A DARE-DEVIL'S HIDE

Marlborough Express, Volume XVI, Issue 179, 3 August 1881, Page 2

A DARE-DEVIL'S HIDE

The Jacksonville (Oregon) " Sentinel " publishes tbe following occurrence as related by a prominent cattle-raiser of Lake County:- A year or bo since there was a " rodeo" out on Lost Kiver m Lake Comity. Eanchmen had gathered for a circuit of seventy-five miles to claim and brand their young cattle, and when a cordon of men had surrounded a large band, among which was a Spanish bull, a dispute avose about a "mallet head," or salf, that had escaped the spring branding. The discussion grew warm, none of the stockowners being able to set up a valid claim or establish an undoubted title. At last, m a spirit oi bravado, a

rancher proposed that whoever would ride the bull without saddle or halter should be declared owner of the calf. There was a yell of approval, but not a general stampede ot volunteers ; for taurus was m ill-humor, and his foaming mouth and blood- shot eyes gave token that whoever rode him would have a ride as wild as Mazeppa's, and one that might not end so well. At last a vaquero named Frick accepted the challenge, and the bull was immediately lassoed and held by a lariat round horn and foot. lJismounting from his horse the vaquero fastened his long rowelled spurs securely, tied a handkerchief round his head, approached the infuriated animal, and grasping the tail m his handa, sprang on, setting the spurs deeply m its flanks as he settled securely m his seat. The lariats were slackened the bull gave a roar of rage and terror, and flung his head on the ground ; but the rider had his back to the horns aud a firm grip on the tail, and kept his seat. Another roar that shook tlio g;o - i -d, a wild plunge, and the now maddened bull shot out across the sage plain with lightening speed, his plucky rider twisting the tail that to him was a sheet anchor until the bellowings were lost m the distance. For over a mile an a half the race continued, amid the exciting cheers of the vaquero's comrades. Occasionally the bull gave a desperate plunge through a heavy clump of sage m the vain attempt to rid himself of his tormentor, but the long rowels only clung more firmly to his flanks. Sometimes the animal and rider were hidden by undulations m the ground, aud bets were even made that Frick would be thrown and gored but at last the bull exhausted from sheer fright, fell, and the plucky vaquero stepping lightly off, returned to claim his prize, which was unanimously awarded.