Big Red - Part 2:The Wild Herd’s

 

Big Red climbed up on horse the next morning feeling down right frisky.  Those legs gave him no trouble at all and even his horse “Damit” seemed to be feeling his oats.  As they started out for Canada.   A little over two hundred miles.  As he traveled he would see farms and ranches along his route.  Oh there was a lot of open country but Red thought to himself “man the land is filling up fast”.  As he traveled north he saw fewer and fewer homesteads and the land looked less and less inviting.  Damit was a good strong horse and gave him no trouble.   Oh some nights Damit would warn him of something was about but either Damit or Red getting up seemed to scare it off.  One day Red saw a bunch of Indians on horseback but they were way off.  Red felt they must not seen him because a lone rider was still fair game to Indians.  As Red rode alone the trail he thought about that old rancher.  All in all he was a good man and sure treated me fair.  I hope he finds comfort for his old age. 

            After a few days of travel and an hour after sun up Big Red could see a settlement in the distance so he hurried his horse along.  A good meal would be just fine today thought Red.  A few hours later he rode into town.  The first thing he saw was a sign saying meals. 

            The meal over, Red sat back to enjoy his coffee.  Setting their feeling fat and comfortable when in walked the sheriff and a deputy.  They walked straight to him.  I have to check all strangers in town said the sheriff and I don’t remember seeing you before.  Are you planning on staying long?  No said Big Red I’m heading for Canada, my uncle Ben Berkhaltz is just across the border.  Oh yea said the sheriffs, I’ve heard of him, are you part of his gang?  No said Red actually I’ve never seen him, just heard about him.  Nothing wrong with him, is there?   Not that I can prove said the sheriff, but I’ve always wondered how he and that gang support themselves.  Now you got worried said Big Red.  I didn’t want no trouble.  I see you ain’t wearing gun’s and said the sheriff you don’t look like a man who wants trouble so let me give you some advise.  Ben Berkhaltz may be all right but if I was you I’d ride the other direction.  At this Big Red stood up. Towering over both men they suddenly realized how big Big Red was and there reaction was obvious.  Red stood there a minute enjoying his size for the very first time.  Okay sheriff said Big Red I’ll think that one over.  As Red walked out the door both the sheriff and deputy stood there just looking at him.  When Big Red was outside the deputy said I’d hate to try to arrest that man.  I’ll bet he could be real mean. I hope I never have to said the sheriff.  But that uncle of his is one tough man and he’s still going even though he must be over eighty years old.

            Big Red rode out of town sitting tall in his saddle.  He knew what kind of impression he’d made and it kind of tickled him.  Oh he didn’t want no trouble but what did that sheriff mean about riding the other way.  Big Red had come this far and he was going to see uncle Ben and that was that.

            When Big Red crossed the border into Canada he did not even know it.  They had markers every so often but Red missed them.  The border was pretty much open, the Indians went back and forth as was there custom and neither government patrolled the border much. 

            Big Red ran into a man in a wagon and got directions to the ranch.  Arriving at the ranch in late afternoon Red was mildly surprised to see no one around.  As he rode up to the front door of the house he saw a curtain move.  Red just sat there for some time then a voice said what do you want stranger?  I’m Big Red your nephew said Red.  At that the door opened and out came an old man who was almost as Big as Red.  Big Red got off his horse walked up to his uncle and stuck out his hand.  Uncle Ben grabbed that hand shook it vigorously and said man you are a big one.  At this several men deemed to come from nowhere and a woman about uncle Bens age came out of the house.

            Terrible thing your mother and dad both being so young, sad Ben.  What brings you up to these parts?  Oh, I just wanted to meet you and aunt Sarra.  Dad used to talk a lot about you, said Red.  Dad said you always had some thing going and I’m sort of looking for work now.  My brother Jim went back to Iowa to try his hand at farming, but me I kinda like this ranching.  You got anything for me?  Ben looked at Big Red for a minute then said how are you at breaking horses?   Red said I can ride them as good as any man.  Good said Ben cause that’s what we are doing now.  We go out on the parries and round up wild horses and run them to a place we got.  Cull out the bad one’s break the rest to ride and sell them to the U.S. Army.  We been make’n good money up till now, but they have a hoof and mouth disease ban on now so we can’t take am across the border.  Legally that is, and we been trying to figure what to do so come on in,  all you boy’s come we’ll talk it over.  Ma get some coffee.  Big Red noticed that the men were a tough bunch.  They all wore guns even uncle Ben wore a gun.  They all went into the kitchen and sat at the table as Ma poured coffee.  One of the men spoke up and said, well Ben if we can’t figure how to get them horses across that border I think me and some of the boys will be moving on.

            Now just a minute said Ben, there’s got to be a way.  We know there’s plenty of wild horses out there and they got no hoof and mouth disease either but if we get caught we’ll go to jail for sure.  No, we got to fine an angle, there’s got to be one.  One of the men spoke up, this here ranch goes right up to the border, why can’t we get the ranch on the other side and just run them ranch-to-ranch.  Who would know the difference?   Ben jumped up, now there’s an idea.  I happen to know the man who owns that ranch and he ain’t work’en it now.  Got him self-hurt.  I bet he’d rent it cheap.  Okay, said Ben who can we get?  I can’t do it, that would be to obvious, we got to get someone no one around here knows.  With that all looked at Big Red.  

            Now Red was no crook and he would never cheat a man but he did not mind bending rules if he could make some money.  After all he’d like his own ranch someday and you needed money for that.  As Red mulled it over in his mind all the men were encouraging him to do it, by telling him about the money they all would make.  Okay said Big Red, but I don’t have enough money to rent that ranch.

            Uncle Ben said don’t worry about that we will put up the money.  Now I’ll tell you how to do it.  Ole Svenson owns that ranch, Ole and I go way back.  Ole hurt himself a while ago and hasn’t worked the ranch since.  I’ll make you out a rental agreement, Ole can’t read but you tell him I’m your uncle and what this rental agreement is and he’ll sign it, he can write his name.  We’ll do this legal like so as not to raise any suspicions.  We don’t want any more trouble than we can handle.  Big Red looked up and said what about the sheriff I met in town.  Yea, steer clear of him said Ben he’s as crooked as they come.

            Big Red settled into living in the ranch house, even got some horses to make it look good.  All right said Ben, lets go get some ponies and the whole gang took off up into Canada.  A few days later they found a herd.  Big Red looked them over and saw a fine bunch of horse, but what do we do with them now he said.  All right said Uncle Ben, you just follow our lead, we got just the place for them.  They started driving them in one direction.  Now these are wild horses’ so driving them wasn’t easy.  Every so often on or two would try to get away and they would go round them up and drive them back to the herd.  They herded those horses all day, finally coming to a hilly area. 

            As they got into the hills Big Red realized they were driving the horses to a narrow place between two straight up hills.  As they got closer Red saw the fence and gate across to opening maybe forty of fifty feet wide.  When the last horse was through the gate one of the hands closed the gate.  What’s on the other side asked Red?  Not much said uncle Ben.  There maybe a couple of acres of flat land then two sides have a shear drop off of a hundred feet the other a straight up wall like you see here and then theres this entry.  I found this place years ago and it worked just fine for us.  It’s late now so lets settle down and have some grub and get some sleep.  Tomorrow the work starts, we got to break everyone of those horses to ride. 

            The next day was long and hard.  Some horses just a few jumps and a ride around was all it took, but a few would buck for an hour and some were real fighters.  They tried to bit the rider, even lay down and roll over, to that the rider had to step off and get on again as the horse was getting up.  In the end all the horses were broke to ride.  Those mean ones still had to watch, but that meant they had a lot of grit and would make a good horse over the long haul.  Big Red had a new understanding of those men uncle Ben had working for him.  They had earned their money right here.

            Every one of them had broken their share of horses, even uncle Ben, as old as he was did his share too.  All right said uncle Ben, now comes the ticklelish part.  We got to run these horses over to your ranch Red, and we don’t want to be seen, so I’m sending two riders ahead to check the border and keep an eye out for anyone.  If they spot anyone we will hold the horses till its clear.  Okay Chuck, you and Rush go ahead and make sure its clear.  Now the rest of us will start the drive.  I’ll take the lead said Ben and I’ll ride that horse their.  He seems to be the leader, soothe rest should follow.  You fellows will ride up the rear and watch for any that try to stray off.  The day went long, tiresome and thank goodness uneventful.  The wild horses had gotten used to the men so they did not try to get away and they followed their leader.  As they got to uncle Ben’s ranch, one of the men sent ahead was waiting. He told us he saw some Mounties riding the border, so maybe they should hold up a while.  That many horses kick up a lot of dust and can be seen for miles, so they put them in the coral, gave them some hay and water and went to the house to eat.

            The next morning riders were out before the sun was up.  Back a couple of hours later to report that there was no one in sight and it looked clear to go.  All right said uncle Ben, lets move them out.  Fat and full of hay it was hard to get the horses going, but by afternoon they were at the border.  The lookouts on each side waved them on so they crossed to Big Red’s rented ranch.  Here again corralled them and fed them.  Feed them good said Ben, we want them to look good for the Army, and that’s another two days ride.  With all the horses taken care off the men settled down to a meal and some sleep.  Things had gone pretty smooth so far, but that was about to change.

            The next morning before dawn, Big Red woke up.  He could hear the horses moving around and restless, so he got up to see what was going on.  In what little light there was he could see someone moving toward the coral gate.  Red grabbed his 30-30 carbine and shot right over his head.  The man turned and ran but that shot got every one in house up.  No lights, said Red, someone was trying to get our horses, I just shot over his head.  You should have shot him said one of the hands.  No Red said, I might of hit a horse that way.  I think we better slip out doors and make sure he or they are gone.

            Don’t shoot till you know who it is said uncle Ben.  Out the door they went, one at a time with uncle Ben staying on the porch where he could see the coral gate.  Then some pistol fire, but Ben could see only a few muzzle flashes so he know someone was shoot back.  Then a rider made for the coral gate, Ben dropped him with on shot, the years had not hurt his marksmanship.  At that a bunch of riders came in with guns blazing.  One by one after a 30-30 carbine shot half the riders fell the rest turned tail and ran.  It was getting daylight now ad all the men came running back.

            When they saw the riders on the ground they all said that was some shooting, who did it.  Uncle Ben said only one man hers got a 30-30 carbine.  Red how’d you do it?  I don’t know, said Red, guess it just comes natural.  I ain’t never shot a man before, who we got out there?  As they turned the men over they recognized some of them.  As they stood looking at them, uncle Ben said, the sheriff’s men, he was trying to steal the my herd.  That crook is real two faced, playing at being sheriff and trying to steal our horses, if that don’t beat all.  Two of you saddle up and look around, if you don’t see them, see if you can pick up their trail.  I want to know where they are.   Big Red walked over to Ben, do you think that sheriff will give us anymore trouble?  Oh yea, said Ben, he’s a crook and he don’t give up easy, were going to have to be on guard now but I don’t think he expected anyone to shoot like you did.  Lets hope that backs him off for a while.  Once we get to the Army Fort we are fine them soldiers need mounts and they pay top dollar too. 

            As daylight came you could see four bodies lying out.  Big Red said I know I hit six of them, two must have got away.  What we going to do with the bodies?  Uncle Ben thought a minute, then said bury them in the coral, then let the horse stomp over the graves.  After that nobody will know their there.  When the burying was done and the horses run over them for some time, uncle Ben said we’d best get going shouldn’t wait for that sheriff to get organized, so lets get going.  So on the trail they went.  There is a place up ahead said uncle Ben called “The Hole in the Wall”.  It’s a just a big cave in a ravine, hold these horses just fine.  That sheriff know about it, so we will have to be on guard, but I sure hope we scared them off.  That sheriff is a crook but he’s a coward too, he don’t like to get shot at.  Four men took turns standing guard, but the night went by uneventful.  The next day at dawn they were on the trail. 

            Taking a herd of horses across country is no easy job, in fact it’s hard work, especially when their still only half broke.  They will try anyway they can to get away, so you have to ride a tight herd on them.  Still every so often one or another will make a run for it.  Then all you can do is run him down and bring him back to the herd.  Usually the boys riding in the rear can get them before they get very far.  By tomorrow noon ought to be at the fort said uncle Ben.  If that sheriff is going to try for these horses it’ll be tonight.  I can’t see him doing it in broad daylight, but keep your eyes peeled.  It was getting dark when they came upon a small creek and Ben said lets stop here, we got water and some grass.  We will have to set up a picket around the horses and a couple of you men will have to stand guard.  I’ll sleep with my head on the ground that way I’ll be able to hear horses coming a long way off.

            That night air was warm.  The sky was clear and full of stars as only a Montana sky can be.  Big Red spread out his bedroll and lay there just taking in that beautiful sight.  The sun came up the next morning after a very quite night.  Uncle Ben was getting up and after looking around, said well we must have scared that sheriff off.  I thought sure he’d try again last night, so let’s get those doggies on the trail.

            As the horses move along the trail to the fort Big Red, uncle Ben and the men had no idea what the sheriff had planned for them.  After the try to get the horses at Big Red’s ranch, the sheriff and his men got together at the sheriff’s ranch.  They got Bill, Henry, Joe and Buck said one of the men and Harry and Butch are shot up pretty bad. Yea said Butch when we rode in there all I heard was one 30-30 carbine, now who was that?  I’ll tell you said the sheriff’s deputy, that big redhead who was in town a while back had a 303-30on his saddle.  Butch spoke up again, well I don’t ever want to go up against him again, his aim is deadly and that is that.  Okay said the sheriff, we ain’t going to try that again.  I got a different idea.  We’ll let them take those horses to the fort and get their money, the money is what we want anyway.  After they leave the fort with all their money we will waylay them in that ravine on the trail away from the fort.  If we get there early and setup on the high ground we can get them all.  A good idea agreed the men but we got to get that redhead first.  And after preparations they were off.

            With the horses sold and the money collected, uncle Ben met with his men and paid them their share.  Big Red looked at his share and thought a few more trips like this and I’ll have enough money to buy my own ranch.

            Now just a minute said uncle Ben, before we leave here we got to have a plan.  I can’t understand that sheriff giving up this easy but I’m not sure what he’ll try, anyone got any ideas?  The men talked among themselves for a few minutes; finally Big Red said are all going together?  Yes, said Ben we should the more of us the better.  Well, said Red, that ravine we had to pass through just before we got to the fort is where the sheriff, if he’s the kind of snake you say would have his best chance to get us.  We better make some plans, and they did.

            The next morning after a good breakfast they started out.  It was most an hour before they got to the ravine.  All right, said Big Red, Carter and I will go up the right side and you two go up the left.  Ride wide of the crest, if the sheriff’s men are there, they will be looking over the edge for us.  As Red and Carter rode on up they were almost past the ravine when Red spotted two horses tied to a old tree.  This gave him an idea and he got the two horses and went back to the others, leaving Carter there.  What you got them for, said uncle Ben?  Watch, said Red as he turned them loose into the ravine and strapped them on the backside.  Off they went on a full gallop.  Suddenly they could hear shots ring out.

            As soon as the sheriff realized he’d been found out he panicked and ran for his horse.  His partners seeing the sheriff run through a couple of shots at him thinking that big coward, he’s going to leave us here.  What the sheriff did not know was that one of the two horses Big Red took was his, and as he scrambled all over looking for his horse Carter had stayed up there fired a couple more shots at him.  At this the sheriff really panicked and ran off into the scrub brush.  Then the sheriff’s partner came back looking for his horse.  He was just standing there trying to figure what happened to the horses when Carter told him to freeze, then to drop his gun.  Then he marched him back to the bunch who were still waiting and wondering what to do.  Just as Carter got back the other two that had gone up the other side rode up with four more horses.  And they said when we saw the two horses go through we figured we might as well bring these back too.  What do you want to do with them?  Big Red looked at uncle Ben and said, run’em through too, and they did.  Not hearing a shot Red said lets go over the high ground anyway and keep your eyes peeled, they could be hiding in the brush, but I’ll bet their gone.  What’ll we do with this horse?  Keep’em with us awhile said uncle Ben and if we find the other we will turn them loss later on.  The sheriff and his men can walk.

            They all rode back to Big Red’s ranch with no other problems, then on to uncle Ben’s, where Ben’s wife had a big meal ready for them.  A few days of rest and it was off to find more wild horses.  This went on for most of a year, but wild horses were getting harder and harder to find.  Finally on a trip to find horses that did become the last one.  They hunted for two days.  They were a long way from their breaking coral when they came upon a herd one morning.  Driving to the coral proved harder than the other herds they had gotten.  This was a real wild bunch.  It was dark when they got to the coral and everyone was dead tired so they put they put then closed the gate and fell into their bedrolls.  Getting up late the next day Big Red looked out on the plato, not a horse in sight.  “What the hell”  he yelled, which got everyone up.  Uncle Ben rubbed his eyes and stared at the vacant plato.  Ben yelled, the gate is still shut, the fence is solid, how could they get out?  Come on, lets go see if they found another way out.  The whole bunch, some half dressed ran out on the plato, they check the high wall, no way they could get out there.  Then one walked over to the edge of the drop off, looked down and sort of let out a low scream.  Everyone ran to the edge and looked down, there were the horses, the whole herd at the foot of the cliff, all dead. 

            As uncle Ben looked at them he got sick to his stomach and threw up all over.  When he stopped he just sat down on the ground with a look on his face of a man completely beaten.  Oh God, this is terrible he said, almost wailing, so upset and beating his fist on the ground.  All my life, I’ve loved horses and now to think I’ve caused the death of so many, I just can’t stand it.  But, said Big Red, how could you know?  I should have known, said Ben, those horses went out there in the dark they could not see how far down it was.  So when the lead horse in desperation to get away jumped of the edge, all the others followed, and I should have known he would.  Don’t take this so hard, said Red, none of us thought of that either, it’s not all your fault.  There’s nothing to do but go after another herd.  No, said uncle Ben, I’m all done, I’ll never round up another horse.  I’m going to pack it in, you fellows can do what you want, but I’m done.  Everyone went back to camp, got some coffee and set down to talk.  One of the bunch said maybe Ben’s right, we’ve been at this for over a year and we made some good money, I’d like to head back to my family.  Yes, said the other, we been lucky so far, what we been doing ain’t exactly legal.  I think it’s time to split up, besides theirs fewer and fewer of those herds.  Big Red stood up, all of you agree, its time to go.  Yes they all said together.

            They all rode back to Ben’s ranch.  The men collected their money and all their gear and rode out one at a time knowing they would probably would not see each other again and knowing too that this had been one of the best times in their lives.  It’s not often in a mans life that a bunch like this get along as well as they had.

            Red was the last to pull out as he went to say goodbye to his aunt and uncle he suddenly felt alone.  Uncle Ben looked up into his eyes, held his hand firmly and said, Red I fell you grow up with us, I hate to see you go, but I know you got to go.

            There’s a lot of world out there, find yourself a good wife and enjoy life as I have.  I’m eighty-two and I know t time for me to settle down, but for you, you got a lot of living yet to do, go enjoy it Big Red.