MOUNTED POLICE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 45, 4 February 1911, Page 4 (Supplement)

MOUNTED POLICE.

HUNTING HORSE STEALERS. Apart from the stealing of horses that have been sent out on the ranges, and “lifted” thence by night, or that have been actually taken out of the corrals, a profitable form of theft was the seizure of “mavericks, or young unbranded animals. These, having been driven off, were eventually marked with a new brand, which rendered identification difficult. Many stock owners in Canada—principally in Alberta—suffered heavy losses in this direction. In one district a gang of skilful thieves worked the game successfully for a long time, and it was only through the”smartness of a N.W.M.P. officer that a stop was put to their practices. Ir- had been suspected that the thieves wero working in conjunction with some unscrupulous rancher. Their raids were so timed that it was clear they received special information as to the various stock owners’ "round-up,” the movements of the police, anti so on. In order to get at the root of the mystery Sergeant Egan, who had done good detective work of a similar kind before, was detailed to make investigations. Attired in plain clothes, hi watched the country closely until his suspicions fell upon a certain ranchman. It was a slight clue, but it might lead to something, and he determined to follow it up. One day he appeared at the ranch in question, looking very much like the scores of other "hobos” who drifted about more or less seeking employment. "Got a job for me?” he inquired. The rancher looked him up and down ard presumably was impressed in his favour “What can you do?” he asked, "broncho-bust-ing?” "No. T ain’t great shakes on bronchos Not my line. 1 can cook a bit and do odd chores.” "Well, sling your bunk in the shed,” said the other. “As it happens I want a fellow for •Ight work just now.” St; Egar. was taken in. He stopped at the ranch four or five months, making himself generally useful through the winter, and establishing himself in his employer’s confidence. One morning in the early spring the rancher asked him. “Do you think you can ride a bit now?” Egan repli^ 1 that he thought by that time lie had had enough practice to be able to stick on. “Very good, then,” said the ranchman, “come along with me; I’ve got a. job for you.’ A little later the two men were riding out to the hills, and the sergeant felt there was a surprise in store for him. There was. In a corral, nicely sheltered from observation by a circle of low bluffs, was a bunch of “mavericks,” a very taking lot altogether, and certainly some one else’s property, for the Sergeant knew the extension of the stock on the ranch. He asked Ti'j questions, however, but proceeded to follow his employer’s instructions, and assist in the branding of the animals. One by one they were roped, thrown, and stamped with the rancher’s brand. After this had been accomplished the horses were herded together, and they started back homewards. At a certain point the trail divided, one fork leading on to the ranch, while the other led south to a place near which was a police Dost. When they came to this fork Egan steered the horses into, the south rm;-<. “See here; what are you doing?” cried the rancher. “Swing ’em found, you fool; that ain’t our way!” “Guess it is,” came the answer. it! That’s, tho road to Twenty Mi)jg f This other’s our trail.” . The sergeant, turned in his saddle. "I know wh it I’m doing,” he said, quietly. "We’re going to Twenty Mile. I , gi e&s it’s about time you knew who 1 am.- I m a Mounted Policeman. You , are the fellow we’ve been looking, for, ®®l reckon we’ve got you all right.” He drew out his revolver, andtho runchersaidthat the game was up. Kgs® sent liinr on ahead, and in due; com so arrived with his jnan at the F?st. It was a true bill. The gang with which tho prisoner was operating oke ? n P J some were caught, and at the subsequent trial exemplary sentences were inflicted. And for a time that part of Alberta enjoyed a rest from the .attentions of horse thieves. From “Riders of the Plains,” by A. L Haydon. .