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the party under Jed Parker。 They went forward toward the common
centre； with a slow ruminative movement； and the dust they raised went
with them。 Little by little they grew plainer to us； and the home
ranch； hitherto merely a brown shimmer in the distance； began to take on
definition as the group of buildings； windmills；and corrals we knew。
Miniature horsemen could be seen galloping forward to the open white
plain where the herd would be held。 Then the mesquite enveloped us；
and we knew little more； save the anxiety lest we overlook laggards in the
brush； until we came out on the edge of that same white plain。 Here
were more cattle； thousands of them； and billows of dust； and a great
bellowing； and slim； mounted figures riding and shouting ahead of the
herd。 Soon they succeeded in turning the leaders back。 These threw
into confusion those that followed。 In a few moments the cattle had
stopped。 A cordon of horsemen sat at equal distances holding them in。
〃Pretty good haul；〃 said the man next to me； 〃a good five thousand head。〃
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ARIZONA NIGHTS
CHAPTER SIX CUTTING OUT
It was somewhere near noon by the time we had bunched and held the
herd of some four or five thousand head in the smooth； wide flat； free from
bushes and dog holes。 Each sat at ease on his horse facing the cattle；
watching lazily the clouds of dust and the shifting beasts； but ready at any
instant to turn back the restless or independent individuals that might
break for liberty。 Out of the haze came Homer； the round…up captain；
on an easy lope。 As he passed successively the sentries he delivered to
each a low command； but without slacking pace。 Some of those spoken
to wheeled their horses and rode away。 The others settled themselves in
their saddles and began to roll cigarettes。
〃Change horses； get something to eat；〃 said he to me； so I swung after
the file traveling at a canter over the low swells beyond the plain。
The remuda had been driven by its leaders to a corner of the pasture's
wire fence； and there held。 As each man arrived he dismounted； threw
off his saddle； and turned his animal loose。 Then he flipped a loop in his
rope and disappeared in the eddying herd。 The discarded horse； with
many grunts； indulged in a satisfying roll； shook himself vigorously； and
walked slowly away。 His labour was over for the day； and he knew it；
and took not the slightest trouble to get out of the way of the men with the
swinging ropes。 Not so the fresh horses； however。 They had no
intention of being caught； if they could help it； but dodged and twisted； hid
and doubled behind the moving screen of their friends。 The latter；
seeming as usual to know they were not wanted； made no effort to avoid
the men； which probably accounted in great measure for the fact that the
herd as a body remained compact； in spite of the cowboys threading it； and
in spite of the lack of an enclosure。 Our horses caught； we saddled
as hastily as possible； and then at the top speed of our fresh and eager
ponies we swept down on the chuck wagon。 There we fell off our
saddles and descended on the meat and bread like ravenous locusts on a
cornfield。 The ponies stood where we left them； 〃tied to the ground〃； the
cattle…country fashion。 As soon as a man had stoked up for the
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ARIZONA NIGHTS
afternoon he rode away。 Some finished before others； so across the plain
formed an endless procession of men returning to the herd； and of those
whom they replaced coming for their turn at the grub。 We found the
herd quiet。 Some were even lying down； chewing their cuds as
peacefully as any barnyard cows。 Most； however； stood ruminative； or
walked slowly to and fro in the confines allotted by the horsemen； so that
the herd looked from a distance like a brown carpet whose pattern was
constantly changinga dusty brown carpet in the process of being beaten。
I relieved one of the watchers； and settled myself for a wait。 At this
close inspection the different sorts of cattle showed more distinctly their
characteristics。 The cows and calves generally rested peacefully enough；
the calf often lying down while the mother stood guard over it。 Steers；
however； were more restless。 They walked ceaselessly； threading their
way in and out among the standing cattle； pausing in brutish amazement at
the edge of the herd； and turning back immediately to endless journeyings。
The bulls； excited by so much company forced on their accustomed
solitary habit； roared defiance at each other until the air fairly trembled。
Occasionally two would clash foreheads。 Then the powerful animals
would push and wrestle； trying for a chance to gore。 The decision of
supremacy was a question of but a few minutes； and a bloody topknot the
worst damage。 The defeated one side…stepped hastily and clumsily out of
reach； and then walked away。 Most of the time all we had to do
was to sit our horses and watch these things； to enjoy the warm bath of the
Arizona sun； and to converse with our next neighbours。 Once in a while
some enterprising cow； observing the opening between the men； would
start to walk out。 Others would fall in behind her until the movement
would become general。 Then one of us would swing his leg off the
pommel and jog his pony over to head them off。 They would return
peacefully enough。 But one black muley cow； with a calf as black
and muley as herself； was more persistent。 Time after time； with infinite
patience； she tried it again the moment my back was turned。 I tried
driving her far into the herd。 No use； she always returned。 Quirtings
and stones had no effect on her mild and steady persistence。 〃She's
a San Simon cow；〃 drawled