صفحة 279 من 439

What their eyes fell upon was cattle-land at its busiest. Several

hundred wild hill cattle were gathered in the green draw, and

around them was a cordon of riders holding the gather steady. Now

and again one of the cows would make a dash to escape, and

instantly the nearest rider would wheel, as on a batter's plate,

give chase, and herd the animal back after a more or less lengthy

pursuit.

Several of the riders were cutting out from the main herd cows

with unmarked calves, which last were immediately roped and

thrown. Usually it took only an instant to determine with whose

cow the calf had been, and a few seconds to drive home the

correct brand upon the sizzling flank. Occasionally the

discussion was more protracted, in order to solve a doubt as to

the ownership, and once a calf was released that it might again

seek its mother to prove identity.

Arlie observed that Fraser's eyes were shining.