken, was dreadfully bruised,
and his left cheek was nearly sliced off. There we had to leave him till
morning, one of us staying by. Happily Pete got all right again.
Breaking young colts was a somewhat crude process. Not being of the same
value as better bred stock they were rather roughly treated. If you have
a number to break you will hire a professional "bronco-buster"; for some
five dollars a head he will turn them back to you in a remarkably short
time, bridle-wise, accustomed to the saddle and fairly gentle. But he
does not guarantee against pitching. Some colts never pitch at all
during the process, do not seem to know how; but the majority do know,
and know well! The colt is roped in a corral by the forefeet, jerked
down, and his head held till bridled; or he is roped round the neck,
snubbed to a post and so held till he chokes himself by straining on the
running loop. As soon as he falls a man jumps on to his head and holds
it firmly in such a way that he cannot get up, and someone slips on the
Hackamore bridle. Thus you will see that a horse lying on its side
requires his muzzle as a lever to get him on his feet. Then he is
allowed to rise and to find, though he may not then realize it, that his
wild freedom is gone from him for ever. He is trembling with fright and
excitement, and sweating from every pore. To get the saddle on him he is
next blindfolded. A strong man grasps the left ear and another man
slowly approaches and, after quietly and kindly rubbing and patting him,
gently puts the saddle blanket in place; then the huge and heavy saddle
with all its loose strings and straps is carefully hoisted and adjusted,
and the cinch drawn up. In placing the blanket and the saddle there will
likely be several failures. He will be a poor-spirited horse that does
not resent it. Now take off the blinders and let him pitch till he is
tired. Then comes the mounting. He is blinded again, again seized by the
ear, the cinch pulled very tight, and the rider mounts into the saddle.
It may be best first to lead him outside the corral, so that he can run
right off with his man if he wants to. But he won't run far, as he soon
exhausts himself in his rage and with his tremendous efforts to dismount
his rider. A real bad one will squeal like a pig, fall back, roll over,
kick and apparently tie himself into knots. If mastered the first time
it is a great advantage gained. But should he throw his rider once,
twice or several times he never forgets that the thing is at least
possible, and so he may repeat his capers for a long time to come. All
cow-horses have ever afterwards a holy dread of the rope, never
forgetting its power and effect experienced during the breaking process.
Thus, in roping a broken horse on the open or in a corral, if your rope
simply lies _over_ his neck, and yet not be round it, he will probably
stop running and resign himself to capture. Even the commonly-used
single rope corral, held up by men at the corners, they will not try to
break through. Bronco-busters only last a few years, the hard jarring
affects their lungs and other organs so disastrously.
One of our men, with the kindest consideration, much appreciated,
confidentially showed me a simple method of tying up a bronco's head
with a piece of thin rope, adjusted in a particular way, which made
pitching or bucking almost, but not always, an impossibility. He was
perhaps a little shamefaced in doing so, but such sensibility was not
for me; anything to save one from the horrible shaking up and jarring of
a pitching horse! And yet there was always the inclination to fix the
string surreptitiously. Much better that the boys should _not_ see it.
[Illustration: A REAL BAD ONE.]
It may be said here that a horse has a lightning knowledge as to
whether his rider be afraid of him or not, and acts accordingly. In
branding my method was to simply tie up one forefoot and blindfold the
colt, when a small and properly-hot stamp-iron can be quickly and
effectively applied before he quite knows what is hurting him.
In early days we used only Spanish Mexican broncos for cow-ponies. They
were broken bridle-wise, and perhaps had been ridden a few times. Bands
of them were driven north to our country, and for about fifteen dollars
apiece you might make a selection of the number wanted, say twenty to
fifty head. Some of these ponies would turn out very well, some of
little use. You took your chances, and in distributing them amongst the
men very critical eyes were cast over them, you may be sure, as the boys
had to ride them no matter what their natures might turn out to be. Such
ponies were hardy, intelligent, active, and stood a tremendous amount of
work. Later a larger stamp of cow-horse came into use, even horses with
perhaps a distant and minute drop of Diomede's blood in them--Diomede,
who won the first Derby stakes, run for in the Isle of Man by the way,
and who was sold to America to become the father of United States
thoroughbreds and progenitor of the great Lexington. But such "improved"
horses could never do the cow work so well as the old original Spanish
cayuse.
In a properly-organized cattle country all cattle brands must be
recorded at the County seat. Because of the prodigious number and
variety of brands of almost every conceivable pattern and device it is
difficult to adopt a quite new and safe one that does not conflict in
some way with others. This for the honest man; the crooked man, the
thief, the brand-burner is not so troubled. _He_ will select a brand
such as others already in use may be easily changed into. To give a very
few instances. If his own brand be 96 and another's 91 the conversion is
easy. If it be [**#] and another's [**-II-] it is equally easy; or if it
be [**3--E], as was one of our own brands, the conversion of it into
[**d--B] is too temptingly simple. It was only after much consideration
that I adopted for my own personal brand [**U]--a mule shoe on the left
hip and jaw. It was small and did not damage the hide too much, was
easily stamped on, looked well and was pretty safe. Among brands I have
seen was HELL in large letters covering the animal's whole side.
With a band of horses a bell-mare (madrina) is sometimes used. The mare
is gentle, helps to keep the lot together, and the bell lets you know on
a dark night where they are. With a lot of mules a madrina is always
used, as her charges will never leave her.
All the grooming cow-ponies get is self-administered. After a long ride,
on pulling the saddle off, the pony is turned loose, when he at once
proceeds to roll himself from one side to another, finishing up with a
"shake" before he goes off grazing. If he has been overridden he may not
succeed in rolling completely over. This is regarded as a sure sign that
he has been overridden, and you know that he will take some days, or
even maybe weeks, to recover from it. I have seen horses brought in
absolutely staggering and trembling and so turned loose. A favourite
mount is seldom so mistreated; and if the boss is present the rider
knows he will take a note of it. One can imagine how delightful and
refreshing this roll and shake must be, quite as refreshing as a cold
bath (would be) to the tired and perspiring rider. Alas! cold or hot
baths are not obtainable by the cattleman for possibly months at a time.
The face and hands alone can receive attention. The new and modern idea
of bodily self-cleansing is here effectually put in force and apparently
with good health results. The rivers when in flood are extremely muddy;
when not they are very shallow, and the water is usually alkaline and
undrinkable, as well as quite useless for bathing purposes.
Cow-ponies generally have sound feet and durable hoofs, but in very
sandy countries the hoofs will spread out in a most astonishing way and
need constant trimming.
In droughty countries like Arizona and New Mexico we were frequently
reduced to serious straits to find decent drinking-water. On many
occasions I have drunk, and drunk with relief and satisfaction, such
filthy, slimy, greenish-looking stuff as would disgust a frog and give
the _Lancet_ a fit, though that discriminating journal would probably
call it soup. Sometimes even water, and I well remember the places, that
was absolutely a struggling mass of small red creatures that yet really
tasted not at all badly. Anyway it was better than the green slime.
Thirst is a sensation that must be satisfied at any cost. Once when
travelling in the South Arizona country, we being all strung out in
Indian file, over a dozen of us, the lead man came on a most
enticing-looking pool of pure water. Of course he at once jumped off,
took a hearty draught, spat it out and probably made a face, but saying
nothing rode quietly on. The next man did the same, and so it went on
till our predecessors had each and all the satisfaction of knowing that
he was not the only man fooled. The water was so hot, though showing no
sign of it, that it was quite undrinkable--a very hot spring.
In the alkali district on the Pecos River the dust raised at a round-up
is so dense that the herd cannot even be seen at 200 yards distance.
This dust is most irritating to the eyes; and many of the men, including
myself, were sometimes so badly affected that they had to stop work for
weeks at a time.
In circuses and Wild-West shows one frequently sees cowgirls on the
bill. Of course, on actual work on the range there is no such thing as a
cowgirl. At least I never saw one.
CHAPTER VII
ON MY OWN RANCH
Locating--Plans--Prairie Fires and
Guards--Bulls--Trading--Successful Methods--Loco-weed--Sale of
Ranch.
A year before selling out the Company's cattle I had started a small
ranch for myself. Seeing that it was quite hopeless to run cattle
profitably on the open-range system, and having longing eyes on a
certain part of the plains which was covered with very fine grass and
already fenced on one side by the Texas line--knowing also quite well
that fencing of public land in New Mexico was strictly against the law
(land in the territories is the property of the Federal Government,
which will neither lease it nor sell it, but holds it for
home-steading)--I yet went to work, bought a lot of wire and posts, gave
a contract to a fence-builder and boldly ran a line over thirty miles
long enclosing something like 100,000 acres. The location was part of
the country where our stock horses used to run with the mustangs, and so
I knew every foot of it pretty well. There was practically no limit to
the acreage I might have enclosed; and I had then the choice of all
sorts of country--country with lots of natural shelter for cattle, and
even country where water in abundance could be got close to the surface.
In my selected territory I knew quite well that it was very deep to
water and that it would cost a lot of money in the shape of deep wells
and powerful windmills to get it out; yet it was for this very reason
that I so selected it. Would not the country in a few years swarm with
settlers ("nesters" as we called small farmers), and would they not of
course first select the land where water was shallow? They could not
afford to put in expensive wells and windmills. Thus I argued, and thus
it turned out exactly as anticipated. The rest of the country became
settled up by these nesters, but I was left alone for some eight years
absolutely undisturbed and in complete control of this considerable
block of land. More than that the County Assessor and collector actually
missed me for two years, not even knowing of my existence; and for the
whole period of eight years I never paid one cent for rent. On my
windmill locations I put "Scrip" in blocks of forty acres. Otherwise I
owned or rented not a foot.
Just a line or two here. I happen to have known the man who invented
barbed wire and who had his abundant reward. Blessings on him! though
one is sometimes inclined to add cursings too. It is dangerous stuff to
handle. Heavy gloves should always be worn. The flesh is so torn by the
ragged barb that the wound is most irritating and hard to heal. When my
fence was first erected it was a common thing to find antelope hung up
in it, tangled in it, and cut to pieces. Once we found a mustang horse
with its head practically cut completely off. The poor brutes had a hard
experience in learning the nature of this strange, almost invisible,
death-trap stretched across what was before their own free, open and
boundless territory. And what frightful wounds some of the ponies would
occasionally suffer by perhaps trying to jump over such a fence or even
force their way through it; ponies from the far south, equally ignorant
with the antelope of the dangers of the innocent-looking slender wire.
In another way these fences were sometimes the cause of loss of beast
life, as for instance when some of my cattle drifted against the fence
during a thunder and rain storm and a dozen of them were killed by one
stroke of lightning.
Into this preserve my cattle-breeding stock were put: very few in number
to begin with, yet as many as my means afforded. My Company job and
salary would soon be a thing of the past and my future must depend
entirely on the success of this undertaking. Once before I had boldly,
perhaps rashly, taken a lease of a celebrated steer pasture in Carson
County, Texas, and gone to Europe to try and float a company, the
proposition being to use the pasture, then, and still, the very best in
Texas, for wintering yearling steers. No sounder proposition or more
promising one could have been put forward. But all my efforts to get the
capital needed failed and it was fortunate for me that at the end of one
year I succeeded in getting a cancellation of the lease. On first
securing the lease the season was well advanced and it became an anxiety
to me as to where I should get cattle to put in the pasture, if only
enough to pay the year's rent--some 7000 dollars. One man, a canny
Scotsman, had been holding and grazing a large herd of 4000 two-year-old
steers, all in one straight brand, on the free range just outside. He
knew I wanted cattle and I knew he wanted grass, as he could not find a
buyer and the season was late. We both played "coon," but I must say I
began to feel a bit uncomfortable. At last greatly to my relief and joy,
he approached me, and after a few minutes' dickering I had the
satisfaction of counting into pasture this immense herd of 4000 cattle.
Meantime, I had also been corresponding with another party and very soon
afterwards closed a deal with him for some 3700 more two-year-old
steers. Thus with 7700 head the pasture was nearly fully stocked, the
rent for the first year was assured, and I prepared to go to the Old
Country to form the company before mentioned. But before going I found
it necessary to throw in a hundred or so old cows to keep the steers
quiet. The steers had persisted in walking the fences, travelling in
great strings round and round the pasture. They had lots of grass, water
and salt, but something else was evidently lacking. Immediately the cows
were turned loose all the uneasiness and dissatisfaction ceased. No more
fence walking and no more danger (for me) of them breaking out. The
family life seemed complete. The suddenness of the effect was very
remarkable. This pasture has ever since been used solely for my proposed
purpose and every year has been a tremendous success.
First of all a word about my house and home. Built on what may be called
the Spanish plan, of adobes (sun-dried bricks), the walls were 2-1/2
feet thick, and there was a courtyard in the centre. Particular
attention was paid to the roof, which was first boarded over, then on
the boards three inches of mud, and over that sheets of corrugated iron.
The whole idea of the adobes and the mud being to secure a cool
temperature in summer and warmth in winter. No other materials are so
effective.
As explained before, there were no trees or shrubs of any kind within a
radius of many miles. So to adorn this country seat I cut and threw
into my buggy one day a young shoot of cotton-wood tree, hauled it
fifty miles to the ranch, and stuck it in the centre of the court. Water
was never too plentiful; so why not make use of the soap-suddy washings
which the boys and all of us habitually threw out there? When the tree
did grow up, and it thrived amazingly, its shade became the recognized
lounging-place. With a few flowering shrubs added the patio assumed
quite a pretty aspect. Another feature of the house was that the
foundations were laid so deep, and of rock, that skunks could not burrow
underneath, which is quite a consideration. Under my winter cottage at
the Meadows Ranch in Arizona skunks always denned and lay up during the
cold weather, selecting a point immediately under the warm hearthstone.
There, as one sat reading over the fire, these delightful animals,
within a foot of you, would carry on their family wrangles and in their
excitement give evidence of their own nature; but happily the offence
was generally a very mild one and evidently not maliciously intended.
Around the house was planted a small orchard and attempts were made at
vegetable-growing. But water was too scarce to do the plants justice.
Everything must be sacrificed to the cattle. One lesson it taught me,
however, and that is that no matter how much water you irrigate with,
one good downpour from Nature's fertilizing watering-can is worth more
than weeks of irrigation. Rain water has a quality of its own which well
or tank water cannot supply. Plants respond to it at once by adopting a
cheery, healthy aspect. It had another equally valuable character in
that it destroyed the overwhelming bugs. How it destroyed them I don't
know: perhaps it drowned them; anyway they disappeared at once.
In my own pasture in New Mexico I for various reasons decided to
"breed," instead of simply handle steers. Steers were certainly safer
and surer, and the life was an easy one. But there appeared to me
greater possibilities in breeding if the cows were handled right and
taken proper care of. It will be seen by-and-by that my anticipations
were more than justified, so that the success of this little ranch has
been a source of pride to me.
The ranch was called "Running Water," because situated on Running Water
Draw, a creek that never to my knowledge "ran" except after a very heavy
rain. Prairie fires were the greatest danger in this level range
country, there being no rivers, cañons, or even roads to check their
advance. Lightning might set the grass afire; a match carelessly dropped
by the cigarette-smoker; a camp fire not properly put out; or any
mischievously-inclined individual might set the whole country ablaze.
Indeed, the greatest prairie fire I have record of was maliciously
started to windward of my ranch by an ill-disposed neighbour (one of the
men whose cattle the Scotch Company had closed out and who ever after
had a grudge against me) purposely to burn me out. He did not quite
succeed, as by hard fighting all night we managed to save half the
grass; but the fire extended 130 miles into Texas, burning out a strip
from thirty to sixty miles wide. On account of a very high wind blowing
that fire jumped my "guard," a term which needs explanation. All round
my pasture, on the outside of the fence, for a distance of over forty
miles was ploughed a fire-guard thus: two or three ploughed furrows and,
100 feet apart, other two or three ploughed furrows, there being thus a
strip of land forty miles long and 100 feet wide. Between these furrows
we burnt the grass, an operation that required great care and yet must
be done as expeditiously as possible to save time, labour and expense. A
certain amount of wind must be blowing so as to insure a clean and rapid
burn; but a high gusty wind is most dangerous, as the flames are pretty
sure to jump the furrows, enter the pasture, and get away from you. The
excitement at such a critical time is of course very great. In such
cases it was at first our practice to catch and kill a yearling, split
it open and hitch ropes to the hind feet, when two of us mounted men
would drag the entire carcass over the line of fire. It was effective
but an expensive and cumbrous method. Later I adopted a device called a
"drag," composed of iron chains, in the nature of a harrow, covered by a
raw hide for smothering purposes. This could be dragged quite rapidly
and sometimes had to be used over miles and miles of encroaching fire.
The horses might get badly burnt, and in very rank grass where the
fierce flames were six to eight feet high it was useless. Sometimes we
worked all night, and no doubt it formed a picturesque spectacle and a
scene worthy of an artist's brush. Across the centre of the pasture for
further safety, as also around the bull and horse pasture, was a similar
fire-guard, so that I had in all some fifty-five miles of guard to
plough and burn. It is such critical and dangerous, yet necessary, work
that I always took care to be present myself and personally boss the
operation. Without such a fire-guard one is never free from anxiety.
Many other ranchers who were careless in this matter paid dearly for it.
These fires were dangerous in other ways. A dear old friend of mine was
caught by and burnt to death in one. Another man, a near neighbour, when
driving a team of mules, got caught likewise, and very nearly lost his
life. He was badly burnt and lost his team.
Hitherto it had been the universal custom of cattlemen to use "grade"
bulls, many of them, alas! mere "scrubs" of no breeding at all. No one
used pure-bred registered bulls except to raise "grade" bulls with. I
determined to use "registered" pure-bred bulls alone, and no others, to
raise _steers_ with, and was the first man to my knowledge to do so.
Neighbours ridiculed the idea, saying that they would not get many
calves, that they could not or would not "rustle"--that is, they would
not get about with the cows--that they would need nursing and feeding
and would not stand the climate. Well, I went east, selected and bought
at very reasonable figures the number needed, all very high bred, indeed
some of them fashionably so, and took them to the ranch. By the way,
bulls were not called bulls in "polite" society: you must call them
"males." Very shortly afterwards there was a rise in value of cattle, a
strong demand for such bulls, and prices went "out of sight." Thus the
bulls that cost me some 100 dollars apiece in a little while were worth
200 or even 300 dollars. The young bulls "rustled" splendidly, and as
next spring came along there was much interest felt as to results. To my
great delight almost every cow had a calf, and nearly every calf was
alike red body and white face, etc. (Hereford). I kept and used these
same bulls six or seven seasons; every year got the highest calf-brand
or crop amongst all my neighbours; and soon, with prudent culling of the
cows, my small herd (some 2000) was the best in the country; and my
young steers topped the market, beating even the crack herds that had
been established for twenty years and had great reputations.
To give an instance: my principle was to work with little or no borrowed
money. Thus my position was such that I did not always _have_ to market
my steers to pay running expenses; and as I hate trading and dickering,
as it is called, my independence gave me a strong position. Well, once
when travelling to the ranch I met on the train two "feeders" from the
north, who told me they wanted to buy two or three hundred choice
two-year-old, high-bred, even, well-coloured and well-shaped steers.
Having by chance some photos in my pocket of my steers (as yearlings
taken the year before) I produced them. They seemed pleased with them
and asked the price, which I told them; but they said no ranch cattle
were worth that money and ridiculed the idea of my asking it. "Oh," I
said, "it is nothing to me; that is the price of the cattle," but I
carefully also told them how to get to my place and invited them to come
and see me. Oh, no! they said it was too ridiculous! We travelled on to
Amarillo and I at once went out to Running Water. Only two days
afterwards, on coming in to dinner, I found my two gentlemen seated on
the porch waiting for me. After dinner we saddled up and went out to see
the steers. The dealers were evidently surprised and made a long and
careful inspection. Evidently they were well pleased, and on returning
to the house it was also evident that they were going to adopt the usual
tactics of whittling a small piece of wood (a seemingly necessary
accompaniment to a trade) and "dickering"; so I again told them my
terms, same as before, and hinted that they might take or leave them as
they liked. The deal was closed without further ado, some money put up,
and next day I started for England, leaving to the foreman the duty and
responsibility of delivering the steers at the date specified. These
men, like most other operators, were dealing with borrowed money got
from commission houses in Kansas City. I learnt afterwards that their
Kansas City friends, on hearing of the trade, refused to supply the
funds till they had sent a man out specially to see the two-year-old
steers that could possibly be worth so much money. He came out, saw
them, and reported them to be well worth the price; and they were
acknowledged to be the finest small bunch of steers ever shipped out of
the south-west country. This was very gratifying indeed.
Another revolution in ranch practice was the keeping up of my bulls in
winter-time and not putting them out with the cows till the middle of
July. This also met with the ridicule of all the "old-timers"; but it
was entirely successful! The calf crop was not only a very large one but
the calves were dropped all about the same time, were thus of an even
age (an important matter for dealers), and they "came" when their
mothers were strong and had lots of milk.
Young cows and heifers having their first calves had to be watched very
closely, and we had often to help them in delivery. It may also be
mentioned here that the sight of a green, freshly-skinned hide, or a
freshly-skinned carcass, will frequently cause cows to "slink" their
calves. The smell of blood too creates a tremendous commotion amongst
the cattle generally; why, is not quite known.
I also made a practice in early spring of taking up weak or poor cows
that looked like needing it, putting them in a separate pasture and
feeding them on just two pounds of cotton-seed meal once a day; no hay,
only the dry, wild grass in the small pasture. The good effect of even
such a pittance of meal was simply astounding. Thereafter I do not think
I ever lost a single cow from poverty or weakness. This use of meal on
a range ranch was in its way also a novelty. Afterwards it became
general and prices of cotton-seed and cotton-seed meal doubled and more.
When a very large number of range cattle, say 2000 or so, required
feeding on account of poverty, hay in our country not being obtainable,
cotton-seed (whole) would be fed to them by the simple and effective
method of loading a large wagon with it, driving it over the pasture,
and scattering thinly, not dumping, the seed on to the grass sod. The
cattle would soon get so fond of it that they would come running as soon
as the wagon appeared and follow it up in a long string, the strongest
and greediest closest to the wagon, the poor emaciated, poverty-stricken
ones tailing off in the rear. But not one single seed was wasted,
everyone being gleaned and picked up in a very short time. It is the
best, easiest and most effective way: indeed, the only possible way with
such a large number of claimants. And as said before, the recuperating
effect of this cotton-seed is simply astonishing. It may be noted,
however, that if fed in bulk and to excess the animals will sometimes go
blind, which must be guarded against.
In the matter of salt it had become the common practice to use sacked
stuff (pulverized) for cattle. There was a strong prejudice against
rock salt; so much so that when I decided to buy a carload or two it had
to be specially ordered. Another laugh was raised at my proposed use of
it. The cattle would get sore tongues, or they would spend so long a
time licking it they would have no time to graze, etc., etc. Meantime I
had lost some cows by their too quick lapping of the pulverized stuff.
Thereafter I never lost one from such a cause and the cattle throve
splendidly. Besides, the rock salt was much easier handled and
considerably more economical.
My wells were deep, none less than 250 feet, the iron casing 10-inch
diameter, the pipe 6-inch or 8-inch, and the mill-wheels 20 feet in
diameter; this huge wind power being necessary to pump up from such a
depth a sufficiency of water. The water was pumped directly into very
large shallow drinking wooden tubs, thence into big reserve earthen
tanks (fenced in), and thence again led by pipe to other large
drinking-tubs outside and below the tanks, supplied with floating
stop-valves. This arrangement, arrived at after much deliberation,
worked very well indeed; no water was wasted, and it was always clean;
and in very cold weather the cattle always got warm, freshly-pumped well
water in the upper tub, an important matter and one reason why my cattle
always did so well. But oh, dear! the trouble and work we often had
with these wells! Perhaps in zero temperature something would go wrong
with the pump valve or the piston leather would wear out, or in a new
well the quicksand would work in. Neither myself, foreman nor boy was an
expert or had any mechanical knowledge; though continued troubles, much
hard work, accompanied by, alas! harder language, was a capital
apprenticeship. In bitter cold freezing weather I well remember we once
had to pull out the rods and the piping three times in succession before
we got the damned thing into shape, and then we did not know what had
been the matter. To pull up first 250 feet of heavy rod, disjoint it,
and lay it carefully aside; then pull up 250 feet of 6-inch or 8-inch
iron piping, in 20-feet lengths, clamp and disjoint it, and put it
carefully aside; then to use the sand-bucket to get the sand out of the
well if necessary; repair and put into proper shape the valve and
cylinder, etc.; then (and these are all parts of one operation),
re-lower and connect the 250 feet of heavy piping, the equally long
rods, and attach to the mill itself--oh, what anxiety to know if it was
going to work or not! On this particular occasion, as stated, we--self,
foreman and one boy--actually had to go through this tedious and
dangerous performance three times in succession! To pull out the piping
great power is needed, and we at first used a capstan made on the ranch
and worked by hand. But it was slow work, very slow, and very hard work
too; afterwards we used a stout, steady team of horses, with double
tackle, and found it to work much more expeditiously. But there was
always a great and ever-present danger of the pipe slipping, or a clamp,
a bolt, or a hook, or even the rope breaking with disastrous results.
These wells and mills afforded any disgruntled cowhand or "friendly"
neighbour a simple and convenient opportunity of "getting even," as a
single small nail dropped down a pipe at once clogged the valve and
rendered the tedious operation necessary. I had altogether five of such
wells.
A little more "brag," if it may be called so, and I shall have done. But
it will need some telling, and perhaps credulity on the reader's part. A
certain wild plant called "loco" grows profusely in many parts of the
Western States; but nowhere more profusely than it did in my pasture.
Indeed it looked like this particular spot must have been its place of
origin and its stronghold in time of adversity. Certainly, although it
was common all over the plains, I never saw in any place such a dense
and vigorous growth of it, covering like an alfalfa field solid blocks
of hundreds of acres. This is no exaggeration. It had killed a few of
our cattle in Arizona and ruined some of our best horses. The Scotch
Company lost many hundreds of cattle by it, and also some horses. The
plant seems to flourish in cycles of about seven years; that is, though
some of it may be present every year it only comes in abundance,
overwhelming abundance, once in the period stated. The peculiarity about
it, too, is that it grows in the winter months and has flowered and
seeded and died down by midsummer. Thus it is the only green and
succulent-looking plant to be seen in winter-time on the brown plains.
It is very conspicuous and in appearance much resembles clover or
alfalfa. Cattle as a rule will avoid it, but for some unknown reason the
time comes when you hear the expression the "cattle are eating loco." If
so they will continue to eat it, to eat nothing else, till it is all
gone; and those eating it will set the example to others, and all that
have eaten it will go stark staring mad and the majority of them die.
Horses are even more liable to take to it, and are affected exactly in
the same way; they go quite crazy, refuse to drink water, cannot be led,
and have a dazed, stupid appearance and a tottering gait, till finally
they decline and die for want of nourishment. I have seen locoed horses
taken up and fed on grain, when some of them recovered and quite got
over the habit even of eating the weed; but these were exceptions. Most
locoed horses remained too stupid to do anything with and were never of
much value. There is one strange fact, however, about them; saddle
horses, slightly locoed, just so bad that they cannot be led, and
therefore useless as saddlers, do, when hitched up to a wagon or buggy,
though never driven before, make splendid work horses. They go like
automatons; will trot if allowed till they fall down, and never balk.
The worst outlaw horse we ever had, one that had thrown all the great
riders of the country and had never been mastered, this absolute
devilish beast got a pretty bad dose of the weed; and, to experiment, we
hitched him up in a wagon, when lo! he went off like any old steady team
horse. This is all very interesting; but that is enough as to its effect
on live stock.
At the request of the Department of Agriculture I sent to Washington
some specimens of a grub which, when the plant reaches its greatest
exuberance and abundance, infests it, eating out its heart and so
killing it. It destroys the plant, but alas! generally too late to
prevent the seed maturing and falling to earth. The plant itself has
been several times carefully examined, its juices tested and
experimentally administered to various animals. But no absolutely
satisfactory explanation of its effects has been given out; and
certainly no antidote or cure of its effects suggested.
Well, in a certain year the seven years' cycle came round; faithfully
the loco plant cropped up all over the plains, the seed that had lain
dormant for many years germinated and developed everywhere. As winter
approached (in October) my fall round-up was due. Calves had to be
branded, some old cows sold, and some steers delivered. I had sold
nothing that year. On rounding-up the horses many of them showed signs
of the weed. The neighbours flocked in and the work began. Only one
round-up was made, when the idea seized me that if these cattle were
"worked" in the usual way--that is, jammed round, chased about and
"milled" for several hours--they would get tired and hungry, and on
being turned loose would be inclined to eat whatever was nearest to
them--probably the loco plant. It seemed so reasonable a fear, and I was
so anxious about the cattle, that I ordered the foreman there and then
to turn the herd quietly loose, explained to the neighbours my reasons
for doing so, but allowed them to cut out what few cattle they had in
the herd: and the year's work was thus at once abandoned. All that
winter was a very anxious time. Reports came in from neighbouring
ranches that their cattle were dying in hundreds. On driving through
their pastures the loco appeared eaten to the ground; all the cattle
were after it, and poor, staggering, crazy animals were met on the road
without sense enough to get out of your way. By the end of next spring
some of my neighbours had few cattle left to round-up. One neighbour,
the largest cattle-ranch in the world, owning some 200,000 head, was
estimated to have lost at least 20,000. And meantime how were affairs
going in my little place? It will seem incredible, but what is here
written is absolute truth. The loco was belly high; the self-weaned
calves could be seen wading through it; but ne'er a nibbled or eaten
plant could be found. I often searched carefully for such dreaded signs
but happily always failed: and I did not lose a single cow, calf or
steer, nor were any found showing the slightest signs of being affected.
Many reasons were advanced for the miraculous escape of these cattle;
people from a hundred miles away came to see and learn the reason. No
satisfactory explanation was suggested, and finally they were compelled
to accept my own one, and agree that leaving the cattle undisturbed by
abandoning the fall round-up was the real solution of the problem. The
only work my men did that winter was to keep the fences up and in good
shape, and whenever they saw stray cattle in my pasture to turn them out
at once, fearing the danger of bad example. Next winter, the loco being
still very bad, the same tactics were adopted and only one solitary
yearling of mine was affected. So ended the worst loco visitation
probably ever experienced in the West; not perhaps that the plant was
more abundant than at some other periods, though I think it was, but for
some unknown reason the cattle ate it more freely.
The temperature on these plains sometimes went so low as 20° below zero,
with wind blowing. There was no natural shelter, literally nothing as
big as your hat in the pasture, and several men advised the building of
sheds, wind-breaks, etc. But experience told me just the opposite. I had
seen cattle (well fed and carefully tended) freeze to death inside sheds
and barns. Also I had seen whole bunches of cattle standing shivering
behind open sheds and wind-breaks till they practically froze to death
or became so emaciated as to eventually die of poverty. If you give
cattle shelter they will be always hanging around it. So I built no
sheds or anything else. When a blizzard came my cattle had to travel,
and the continued travelling backwards and forwards kept the blood in
circulation. There were a few cases of horns, feet, ears and mammæ
frozen off, but I never had a cow frozen to death and never lost any
directly from the severity of the weather. More than that, I never fed a
pound of hay.
Our name for calves that had lost their mothers, and therefore the
nourishment obtained from milk, was "dogies." These dogies were ever
afterwards unmistakable in appearance, and remained stunted, "runty"
little animals of no value. Yet, if taken up early enough and fed on
nourishing diet, they would develop into as large and well-grown cattle
as their more fortunate fellows.[2]
[Footnote 2: Appendix, Note III.]
My foreman was an ordinary cowboy, but he was a thorough cattleman, had
already been in my employ for seven years, and his "little
peculiarities" were pretty well known to me. He became desperately
jealous of his position (as foreman), resenting interference. It is a
good characteristic, this desire for independence, if also accompanied
by no fear of responsibility; and on these lines my ranch was run. I
allowed him great independence, never interfered so long as he carried
out general orders and "ran straight"; but I also put on him full
responsibility. More than that, I allowed him to run his own small bunch
of cattle, some hundred head, in my pasture, and gave him the use of my
bulls; his grass, salt and water cost him nothing. This was a very
unusual policy to adopt. But the idea was that it would thus be as much
his interest as mine to see the fences kept up and in good repair, to
see that the windmills and wells were kept in order, that the cattle
had salt, were not stolen, etc., and prairie fires guarded against.
Well, it all turned out right. My presence at the ranch during a year
would not perhaps amount to a month of days; I could live in Denver, San
Francisco or Mexico, and only come to the place at round-ups and
branding-times. I do not think that a calf was ever stolen from me. The
fact was I knew cattle in general and my own cattle in particular so
well (and he knew it) that he had no opportunity, and perhaps was afraid
to take advantage of me.
It must be here mentioned that on selling out, and in tallying my cattle
over to the buyer, the count was disappointingly short; not nearly so
short as the Scotch Company's cattle, it is true, but still, considering
that my cattle were inside a good fence, were well looked after, the
huge calf crop and apparently small death loss, there was a shortage.
Then there is no wonder at the greater shortage of the Company's cattle,
where almost no care could be taken of them, where the calf tallies were
in the hands of, and returned by, the foremen of other outfits, where
the range was overstocked, the boggy rivers a death-trap, where wolves
and thieves had free range, and where blackleg, mismothering of calves
and loco made a big hole in the number of yearlings. In my pasture were
also wolves and blackleg; and the loss in calves by these, difficult to
detect, is invariably greater than suspected.
Only one case of cattle-thieving occurred at my own ranch and I lost
nothing by it. Two men stopped in for supper one day; they were
strangers, but of course received every attention. They rode on
afterwards, coolly picked up some thirty head of my cattle, drove them
all night into Texas and sold them to a farmer there. Of course they
were not missed out of so many cattle; but someone in Texas had seen
them at their new home, noticed my brand and sent word to me. On going
after them I found they had been sold to an innocent man who had paid
cash for them and taken no bill of sale. It was not a pleasant duty to
demand the cattle back from such a man, but he ought to have known
better.
Some rustlers in Arizona once detached from a train at a small station a
couple of carloads of beef cattle, ran them back down the track to the
corral, there unloaded the cattle and drove them off. This very smart
trick of course was done during the night and while the crew were at
supper.
For all these reasons it will be seen why my small ranch was such a
success and such a profitable and money-making institution. But alas! it
was to be short-lived! As explained before, I was paying no rent and my
fences were illegal. "Kind" friends, and I had lots of them, reported
the fences to Washington; a special agent was sent out to inspect,
ordered the fence down and went away again. I disregarded the order. To
take the fence down meant my getting out of the business or the ruin of
the herd. Next year another agent came out, said my fence was an
enclosure and must come down. Seeing still some daylight I took down
some few miles of it, so that it could not be defined as an enclosure,
but only a drift-fence. During the winter, however, I could not resist
closing the gap again. Next season once more appeared a Government
agent, who in a rage ordered the fence down under pains and penalties
which could not well be longer disregarded. Cattle were up in price; a
neighbour had long been anxious to buy me out; he was somewhat of a
"smart Alick" and thought _he_ could keep the fence up; he knew all the
circumstances; so I went over and saw him, made a proposition, and in a
few minutes the ranch, cattle, fences and mills were his. Poor man! in
six months his fence was down and the cattle scattered all over the
country. He eventually lost heavily by the deal; but being a man of
substance I got my money all right. So closed my cattle-ranching
experiences some eight years ago (1902).
It may be noted that experience showed that polled black bulls were no
good for ranch purposes. They get few calves, are lazy, and have not
the "rustling" spirit. Durhams or Shorthorns also compared poorly in
these respects with Herefords, and besides are not nearly so hardy. The
white face is therefore king of the range. And bulls with red rings
round the eyes by preference, as they can stand the bright glare of
these hot, dry countries better. It used to be my keen delight to attend
the annual cattle shows and auction sales of pure-bred bulls, and I
would feel their hides and criticize their points till I almost began to
imagine myself as competent as the ring judges.
The ranch was in the heart of the great buffalo range. (Indeed the
Comanche Indians, and even some white men, used to believe firmly that
the buffaloes each spring came up out of the ground like ants somewhere
on these Staked Plains, and from thence made their annual pilgrimage
north.) It seems these animals were not loco eaters.
On my first coming to New Mexico there were still some buffaloes on the
plain, the last remnant of the uncountable, inconceivable numbers that
not long before had swarmed over the country. Even when the first
railroads were built trains were sometimes held up for hours to let the
herds pass. As late as 1871 Colonel Dodge relates that he rode for
twenty-five miles directly through an immense herd, the whole country
around him and in view being like a solid mass of buffaloes, all moving
north. In fact, during these years the migrating herd was declared to
have a front of thirty to forty miles wide, while the length or depth
was unknown. An old buffalo hunter loves nothing better than to talk of
the wonderful old times. One of the oldest living ranchmen still has a
private herd near Amarillo and has made many experiments in breeding the
bulls to domestic Galloway cows. The progeny, which he calls cattalo,
make excellent beef, and he gets a very big price for the hides as
robes.
CHAPTER VIII
ODDS AND ENDS
The "Staked Plains"--High Winds--Lobo Wolves--Branding--Cows--Black
Jack--Lightning and Hail--Classing Cattle--Conventions--"Cutting"
versus Polo--Bull-Fight--Prize-Fights--River and Sea
Fishing--Sharks.
More odds and ends! and more apologies for the disconnected character of
this chapter. It must be remembered that these notes are only jotted
down as they have occurred to me. Of their irrelativeness one to another
I am quite conscious, but the art of bringing them together in more
proper order is beyond my capacity. Possibly it might not be advisable
anyway.
In my pasture of some 100,000 acres there was not a tree, a bush, or a
shrub, or object of any nature bigger than a jack-rabbit; yet no sight
was so gladsome to the eyes, no scenery (save the mark!) so beautiful as
the range when clothed in green, the grass heading out, the lakes filled
with water and the cattle fat, sleek and contented. Yet in after years,
when passing through this same country by the newly-built railway in
winter-time, it came as a wonder to me how one could have possibly
passed so many years of his life in such a dreary, desolate,
uninteresting-looking region. To-day the whole district, even my own old
and familiar ranch, is desecrated (in the cattleman's eyes) by little
nesters' (settlers) cottages, and fences so thick and close together as
to resemble a Boer entanglement. I had done a bit of farming and some
years raised good crops of Milo maize, Kafir corn, sorghum, rye, and
even Indian corn. But severe droughts come on, when, as a nester once
told me, for two years nothing was raised, not even umbrellas!
These plains are, it may be safely said, the windiest place on earth,
especially in early spring, when the measured velocity sometimes shows
eighty miles per hour. When the big circular tumble weeds are bounding
over the plains then is the time to look out for prairie fires; and woe
betide the man caught in a blizzard in these lonely regions.
Once when driving from a certain ranch to another, a distance of fifty
miles, my directions were to "follow the main road." Fifty miles was no
great distance and my team was a good one. I knew there were no houses
between the two points. After driving what long experience told me was
more than fifty miles, and still no ranch, I became a bit anxious; but
there was nothing for it but to keep going. Black clouds in the north
warned me of danger. I pushed the team along till they were wet with
sweat; some snow fell; it grew dark as night; and a regular blizzard set
in and I was in despair. I had a good bed in the buggy, so would myself
probably have got through the night all right, but my horses were bound
to freeze to death if staked out or tied up. As a last resource I threw
the reins down and left it to the team to go wherever they pleased. For
some time they kept on the road, but soon the jolting told me that they
had left it and we began to go down a hill; in a little while great was
my joy to see a light and to find ourselves soon in the hospitable
shelter of a Mexican sheep-herder's hut. The Mexican unhitched the team
and put them in a warm shed. For myself, he soon had hot coffee and
tortillas on the table. I never felt so thankful in my life for such
accommodation and such humble fare. The horses had never been in that
part of the country before, that I knew; it was pitch dark, and yet they
must have known in some mysterious way that in that direction was
shelter and safety, as when I threw the lines down they even then
continued to face the storm.
It may be noted here that buffaloes always face the storm and travel
against it; cattle and horses never.
Before entirely leaving the cattle business a few more notes may be of
interest.
Plagues of grasshoppers and locusts sometimes did awful damage to the
range.
When visiting at a neighbour's one must not dismount till invited to do
so; also in saluting anyone the gloves must be removed before shaking
hands. This is cowboy etiquette and must be duly regarded.
At public or semi-private dances there is always a master of ceremonies,
who is also prompter and calls out all the movements. He will announce a
"quardreele," or maybe a "shorteesche," and keeps the company going with
his "Get your partners!" "Balance all!" "Swing your partners!" "Hands
across!" "How do you do?" and "How are you?" "Swing somewhere," and
"Don't forget the bronco-buster," etc. etc., as someone has described
it. The Mexicans are always most graceful dancers; cowboys, with their
enormously high heels, and probably spurs, are a bit clumsy. At purely
Mexican dances (Bailies) the two sexes do not speak, each retiring at
the end of a dance to its own side of the room.
Most cowboys have the peculiar faculty of "humming," produced by shaping
the mouth and tongue in a certain way. The "hum" can be made to exactly
represent the bagpipes; no one else did I ever hear do it but
cowpunchers. I have tried for hours but never quite succeeded in the
art.
Besides coyotes, which are everywhere common, the plains were infested
by lobo wolves, a very large and powerful species; they denned in the
breaks of the plains and it was then easiest to destroy them. They did
such enormous damage amongst cattle that a reward of as high as thirty
dollars per scalp was frequently offered for them, something less for
the pups. The finding of a nest with a litter of perhaps six to eight
young ones meant considerable money to the scalp-hunter. The wolves were
plentiful and hunted in packs; and I have seen the interesting sight of
a small bunch of mixed cattle rounded up and surrounded by a dozen of
them, sitting coolly on their haunches till some unwary yearling left
the protecting horns of its elders. Every time, when riding the range,
that we spotted a lobo ropes were down at once and a more or less long
chase ensued, the result depending much whether Mr Wolf had dined lately
or not. But they were more addicted to horse and donkey flesh if
obtainable. For purposes of poisoning them I used to buy donkeys at a
dollar apiece and cut them up for bait. With hounds they gave good sport
in a suitable country. But it is expensive work, as many dogs get
killed, and no dog of any breed, unless maybe the greyhound, can or
will singly and twice tackle a lobo wolf.
In the springtime, when the calves are dropping pretty thick, it is
exceedingly interesting to note the protective habits of the mother
cows. For instance, when riding you will frequently come on a two or
three days' old baby snugly hidden in a bunch of long grass while the
mother has gone to water. When calves get a little older you may find at
mid-day, out on the prairie, some mile or two from water, a bunch of
maybe forty calves. Their mammies have gone to drink; but not all of
them! No, never all of them at the same time. One cow is always left to
guard the helpless calves, and carries out her trust faithfully until
relieved. This was and is still a complete mystery to me. Does this
individual cow select and appoint herself to the office; or is she
balloted for, or how otherwise is the selection made?
This might be another picture subject--the gallant cow on the defensive,
even threatening and aggressive, and the many small helpless calves
gathering hastily around her for protection. Her! The self-appointed
mother of the brood.
When branding calves, suppose you have 400 cows and calves in the
corral. First all calves are separated into a smaller pen. Then the
branding begins. But what an uproar of bellows and "baas" takes place!
My calves were all so very like one another in colour and markings that
one was hardly distinguishable from another. The mothers can only
recognize their hopeful offspring by their scent and by their "baa,"
although amongst 400 it must be rather a nice art to do so--400
different and distinct scents and 400 differently-pitched baas.
Among these notes I should not forget to mention a brush plant that
grows on the southern plains. It is well named the "wait-a-bit" thorn.
Its hooks or claws are sharper than a cat's, very strong and recurve on
the stems: so that a man afoot cannot possibly advance through it, and
even on a horse it will tear the trousers off you in a very few minutes.
Is the name not appropriate?
Nothing so far has been said on the subject of "hold-ups." Railway train
hold-ups were a frequent occurrence, and were only undertaken by the
most desperate of men. One celebrated gang, headed by the famous outlaw,
Black Jack, operated mostly on a railway to the north of us and another
railway to the south, the distance between being about 400 miles. Their
line of travel between these two points was through Fort Sumner; and in
our immediate neighbourhood they sometimes rested for a week or two,
hiding out as it were, resting horses and laying plans. No doubt they
cost us some calves for beef, though they were not the worst offenders.
What annoyed me most was that Black Jack himself, when evading pursuit,
raided my horse pasture one night, caught up the very best horse I ever
owned, rode him fifty miles, and cut his throat.
In New Mexico, where at first it seemed everybody's hand was against me,
I was gratified to find that I had got a reputation as a fist-fighter,
and as I never practised boxing in my life, never had the gloves on,
never had a very serious fist fight with anyone, the idea of having such
a reputation was too funny; but why should one voluntarily repudiate it?
It was useful. The men had also somehow heard that I could hold a
six-shooter pretty straight. Such a reputation was even more useful. I
was not surprised therefore that a plan should be hatched to test my
powers in that line. It came at the round-up dinner-hour on the
Company's range (New Mexico). A small piece of board was nailed to a
fence post and the boys began shooting at it. In a casual way someone
asked me to try my hand. Knowing how much depended on it I got out my
faithful old 45° six-shooter that I had carried for fifteen years, and
taking quick aim, as much to my own surprise as to others', actually hit
the centre of the mark! It was an extraordinarily good shot (could not
do it again perhaps in twenty trials) but it saved my reputation. Of
course no pressure could have persuaded me to fire again. That reminds
me of another such occasion.
Once when camped alone on the Reservation in Arizona, a party of
officers from Camp Apache turned up. They had a bite to eat with me and
the subject of shooting came up. Someone stuck an empty can in a tree at
a considerable distance from us and they began shooting at it with
carbines. When my turn came I pulled out the old 45° pistol and by lucky
chance knocked the bottom out at the first shot. My visitors were amazed
that a six-shooter had such power and could be used with such accuracy
at that distance. In this case it was also a lucky shot; but constant
practice at rabbits, prairie dogs and targets had made me fairly
proficient. In New Mexico I had a cowboy working for me who was a
perfect marvel, a "born" marksman such as now and then appears in the
West. With a carbine he could keep a tin can rolling along the ground by
hitting, never the can, but just immediately behind and under it with
the greatest accuracy. If one tossed nickel pieces (size of a shilling)
in succession in front of him he would hit almost without fail every one
of them with his carbine--a bullet not shot! He left me to give
exhibition shooting at the Chicago Exposition.
On my ranch, at Running Water Draw, was unearthed during damming
operations, a vast quantity of bones of prehistoric age; which calls for
the remark that not only the horse but also the camel was at one time
indigenous to North America.
Nothing has been said yet about hail or lightning storms. Some of the
latter were indescribably grand, when at night the whole firmament would
be absolutely ablaze with flashes, sheets and waves so continuous as to
be without interval. Once when lying on my bed on the open prairie such
a storm came on. It opened with loud thunder and some brilliant flashes,
then the rain came down and deluged us, the water running two inches
deep over the grass; and when the rain ceased the wonderful electric
storm as described continued for an hour longer. The danger was over;
but the sight was awe-inspiring in the extreme. Night-herding too during
such a storm was a strange experience. No difficulty to see the cattle;
the whole herd stood with tails to the wind; the men lined out in front,
each well covered by his oilskin slicker, and his horse's tail likewise
turned to the storm; the whole outfit in review order so to speak, the
sole object of the riders being to prevent the cattle from "drifting."
This book contains no fiction or exaggeration; yet it will be hardly
believed when I state that hail actually riddled the corrugated iron
roof of my ranch house--new iron, not old or rusty stuff. The roof was
afterwards absolutely useless as a protection against rain.
Mirages in the hot dry weather were a daily occurrence. We did not see
imaginary castles and cities turned upside down and all that sort of
thing, but apparent lakes of water were often seen, so deceptive as to
puzzle even the oldest plainsman. Cattle appeared as big as houses and
mounted men as tall as church steeples.
In all the vicious little cow-towns scattered about the country, whose
attractions were gambling and "tarantula juice," there was always to be
found a Jew trader running the chief and probably only store in the
place. I have known such a man arrive in the country with a pack on his
back who in comparatively few years would own half the county.
What a remarkable people the Jews are! We find them all over the world
(barring Scotland) successful in almost everything they undertake, a
prolific race, and good citizens, yet carrying with them in very many
cases the characteristics of selfishness, greed and ostentation.
Something should be said about "classing" cattle. "Classing" means
separating or counting the steers or she cattle of a herd into their
ages as yearlings, "twos," "threes," etc. It used to be done in old
days by simply stringing the herd out on the open plain and calling out
and counting each animal as it passed a certain point. But later it
became the custom to corral the herd and run them through a chute, where
each individual could be carefully inspected and its age agreed on by
both parties. Even that might not prove quite satisfactory, as will be
shown in the following instance. I had sold to a certain gentleman (a
Scotchman again), manager for two large cattle companies, a string of
some 1000 steers, one, two and three years old. I drove them to his
ranch, some 300 miles, and we began classing them on the prairie,
cutting each class separately. It is difficult in many cases to judge a
range steer's age. Generally it is or should be a case of give-and-take.
But my gentleman was not satisfied and expressed his dissatisfaction in
not very polite language. So to satisfy him I agreed to put them through
the chute and "tooth" them, the teeth being an infallible test (or at
least the accepted test) of an animal's age. To my surprise this man,
the confident, trusted manager of long years' experience, could not tell
a yearling from a "two" or a "two" from a "three," but sat on the fence
and cussed, and allowed his foreman to do the classing for him.
The Texas Cattlemen's Annual Convention was a most important event in
our lives. It was held sometimes in El Paso, sometimes in San Antonio,
but oftenest in Fort Worth, and was attended by ranchmen from all over
the State, as well as by many from New Mexico, and by buyers from
Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Kansas and elsewhere. Being held early in
spring the sales then made generally set the prices for the year. Much
dickering was gone through and many deals made, some of enormous extent.
Individual sales of 2000, 5000 or even 10,000 steers were effected, and
individual purchases of numbers up to 20,000 head; even whole herds of
30,000 to 50,000 cattle were sometimes disposed of. It was a meeting
where old friends and comrades, cattle kings and cowboys, their wives,
children and sweethearts, met and had a glorious old time. It brought an
immense amount of money into the place, and hence the strenuous efforts
made by different towns (the saloons) "to get the Convention."
Among the celebrities to be met there might be Buffalo Jones, a typical
plainsman of the type of Buffalo Bill (Cody). Jones some years ago went
far north to secure some young musk oxen. None had ever before been
captured. He and his men endured great hardships and privations, but
finally, by roping, secured about a dozen yearlings. The Indians swore
that he should not take them out of their territory. On returning he
had got as far as the very edge of the Indian country and was a very
proud and well-pleased man. But that last fatal morning he woke up to
find all the animals with their throats cut. Only last year Jones, with
two New Mexican cowboys and a skilled photographer, formed the daring
and apparently mad plan of going to Africa and roping and so capturing
any wild animal they might come across, barring, of course, the
elephant. His object was to secure for show purposes cinematograph
pictures. He took some New Mexican cow-ponies out with him, and he and
his men succeeded in all they undertook to do, capturing not only the
less dangerous animals, such as antelope, buck and giraffe, but also a
lioness and a rhinoceros, surely a very notable feat.
Amarillo in the Panhandle was then purely a cattleman's town. It was a
great shipping point--at one time the greatest in the world--and was
becoming a railroad centre. I was there a good deal, and for amusement
during the slack season went to work to fix up a polo ground. No one in
the town had ever even seen the game played, so the work and expense all
fell on myself. I was lucky to find a capital piece of ground close to
the town, absolutely level and well grassed. After measuring and laying
off, with a plough I ran furrows for boundary lines, stuck in the
goalposts, filled up the dog-holes, etc., and there we were. At first
only three or four men came forward, out of mere curiosity perhaps.
After expounding the game and the rules, etc., as well as possible we
started in to play. The game soon "caught on," and in a little while a
number more joined, nearly all cattlemen and cowpunchers. They became
keen and enthusiastic, too keen sometimes, for in their excitement they
disregarded the rules. The horses, being cow-ponies, were of course as
keen and as green as the players, and the game became a most dangerous
one to take part in. Still we kept on, no one was very badly hurt, and
we had lots of glorious gallops--fast games in fact.
The word "polo" is derived from Tibetan pulu, meaning a knot of willow
wood. In Cachar, and also at Amarillo, we used bamboo-root balls. The
game originated in Persia, passed to Tibet, and thence to the
Munipoories, and from the Munipoories the English learnt it. The first
polo club ever organized was the Cachar Kangjai Club, founded in 1863.
It may be remarked here that, hard as the riding is in polo, in my
opinion it does not demand nearly such good riding as does the "cutting"
of young steers. In polo your own eye is on the ball, and when another
player or yourself hits it you know where to look for it, and rule your
horse accordingly. In "cutting," on the other hand, your horse, if a
good one, does nearly all the work; just show it the animal you want to
take out and he will keep his eye on it and get it out of the herd
without much guidance. But there is this great difference: you never can
tell what a steer is going to do! You may be racing or "jumping" him out
of the herd when he will suddenly flash round before you have time to
think and break back again. Herein your horse is quicker than yourself,
knowing apparently instinctively the intention of the rollicky
youngster, so that both steer and your mount have wheeled before you are
prepared for it. You must therefore try to be always prepared, sit very
tight, and profit by past experiences. It is very hard work and, as said
before, needs better horsemanship than polo. To watch, or better still
to ride, a first-class cutting horse is a treat indeed.
During these last few years of ranch life my leisure gave me time to
make odd excursions here and there. Good shooting was to be had near
Amarillo--any amount of bobwhite quail, quantities of prairie-chickens,
plovers, etc. And, by-the-bye, at Fort Sumner I had all to myself the
finest kind of sport. There was a broad avenue of large cotton-wood
trees some miles in length. In the evening the doves, excellent eating,
and, perhaps for that reason, tremendously fast fliers, would flash by
in twos or threes up or down this avenue, going at railroad speed. But
my pleasure was marred by having no companion to share the sport.
Then I made many trips to the Rocky Mountains to fish for rainbow trout
in such noble streams as the Rio Grande del Norte, the Gunnison, the
Platte and others. In the early days these rivers were almost virgin
streams, hotching with trout of all sizes up to twelve and even fifteen
pounds. The monsters could seldom be tempted except with spoon or live
bait, but trout up to six or seven pounds were common prizes. Out of a
small, a ridiculously small, tributary of the Gunnison River I one day
took more fish than I could carry home, each two to three pounds in
weight. But that was murdering--mere massacre and not sport.
During a cattle convention held at El Paso I first attended a bull-fight
in Juarez and I have since seen others in the city of Mexico and
elsewhere. The killing of the poor blindfolded horses is a loathsome,
disgusting sight, and so affected me that I almost prayed that the
gallant, handsome matadors would be killed. Indeed, at Mexico City, I
afterwards saw Bombita, a celebrated Spanish matador, tossed and gored
to death. The true ring-bull of fighting breed is a splendid animal;
when enraged he does not seem to suffer much from the insertion of
banderillas, etc., and his death stab is generally instantaneously
fatal. Certainly the enthusiasm of the ring, the presence of Mexican
belles and their cavalleros, the picturesqueness and novelty of the
whole show are worth experiencing.
It should be remembered that the red cloth waved in front of him is the
main cause of Toro's irritation. Why it should so irritate him we don't
know. When a picador and his horse are down they are absolutely at the
mercy of the bull; and the onlooker naturally thinks that he will
proceed to gore man and horse till they are absolutely destroyed. But
the cloth being at once flaunted near him he immediately attacks it
instead and is thus decoyed to another part of the ring. Thus, too, the
apparent danger to the swordsman who delivers the _coup de grâce_ is not
really very great if he show the necessary agility and watchfulness.
When a bull charges he charges not his real enemy, but that exasperating
red cloth; and the man has only to step a little to the side, but _still
hold the cloth in front_ of the bull, to escape all danger. Without this
protecting cloth no matador would dare to enter the ring. The
banderilleros, too, thus escape danger because they do their work while
the bull's whole attention is on the red cloth operated by another man
in front. The man I saw gored, tossed and killed must have made some
little miscalculation, or been careless, and stood not quite out of the
bull's way, so that the terrible sharp horns caught him, as one may say,
_by mistake_.
The Mexicans, too, like my coolies in India, were great cock-fighters.
It is a national sport and also a cruel one.
Matadors are paid princely sums. The most efficient, the great stars,
come from Spain. Many of them are extremely handsome men and their
costume a handsome and picturesque one. As a mark of their profession
they wear a small pigtail, not artificial but of their own growing hair.
I travelled with one once but did not know it till he removed his hat.
Denver and San Francisco were great centres of prize-fighting. In both
places I saw many of the great ring men of the day, in fact never missed
an opportunity of attending such meetings. It was mostly, however,
"goes" between the "coming" men, such as Jim Corbett and other
aspirants. A real champion fight between heavyweights I was never lucky
enough to witness.
Base-ball games always appealed to me, and to witness a first-class
match only a very great distance would prevent my attendance. To
appreciate the game one must thoroughly understand its thousand fine
points. It absorbs the onlooker's interest as no other game can do.
Every player must be constantly on the alert and must act on his own
judgment. The winning or losing of the match may at any moment lie with
him. The game only lasts some two hours; but for the onlookers every
moment of these two hours is pregnant with interest and probably intense
excitement. Here is no sleeping and dozing on the stands for hours at a
time as witnessed at popular cricket matches. Time is too valuable in
America for that, and men's brains are too restless. At a ball-game the
sight of a man slumbering on the benches is inconceivable.
Sea-fishing also attracted me very much. On the California coast, around
Catalina and other islands, great sport is to be had among the
yellow-tails, running up to 50 lbs. weight. They are a truly game fish
and put up a capital fight. Jew-fish up to 400 lbs. are frequently
caught with rod and line, but are distinctly not a game fish. Albacores
can be taken in boat-loads; they are game enough but really too common.
The tuna is _par excellence_ the game fish of the coast. At one time you
might reasonably expect to get a fish (nothing under 100 lbs. counted),
but lately, and while I was there, a capture was so rare as to make the
game not worth the candle. A steam or motor launch is needed and that
costs money. I hired such a boat once or twice; but the experience of
some friends who had fished every day for two months and not got one
single blessed tuna damped my ambition. Tunas there run up to 300 lbs.,
big enough, and yet tiny compared with the monsters of the
Mediterranean, the Morocco coast and the Japanese seas; there they run
up to 2000 lbs. The tuna is called the "leaping" tuna because he plays
and hunts his prey on the surface of the water; but he never "leaps" as
does the tarpon. Once hooked he goes off to sea and will tow your boat
maybe fifteen miles; that is to say, he partly tows the boat, but the
heavy motor launch must also use its power to keep up or the line will
at once be snapped. The tuna belongs to the mackerel family, is built
like a white-head torpedo, and for gameness, speed and endurance is hard
to beat. Only the pala of the South Pacific Seas, also a mackerel, may,
according to Louis Becke, be his rival. Becke indeed claims it to be the
gamest of all fish. But its manoeuvres are different from a tuna's and
similar to those of the tarpon. What is finer sport, I think, and
perhaps not quite so killing to the angler, is tarpon-fishing. Most of
our ambitious tarpon fishers go to Florida, where each fish captured
will probably cost you some fifty dollars. My tarpon ground was at
Aransas Pass, on the Gulf Coast of Texas. There in September the fish
seem to congregate preparatory to their migration south. I have seen
them there in bunches of fifty to seventy, swimming about in shallow,
clear water, their great dorsal fins sticking out, for all the world
like a lot of sharks. My first experience on approaching in a small row
boat such an accumulation of fish muscle, grit and power will never be
forgotten. It was one of _the_ events of my chequered life. The boatman
assured me I should get a "strike" of a certainty as soon as the bait
was towed within sight of them. My state of excitement was so great that
really all nerve force was gone. My muscles, instead of being tense and
strong, seemed to be relaxed and feeble; my whole body was in a tremble.
To see these monster fish of 150 to 200 lbs. swimming near by, and to
know that next moment a tremendous rush and fight would begin, was to
the novice almost a painful sensation. Not quite understanding the
mechanism of the powerful reel and breaks, and being warned that thumbs
or fingers had sometimes been almost torn off the hand, I grasped the
rod very gingerly. But I need not say what my first fish or any
particular fish did or what happened. I will only say that I got all I
wanted--enough to wear me out physically till quite ready to be gaffed
myself. It is tremendously hard work. To rest myself and vary the sport
I would leave the tarpon and tackle the red-fish, an equally game and
fighting fish, but much smaller, scaling about 15 to 20 lbs. There was a
shoal of them visible, or at least a bunch of about 100, swimming right
on the edge of the big breaking surf. Like the tarpon they thus keep
close company on account of the sharks (supposition). It was dangerous
and difficult to get the boat near enough to them; but when you did
succeed there was invariably a rush for your bait and a game fight to
follow. They are splendid chaps. Then I would return to the tarpon and
have another battle royal; and so it went on. But sometimes you would
hook a jack fish (game, and up to 25 lbs.), and sometimes get into a
shark of very big proportions. Indeed, the sharks are a nuisance, and
will sometimes cut your tarpon in two close to your boat, and they
eagerly await the time when you land your fish and unhook him to turn
him loose.
Another noble fish, of which I was lucky enough to get several, was the
king-fish, long, pike-shaped and silvery, a most beautiful creature, and
probably the fastest fish that swims. I had not realized just how quick
any fish could swim till I hooked one of these. He acts much as the
tarpon does. But I have not yet told how the latter, the king of the
herring race, does act. On being hooked he makes a powerful rush for a
hundred yards or so; then he springs straight up high out of the water,
as much as six to ten feet, shakes his head exactly as a terrier does
with a rat, falls back to make another rush and another noble spring. He
will make many springs before you dare take liberties and approach the
landing shore. But the peculiarity of this fish is that his runs are not
all in one direction. His second run may take quite a different line;
and at any time he may run and spring into or over your boat. When two
anglers have fish on at the same time, and in close neighbourhood, the
excitement and fun are great. The tarpon's whole mouth, palate and jaws
have not a suspicion of muscle or cartilage about them; all is solid
bone, with only a few angles and corners where it is possible for the
hook to take good hold. Unless the hook finds such a fold in the bones
you are pretty sure to lose your fish--three out of four times. Probably
by letting him gorge the bait you will get him all right, but it would
entail killing him to get the hook out. In winter the tarpons go south,
and perhaps the best place to fish them is at Tempico in Mexico. But let
me strongly recommend Aransas Pass in September. There is good
quail-shooting, rabbits, and thousands of water-fowl of every
description; also a very fair little hotel where I happened to be almost
the only visitor. At Catalina Islands, by the way, whose climate is
absolutely delightful, where there are good hotels, and where the
visitors pass the whole day in the water or on land in their
bathing-suits, one can hire glass-bottom boats, whereby to view the
wonderful and exquisitely beautiful flora of the sea, and watch the
movements of the many brilliantly-coloured fish and other creatures that
inhabit it. The extraordinary clearness of the water there is
particularly favourable for the inspection of these fairy bowers. One
day I determined to try for a Jew-fish, just to see how such a huge,
ungainly monster would act. Anchoring, we threw the bait over, and in a
short time I pulled in a rock cod of nearly 7 lbs. weight. My boatman
coolly threw the still hooked fish overboard again, telling me it would
be excellent bait for the big ones we were after. Well, I did not get
the larger fish; but the sight on looking overboard into the depths was
so astonishing as to be an ample reward for any other disappointment. On
the surface was a dense shoal of small mullet or other fish; below them,
six or eight feet, another shoal of an entirely different kind; below
these another shoal of another kind, and so on as far down as the eye
could penetrate. It was a most marvellous sight indeed, and showed what
a teeming life these waters maintain. It seemed that a large fish had
only to lie still with its huge mouth open, and close it every now and
then when he felt hungry, to get a dinner or a luncheon fit for any
fishy alderman. It must be a fine field for the naturalist, the
ichthyologist, probably as fine as that round Bermudas' coral shores, as
illustrated by the new aquarium at Hamilton. But I can hardly think that
the fish of any other climate can compare for brilliancy of colouring
and fantastic variety of shape with those captured on the Hawaiian coast
and well displayed in the aquarium at Honolulu.
I must not forget to mention that at Aransas Pass one may sometimes see
very large whip or sting-rays. They may easily be harpooned, but the
wonderful stories told me of their huge size (I really dare not give the
dimensions), their power and ferocity, quite scared me off trying
conclusions with them. There one may also capture blue-fish, white-fish,
sheepheads and pompanos; all delicious, the pompanos being the most
highly-prized and esteemed, and most expensive, of America's many fine
table fishes. Order a pompano the first opportunity.
Having already mentioned sharks, it may be stated here that one captured
in a net on the California coast four years ago was authoritatively
claimed to be the largest ever taken, yet his length was only some 36
feet; although it is true that the _Challenger_ Expedition dredged up
shark teeth so large that it was judged that the owner must have been
80 to 90 feet long. The Greynurse shark of the South Seas is the most
dreaded of all its tribe; it fears nothing but the Killer, a savage
little whale which will attack and whip any shark living, and will not
hesitate to tackle even a sperm whale. Shark stories are common and
every traveller has many horrible ones to recount. Yet the greatest and
best authorities assert that sharks are mere scavengers (as they are,
and most useful ones) and will never attack an active man, or any man,
unless he be in extremities--that is, dead, wounded or disabled; though,
as among tigers, there probably are some man-eaters. A large
still-standing reward has been offered for a fully-certified case of a
shark voluntarily attacking a man, other than exceptions as above noted,
and that reward has not yet been claimed. Whenever I hear a thrilling
shark story I ask if the teller is prepared to swear to having himself
witnessed the event; invariably the experience is passed on to someone
else and the responsibility for the tale is laid on other shoulders. On
a quite recent voyage a talkative passenger confidently stated having
seen a shark 70 feet long. I ventured to measure out that distance on
the ship's deck, and asked him and his credulous listeners to regard and
consider it. It gained me an enemy for life.
One of the most famous and historical sharks was San José Joe, who
haunted the harbour of Corinto, a small coast town in Salvador. Every
ship that entered the harbour was sure to have some bloodthirsty fiend
on board to empty his cartridges into this unfortunate creature.
His carcass was reckoned to be as full of lead as a careful
housewife's pin-cushion of pins. But all this battering had no effect
on him. Finally, and after my own visit to that chief of all
yellow-fever-stricken dens, a British gun-boat put a shell into Joe and
blew him into smithereens. In many shark-infested waters, such as around
Ocean Island, the natives swim fearlessly among them. This ocean island,
by the way, is probably the most intrinsically valuable spot of land on
earth, consisting of a solid mass of coral and phosphate. "Pelorus
Jack," who gave so much interest to the Cook Channel in New Zealand, was
not a shark.
CHAPTER IX
IN AMARILLO
Purchase of Lots--Building--Boosting a Town.
Enough of odds and ends. To return to purely personal affairs. After
selling the cattle and ranch the question at once came up--What now? I
had enough to live on, but not enough to allow me to live quite as I
wished, though never ambitious of great wealth. What had been looked
forward to for many years was to have means enough to permit me to
travel over the world; and at the same time to have my small capital
invested in such a way as would secure not only as big a per cent.
interest as possible, with due security, but also a large probability of
unearned increment, so to speak; and above all to require little
personal attention. Dozens of schemes presented themselves, many with
most rosy outlooks. I was several times on the very verge of decision,
and how easily and differently one's whole future may be affected!
Perhaps by now a millionaire!--perhaps a pauper! At one time I was on
the point of buying a cotton plantation in the South. The only obstacle
was the shortage of convict labour! A convict negro _must_ work; the
free negro won't. Finally I bought some city lots in the town of
Amarillo--the most valuable lots I could find, right at the city's
pulse, the centre of business; in my judgment they would in all
probability always be at the centre, and that as the city grew so would
their value grow, and thus the unearned increment would be secured. I
bought these lots by sheer pressure; the owner did not want to sell, but
I made him name his own price, and closed the deal, to his astonishment.
It was a record price and secured me some ridicule. But the funniest
part has to come. In a little while I became dissatisfied with my deal,
and actually approached the seller and asked him if he would cancel it.
He too had regretted parting with the property, and to my relief
assented. Once more I spent nearly a year ranging about the whole
western country, looking into different propositions, and again I came
back to Amarillo, again was impressed with the desirability of the same
lots, and actually demanded of the still more astonished owner if he
would sell them to me. No! no! he did not want to part with them; and I
knew he spoke the truth. Again I forced him, and so hard that at last he
put on what he considered a prohibitory price, a much higher one than
before asked, but I snapped him up at once. The news soon got all over
town, it could not be kept quiet. Once more the supposed knowing ones
and "cute" business men eyed me askance, and no doubt thought me a
fool, or worse. Only one man approved of my action, but I valued his
opinion more than that of all the rest. This deal again made a stir
amongst the Real Estate offices, and lot values went soaring; and when I
had erected a handsome business block on the property a regular "boom"
set in. It gave the little town a lift and the people confidence. One
man was good enough to tell me that I had more "nerve" than anyone he
had ever met. Did he mean rashness? Well, my nerve simply came from
realizing what a fine outlook lay before the town. It seemed to me to be
bound to be a great distributing centre, also a railroad centre; that
the illimitable acreage of plains-lands was bound in time to be settled
on, and that thus the population would rapidly increase; which
anticipations have happily come true. My whole capital, and more, was
now sunk and disposed of. My mind at least in that respect was at rest;
and it certainly looked as if the long-nursed scheme was about to be
realized. In a few years the unearned increment was at least 100 per
cent.; rents also went up surprisingly, and also, alas! the taxes.
Unfortunately, within a year after completion of the building, and while
I was in Caracas, Venezuela, an incendiary, a drunken gambler who had
been running a "game" illicitly in one of the rooms, and who had been
therefore turned out, deliberately used kerosene oil and set fire to the
building. Result, a three-quarters' loss! Luckily I was well insured;
even in the rentals, to the surprise of many people who had never heard
of rental insurance before. The insurance settlement and payment was
effected between myself and the agent in less than half an hour, and
just as soon as I could get at it an architect was working on plans for
a new structure. With the three months' loss on account of my absence,
it was more than a year before the new building was ready for occupancy.
It was, and is, a better-arranged and handsomer one than the old block,
and its total rental is much greater. The town has grown very much and
seems to be permanently established. The building, and my affairs, are
entirely in the hands of a responsible agent; and I am free to go where
inclination calls. Nothing shall be said about the worries, the delays,
the wage disputes, the lawsuits, etc., seemingly always in attendance on
the erection of any building. Well, it is over now, and too sickening to
think about! Nor shall much be said about the frequent calls on the
property-owner to subscribe, to "put up," for any bonus the city may
have decided to offer to secure the placing in "oor toon" of a State
Methodist College, a State Hospital, a State Federal Building; or to
induce a new railroad to build in; not to mention the securing for your
own particular district of the town the site of a new court-house, a
new post-office, etc. etc. The enmity caused by this latter contest is
always bitter. But always anything to boost the town! This little town
actually last year paid a large sum to the champion motor-car racer of
America to give an exhibition in Amarillo. Even a flying-machine meeting
was consummated, one of the first in the whole West.
In this plains country, such as surrounds Amarillo, during the land
boom, immense tracts were bought by speculators, who then proceeded to
dispose of it to farmers and small settlers. They do this on a
methodical and grand scale. One such man chartered special trains to
bring out from the middle States his proposed clients or victims. To
meet the trains he owned as many as twenty-five motor-cars, in which at
once on arrival these people were driven all over the property to make
their selection.
The first breaking of this prairie country is done with huge steam
ploughs, having each twelve shares, so that the breaking is done very
rapidly, the depth cultivated being only some two inches or three
inches. The thick close sod folds over most beautifully and exactly, and
it was always a fascinating sight, if a sad one, to watch this
operation--the first opening up of this soil that had lain uncultivated
for so many æons of time. The seed may be simply scattered on the sod
before the breaking, and often a splendid crop is thus obtained.
Simplicity of culture, truly!
[Illustration: BREAKING THE PRAIRIE.]
[Illustration: FIRST CROP--MILO MAIZE.]
Before leaving the United States of America a few notes about that
country. Though as a rule physically unpicturesque, it has some great
wonder-places and beauty spots, such as the Yosemite Valley, the Grand
Cañon of the Colorado, the Yellowstone Park, the Falls of Niagara, and
the big trees of California, which trees it may be now remarked are
conifers (Sequoia gigantea and Sequoia sempervirens), which attain a
height of 400 feet. Sempervirens is so called because young trees
develop from the roots of a destroyed parent.
If the reader has never seen these enormous trees he cannot well
appreciate their immense altitude and dimensions. Remember that our own
tallest and noblest trees in England do not attain more than 100 feet or
so in height; then try to imagine those having four times that height
and stems or trunks proportionately huge. It is like comparing our
five-storey buildings with the forty-storey buildings of New York, eight
times their altitude.
Yet these big trees are not so big as the gums of Australia; the
Yellowstone Geysers are, or were, inferior to the like in New Zealand;
and Niagara is surpassed by the Zambesi Falls, still more so by the
waterfall in Paraguay, and infinitely so by the recently-discovered
falls in British Guiana. The Guayra Falls, on the Paraná River, in
Paraguay, though not so high in one leap as Niagara, have twice as great
a bulk of water, which rushes through a gorge only 200 feet wide.
Its cities, such as San Francisco, Chicago, St Louis, New Orleans and
others, are not as a rule beautiful; even Washington, the capital, was a
tremendous disappointment to my expectant gaze; though my judgment might
possibly be affected by the following incident. While standing at the
entrance of the extremely beautiful New Union Railway Station a cab
drove up, out of which a woman stepped, followed by a man. He hurried
after her, and right in front of me drew a pistol and shot her dead, and
even again fired twice into her body as she lay on the ground. Then he
quickly but coolly put the gun to his own head and killed himself.
This city seems badly planned and some of its great federal buildings
are monstrous. The Pennsylvania Avenue is an eyesore and a disgrace to
the nation. Boston, I believe, is all that it should be. Denver is a
delightful town. New York, incomparable for its fabulous wealth, its
unequalled shops, its magnificently and boldly-conceived office
buildings and apartment blocks, its palatial and perfectly-appointed
hotels, its dirty and ill-paved streets, is the marvel of the age and is
every year becoming more so. Its growth continues phenomenal. If not
now it will soon be the pulse of the world.
There is never occasion in American hotels, as there is in English, in
my own experience, to order your table waiter to go and change his
greasy, filthy coat or to clean his finger-nails! No, in the smallest
country hotel in the United States the proprietor knows that his guests
actually prefer a table servant to have clean hands, a clean coat, etc.,
and waiters in restaurants are obliged to wear thin, light and noiseless
boots or shoes, not clodhoppers.
That phenomenon and much-criticized individual, the American child, is
blessed with such bright intelligence that at the age of ten he or she
is as companionable to the "grown-up" as the youth of twenty of other
countries, and much more interesting.
English people are inclined to think Americans brusque and even not very
polite. Let me assure them that they are the politest of people, though
happily not effusive. They are also the most sympathetic and, strange as
it may appear, the most sentimental. Their sympathy I have tested and
experienced. Their brusqueness may arise from the fact that they have no
time to give to formalities. But a civil question will always be civilly
answered, and answered intelligently. Nor are Americans toadies or
snobs; they are independent, self-reliant and self-respecting people.
CHAPTER X
FIRST TOUR ABROAD
Mexico--Guatemala--Salvador--Panama--Colombia--Venezuela--Jamaica
--Cuba--Fire in Amarillo--Rebuilding.
Among the many long trips leisure has permitted, the first was a tour
through Mexico, Guatemala and Salvador to Panama; thence through
Colombia and Venezuela; Jamaica and Cuba; needless to say a most
interesting tour.
Mexico has a most delightful climate at any time of the year, except on
the Gulf Coast, the Tierra Caliente, where the heat in summer is
tropical and oppressive. She has many interesting and beautiful towns.
The city itself is rapidly becoming a handsome one, indeed an imperial
one. Accommodation for visitors, however, leaves much to be desired. The
country's history is of course absorbingly interesting, and the many
remains of Aztec and older origin appeal much to one's curiosity. There
is a capital golf-course, a great bull-ring, and a pelota court. There
is much wealth, and every evening a fine display of carriages and
horses. The little dogs called Perros Chinos of Mexico, also "Pelon" or
hairless, have absolutely no hair on the body. They are handsome,
well-built little creatures, about the size of a small terrier. They are
said to be identical with one of the Chinese edible dogs. Cortez found
them in Mexico and Pizarro in Peru. How did they get there?
Popocatepetl, a magnificent conical volcano, overlooks the city and
plain. I tried to ascend it but a damaged ankle failed me. A trip to
Oaxaca to see wonderful Mitla should not be missed. There also is the
tree of Tuli, a cypress, said to measure 154 feet round its trunk. Also
a trip to Orizaba city is equally interesting, if only for the view of
the magnificent Pico de Orizaba, a gigantic and most beautiful cone
18,000 feet high; but also for the beautiful scenery displayed in the
descent from the high plateau of Mexico, a very sudden descent of
several thousand feet in fifteen miles, with a railroad grade of one in
fourteen, from a temperate climate at once into a tropical one. More
than that, it leads you to the justly-celebrated little Hotel de France
in Orizaba, the only good hotel in all Mexico.
The imposing grandeur of a mountain peak depends of course greatly on
its elevation above its base; for instance, Pike's peak, to the top of
which I have been, is some 15,000 feet above sea-level, but only 8000
above its base. The great peaks of the Andes likewise suffer, such as
Volcan Misti at Arequipa, nearly 20,000 feet above the sea, but from its
base only 12,000 feet. Then imagine Orizaba peak at once soaring 16,000
feet above the city, not one of a chain or range, but proudly standing
alone in her radiant beauty. From Orizaba I went on to Cordova, where it
is the custom of the citizens of all ranks and ages to assemble in the
evenings in the plaza to engage in the game of keeno or lotto. Many
tables are laid out for the purpose. The prizes are small, but
apparently enough to amuse the people. Of course I joined in the game,
happened to be very successful, and as my winnings were turned over to
some small boys, beautiful little black-eyed rascals, my seat was soon
surrounded by a merry crowd and great was the fun. How beautiful and
captivating are these Spanish and even Mestizo children, the boys even
more so than their sisters. From this point I took train, over the
worst-built and coggliest railroad track I ever travelled on, to the
Isthmus of Tehuantepec, to see the famous Eads Route, over which he
proposed to transport bodily, without breaking cargo, ocean-going
sailing ships and steamers from the Gulf to the Pacific Ocean. Also to
visit the Tehuana tribe of Indians, whose women have the reputation of
being the finest-looking of native races in the Western world. They wear
a most extraordinary and unique combined headdress and shawl. In the
markets could certainly be seen wonderfully beautiful faces, quite
beautiful enough to justify the claim mentioned. At Rincon is the
starting-point of the projected and begun Pan-American railroad, which
will eventually reach to Buenos Ayres. At Salina Cruz, the Pacific end
of the isthmus, and I should think one of the windiest places on earth,
perhaps beating even Amarillo, I met a young American millionaire, a
charming man who had large interests in Guatemala. We sailed together
from Salina Cruz on a small coasting steamer bound for Panama. Except
only at Salina Cruz, where a terrific wind blows most of the year, the
weather was calm, but the heat very great. Not even bed-sheets were
provided, nor were they needed. Sailing by night we made some port and
stopping-place every day. The view of the coast is most interesting. You
are practically never out of sight of volcanoes, some of them of great
height and many of them active. One particularly, Santa Maria, attracted
our attention because of its erupting regularly at intervals of half an
hour; regularly as your watch marked the stated period a great explosion
occurred and a cloud of smoke, steam and dust was vomited out and
floated away slowly landwards. In the clear calm air it was a
magnificent spectacle and I never tired watching it. Another volcanic
peak had recently been absolutely shattered, one whole side as it were
blown off it. On arriving at San José, the port of Guatemala city, we
had a great reception, my friend being the owner of the railroad--the
only railroad in this State. A special train took us up to the capital,
splendidly-horsed carriages were put at our disposal, and we were
banqueted and entertained at the Opera, my friend insisting that I
should share in all this hospitality. The American minister joined our
party and made himself agreeable and useful. Guatemala city was once the
Paris of America, was rich, gay and prosperous; to-day it is--different,
but still very interesting. You are there in a bygone world, an age of
the past. Revolutions and inter-State wars have driven capital from the
country; progress is at a standstill; confidence in anybody does not
exist. As in the Central American States, "Ote toi de la que m'y mette"
is on the standard of every ambitious general, colonel or politician. It
is the direct cause of all the revolutions. At Corinto a lady, whom we
became intimate with, landed for the professed purpose of "revoluting."
Yet the country is a naturally rich one, having on the highlands a
splendid temperate climate, and everywhere great mineral and
agricultural resources. We were fortunate to see a parade of some of the
State troops; and such a comical picture of military imbecility and
inefficiency could surely not be found elsewhere. The officers swaggered
in the gayest of uniforms; the men were shoeless, dirty and slovenly. On
approaching the city one passes near by the famous volcanoes Fuego,
Aqua and Picaya (14,000 feet), and mysterious Lake Anatitlan.
A shooting-trip had been arranged for us: a steam launch on the lake,
Indians as carriers, mules, etc. etc., but my friend declined for want
of time. Among the fauna of the country are common and black jaguars,
tapirs, manatees, peccaries, boas, cougars or pumas, and alligators.
Also the quetzal, the imperial bird of the great Indian Quiche race, and
the Trogan resplendens. Poinciana regia and P. pulcherrima are common
garden shrubs or trees, but the finest Poinciana I ever saw was in
Honolulu. Vampire bats are more common in Nicaragua, but also exist in
Guatemala. They have very sharp incisors and bite cattle and horses on
the back or withers, men on the toes if exposed, and roosters on the
comb. They live in caves, and not as the large fruit bats of India,
which repose head downwards, hanging from trees in great colonies.
Vampires live on blood, having no teeth suitable for mastication.
It is a strange fact that Germans, who now have the great bulk of the
trade throughout Central America, are very unpopular. Nor are the
Americans popular. "Los Americanos son Bestias," "Esos Hombres son
Demonios" express the feeling.
I was told that in Guatemala there exists a tribe of Indians which does
not permit the use of alcoholic drink and actually pays the State
compensation instead.
Among other places we called at were Esquintla, Acajutla, and La
Libertad, from which point we got a magnificent view of the Atatlan
volcano in full activity; also at San Juan del Sur. From Leon, in
Nicaragua, some fourteen active volcanoes can be seen. In Salvador only
two of the eleven great volcanoes of the State are now "_vivo_," viz.,
San Miguel and Izalco. The latter is called the Lighthouse of Salvador,
because it explodes regularly every twenty minutes. The lesser living
vents are called infernillos--little hells. Altogether it looks like
Central America, as a whole, with its revolutions and its physical and
political instability, must be a very big hell.
Salvador, though the smallest of the Central American States, is the
most prosperous, enterprising and densely-populated. She was the first
to become independent and the first to defy the Church of Rome.
It had been my intention to sail through Lake Nicaragua and down the
river San Juan to San Juan del Norte. But accommodation at that port and
steamer communication with Colon was so bad and irregular that the trip
was regretfully abandoned, and I went on to Panama with my friend. This
gentleman possessed a personal letter from President Roosevelt
addressed to the canal officials, ordering (not begging) them to permit
a full inspection of the works, and to tell the "truth and the whole
truth." Consequently we saw the works under unusual and most favourable
conditions. The Americans have made remarkable progress, assisted by
their wonderful labour-saving appliances, chief among which are the
100-ton shovels, the Lidgerwood car-unloaders, and the track-shifters.
But chiefly, of course, by their sanitary methods, the protection
afforded the employees against mosquitoes, and the abolition of mosquito
conditions. The natives and negroes are immune to yellow fever, but not
to malaria. As most of us know, Major Ross of the I.M.S., in 1896,
proved the connection of malaria with the anopheles mosquito; and in
1902 Mr Reed of the U.S. Health Commission tracked the yellow fever to
the stegomyia mosquito. Yellow fever requires six days to develop. It
should be noted that the stegomyia insect is common in India, but
luckily has not yet been infected with the germ of yellow fever. And it
may also be here mentioned that the connection between bubonic plague
and rats, and the fleas that infest them, was discovered by the Japanese
scientist, Kitasato.
The history of the canal may be touched on, if only to show the American
method of securing a desired object, certainly a quick, effective and,
after all, the only practical method. The Panama railway was built by
Americans in 1855 to meet the rush to California gold-fields. The De
Lesseps Company bought the road for an enormous figure, and started the
canal works, to be abandoned later on, but again taken up by a new
French Company. In 1901 Uncle Sam got his "fine work" in when he bluffed
the new French Panama Company into selling it to him for 40,000,000
dollars, simply by threatening to adopt the Nicaragua route. Yet the
Company's property was well worth the 100,000,000 dollars asked for it.
To carry out the bluff, the Isthmian Canal Commission (U.S.) actually
reported to Congress that the Nicaragua route was the most "practical
and feasible" one, when it was well known to the Commission that the
route was so impracticable as not to be worthy of consideration. At
least common report had it so. In 1903 Colombia refused the United
States offer to purchase the enlarged canal zone. At once Panama
province seceded from the State, and sold the desired zone to the United
States for 10,000,000 dollars, conditionally on the United States
recognizing and guaranteeing the young Republic. The deal was cleverly
arranged, and was again perhaps the only effective method to obtain
possession.
The tide at Panama measures 20 feet, at Colon only 2 feet. In 1905 the
International Board of Consulting Engineers, summoned by President
Roosevelt, recommended, by eight to five, a sea-level canal (two locks).
But Congress adopted the minority's 85-feet-level plan (6 locks), with
an immense dam at Gatun, which dam will not be founded on rock, but have
a central puddled core extending 40 feet below the bottom of the lake,
and sheet piling some 40 feet still deeper. At least that is as I then
understood it.
De Lesseps was not an engineer and knew little of science. His Company's
failure was directly due to his ignorance and disregard of the advice of
competent men.
Manual labour on the canal has been done mostly by Jamaica negroes. As
said before, they are immune to yellow fever; and, speaking of the
negro, it may be said here that his susceptibility to pain, compared to
that of the white man, is as one to three, but the effect of a fair
education is to increase it by one-third. What then is that of the
monkey, the bird, the reptile or the fish? May I dare the statement,
though most of us perhaps know it, that the sensitiveness of woman to
that of man is as fifty-three to sixty-four. Even the woman's sense of
touch, as in the finger-tips, being twice as obtuse as man's. The
Bouquet D'Afrique, of course, is perceptible to us and offensive, but it
is said that to the Indians of South America both black and white men
are in this respect offensive. The "Foetor Judaiicus" must be noticeable
also to have deserved the term.
But this is sad wandering from the subject in hand and not exactly
"reminiscences." I only hope that this and other departures, necessary
for stuffing purposes, may be excused, especially as they are probably
the most entertaining part of the book.
To return to the town of Panama. In the bay and amongst the islands were
quite a number of whales and flocks of pelicans. More curious to observe
was an enormous number of small reddish-brown-coloured snakes, swimming
freely on the surface of the sea, yet not seemingly heading in any
particular direction. I could get no information regarding them. The
famous Pearl Islands lie forty miles off Panama. The pearls are large
and lustrous.
On reaching harbour the health officials came on board, and to my
surprise selected me alone among the passengers for quarantine. The
explanation was that I had gone ashore at Corinto. So I was ordered to
take up my abode during the period of incubation in the detention house,
a building in an isolated position; there I was instructed, much to my
relief, that I might go to town or anywhere else during daylight, but
must, under severe penalty, be back and inside the protecting screens
before the mosquitoes got to work. The object was that no mosquito after
biting me should be able to bite anyone else. We had been some two and a
half days out of Corinto, so my period of detention was not of long
duration. I also got infinitely better messing than any hotel in Panama
afforded.
The seas on either side of Darien Isthmus were at one time the scene of
the many brave but often cruel deeds of the great adventurers and
explorers like Drake, buccaneers like Morgan, pirates like Kidd and
Wallace. Morgan, a Welshman, sacked and destroyed old Panama, a rich and
palatial city, in 1670. He also captured the strong fortress town, Porto
Bello. Drake captured the rich and important Cartagena. Captain Kidd,
native of Greenock, was commissioned by George III. to stamp out piracy,
but turned pirate himself and became the greatest of them all.
It had been my intention to sail from Panama to Guayaquil, cross the
Andes, and take canoe and steamer down the Amazon to Para. But the
reports of yellow fever at Guayaquil, the unfinished state of the Quito
railroad, and the disturbed state of the Trans-Andean Indians, through
whose country there would be a week's mule ride, decided me to alter my
plans once more. So, bidding good-bye to my very kind New York friend,
who went home direct, I myself took steamer for a Colombian port and
thence trained to Baranquillo, a considerable town on the Magdalena
River. It was a novel experience to there find oneself a real live
millionaire! The Colombian paper dollar (no coin used) was worth just
the hundredth part of a gold dollar; so that a penny street car ride
cost the alarming sum of five dollars, and dinner a perfectly fabulous
amount. By Royal Mail steamer the next move was to La Guayra, the
seaport of Caracas, a most romantic-looking place, where the mountains,
some 9000 feet high, descend almost precipitously to the sea. There we
saw the castle where Kingsley's Rose of Devon was imprisoned. At that
time President Castro was so defying France that war and a French fleet
were expected every day. Consequently his orders were that no one
whomsoever should be allowed to enter the country. All the passengers of
course, and for that very reason perhaps, were hoping to be allowed to
land, if only to make the short run up to the capital and back. At
Colon, assisted by my American friend and the United States consul, we
"worked" the Venezuela Consul into giving me a passport (how it was done
does not matter), which at La Guayra I, of course, produced. Of no
avail! No one must land. But just when the steamer was about to sail a
boat full of officials appeared at the steamer's side, called out my
name, and lo! to the wonder of the other passengers, I was allowed to go
ashore. This was satisfactory, and I at once took train to the capital,
climbing or soaring as in a flying-machine the steep graded but
excellent road (most picturesque) to Caracas. There I found that the
Mardi Gras Carnival was just beginning. In my hotel was the war
correspondent of the _New York Herald_, just convalescing from an attack
of yellow fever and still incapable of active work. He was good enough
to ask me to fill his place should hostilities ensue. No other
correspondent was in the country and he himself had to put up a 10,000
dollar bond. I willingly agreed, and so stayed nearly two weeks in
Caracas awaiting eventualities. During this time, owing to the Carnival,
the town was "wide open"; every night some twenty thousand people danced
in the Plaza Bolivar, a huge square beautifully paved with tiling. The
dancers were so crowded together that waltzing simply meant revolving
top-wise. A really splendid band provided the music. What a gay, merry
people they are! And how beautiful these Venezuela women, and how
handsome the men! In the streets presents of great value were tossed
from the carriages to the signoras on the balconies. At a ball the men,
the fashionables, wore blue velvet coats, not because of the season, but
because it is the customary male festive attire. Caracas was delightful
and extraordinarily interesting. What splendid saddle mules one here
sees! Castro every day appeared with his staff all mounted on mules. All
the traffic of the country is done with them, there being no feasible
wagon roads. Castro had a most evil reputation. The people hated but
feared him. His whole army consisted of Andean Indians, and he himself
had Indian blood in his veins. The climate at Caracas is delightful.
After two weeks and nothing developing, and not feeling quite well, I
returned to La Guayra and took steamer back to Colon. Feeling worse on
the steamer I called in the doctor, and was greatly alarmed when he
pronounced yellow fever. On arriving at Colon, of course, I was not
permitted to land so had to continue on the ship to Jamaica. The attack
must have been a very mild one, as when we reached Jamaica I was nearly
all right again.
Jamaica is a beautiful island with a delightful winter climate. Also
very good roads. Among other places visited was Constant Spring Hotel,
once the plantation residence and property of one of my uncles. At Port
Antonio, on the north side of the island, is a very fine up-to-date
American hotel, which of course was greatly appreciated after the vile
caravanserais of Central America. Thence on to Cuba, the steamer passing
through the famous narrows leading to Santiago. A pleasant daylight
railroad run through the whole island brought me to the great city of
Havana, not, as it appeared to me, a handsome or attractive city, but
possessing a good climate and a polite and agreeable population. The
principal shopping street in Havana is so narrow that awnings can be,
and are, stretched completely across it. In the centre of the harbour
was visible the wreck of the United States battleship _Maine_. Here in
Havana, on calling at the Consulate for letters, or rather for
cablegrams, as I had instructed my Amarillo agent not to write but to
cable, and only in the case of urgent consequence, I found a message
awaiting me. No need to open it therefore to know the contents! Yes, my
building had been burnt to the ground two months ago. A cable to Caracas
had not been delivered to me. So, back to Amarillo to view the ruins. In
the United States of America one cannot insure for the full value of a
building; or at least only three-quarters can be recovered. So my loss
amounted to 8000 or 10,000 dollars. But no need of repining, and time is
money, especially in such a case. So a new building was at once started,
rushed and completed, in almost record time.
CHAPTER XI
SECOND TOUR ABROAD
Bermudas--Switzerland--Italy--Monte
Carlo--Algiers--Morocco--Spain--Biarritz and Pau.
In November 1907 I again left Amarillo bound for Panama and the Andes.
But the only steamer offering from New Orleans was so small, and the
messing arrangements so primitive, that I abandoned the idea, railed to
New York, saw a steamer starting for the Bermudas and joined her. For
honeymoon and other trips the Bermudas are a favourite resort of New
Yorkers. Fourteen honeymoon couples were reckoned to be on board. The
climate of these islands is very delightful. The hotels are quite good;
English society pretty much confined to the Army and Navy; two
golf-courses; the best of bathing, boating and sea-fishing. The Marine
Aquarium is most interesting. The roads are good and not a motor-car in
the land!
The islands are composed solely of coralline limestone. It can be
quarried almost anywhere. Blasting is not necessary, the stone being so
soft that it can be sawn out in blocks of any size to meet the
architect's needs. It is beautifully white and hardens after exposure.
After staying two weeks I returned to New York and took passage to
Cherbourg, crossed France to Lausanne, saw some friends and then went on
to St Moritz, which we all know is so famous for its wonderful winter
climate, intensely cold but clear skies and bright sunshine. Curling,
hockey, skiing, tobogganing and bobbing were in full swing; the splendid
hotels crowded; dinners and dances every day. A very jolly place indeed.
After ten days' stay a sledge took me over the mountains to Chiavenna,
thence steamer over the lake to Como, and train to Milan. It was very
cold and foggy there, but the city is a handsome one; I saw the
Cathedral, the arcade, etc., and visited the famous Scala Opera House
and its wonderful ballet. Thence to Genoa--very cold--and on to Monte
Carlo, at once entering a balmy, delicious climate. The season was just
beginning, but the play-rooms were pretty full. With its splendid shops,
fine hotels, gardens, Casino, pigeon-shooting, etc. etc., Monte Carlo is
unrivalled. It is distinctly a place to wear "clothes," and the women's
costumes in the play-rooms and Casino are enough to make the marrying
man think twice.
After visiting Monaco, Nice and Cannes, at Marseilles I took steamer to
Algiers. Barring its agreeable winter climate there is not much
attraction there. Here I was told that the marriageable Jewess is kept
in a dark room, fed on rich foods and allowed no exercise; treated, in
fact, as a goose for a fat liver.
So I went on to Blida, where is a French Army Remount Depot. A large
number of beautiful Arab horses were being inspected and shown by their
picturesque owners. They were not the type for cow-ponies and seemed a
bit light for cavalry purposes. From Blida I went by train to Oran, a
considerable port in Algiers. There was nothing particular to see or do
except visit a certain Morocco chief who had started the late troubles
at Fez and was here in durance vile (chains). Among the few tourists I
met a Hungarian and his English wife and we became fairly intimate. His
wife told me he was the dread of her life, being scorching mad on
motor-cars. It happened there was one and only one car in the town for
hire, and the Baron must needs hire it and invite me, with his wife, to
a trip up a certain hill or mountain overlooking the city. A holy man,
or marabout, denned on the top and we must pay our respects. The road
proved to be exceedingly steep, and zigzagged in a remarkable way, with
very sharp, angular turns. No car had ever been up it, and few
carriages. We reached the top in due time, saluted the old man and
started back. My friend was at the wheel and did a few turns all right,
till we came to a straight shoot, very narrow, a ditch on one side,
trees on the other, and just here the brake refused to work. Reaching
over I touched his shoulder and suggested that he should go slower. No
reply; he was speechless, and we knew at once that he had lost control,
and realized our horrible position. On we rushed, he guiding it straight
all right, till we approached the bend, the worst on the road, and quite
impossible to manipulate at great speed. Right in front was an unguarded
cliff, with a drop of 500 feet over practically a precipice. But--well,
there was no "terrible accident" to be reported. Most fortunately a pile
of rocks had been accumulated for the purpose of building a parapet
wall, and on to the top of this pile the car jumped and lodged, without
even turning over. The jar and shock were bad enough, but no one was
much hurt. It reminded me of another occasion when I got a jar of a
different kind. Once, after playing golf with a man in America, he
offered to drive me to town in his motor-car. Knowing him to be a
scorcher I excused myself by saying that I was not ready to go. He
started; very soon afterwards word came back that he had run into a
telegraph post and killed himself and his driver. Such things tend to
cool one's motor ambition.
At Oran I boarded a small French steamer for Mellilla, in Spanish
Morocco, a Spanish convict station and a considerable military post.
This was just before Spain's recent Riff Campaign. The table fare on
the steamer was not British! Cuttle-fish soup or stew was prominent on
the bill; a huge dish of snails was always much in demand, and the other
delicacies were not tempting, to me at least. Eggs, always eggs! How
often in one's travels does one have to resort to them. In Mellilla
itself there was no hotel. We messed at the strangest restaurant it was
ever my ill-luck to enter. The troops reminded me somewhat of those of
Guatemala, slovenly, slouching, and poorly dressed. Their officers were
splendid in gold braid, feathers and gaudy uniforms. Around the town
were circular block-houses, beyond which even then no one was allowed to
go. Indeed, mounted tribesmen could be seen sometimes riding up to the
line and flourishing their guns in apparent defiance. Curiosity made me
venture forward till warned back by the guard. These Riffians were
certainly picturesque-looking rascals. Mellilla was then not on the
tourist's track, so was all the more interesting and novel.
From there by steamer to Gibraltar, stopping at Ceuta on the way. At
Gibraltar a friend, Capt. B----, took me all over the rock, the
galleries, and certain fortifications. A meeting of hounds near
Algeciras was attended. Thence by train to Granada to visit the
marvellously lovely Alhambra, and of course to meet the King of the
Gipsies; Ronda, romantic and picturesque; Cordova and its immense
mosque and old Roman bridge; and so on to Madrid by a most comfortable
and fast train; but the temperature all through Central Spain is
extremely cold in winter. The country is inhospitable-looking, and the
natives seem to have abandoned their picturesque national dress. One
must now go to Mexico to see the cavalier in his gay and handsome
costume. In Madrid I of course visited the splendid Armoury; also the
National Art Gallery with its Velasquezs and Murillos. From Madrid to
San Sebastian, the season not yet begun, and Biarritz. Here I spent a
most enjoyable month: dry, bracing climate, good golf-course, good
hotels, etc. It was the English season; the Spanish season being in
summer. On King Edward's arrival with his entourage and fashionable
followers golf became impossible, so I went on to Pau and played there.
From Pau a short run took me to Lourdes, with its grotto, chapel, etc.
From Pau to Bordeaux, a handsome, busy town. Then Paris and home.
CHAPTER XII
THIRD TOUR ABROAD
Salt Lake City--Canada--Vancouver--Hawaii--Fiji--Australia--New
Zealand--Tasmania--Summer at Home.
The fall of 1908 saw me off on a tour which finally took me round the
world. Space will only permit of its itinerary and a few of my
impressions and experiences. From Amarillo I trained north to Salt Lake
City, passing through the wonderful gorge of the Arkansas River and the
cañon of the Grand; scenery extremely wild and impressive. At Salt Lake
found a large, busy, up-to-date city. Visited the tabernacle, and heard
the great organ, the largest in the world; and a very fine choir. The
acoustics of this immense and peculiarly-shaped building are most
perfect. The Temple Gentiles are not allowed to enter. Outside the
irrigation limits the country has a most desolate, desert, hopeless
aspect. What nerve the Mormons had to penetrate to such a spot.[3]
[Footnote 3: _See_ Appendix.]
It may be noted here that one Sidney Rigdon was the compiling genius of
Mormonism; and it was he who concocted the Mormon Bible, not Joe Smith.
And what a concoction! No greater fraud was ever perpetrated.
Hence by Butte, Montana, the great copper-mining city, to Great Falls,
where we crossed the Missouri River, there 4000 miles from the sea, yet
twice as large as the Thames at Windsor. On entering Canadian territory
a remarkable change in the character of the people, the towns and the
Press was at once noticeable. From Calgary by the C.P.R. the trip
through the Selkirk range to Vancouver was one of continuous wonder and
delight--noble peaks, dense pine forests, rushing rivers and peaceful
lakes. Arrived at Vancouver city, a city of illimitable ambition and
bright prospects. I there met in the lobby of the hotel two very old
friends whom I had not seen for many years. They dined with me, or
rather wined and dined, and we afterwards spent a probably uproarious
evening. I say probably, because the end was never evident to me till I
woke up in my bed, whither someone had carried me, with my stockinged
foot burning in a candle; another such illuminant had been lighted and
placed at my head. My waking (and I was "waked" in two senses)
endangered, and at the same time prevented, the probable burning down of
the building. Next morning I was taken suddenly ill, but not due to the
evening's carousal, so went across the bay to Victoria and hunted up a
doctor, who immediately ordered me into hospital (the Victoria Jubilee)
and operated on me the very same day. The operation was the most painful
that I have ever undergone but was entirely successful, though it
detained me in the hospital for over a month.
From Victoria I trained to San Francisco, passing through lovely
Washington and Oregon States, and Northern California; and from San
Francisco took steamer to Honolulu. San Francisco was rising from its
ashes, but still presented a terrible aspect, and gave a good idea of
how appalling the catastrophe must have been. At Honolulu I spent a most
enjoyable two weeks, golfing a little, surf riding, etc. The climate is
ideal, hotels are good, parts of the islands lovely. They are all
volcanic, and indeed some are nothing but an agglomeration of defunct
craters.
On one of the islands, Maui, is the largest crater on earth (unless
perhaps a certain one in Japan), its dimensions being 2000 feet in
depth, eight miles wide, and situated on the top of a mountain,
Haleakala, 10,000 feet high. Its surface, seen from the rock-rim,
exactly resembles that of the moon. I of course also visited the largest
island of the group--Hawaii--passing _en route_ Molokai, the leper
settlement. Hawaii has two very high volcanic mountains, Mauna Kea and
Mauna Loa, some 13,000 feet. The land is very prolific, the soil
consisting of pulverized lava and volcanic dust, whose extreme
fertility is due to a triple proportion of phosphates and nitrogen. On
the slope of Mauna Loa is the crater of Kilauea, and in its centre the
"pit," called Haleamaumau, the most awe-inspiring and in other ways the
most remarkable volcano in the world. Landing at Hilo, by train and
stage we went to see it. My visit was made at night when the
illumination is greatest. Traversing the huge crater, four miles in
diameter, the surface devoid of all vegetation, seamed and cracked, and
in places steam issuing from great fissures, we suddenly arrived at the
brink of the famous pit, and what an astonishing sight met our gaze! The
sheer walls of the circular pit were some 200 feet deep: the diameter of
the pit one quarter of a mile: the contents a mass of (not boiling, for
what could the temperature be!) restless, seething, molten, red-hot
lava, rising from the centre and spreading to the sides, where its waves
broke against the walls like ocean billows, being a most brilliant red
in colour! Flames and yet not flames. Now and then geysers of fire would
burst through the surface, shoot into the air and fall back again. The
sight was to some people too awful for prolonged contemplation, myself
feeling relieved as from a threat when returning to the hotel, but still
with a desire to go back and again gaze into that awful maelstrom. The
surface of the pit is not stationary, at one time being, as then, sunk
200 feet; another time flush with the brim and threatening destruction;
and again almost disappearing out of sight. At any time and in whatever
condition it is an appalling spectacle and one never to be forgotten.
Sugar and pineapples are the main products of the islands; but one
should not miss visiting the aquarium at Honolulu to see the collection
of beautiful and even comical-looking native fishes; some of extravagant
colouring, brilliant as humming-birds, gay as butterflies; of shapes
unsuspected, and in some cases indescribable, having neither length nor
breadth, depth nor thickness; hard to distinguish head from tail, upside
from underside; speed being apparently the least desirable of
characteristics. Do they depend for protection and safety on their
grotesque appearance? or do their gaudy robes disarm and enchant their
ferocious and cannibalistic brethren?
One of the funniest sights I ever saw was a base-ball game played here
between Chinese and Japanese youngsters. What a commanding position
these islands occupy in ocean navigation, as a coaling or naval station,
or as a distributing point. America was quick to realize this; and now
splendid harbours and docks are being constructed, and the place
strongly fortified so as to rival Gibraltar.
In January 1909 I joined the new and delightful New Zealand Steamship
Company's steamer _Makura_ bound for Sydney. On board was, amongst a
very agreeable company, a gentleman bound for New Zealand on a
fishing-trip, who told me such marvellous tales of his fishing prowess
in Scotland that I put him down for one of the biggest liars on earth.
More of him afterwards. Also on board was a young English peer, Earl
S----, a very agreeable man, whose company I continued to enjoy for the
greater part of this tour. We had a delightful passage, marred for me,
however, by a severe attack of neuritis, which continued for three solid
months, the best doctors in Sydney and Melbourne failing to give relief.
Our ship first called at Fanning Island, a cable station (delivering
four months' mail), a mere coral atoll with its central lagoon, fringe
of cocoanut trees and reef. The heavy swell breaking on the reef, and
the wonderful blue of the water, the peaceful lagoon, the bright, clear
sky, and the cocoanut trees, formed a picture never to be forgotten. A
picture typical of all the many thousands of such Pacific islets. After
passing the Union and Wallace groups we crossed the 180° meridian, and
so lost a day, Sunday being no Sunday but Monday. Then arrived at Suva,
Fiji Islands. The rainy season having just begun it was very hot and
disagreeable. The Fijians are Papuans, but tall and not bad-looking.
Maoris, Hawaiians and Samoans are Polynesians, a much handsomer race.
The Fijians were remarkable for their quick conversion to devout
Christianity. So late as 1870 cannibalism was general. Prisoners were
deliberately fattened to kill. The dead were even dug up when in such a
condition that only puddings could be made of them. Limbs were cut off
living victims and cooked in their presence; and even more horrible acts
were committed. The islands are volcanic, mountainous, and covered by
forests.
Our visit was about the time of the Balolo worm season. The Balolo worm
appears on the coast punctually twice a year, once in October (the
Little Balolo) and once about the 20th November (the Great Balolo). They
rise to the sea surface in writhing masses, only stay twelve hours and
are gone. The natives make a great feast of them. The worm measures 2
ins. to 2 ft. long, is thin as vermicelli and has many legs. Never is a
single worm seen at any other time.
Leaving Fiji, we passed the Isle of Pines, called at Brisbane, and
arrived at Sydney on the 25th November. Of the beauties and advantages
of Sydney Harbour we have all heard, and I can only endorse the glowing
descriptions of other writers. Hotels in Australia and New Zealand are
very poor, barring perhaps one in Sydney and a small one in Melbourne. A
great cricket match was "on"--Victoria versus New South Wales--so I must
needs go to see, not so much the game itself as the very famous club
ground, said to be the finest in the world. In the Botanical Gardens,
near a certain tree, the familiar, and I thought the unmistakable, odour
of a skunk was most perceptible. Hailing a gardener and drawing his
attention to it, he replied that the smell came from the tree ("malotus"
he called it), but the crushed leaves, the bark and the blossom
certainly gave no sign of it and I remained mystified. Fruit of many
kinds is cheap, abundant and good. Sydney is not a prohibition town! Far
from it. Drink conditions are as bad as in Scotland. Many of the people,
especially from the country, have a pure Cockney accent and drop their
h's freely; indeed I met boys and girls born in the colony, and never
out of it, whose Cockney pronunciation was quite comical. It struck me
that Australians and New Zealanders are certainly not noted for
strenuousness.
Of course the tourist must see the Blue Mountains, and my trip there was
enjoyable enough, I being greatly impressed with the Leura and other
waterfalls (not as falls) and the wonderful and beautiful caves of
Janolan. Wild wallabies were plentiful round about, and the "laughing
jackass" first made himself known to me.
February 2nd.--S---- and myself took passage to New Zealand, the
fish-story man being again a fellow-traveller. During the crossing
numerous albatrosses were seen. In New Zealand we visited all the great
towns, Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and others, all of
them pleasant, agreeable places, Christchurch being especially
attractive. What a grand, healthy, well-fed and physically fit-looking
people the New Zealanders are. Scotch blood predominates, and really
there is a great similarity between the two peoples. At Rotorua we met
the Premier and other celebrities, S---- being very interested in
Colonial politics. Rotorua is a very charming place; I did some fishing
in the lake, where trout were so numerous that it was not much sport
catching them. Illness unfortunately prevented my going further afield
and fishing for larger trout in the rivers. A Colonel M---- and sister
who were in New Zealand at that time claimed to have beaten the record,
their catch averaging over 20 lbs. per fish (rainbows), as they told me
on again meeting them in the Hebrides. We did the Wanganui River of
course; and the geysers at Whakarewarewa, under the charge of Maggie,
the Maori guide.
As you no doubt are aware, the Maori fashion of salutation is to rub
noses together. As long as they are pretty noses there cannot be much
objection; but some of the Maori girls are themselves so pretty that
mere rubbing is apt to degenerate and one's nose is liable to slip out
of place. Maggie, the Maori guide, a very pretty woman and now at
Shepherd's Bush, can tell all about it and even give a demonstration.
Here in Whakarewarewa one is impressed with the fact that this little
settlement is built on what is a mere shallow crust, under which, at the
depth of only a few feet, is a vast region of boiling mud and water.
Everywhere around are bubbling and spluttering mud-wells, some in the
form of miniature geysers; steam is issuing everywhere from clefts and
crannies in the ground; and one almost expects a general upheaval or
sinking of the whole surface. The principal geyser was not and had not
been for some weeks in action. It can be forced into action, however, by
the singular method of dropping a bar of soap down the orifice, when a
tremendous rush of steam and water is vomited out with terrific force.
Sir Joseph Ward, the Premier, is the only person authorized to permit
this operation: but though he was at our hotel, and we were personally
intimate with him, he declined to favour us with the permission, it
being explained that the too-frequent dosing of the geyser had seemed to
have a relaxing effect on the activity.
At Dunedin S---- left me to visit Milford Sound. Too unwell to accompany
him, I continued on to the Bluff and then took steamer to Hobart,
Tasmania. New Zealand has a great whale-fishery and it was my hope to
see something of it by a short trip on one of the ships employed; but
the opportunity did not present itself.
May I here offer a few notes picked up on the subject of whales, etc.
The sperm or cachalot whale is a dangerous and bold fighter and is
perhaps the most interesting of all cetaceans. His skin, like that of
the porpoise, is as thin as gold-beaters' leaf. Underneath it is a
coating of fine hair or fur, not attached to the skin, and then the
blubber. He has enormous teeth or tushes in the lower jaw, but has no
baleen. He devours very large fish, even sharks, but his principal food
seems to be cuttle-fish and squids, some of them of as great bulk as
himself. These cuttle-fish's tentacle discs are as big as soup-plates,
and surrounded by hooks as large and sharp as tiger claws; while their
mouths are armed with a parrot-like beak capable of rending anything
held to them by the tentacles. These disc hooks are often found in
ambergris, an excretion of the sperm whale. The sperm whale spouts
diagonally, other whales upwards. So-called porpoise leather is made of
the skin of the white whale. The porpoise is the true dolphin, the
sailor's dolphin being a fish with vertical tail, scales and gills.
Bonitoes are a species of mackerel, but warm-blooded and having
beef-like flesh.
Near Hobart I saw the famous fruit and hop lands on the Derwent River.
It was midsummer here and extremely hot, hotter than in Melbourne or
anywhere else on this trip. From Hobart I railed to Launceston and
thence steamer to Melbourne.
Melbourne is a very handsome city as we all know. It was my hope to
continue on with S---- north by the Barrier Reef, or rather between the
reef and the mainland, and so on to China, Japan, Corea, and home by
Siberia; but my doctor advised me not to attempt it, so I booked passage
for Colombo instead, and S---- and myself necessarily parted. But it was
with much regret that I missed this wonderful coasting trip, long looked
forward to and now probably never to be accomplished. On my way home I
visited beautiful Adelaide, and the younger city, Perth, which reminded
me much of the West American mining towns. Colombo needs no call for
notice. At Messina we saw the ruined city, the devastation seeming to
have been very terrible; but it presented no such awful spectacle of
absolutely overwhelming destruction as did San Francisco. Etna was
smoking; Stromboli also. Then Marseilles, Paris, and home.
During that summer at home I was fortunate enough to see the polo test
matches between Hurlingham and Meadowbrook teams, otherwise England
versus America. It was a disheartening spectacle. The English could
neither drive a ball with accuracy nor distance; they "dwelt" at the
most critical time, were slow in getting off, overran the ball, and in
fact were beaten with ease, as they deserved to be.
An even more interesting experience was a visit to the aviation meeting
at Rheims, the first ever held in the world, and a most successful one.
Yet the British Empire was hardly represented even by visitors. Such
great filers as Curtis, Lefevre, Latham, Paulhan, Bleriot and Farman
were all present.
In the autumn I had a week's salmon-fishing at Garynahine in the Lews.
The weather was not favourable and the sport poor considering the place.
Close by is the Grimersta river and lodge, perhaps the finest rod salmon
fishery in Scotland. A young East Indian whom I happened to know had a
rod there, and was then at the lodge. On asking him about fishing, etc.,
he told me, and showed me by the lodge books, that the record for this
river was fifty-four salmon in one day to one rod, all caught by the
fly! The fortunate fisherman's name? Mr Naylor! the very man I had
travelled with to New Zealand! I have vainly tried for three seasons now
to get a rod on this river, if only for a week, and at £30 a week that
would be long enough for me. I also this autumn had a rod on the Dee,
but only fished twice; no fish and no water. During this summer I golfed
very determinedly, buoyed up by the vain hope of becoming a first-class
player--a "scratch" man. Alas! alas! but it is all vanity anyway! What
does the angler care for catching a large basket of trout if there be no
one by to show them to? And what does the golfer care about his game if
he have not an opponent or a crowd to witness his prowess? At Muirfield
I enjoyed the amateur championship--R. Maxwell's year.
CHAPTER XIII
FOURTH TOUR ABROAD
Yucatan--Honduras--Costa
Rica--Panama--Equador--Peru--Chile--Argentina--Brazil--Teneriffe.
October 1909 saw me on board the steamer _Lusitania_, bound for New York
and another long trip somewhere. What a leviathan! What luxury! Think of
the Spanish dons who crossed the same ocean in mere cobble boats of
fifty tons, and our equally intrepid discoverers and explorers. What
methods did they adopt to counteract the discomfort of _mal de mer_?
Which reminds me that on this same _Lusitania_ was the Viscomte D----,
Portuguese Ambassador or Minister to the United States of America, who
confidentially told me that he at one time was the worst of sailors, but
since adopting a certain belt which supports the diaphragm the idea of
sea-sickness never even suggests itself to him. For the public benefit
it may be said that this belt is manufactured by the Anti Mal de Mer
Belt Co., National Drug and Chemical Co., St Gabriel Street, Montreal,
Canada. Bad sailors take note! On this steamer were also, as honoured
guests, Jim Jeffries, the redoubtable, going to his doom; "Tay Pay"
O'Connor; and Kessler, the "freak" Savoy Hotel dinner-giver; also, by
the way, a certain London Jew financier, who gave me a commission to go
to and report on the Quito railroad.
When travelling west from New York in the fall one is filled with
admiration for the wonderful colour of the maple and other trees. Europe
has nothing at all comparable. This wonderful display is alone worth
crossing the Atlantic to see.
I found that the past summer had been a record hot one for Texas. The
thermometer went to 115° in the shade. Eggs were cooked (fried, it is to
be supposed) on the side-walk, and popcorn popped in the stalks. In
November I sailed from New Orleans for Yucatan to visit at Merida a
Mexican friend, who turned out to be the King of Yucatan, as he was
popularly called, he being an immense landed proprietor and practically
monopolist of the henequin industry. Henequin, or Sisal hemp, is the
fibre of _Agave Sisalensis_, a plant very like the _Agave Americana_,
from which pulque is extracted. Thence round the corner, so to speak, to
British Honduras, where we called in at Belize, whose trade is in
mahogany and chicklee gum, combined with a deal of quiet smuggling done
with the Central American States. Quite near Belize, among the
innumerable islands and reefs, was the stronghold of the celebrated
pirate Wallace (Scotchman). Many man-o'-war birds and pelicans were in
the harbour. From Belize to Porto Barrios, the eastern terminus of the
Guatemala railway. Here we are close to the scene of that wonderful and
mysterious Central American prehistoric civilization, which has left for
our antiquarians and learned men a life-work to decipher the still dumb
symbols carved on its stupendous ruins. In Guatemala, and near this
railway, are Copan and Quiriguá, and probably other still undiscovered
dead cities. Some of these Guatemala structures show a quite
extraordinary resemblance to those at Angkor in Cambodia. Mitla and
Palenque are in Mexico and are equally remarkable. The latter is still
difficult to get to. Here again (Palenque) the temple shows a strange
similarity to that at Boro Budoer in Java. Was it Stamford Raffles who
said that, as far as the expenditure of human labour and skill goes, the
pyramids of Egypt sink into insignificance when compared with this
sculptured temple of Boro Budoer. Chichen-Itza, Labna, Sayil and Uxmal
are all in Yucatan and approached from Merida. How many more of such
very wonderful ruins are still hidden in the dense jungle of these
countries it will be many years yet before we may know. Some I have seen
myself, and it is still my hope very soon to visit others.
Among the wild animals of Yucatan and Honduras are the jaguar (_Felis
onça_) with spots, ocellated or eyed; and the panther (_Felis
concolor_) called puma in Arizona; the vaca de aqua or manatee, shaped
like a small whale but with two paddles; the howling monkey, largest in
America, and the spider monkey; the iguana, largest land lizard known to
history, and alligators. Alligators are confined to the Western
Hemisphere; crocodiles were supposed to be peculiar to the East, but
lately a true crocodile (_Crocodilus Americanus_) has been identified in
Florida. The alligator covers its eggs with a heap of rubbish for warmth
and so leaves them; the African crocodile, on the contrary, buries them
in the sand and then sits over them. The cardinal bird and the ocellated
turkey must not be forgotten. Here may be found the leaf-cutting ants,
which store the leaf particles in order to grow a fungus on, and which
they are very particular shall be neither too damp nor too dry. Also
another ant, the _Polyergus Rufescens_, a pure slave-hunter, absolutely
dependent on its slaves for all the comforts of life and being even fed
by them.
In Honduras there are many Caribs, still a strong race of Indians,
having a strict and severe criminal law of their own. They are employed
mostly as mahogany cutters, and are energetic, intelligent and
thoroughly reliable workmen. Puerto Cortez in Honduras has the finest
harbour on the whole Atlantic coast of Central America.
Note.--St Thomas is supposed to have visited and civilized the Central
American Indians, as Quetzalcohuatl did in Mexico.
On leaving New Orleans it had been my intention to enter Nicaragua and
report to a certain New Orleans newspaper on the conditions in that most
distressful country; said paper having commissioned me to do so.
Entrance to the State could only be made from Guatemala, but that
country's consul in New Orleans refused to issue the necessary passport.
Had I gone as an Englishman, and not as an American, there might have
been no difficulty. As said before, Central American States have a dread
and suspicion of Yankees. This was at the time that two Yankee
revolutionists had been shot by the President of Nicaragua.
The next place of call was Limon, the port of Costa Rica. Every foot of
land on these coasts, suitable for the growth of bananas, has been
bought up by the great American Fruit Co., a company of enormous
resources and great enterprise. Limon is a delightful little town from
whence the railway runs to San José, the capital, which stands some 4000
feet above sea-level. Costa Rica is a peace-loving little state,
prosperous, and enjoying a delightful climate. Much coffee and cocoa is
grown, shaded by the Bois immortel or madre de Cacao. The live-stock
industry is also a large one, and the animals seen on the high grassy
plains are well grown and apparently well bred enough. I visited
Cartago, a city which soon afterwards was destroyed by an earthquake.
On the railroad trip up to and back from the capital we passed through
lovely and romantic scenery, high hills, deep ravines and virgin
tropical forest. The rainy season was at its height, and how it rained!
The river was a raging torrent, and from the railway "cut" alongside
continuous land-slides of loose gravelly soil were threatening the track
with demolition. Indeed, at some points this had actually occurred, and
the train several times had to be stopped to allow the gangs of workmen
to clear the way. A bad slide, had it hit the train, would have pushed
the whole thing into the deep and turbulent river. All the passengers
were much alarmed, and I stood on the car platform ready to jump, though
the jump would necessarily have been into the seething water.
November 27th.--Colon once more! Went on to Panama. The Chagres River
was in the highest state of flood known in twenty years.
November 30th.--Sailed on steamship _Chile_ with about thirty
passengers, all Spanish Americans, bound for Equador, Peru or Chile.
December 3rd.--Reached the Equator, and I donned warmer clothes. We saw
whales, sharks, porpoises, rays and thrashers. Entered the Guayaquil
River. Here was where Pizarro first landed and obtained a footing. The
steamer anchored in quarantine a mile below the city. Yellow fever was
raging as usual, and the Quito railroad was blocked by the
revolutionists, so my projected visit again for the second time fell
through. Guayaquil has the highest permanent death-rate of all cities.
The state produces much cocoa and mangrove wood. The town is the centre
of the Panama hat trade, which hats are made of the sheaths of the
unexpanded leaves of the jaraca palm, or of the long sheaths protecting
the flower-cone of the hat palm (_taquilla_); and they can only be made
in a favourable damp atmosphere. Here on the mangrove roots and
submerged branches enormous quantities of oysters may be found. Oysters
on trees at last! Belonging to Equador State are the Galapagos Islands,
500 miles westward. Of course we did not visit them, but they are
remarkable for their giant tortoises and their wild cattle, donkeys and
dogs. It is said that these dogs do not bark, having forgotten how to;
but they develop the power after contact with domestic ones. The
Guayaquil River swarms with alligators, but luckily the alligator never
attacks man.
We sailed south down the coast, calling at many ports. From Guayaquil
south to Valparaiso, a distance of 2000 miles, we enjoyed bright, clear
weather, a pleasant, sometimes an even too low temperature, and
peaceful seas, a condition which the captain assured me was constant,
the low temperature being due to the South Polar or Humboldt current.
The absolute barren condition of this whole coast is also indirectly due
to this current, the temperature of the sea being so much below that of
the land that evaporation and condensation do not take place. After
passing some guano islands on December 9th we landed at Callao, the port
of Lima. Went on to Lima, a city founded by Pizarro, and once a very
gay, luxurious and licentious capital. It is celebrated for its handsome
churches. Its streets are narrow and the whole population seemingly
devoted to peddling lottery tickets. There are many Chinamen amongst its
150,000 inhabitants. The Roman Catholics control the country, which is
absolutely priest-ridden, Reformed or other churches not being permitted
in Peru. A revolution was attempted only a few days ago, the President
having been seized and dragged out of his office to be shot. The
military, however, rescued him and the revolution was over in
twenty-four hours. Peru's resources, outside of the very rich mining
districts, will eventually be found in the Montaña country, on the lower
eastern slopes of the Andes. Her people are backward, and, at least in
Cuzco and Arequipa, I should say the dirtiest in the world. There is as
yet little or no tourist traffic on this coast; and there will not be
much till better steamers are put on and hotels improved. In Lima,
however, the Hotel Maury is quite good, though purely Spanish. It never
rains on this coast, yet Lima is foggy and cold.
I took a trip up to Oroya over the wonderful Meiggs railway. M. Meiggs
was an American, who had to leave his country on account of certain
irregularities. We reached a height of 16,000 feet, the country being
absolutely barren and devoid of vegetation, but very grand and imposing.
December 16th.--Sailed from Callao for Mollendo, calling at Pisco. Here,
close to the harbour, are wonderful guano islands, on two of which were
dense solid masses of birds covering what seemed to be hundreds of acres
of ground. How many millions or billions must there have been! And yet,
it being the evening, millions more were flighting home to the islands.
With glasses they could be seen in continuous files coming from all
directions. These birds are principally cormorants and pelicans. There
are also very many seals, and we saw some whales. These islands
presented one of the most marvellous sights I ever saw. And what
enormous, still undeveloped, fisheries there must be here to support
this bird-life. To-day we also passed a field of "Red Sea," confervæ or
infusoria. We were favoured for once with a grand view of the Andean
peaks, which are seldom well seen from the coast, being wrapped in
haze and clouds.
[Illustration: LLAMAS AS PACK ANIMALS.]
[Illustration: DRIFTING SAND DUNE. (One of thousands.)]
Arrived at Mollendo, port of Arequipa and Bolivia, I at once took train
and rose rapidly to an elevation of 8000 feet, arriving in the evening
at Arequipa. The whole country is desolate in the extreme. On the high
plains we passed through an immense field of moving sand-hills, all of
crescent shape, the sand being white and of a very fine grain. On
approaching Arequipa the sunset effect on the bright and vari-hued rock
strata and scoriæ, backed by the grand Volcan Misti, 19,000 feet high,
made a marvellously beautiful picture, the most beautiful of its kind
ever seen by me, and showing how wonderfully coloured landscapes may be
without the presence of vegetation of any kind. Hotels in Arequipa are
very primitive, and after a glance at the market and its filthy people
you will confine your table fare to eggs and English biscuits as I did.
Arequipa has been thrice destroyed by earthquakes and is indeed
considered the quakiest spot on earth. Priests, monks, ragged soldiers
and churches almost compose the town; yet it has a very beautiful Plaza
de Armas, where in the evenings Arequipa fashion promenades to the music
of a quite good band. I seemed to be the only tourist here.
On the 20th I took train to Juliaca, rising to 15,000 feet; thence two
days to Cuzco, the celebrated southern capital of the Incas, whose
history I will not here touch on. Not only are there abandoned Inca
remains, but also in high Peru and Bolivia remains of structures
erected, as it is now supposed, 5000 years ago. The pottery recently
found would suggest this, it being as gracefully moulded and decorated
as that of Egypt of the same period; authority even declaring it to be
undistinguishable from the latter, and they also testify to evidence of
an extremely high and cultivated civilization, not barbaric in any
sense, in these remote periods. Indeed, the civilization of the country
at that far-off time must have been quite as advanced as in the Nile
Valley. Cyclopean walls and other remains show a marvellous skill in
construction; individual blocks of granite-stone, measuring as much as
fifteen to twenty feet in diameter, being placed in these walls with
such skill that even to-day a pen-knife blade cannot be inserted between
them. No mortar was used, but the blocks are keyed together in a
peculiar way. How this stone was so skilfully cut and transported we
cannot imagine; even with iron and all our modern appliances it is
doubtful if we could produce such exactitude.
[Illustration: PERUVIAN RUINS.
(Note dimensions of stones and locking system)]
At Puna one gets a good view of Lake Titicaca, still a large lake, but
once of much greater dimensions. Sailing over and among the high peaks
it was here my good fortune to view for the first time that majestic
bird, the condor, which, it is declared, has never been seen to flap its
wings. Thus in the South Seas I had been privileged to see the
albatross, and here the condor. Lucky, indeed, to have viewed these
monarchs of the air, free in their proper element, in all their pride,
grace and beauty. How often, as a boy, or even as a man, has one
anticipated "some day" seeing these noble birds in their native haunts!
Also many llamas and alpacas, the former very handsome animals. The
vicuñas and guanacos are the wild representatives of this family, and
are also very abundant. In Arequipa I suffered somewhat from "nevada,"
due to electric conditions, and distinct from "saroche." Saroche never
affected me.
December 27th.--Sailed for Valparaiso, calling at Iquique, Antofagasta
and Coquimbo. The coast country is so desolate and arid that at some of
these purely nitrate towns school-children's knowledge of trees and
other plants is derived solely from painted representations on boardings
erected for the purpose. This may seem libellous, but is not so.
We arrived at Valparaiso on New Year's Day. The city showed few signs of
its late disaster. The harbour is poor, and the place has few
attractions. Society was attending a race meeting at Viño del Mar. Went
on to Santiago, the capital, 1500 feet elevation, population claimed
300,000; our route lying through rich, well-cultivated valleys. The
climate and general appearance of the country are much like those of
California, the temperature being quite hot at mid-day but cool always
in the shade, the nights being chilly. This was midsummer. Santiago has
some handsome buildings and a very attractive Plaza Mayor; the hotels
are poor. The Chilians are an active, intelligent, wide-awake people;
are great fighters and free from the religious trammels of Peru. From
here I took train to Los Andes; then by narrow gauge line, the grade
being 7 per cent. on the cog track, through barren rough gorges to the
Cumbre, or summit, 13,000 feet high. The most commanding peak that we
saw was Aconcagua, over 23,000 feet high, and the highest mountain in
the Western Hemisphere. At Lago del Inca, at the entrance to the
incompleted tunnel, we left the train and took mules or carts to the
summit, where is an immense, surprising and commanding figure of the
Christ. On the Argentina side we again took train to Mendoza, an
important town and centre of the fruit and wine country. Thence a
straight run over the immense level pampas, now pastures grazed by
innumerable cattle, sheep and horses, to Buenos Ayres. Many rheas
(ostriches) were seen from the train. These birds, the hens, lay in each
other's nests, and the male incubates--perhaps to save the time of the
hens; which reminds one of the cuckoo, who mates often, and whose stay
is so limited that she has no time to incubate. Yet she does not lay in
nests, but on the ground, and the eggs are deposited by the male in the
nests of birds whose eggs they most resemble, and only one in each.
By-the-by, whilst in Santiago a quite severe quake occurred, but there
were few casualties, only two people being killed. It was at night, and
my bedroom being on the third floor of the only three-storey building in
town, I continued to lie in bed, not indeed knowing what to do, and
resigning myself to fate. I distinctly do not want to live in quaking
countries!
The sensation produced on one by an earthquake is peculiar and different
from all others. One is not so much alarmed as overawed; one feels so
helpless, so insignificant; you know you can do nothing. What may happen
next at any moment is beyond your ken; only when you realize that the
disturbance has actually shaken these immense mountain masses and these
boundless plains do you appreciate the forces that have caused it. The
Krakatoa outbreak raised the water in our Thames four inches. A great
Peruvian earthquake sent a tidal wave into the Red Sea.
Buenos Ayres is a city of some 1,200,000 people, half Italians (the
working and go-ahead half) and half Spanish Americans. But there is
also a very mixed population. There are many fine buildings and palatial
residences, but the business streets are ridiculously narrow, save and
except the Avenida de Mayo, which is one of the handsomest streets in
the world. The new boulevards, the parks and race-tracks all deserve
admiration. The hotels are not quite good enough--not even the palatial
"Plaza." Prices, and indeed the cost of living, are quite as great as in
New York. It was too hot to remain long, so I crossed to Montevideo,
went all over the town; but beyond seeing (not meeting, alas!) one of
the most beautiful girls I ever saw in my life, there was not much to
interest. So, on the White Star Liner _Athenic_, I hastened to England.
It may be remarked here that though Buenos Ayres and Santiago claim, and
offer, wonderful displays of horsed carriages in their parks, if one
watches them critically he will seldom see a really smart turn-out. The
coachman's badly-made boots, or a strap out of place, or a buckle
wanting, or blacking needed, all detract from the desirable London
standard.
January 24th.--We entered beautiful Rio harbour. In the town the
temperature was unbearable. The city is in the same transformation
condition as Buenos Ayres; the streets are narrow, except the very
handsome new Avenida Central. The esplanade on the bay is quite
unequalled anywhere else. Surely a great future awaits Rio! A trip up
Corcovada, a needle-like peak, some 2000 feet high, overlooking the bay,
should not be missed. We sailed again for Teneriffe to coal, which gave
us an opportunity to admire the grand peak and get some idea of the
nature of the country. Thence home.
Perhaps a short note on the great historical personages of Central and
South America may be of interest. Among these the greatest was Simon
Bolivar, who with Miranda, the Apostle of Liberty, freed the Northern
States of South America from Spanish dominion. It was Bolivar who in
1826 summoned the first International Peace Congress at Panama. San
Martin, an equally great man, born in Argentina, freed the southern half
of the Continent. Lopez, president in 1862 of Paraguay, has secured
notoriety for having had the worst character in all American history.
Petion, almost a pure negro, deserves also a prominent place. He was
born in 1770, was a great, good and able man, and freed Haiti; he also
assisted and advised Bolivar. May I also remind you here that Peru is
the home of the Peruvian bark tree (cinchona) and the equally valuable
coca plant, which gives us cocaine. Paraguay is the country of the
yerba-mate, universally drunk there, supplanting tea, coffee, cocoa and
coca. Like coca it has very stimulating qualities. El Dorado, the
much-sought-for and fabulous, was vouched for by Juan Martinez, the
chief of liars, who located it somewhere up the Orinoco River.
The Spaniards, and also the Portuguese, were wonderful colonizers and
administrators. Just think what enormous territories their civilization
influenced, and influenced for good. Certainly the torch of the
Inquisition accompanied them; but even under that dreadful blight their
colonies prospered and the conquered races became Iberianized, such was
their masters' power of impressing their language, religion and manners
on even barbarous tribes.
CHAPTER XIV
FIFTH TOUR ABROAD
California--Honolulu--Japan--China--Singapore--Burmah
--India--Ceylon--The End.
I hope these hasty notes, so hurriedly and scantily given, may have
interested my readers enough to secure their company for one more
globe-trot, which shall be rushed through in order to bring these
reminiscences to a close.
A momentous event of 1910 was the death of King Edward VII., which threw
everybody into deep mourning; and it seemed to me Englishwomen never
looked so well as when dressed in black.
In the autumn I started for New York and Amarillo. Never before was I so
impressed with the growth and improvement and possibilities of New York
city, soon to be the most populous, wealthiest and greatest city the
world has ever seen. The incomparable beauty of the American woods and
forests in the fall again attracted me and afforded much pleasure.
From Amarillo I went on to San Francisco, stopping off to have yet one
more sight of the Grand Cañon of the Colorado River. San Francisco was
now almost completely restored, and much on the old plan. Her Knob-hill
palaces are gone, but her hotels are better and more palatial than ever.
November 22nd.--Sailed on a Japanese steamer for Yokohama, via Honolulu.
These Japanese steamers are first-class, and noted for cleanliness and
the politeness of the entire ship's company. We coaled at Honolulu and
then proceeded. On approaching Yokohama we got a fine view of Fuji-San,
the great national volcano, as it may be called, its perfect cone rising
sheer from the low plain to a height of 12,700 feet. Fuji is at present
quiescent; but Japan has some active volcanoes, and earthquakes are very
frequent. My visit was at the least favourable time of the year, viz.,
in winter. The country should be seen in spring, during the
cherry-blossom season, or in the autumn, when the tree foliage is almost
more beautiful.
From Yokohama I went on to Tokio, formerly Jeddo, and now the capital.
It is a large and busy city with some fine Government modern buildings.
The palace, parks and temples form the sights. In the city proper as in
all Japanese towns, the streets are very narrow and crowded with
rickshaws, the only means of passenger conveyance. At the Anglo-Japanese
dinner, given at my hotel, I had an opportunity of seeing Japanese men
and women in full-dress attire, and to notice the extreme formalities of
their greetings. A Japanese gentleman bows once, then again, and, as if
he had forgotten something, after a short interval a third time. From
Tokio I went to Kioto, formerly the residence of the Mikado, now purely
a native city, with no modern buildings and still narrower streets; but
it is the centre of the cloisonné, damascening and embroidery
industries. Hotels in Japan are everywhere quite good. Here I visited
the fencing and jiu-jitsu schools, which are attended by a large number
of pupils, women as well as men. Also the geisha school, and saw girls
taught dancing, music and tea ceremony. What perfectly delightful and
charming little ladies Japanese girls of apparently all classes are. The
smile of the geisha girl may be professional, but is very seductive and
penetrating; so that the mere European man is soon a willing worshipper.
The plump little waitresses in hotels and tea-houses, charmingly
costumed, smiling as only they can smile, are incomparable. The
Japanese, too, are the cleanest of all nations; the Chinese and Koreans
among the dirtiest. They are extremely courteous as well as polite. A
drunken man is hardly ever seen in Japan, a woman never. An angry word
is hardly ever heard; indeed, the language has no "swear" words. All the
people are artistic, even æsthetic. Arthur Diosy in his book declares
that the Japanese are the most cheerful, peaceable, law-abiding and
kindliest of all peoples. Up till the "Great Change," 1871, trade was
considered unsuitable for, and degrading to, a gentleman. Women here,
by-the-by, shave or have shaven the whole face, including the nose and
ears, though not the eyebrows. How these Japs worship the beauties of
Nature! Few of us might see much beauty in a purple cabbage; yet in my
hotel purple cabbages were put in prominent places to decorate the
dining-hall, and were really quite effective.
From Kioto I went to Nara, once the capital of the Empire, a pretty
place with large park and interesting museum. A great religious festival
was on, including a procession of men in ancient armour and costumes.
There was also some horse-racing, which was quite comical. Apparently no
European but myself was present. On travelling to Nara I passed through
the tea district of Oji. The gardens are very beautiful and carefully
tended. It was a great treat to me this first opportunity to see
something of Japanese peasant life, and to admire the intensive and
thorough cultivation. Not a foot of productive soil is wasted. The
landscape of rice-fields, succeeded by tea-gardens, bamboo groves, up to
the forest or brush-clad hills, and the very picturesque villages and
farmhouses and rustic temples, form many a delightful picture. In the
growing season the whole country must be very beautiful. Excellent trout
and salmon fishing may then be had. The adopted national game for
youths seems to be base-ball, and not cricket as in China.
Next I went to Kobe, via Osaka, the great manufacturing centre of the
Empire. At Kobe took another Japanese steamer for Shanghai, calling at
Moji, Shimonoseki and Nagasaki, and traversing the wonderfully beautiful
inland Sea of Japan, a magnified, and quite as beautiful, Loch Lomond.
This sea was dotted with innumerable fishing-boats. Indeed, Japan's
sea-fisheries must be one of her most valuable assets. Moji harbour is a
beautiful one, has an inlet and an outlet, but appears land-locked. On
the mainland side is Shimonoseki, where Li Hung Chang signed the Peace
Treaty with Japan, and where he was later wounded by an assassin.
Nagasaki has also a fine harbour. From here I took a rickshaw ride over
the hills to a lovely little summer coast-resort, passing through a most
picturesque country.
Japan has, among many others, one particular curiosity in the shape of a
domestic cock, possessing a tail as much as fifteen feet in length, and
which tail receives its owner's, or rather its owner's owner's, most
careful consideration. The unfortunate bird is kept in a very small
wicker cage, so small that he can't turn round, the long tail feathers
escaping through an aperture and drooping to the ground. Once a day the
bird is taken out and allowed to exercise for a short time on a
spotlessly clean floor-mat.
While in Japan I was told that her modern cultured men are satisfied
with a simple work-a-day system of Ethics, priestly guidance being
unnecessary, and they regard religion as being for the ignorant,
superstitious or thoughtless. Thus they "emancipate their consciences
from the conventional bonds of traditional religions."
It has been remarked that the Japanese will probably never again be such
heroes, or at least will never be such reckless, fanatical fighters as
they were in the late war, as civilization and property rights will make
life more worth living and therefore preserving. The same might apply to
the Fuzzy Wuzzies, to Cromwell's Ironsides, and to some extent our own
Highlanders and others of a like fanatical tendency.
It had been my intention and hope to visit Korea, Port Arthur, Mukden
and Peking; but was advised very strongly, on account of the extreme
cold and almost Arctic conditions said to be prevailing in North China,
not to go there. But at Shanghai I had better information, contradicting
these reports and describing the weather as delightful at the capital.
Shanghai has an immense river and ocean trade, and in the waterway are
swung river gun-boats of all nations, as well as queer-looking Chinese
armed junks, used in putting down piracy. I visited the city club, the
country club, and the racecourse, and took a stroll at night through
Soochow Road, among the native tea-houses, theatres, etc. Someone
advised me to visit a town up the river on a certain day to witness the
execution of some dozen river pirates and other criminals, a common
occurrence; but such an attraction did not appeal to me.
In China, as in Japan and other countries, the German, often gross,
selfish and vulgar, is ever present. But he is resourceful and
determined, and threatens to push the placid Englishman to the wall.
Though the practice is not now permitted, Chinese women's bound and
deformed feet are still to the stranger a constant source of wonder. It
is said the custom arose in the desire of Court ladies to emulate the
very tiny feet of a certain royal princess; but it is also suggested
that the custom was instituted to stop the female gadding-about
propensity!
Here in Shanghai I first observed edible swallow-nests in the market for
sale. They did not look nice, but why should they not be so, knowing as
we do that the young of swallows, unlike those of other birds, vent
their ordure over the sides, so that the nests are not in any way
defiled. Here I also learned that Pidgin, as in the expression "Pidgin"
English, is John's attempt to pronounce "business."
From Shanghai to Soochow city, a typical Chinese walled town, still
quite unmodernized, and no doubt the same as it was 2000 years ago.
Tourists seldom enter it, and no European dwells within its walls,
inside of which are crowded and jammed 500,000 souls. The main street
was not more than six to eight _feet_ wide, and so filled with such a
jostling, busy crowd of people as surely could not be seen anywhere else
on earth. Even rickshaws are not allowed to enter, there being no room
for them. Progress can only be made on a donkey, and then with much
shouting and discomfort. What a busy people the Chinese are! Some day
they may people the earth. They seem to be even more intelligent than
the Japanese, more honest and more industrious; and have an almost
lovable disposition. And what giants they are compared to their
neighbours!--the men from the north being especially so. I also went by
narrow and vile-smelling streets to visit a celebrated leaning pagoda
near Soochow, and on returning took the opportunity offered of
inspecting with much interest a mandarin's rock-garden, purely Chinese
and entirely different from Japanese similar retreats. In Shanghai I
visited the original tea-house depicted on the well-known willow-pattern
china ware.
January 1st.--Arrived at Hong-Kong and admired its splendid harbour and
surroundings. This is one of the greatest seaports in the world, with an
enormous trade. The whole island belongs to Great Britain; unlike
Shanghai, where different nationalities merely have concessions. In the
famous Happy Valley I had several days' golfing with a naval friend, and
we played very badly. A trip up the river to Canton, the southern
capital of China, an immense city with 2,000,000 population, was full of
interest. Half the population seemingly live in boats.
What indefatigable workers the Chinese are. They seem to work all night
and they seem to work all day. They are busy as ants. If one cannot find
employment otherwise he will make it! Barring the beggars, there are no
unemployed and no unemployables. What a mighty force they must become in
the world's economy. We estimate China's population by millions, but
forget to properly scale their energy and industry. What is the future
of such a people to be! Yet they seem to be incapable of any general
national movement: each is absorbed in his immediate work and contented
to be so; so unlike the Japanese, with equal energy and industry, plus
boundless ambition and patriotism.[4]
[Footnote 4: Appendix, Note I.]
The Chinaman's pigtail calls for explanation. The Manchus, on conquering
China in 1644, decreed that all Chinese should shave the rest of the
head but wear the pigtail. The Chinese would not submit to this; so the
politic Manchu emperor further decreed that only loyal subjects might
adopt the custom, criminals to be debarred. This ruse was so successful
that now the Chinaman is even proud of his adornment, and little
advantage is being taken of a recent relaxation of the decree.
Sailing for Singapore I was blessed with a cabin all to myself, and what
a blessing it is! In all my travels I have been singularly fortunate in
securing privacy in this way.
There is not much to interest in Singapore. It is one of the hottest
places on earth, the same in winter and summer, purely tropical. It has,
however, fine parks, streets and open places. The principal hotel is the
"Raffles," which I should imagine is also the worst. The most notable
feature of Singapore is the variety of "natives" domiciled
there--Ceylonese, Burmese, Chinese, Japanese, Siamese, Hindoos and
Malays. After leaving Singapore we looked in at Penang, where we had
time to inspect a famous Chinese temple. An American Army General,
D----, and his wife were among the passengers, and I found much pleasure
in their company; indeed, we travelled thereafter much together in
Burmah and India.
Rangoon, where we arrived next, is a large, well-laid-out city, as
cosmopolitan as Singapore. The bazaars are well worth visiting, and the
working of elephants in the great teak yards is one of the tourist's
principal sights. But the great Shwe Dagon pagoda is of course the
centre of interest, and indeed it is one of the most astonishing places
of worship it has been my fortune to visit. The pagoda itself is of the
typical bell shape, solidly built of brick, gilded from base to summit,
and crowned with a golden Ti. The shrines, too, which surround and
jostle it, hold the attention and wonder of the visitor. There are very
many of these, mostly of graceful design, with delicate and intricate
wood carvings and other decorations. The pagoda is the most venerated of
all Buddhist places of worship, containing as it does not only the eight
sacred hairs of Gautama, but also relics of the three Buddhas who
preceded him. It is also from its great height, 370 feet (higher than St
Paul's Cathedral), and graceful shape, extremely imposing and sublime.
From Rangoon I trained to Mandalay, on the Irawadi River, not a large
town, but rich in historical associations, and famous for its Buddhist
pagodas, such as The Incomparable and the Arakan; also the Queen's
Golden Monastery. King Theebaw's palace remains much as it was, and well
worth examination. The population here is almost purely Burmese; in fact
you see the Burmese at their best, and the impression is always
favourable. What brilliant but beautiful colours they affect in their
head-clothes, jackets and silken gowns. They are a cheerful,
light-hearted and good-natured people, lazy perhaps, but all apparently
well enough to do. The boys and the young men play the national game of
football, the ball, made simply of lightly-plaited bamboo strips, being
kicked and tossed into the air with wonderful skill and activity, never
being allowed to touch the ground. The way they can "take" the ball from
behind, and with the heel or side of the foot toss it upwards and
forwards, would be a revelation even to the Newcastle United. The women
and girls have utmost freedom and are to be seen everywhere, often
smoking enormous cigarettes: merry and careless, but always well, and
often charmingly, dressed.
A fine view, and good idea, of the great Irawadi River may be obtained
from Mandalay; but time was pressing, so I railed back to Rangoon
instead of making the river trip, which my friends, the D----s, did.
The steamer to Calcutta was unusually crowded, but I was again fortunate
enough to secure the use of the pilot's cabin all to myself. The Hugli
River was familiar even after thirty-four years' absence, and in
Calcutta I noticed little change. The hotels, including the Grand and
Continental, are quite unworthy of the city, only the very old and
well-known Great Eastern approaching the first-class character. Calcutta
was getting hot, so I at once went on to Darjeeling, hoping to get a
view of what my eyes had ever longed to see--the glorious high peaks of
the Himalayas, and the roof of the world. After a few hours' run through
the celebrated Terai jungle, the haunt, and probably final sanctuary, of
the big game of India, the track ascends rapidly and picturesquely
through the tea district of Kangra, and arrives at Darjeeling, elevation
7500 feet, the summer home of the Bengal Government and the merchant
princes of Calcutta and elsewhere. I had been forewarned that the
chances of seeing the high peaks at this time of the year were extremely
slim; but my experience and disappointment in connection with Korea and
Peking taught me to disregard such warnings; and, as it turned out, I
was rewarded with a perfect day and magnificent views of Mounts
Kinchinjunga and Everest, and all the other majestic heights; seen, too,
in all their phases of cloud and mist, of perfectly clear blue sky, and
of sunrise and sunset effects. It was indeed a most satisfying and
absorbing twenty-four hours' visit, as I had also time, under the
guidance of an official friend, to visit the picturesque weekly market
or bazaar, where natives from Sikkim, Nepal, Butan and Tibet may be seen
in all their dirt and strangeness. Also the quite beautiful Botanic
Gardens, the Club House, the prayer-wheels, etc. More than that, I was
privileged to pay my respects to the Dalai Lama, who had but recently
left his kingdom and taken refuge here. The acknowledged spiritual head
of the Buddhists of Mongolia and China is a young man with a dreamy,
absorbed expression of countenance, perhaps not of much intellectuality,
but who is approachable even to the merely curious. My friend and kind
cicerone was Commissioner of the Bengal police, and was extremely busy
laying guards along the railroad and taking all other necessary
precautions for the safety of the German Imperial Crown Prince during
his projected visit to Darjeeling, a visit ultimately abandoned. I can
imagine his chagrin at the waste of all his labours, expense to the
Indian Government, etc. etc., due to the caprice of this apparently
frivolous and not quite courteous young hopeful. Indeed, the Crown
Prince, though a popular young fellow enough, was the source of trouble
and tribulation to his hosts, breaking conventions and scandalizing
Society by his disregard of its usages.
Returning to Calcutta I thence took train to Agra via Allahabad,
purposely, on account of the great discomfort and poor hotel
accommodation due to the large tourist traffic, avoiding Lucknow,
Benares and Cawnpore. At Allahabad the Aga Khan, temporal head of the
Mohammedans of India, and a man of great authority and influence, joined
our train, and part of the way I was lucky enough to be in his company
and had an opportunity of speaking with him. In appearance he is a
Turk, quite European in dress, and seems capable, energetic, sociable
and agreeable. At every stopping-place he received an ovation, crowds of
his Mussulman supporters and friends, among them apparently being chiefs
and rajahs and other men of high degree, greeting him with much
enthusiasm, which enthusiasm I learned was aroused by His Highness'
endeavour towards the raising of the status of the Mohammedan College of
Aligarh to that of a university.
I should say here that, on Indian railways, the first-class carriages
are divided into compartments, containing each four beds, but in which
it is customary to put only two passengers, at least during sleeping
hours, and unless an unusual crowd requires otherwise.
It was also on this train I made the acquaintance of a gentleman on his
way to visit the Maharaja of Gwalior, and who was kind enough to ask me
to accompany him. I told him that if he would secure me an invitation
from the Maharaja I would be only too pleased to do so. Gwalior was a
place on my itinerary anyway; to go there as a guest would secure me
many advantages not attainable by the ordinary tourist. My friend said
he would see the Maharaja at once and have my visit arranged for. A few
days afterwards I received advice that it had been done, so on arrival
at Gwalior I was met by one of the State carriages and conveyed to the
Guest House, formerly the zenana, close to the palace, a very beautiful
and handsome building, where an excellent staff of servants, capital
meals, choice liquors and cigars, were at our free disposal. His
Highness does not eat with his guests, but they are all put up in this
building; and during big shoots, durbars, or festive occasions, the
house is always full. At the time of my visit the few guests included
two Scotch manufacturers, who had just effected large sales of machinery
to the Maharaja, the one securing from him an order worth £60,000 for
steam-breaking ploughs, the other an order of some £20,000 for pumping
appliances. The Maharaja is a thoroughly progressive man, has an
enormous revenue, and devotes a large part of it to the bringing into
cultivation tracts of hitherto unbroken and unoccupied land, which no
doubt will eventually increase his revenue and provide homesteads for
his people. Sindia, as his name is, is a keen soldier, a keen sportsman,
and most loyal to the British Raj. He moves about freely, wearing a
rough tweed suit, is busy and occupied all day long, and though he has
ministers and officials of all degrees, and keeps great state on
occasion, his army numbering some 5000 men, he finds time to superintend
the various departments of his Government, and to administer his State
with a thoroughness uncommon among Indian potentates. The new palace is
very beautiful and furnished in European manner, apparently quite
regardless of expense. The crystal chandeliers in the reception-rooms
are magnificent, and must alone represent fabulous sums. Near by the
palace are a number of lions, now kept in proper cages, but I must say
from the smell and filth not under very sanitary conditions. These lions
he had imported from abroad and turned loose to furnish sport to his
shooting friends; but they killed so many of the peasantry that they had
to be recaptured and confined. The town of Lashkar, the State capital
city, being reported full of plague, I was naturally careful in passing
through. Nothing in it calls for comment, however. Gwalior Fort, on a
high rocky plateau, has much historic interest. In it are the ancient
palaces, still in fair condition but long ago abandoned, certain Jain
temples covered with bas-relief carvings, tanks and many old ruins. The
entrance is handsome and impressive. My friend and myself were supplied
with an elephant, so we rode all over the immense fort, now almost
silent, having only a small guard and a few other occupants. Altogether
I enjoyed the visit very much, and after three or four days' stay
returned to Agra. Everyone knows Agra, with its heavenly Taj-Mahal, its
great fortress, its pearl mosque, its beautiful halls of audience and
its palaces. It is truly sad to know that one of our former
Governor-Generals actually proposed to tear down the Taj-Mahal so that
he could use the marble for other purposes! Among these delights of
architecture one could wander for days, ever with an unquenched greed
for the charm of their beauties. One sees marbled trellis-work of
exquisite design and execution, and inlaid flower wreaths and scrolls of
red cornelian and precious stone, as beautiful in colour as graceful in
form. Agra's cantonment avenues and parks are kept in excellent order.
The temperature at the time of my visit was delightfully cool, and the
hotel the best I had yet found in India. Fatepur Sikri, a royal city
built by Akbar, only to be abandoned by him again, is near Agra, and
possesses enough deserted palaces, mosques and other beautiful buildings
to make it well worth a visit.
There is, for instance, the great mosque, rival to the Taj-Mahal, the
inside of which is entirely overlaid with mother-of-pearl.
From Agra I went to Delhi, India's imperial city. In and around it are
innumerable palaces, mosques, tombs and forts, each and all worthy of
careful inspection; but I will only mention the Jama Musjid; inside the
fort the Diwan-i-Am, wherein formerly stood the famous peacock throne;
and the Diwan-i-Kas, at either end of which, over the outer arches, is
the famous Persian inscription, "If Heaven can be on the face of the
earth it is this! Oh, it is this! Oh, it is this!" In the city itself is
the famous street called Chandni Chauk. North of the city is a district
where the principal incidents of the siege took place, and there also is
the plain devoted to imperial durbars and assemblages. South of the city
are many celebrated tombs, such as those of Emperor Humayun, and of
Tughlak; and the majestic Kutab Minar. Mutiny recollections of course
enormously add to one's interest in Delhi, and many days may be
agreeably passed in company with her other historic, tragic and romantic
associations. At the time of my visit preparations were already
beginning for the great Coronation Durbar to be held next winter. Most
hotels and private houses have already been leased. What the general
public will do for accommodation I do not know. One will almost
necessarily, like the King, have to go under canvas. The Circuit House
will only be used by His Majesty should bad weather prevail. The native
rulers of every grade are going to make such a display of Oriental
magnificence as was never seen before. To many it will be their ruin, or
at least a serious crippling of their resources; but it is a chance for
display that does not often occur and they seem determined to make the
most of it.
Here at Delhi the General and myself again joined forces, he and his
wife having visited Lucknow and Cawnpore. We took train direct to
Peshawar, via Rawal Pindi and Lahore. I never knew anyone who enjoyed
foreign travel so much as my American friend. He was in a constant state
of delight, finding interest and pleasure in small matters that never
even attracted my attention, though as a rule my faculty for observation
is by no means obtuse. In Burmah the bright-hued cupras of the natives
filled him with intense joy, and the presence of some closely-screened
native ladies on a ferryboat so held his gaze that his wife (and I
suspect they were not long married) must have felt pangs of jealousy.
But he was a keen soldier, and had frequently represented his country at
the German and other manoeuvres, and had been Adjutant-General at the
inauguration of President Roosevelt, a very honourable position indeed.
So he was intensely interested in old forts and battlefields, and his
enthusiasm while in Peshawar and the Khaiber Pass was boundless. More
than that he was a strong Anglo-Phile, and amused me by his disparaging
criticism on how his own Government did things in the Philippines and
elsewhere, compared with what he saw in India and other British
possessions. Peshawar is a very delightful place, or so at least it
appeared to me. We lodged in a capital though small hotel. The climate
was then very agreeable; the cantonment gardens and avenues are a
paradise of beauty, at least compared with the surrounding dry and
semi-barren country. In the native city one mixed with new races of
people, Afghans and Asians, and picturesque and fierce-looking tribesmen
from the hills. Also an immense number of camels, the only means of
traffic communication with western and northern native states.
But before arriving at Peshawar one must not forget to mention the
magnificent view obtained from the car windows of the glorious range of
Cashmere Snowy Mountains, showing peaks of 20,000 to 25,000 feet
elevation; nor the crossing by a fortified railway bridge of the
historic Indus River, near Attock, at the very spot where the Greek
Alexander entered India on his campaign of conquest A mile above this
point the Kabul River joins the Indus. Here too is a romantic-looking
town and fortress built by the Emperor Akbar, still unimpaired and in
occupation by British troops. The approaches to the bridge and fort are
strongly guarded, emplacements for guns being noticeable at every
vantage point on the surrounding hills, while ancient round towers and
other fortifications tell of the troublous times and martial deeds this
important position has been witness to.
For our visit to the Khaiber Pass General Nixon, Commandant at Peshawar,
put a carriage at our disposal, in which we drove as far as Jamrud, the
isolated fort so often pictured in our illustrated papers, where we
exchanged into tongas, in which to complete the journey through the pass
as far as Ali Musjid. The pass is now patrolled by the Afridi Rifles, a
corps composed of Afridi tribesmen commanded by British officers. At
frequent intervals along the route these Afridi sentinels can be seen
standing on silent guard on all commanding points of the hills. One sees
numerous Afridi hamlets, though what the occupants find to support
themselves with it is difficult to understand. A good carriage road
continues all the way, in places steep enough and tortuous, as the rough
broken nature of the country necessitates. By another road or trail,
paralleling our own, a continuous string of camel caravans proceeds in
single file at a leisurely gait, the animals loaded with merchandise for
the Kabul market and others in Central Asia. It is a rough, desolate and
uninteresting country, yet grand and beautiful in its way, and one is at
once struck with the difficulties to be encountered by troops
endeavouring to force their way through, commanded as the pass is at
every turn by positions so admirably suited for guerrilla warfare and
delightful possibilities for an enemy with sniping propensities. At Ali
Musjid the camel and carriage tracks come together. Here at this little
mosque was the point beyond which we were not allowed to proceed; so
after a most interesting visit we returned to Peshawar. We were most
fortunate in the weather, as the strong wind which always blows down the
pass is in winter time generally excessively cold. At Peshawar I bade
good-bye to my most agreeable American friends, the General being keen
on visiting Quetta; whither, had it not been so much out of my own
proposed line of travel, I would gladly have accompanied him. So my next
move was back to Delhi, and thence by train via Jeypore to Udaipur, one
of the most delightfully picturesque and interesting of all Indian
native capitals. There is a tiny little hotel at Udaipur, outside the
walls, showing that visiting tourists are few and far between. The
Maharana holds by his old and established customs, and has none of the
modern spirit shown by such princes as Sindia, the Nizam, and certain
other native chiefs. He has, however, gone so far as to furnish his new
palace in a most gorgeous manner, the chairs, tables, mirror frames,
bedsteads seen in the State apartments being composed of crystal glass.
The show attraction of the palace, in the eyes of the attendants, who
were ever at one's beck and call, was a Teddy dog with wagging head,
which miracle of miracles one seemed to be expected to properly marvel
at. The old palace, adjoining the new, is a much finer building, being
mostly of marble, and is purely Oriental in its stairways, doorways,
closets, balconies and delightful roof-gardens, as one's preconceived
notions expect an Eastern potentate's palace to be. The new palace
showed no sign of occupancy, and I imagined the Maharana, then absent,
really favours the older building, and small blame to him! Around in
various places the State elephants are stabled, or rather chained, in
the open air, and looked after by their numerous attendants. In the
grand court in front were several of these animals, and a myriad of
pigeons, protected by their sanctity, flew about in clouds, or perched
on the projections of the palace walls. From a boat on the large and
lovely lake, on whose very edge the commanding palace stands, a
beautiful view is obtained. On islands in the lake two delightful little
summer palaces are built, of white marble and luxuriously furnished
within. Elephants were bathing themselves at the water's edge, and the
roar of caged lions was heard from the neighbouring royal garden.
Pea-fowl perched on the marble colonnade, and pigeons were circling and
sailing in the glorious sunshine. What a sight! especially when evening
drew in, and the setting sun lighted up the graceful cupolas and domes,
and threw shadows round the towers and battlements, the whole reflected
in the glassy surface of the water. At one place near by the wild pigs
approached to be fed and some grand old fellows may be seen amongst
them.
[Illustration: PALACE OF MAJARANA OF UDAIPUR.]
It is still the custom of nearly all men here above the rank of coolie
to carry swords or other weapons. For are these Rajputs not of a proud
and warlike race, as may be seen by their bearing; and is not their
Maharana of the longest lineage in India, and the highest in rank of all
the Rajput princes? A few miles from the capital is Chitorgarh. Here I
saw the wonderful old fortress, with its noble entrance gate, and the
ancient town of Chitor, once the capital of Mewar. Also the two imposing
towers of Fame and Victory. Throughout the state one is struck by the
great number of wild pea-fowl picking their way through the stubble just
as pheasants do. The flesh of pea-fowl, which I have tasted, is
excellent eating, surpassing that of the pheasant. One also sees numbers
of a large grey, long-tailed monkey, which seem to preferably attach
themselves to old and ruined temples or tombs. From here, Chitorgarh, I
next took train to Bombay, passing through Rutlam, a great
poppy-producing centre. At Baroda I received into my compartment the
brother of the late Gaikwar (uncle of the present?). It had often
occurred to me before to wonder how the high-class natives travel on the
railways. Never had I yet seen a native enter a first-class compartment
where there happened to be any Europeans. In this instance, at Baroda,
I had noticed a man, apparently of consequence, judging by his
attendants, evidently wanting to travel by this train. Soon one of the
party approached, and almost humbly, it seemed more than politely, asked
if I would have no objection to the company of the brother of the
Gaikwar. Of course I said I could have no objection, and so we travelled
together to Bombay. But what is the feeling between the two races that
keeps them thus apart?
Bombay surprised me more by the delightfully cold breeze then blowing
than by anything else. I took a drive over Malabar Hill and saw the
Parsee Towers of Silence, as they are popularly called. The immense Taj
Hotel, where I stayed one night, by no means justifies its pretensions.
Indeed, it is one of the poorest or worst in all India. Next day I
started out for Hyderabad, and had a long, hot, slow twenty-four hours'
journey; the principal crop noticed being to me the familiar Kafir corn.
Yes, it was very hot and dusty. As usual, the train was packed with
natives, but myself seemed to be the only European on board. Arrived at
Hyderabad, I at once drove over to Secunderabad, a very large British
cantonment and station. From here, missing the friends I had come to
see, and there being nothing to specially interest otherwise, I again
took train to Madras. A letter of introduction in my pocket to the
Nizam's Prime Minister might have been useful in seeing the city had I
presented it, but pressure of time induced me to push on; nor did I stop
in Madras longer than to allow of a drive round the city, the heat being
very great. Indeed, I was getting very tired of such hurried travel and
sight-seeing, and was longing for a week's rest and quietude in the cool
and pleasant highlands of Ceylon. My health also was now giving me some
concern; so on again to Madura, _en route_ to Tuticorin, from whence a
steamer would take me across to the land of spicy breezes. Madura has a
wonderful old temple of immense size, surrounded by gopuras of pyramidal
form, in whose construction huge stones of enormous dimensions were
utilized; the temple also has much fine carving, etc. The old palace is
of great beauty and interest.
Colombo was, as usual, uncomfortably warm; only on the seashore at Galle
Face could one get relief, and Galle Face with its excellent hotel is
certainly a very delightful place. I did not stay in Colombo, but at
once took train to visit Anauradapura and the dead cities of Ceylon.
Here was the heart of a district ten miles in diameter, practically
covered by the site and remains of the ancient city, which in its prime,
about the beginning of the Christian era, ranked with Babylon and
Nineveh in its dimensions, population and magnificence. Its walls
included an area of 260 square miles. Among its ruins the most notable
are the dagobas (pagodas), some of such enormous size that the number of
bricks used in their construction baffles conception. One of the dagobas
has a diameter of 327 feet and a height of 270. It is solidly built of
bricks, and contains material enough to build a complete modern town of
50,000 people. These Buddhist dagobas of Ceylon have the bell-shape
form, and serve the same purpose as the Shwe Dagon in Rangoon, viz., to
shelter relics of the Buddhas. Close by, within the walls of a Buddhist
temple, or monastery, still grows the famous Bo or Pipal tree, the
oldest living historical tree in the world, brought here 250
B.C. from Buddh Gaya in India. Only a fragment of the original
main trunk now exists, the various offshoots growing vigorously in the
surrounding compound, all still guarded and attended by the priests as
lovingly as when done 2200 years ago. At Anauradapura is a quite
charming little Rest House, shaded and surrounded by beautiful tropical
trees of great variety.
From here I went to Kandy, the former capital of the native kings of
that name. In the fourteenth century a temple was erected here to
contain a tooth of Buddha and other relics. Later, the temple was sacked
and the sacred tooth destroyed, but another to which was given similar
attributes was put in its place. Kandy is a pretty spot, with a good
hotel and agreeable climate, its elevation being 1800 feet above
sea-level. Near by is Paradenia and the beautiful Botanical Gardens, in
which it is a perfect delight to wander.
We had already passed through a most lovely and picturesque country; but
the grandest and most impressive scenery of Ceylon lies between Kandy
and Newara Elia. Tea-gardens extend everywhere, and the cosy,
neat-looking bungalows of the planters have a most attractive
appearance. Newara Elia stands very high, some 7000 feet. Its vegetation
is that of a temperate climate, and in the winter months the climate
itself is ideal. The bracing atmosphere suggests golf and all other
kinds of sport, and golfing there is of the very best kind. There is an
excellent hotel, though I myself put up at the Hill Club. All Ceylon is
beautiful, the roads are good, and many delightful excursions can be
made. I do not think I ever saw a more beautiful country. But the
sailing date draws near, so I must hurry down again to Colombo, and thus
practically complete my second tour round the world. A P. & O. steamer
brought us to Aden, the canal, Messina and Marseilles. We enjoyed lovely
cool and calm weather all the way till near the end, when off the
"balmy" coast of the Riviera we encountered bitter cold winds and stormy
seas. And so through France to England, to the best country of them all,
even though it be the land of coined currency bearing no testimony to
its value; where registered letters may be receipted for by others than
the addressee; and where butcher meat is freely exposed in the shops,
and even outside, to all the filth that flies--my last fling at the dear
old country.
Someone has asked me which was the most beautiful place I had ever seen?
It was impossible to answer. The whole world is beautiful! The barren
desert, the boundless ocean, the mountain region and the flat country,
even these monotonous Staked Plains of New Mexico, under storm or
sunshine, all equally compel us to admiration and wonderment.
In closing this somewhat higgledy-piggledy narrative, let me once more
express my hope that readers will have found in it some entertainment,
perhaps instruction, and possibly amusement.
APPENDIX
_Note I._--An outcry against Mormonism has been raised lately in this
country. It is its polygamous character that has been attacked. But does
polygamy deserve all that is said about it? It is not immoral and should
not be criminal. Compare it with the very vicious modern custom of
restricted families, which is immoral and should be criminal. Where is
our population going to come from? The Chinese, Japanese, Indians and
negroes are swarming all over the earth; while our race is almost
stagnant, yet owning and claiming continents and islands practically
unpeopled. Some day, possibly, polygamy will have to be permitted, even
by the most civilized of nations.
_Note II._--In this present year there is much writing and much talking
about arbitration treaties and preferential tariffs. A general
arbitration on _all_ matters between the United States and Great Britain
is probably quite impracticable. Preferential tariff within the Empire
would be highly advantageous to the Mother Country. If so, let us go for
it while the opportunity offers. But it does seem to me there is a
much-mistaken idea prevalent at home as to the loyalty of the Colonies
and Dominions. One travels for information and should be allowed to give
his conclusions. What holds these offshoots to the mother stem? Loyalty?
I think not. Simply the realization that they are not (not yet) strong
enough to stand alone: and it is the opinion of many that, as soon as
they are, loyalty will be thrown to the winds; and naturally! (Since
the above was written has it not been abundantly verified?) There is
also even a belief (the wish being father to the thought) that the
United States of America have a sentimental feeling for the Old Country;
and one frequently hears the platform or banquet stock phrase, "Blood is
thicker than water." It would be well if our people were enlightened
with the truth. After twenty-five years' residence in the United States
I will dare to say that the two nations are entirely foreign and
antagonistic one to another. And it is a fortunate thing that between
them few "Questions" remain to be arbitrated either by pen or sword. The
two peoples do not understand one another, and do not try to. The
ordinary English traveller does not meet or mix with the real American
people, who are rapidly developing a civilization entirely their own, in
social customs, in civil government, and even in fashions of dress.
_Note III._--Might a just comparison not be drawn between these "dogies"
and the type of men we now recruit for our standing Army? Are they not
dogies? Is it not a fact that many of them never had a square meal in
their lives! At least they look like it. But when taken up, if not while
yet babies at least when they are still at a critical age of
development, say eighteen years, and fed substantially and satisfyingly,
as is now done in the Army, what an almost miraculous physical change
takes place! And not only physical, but mental and moral, due to the
influence of discipline and athletic exercises. If such be the effect on
our few annual recruits, why not submit the whole young manhood of the
nation to such beneficial conditions by the introduction of compulsory
national military service? And not only that! Is not the private soldier
of this country, alone of all others, refused admission to certain
places of entertainment open to the public? Why? Because he is a
hireling. Because no man of character or independence will adopt such a
calling. He would degrade himself by doing so. But make the service
compulsory to all men, and at once the calling becomes an honourable
one. Can it be imagined for a moment that any of our raw recruits enter
the service from a love for King and country? No; they sell their
birthright for a red coat and a pittance, renounce their independence
and stultify the natural ambition that should stimulate every man worthy
of the name.
Though our men do not have the initiative and self-resource of the
Americans, still they are the smartest and best-set-up troops in the
world. Many of them are of splendid physique and look like they could go
anywhere and do anything. The whole world _was_ open to them; yet here
they still are in the ranks, dummies and automatons, devoid of ambition
and self-assertiveness.
Only national service will rid us of the army of unemployables. It will
develop them physically and mentally, and make men of them such as our
Colonies will be glad and proud to admit to citizenship.
EDINBURGH
COLSTONS LIMITED
PRINTERS
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