Wells Brothers

s crept into the hearts of the waifs. Theirs had been a cheerless boyhood; shifted about from pillar to post, with poverty their one sure companion, they had tasted of the wormwood in a

own, and the one memory of their childhood worthy of remembrance was the love of a mother, which aros

an incentive to watchfulness had openly expressed doubt of the ability of the boys to battle with the elements. The

ceding horsemen. "He's afraid a storm will catch us several miles out and

aware that the storm which rocks also roots the oak, but unable to make the comparison or draw the inference between surrounding nature and himself. For an instant the horsemen dipped from view, changing the scene, and a picture rose up, a vision of the future,

sly answering his gray-haired sponsor, fading from sight

ted Dell, following his brother into th

nswered Joel, almost hissing the words-

ss and water. Nothing was said about the first four horses, from which the boys understood that they were, at least for the present, left in their charge

y drover had ceased, and the active trail of a month before had been deserted. The new ranch had no neighbors, the nearest habitation was on the railroad to the south, and the utter loneliness of the plain was only overcome by active work. To those who love them, cattle and horses are good company, and in their daily rides the l

favored the ranch, the dry weather curing the buffalo grass on the divides, until it was the equal of hay, thus assuring the cattle of ample grazing until spring. The usual squaw winter passed in a swirl of snow, a single angr

ual number of round trips would be required to freight the grain from the railroad to the ranch. The corn had been shelled and sacked a

se awaited the earnest boy. As if he were a citizen of the hamlet, and in his usual quiet way, Paul Priest greeted Joel on his arrival. The old foreman had secretly left a horse with the rail

ight delay a courier with an important order. I feel an interest in your little ranch, and when I know that everything is done that can be done to fortify against the coming winter, I'll go home feeling better. There is such a thing as kill

he winter come as it may, we're going

ange," said the latter, "and that's the reason he fears the worst. But come as it will, if we do all in our power, put up the best fight i

detail, down to a change of clean saddle blankets, for winter work, must be fully understood. The death of a horse in which reliance rested, at an unfortunate moment, might mean t

he presence of a veteran of the open. Before leaving the depot, Priest unearthed a number of bundles, "little things that might come in handy,"

t cattle, and which was overlooked in branding?" inqu

d beef, b

y do you reckon we ov

hought it was

ers, has reached his prime, and the governor's cellar won't have any better corn beef this winter than the Wells ranch. Seven or eight hundred pounds of pi

n found him on the south fork; cattle were encountered near the juncture, and as he approached the grove, a horseman rode out as if to dispute the passage of an intruder. The old foreman noticed the boyish figure and delayed the meeting, reining in to critically examine cattle which he had branded some three months befo

could have made coffee here. It was so lonesome at th

," admitted Priest; "that's why they all look so

near the corral," replied the boy, r

m over," simply sa

as overlooked on the homeward ride. The summer gloss had passed and the hairy, shaggy, winter coats of the cattle almost hi

hat needn't worry us," said Priest; "the cattle h

hey range below the ranch; and there isn't a cripple

and smiled. "Outsiders say," said he, "that it's a maxim among us Texans never to eat your own b

he salt and barrels, there were sheepskin-lined coats and mittens, boots of heavy felting, flannels over and under, as if the boys were being outfitted for a polar expedition. "I

elves in strengthening the commissary. The barrels were made sweet and clean with scalding water, knives were ground, and a crude platform erected for cooling out

d every head of a family, on a ranch, ought to know how to cure corn beef.

ment of action was at hand. Without in the least alarming the other cattle, the cast was made, the loop opened in mid-air, settled around the horns, cut fast by a jerk of the rope, and the contest between man and animal began. It was over in a moment. The shade of a willow was the chosen spot, and as the cattle were freed, the steer turned,

ack," said the gray-haired Texan, dis

mal heat passed away, and before sunrise the meat was salted into barrels. Thereafter, or until it was drained of every animal impurity, the beef was spread on the platform nightly, the brine boile

an't see what made the loop open for you yesterday,"

a rope. The oval must have a heavy side, which you get by letting the Hondo run almost halfway round the loop, or double on one side. Then when you make your cast, the light side

ired of practicing with a rope, while the patient man called attention to several wrist movements which lent assistance in forming a perfect loop. The slightest success was rep

wn personal use. These fancy riders and ropers are usually Sunday men. When I make up an outfit for the trail, I never insist on any special attainments. Just so he's good natured, and no danger

ad been provided, and a full gallon of poisoned tallow was prepared in event of its needs. While Joel was away after the last load of corn, several dozen wooden holders were

no chances, for you're dealing with a crafty enemy. About the troughs on the ground, surrounding the bait, every trace of human scent must be avoided. For that reason, you must handle the holder with a spear or hay fork, and if you have oc

t pack the tallow in the auger hole, filling from a half to two thirds full. Force Mr. Wolf to lick it out, administer the poison slowly, and you are sure of his scalp. You will notice I have bored the hole in solid wood, to prevent gnawing, and you must pack the suet

Since the winter could not be foreseen, the only safe course was to anticipate the worst, and barring the burning of the range from unseen sources, the new ranch

unexpected storm. If a change of weather threatens, point your herd to meet it, and then if you are caught out, you will hav

back the extra mount, thus leaving five of Lovell's horses in possession of the boys. On the day of departure, at breakfast, aft

ncern for the herd be the first and last thought of the day, and then I'll get my beauty sleep this winter. The unforeseen may happen; but I want you to remember that when storms howl the loudest, your Mr. Quince and I will be right around the bend of the creek, with our ear to the ground, the reserve