THE CARIBOO TRAIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17569, 20 June 1925, Page 25 (Supplement)

THE CARIBOO TRAIL.

THE MODERN ROAD TO KLONDIKE.

By

NELLIE WINIFRED ANDERSON.)

In tho early 00’s a gold strike was discovered at JBarkervihe and then followed the usual rush of gold-soeaers from the ends of the earth. 'lhe tiail these men made is now a good motor-road, through welt settled farm lauds in the most interesting districts of British Columbia. fcsfaeep, cuttle ai.d horses fatten on the ranges an 1 several times during the year, the cowboys have to round up. Hero are all the picturesque trappings of the movie horsemen and every ; Hrm ,J . V hook or by crook, has to OWil sliapps, a wide hut and at least °\ lQ moose-hide coat-, and gauntlet .gloves. It is very thrilling to watch ilieso riders, tearing after the cattle at shipping ” time, or after the wild Horses when some are needed for breaking m. I watched a “ bunch ” of steers being driven down the trail. Fvor and anon one broke a fence an! lushed into th e woods. Over the ience went the horsemen and through ' T k , Aflfr “ lon« chase, out ‘.’i , steor nnd dose on i)is heels tal . l ° p . ed thc well-trained horse. fought for his freedom^ Zti U '\2 me - The men were all ieaclx for the evening meal Ir nearly dark when he 'made off the last , Ha, J » f lozen men soon remounted and gave chase. They surlounded the fugitive i„ a neighbouring h ,, a *‘ tl thoroughly exhausted and &niky, ho sat down in the midst of his captors. Neither whips nor shouts m , m °7u h ™' 80 thc » «• man lasooed 1 m hy the horns and tied the rope to the horn of his saddle. Then Mr Sulky very reluctantly was dragged, panting and pulling after the horse :o v hose saddle Ins rope was attached. if I s , » m «aang to realise tho strength o that horn. I have seen the sadide pulled round while on Indian bah aneed himself on the sid e of it. J n a very sad temper, this particular steei lias tied up for the night. Next morning at day-break, the men and cattle set out for a clay’s march to the railway station, where they vere to he trucked. One misses th> worx of dogs in this country. The horses do the work dogs do' in New Zealand They seem to enjoy the laic-., tilth the frightened beasts. One day a hunch ” of horses came from the range and I watched the men cull out the two they wanted. The same coira! held them and the men stood -n he centre with their long ropes for lassoing. First they catch a leg and it is marvellous to watch their skill at iUS trick. Tho thoroughbred required was too quick and time an 1 again he shook off his leg-rone. If this ropo runs up tie leg there is great danger of the leg being broken I lie thoroughbred, a beautiful blac. heasr had therefore to be lassoed found the neck, an easy task but -a. the r dangerous because of the risk oclicking. As soon as he felt h-mrelf caiignt, he jumped one of tho sides of the corral and tore madly about, twisting the rope round his nook till his heavy breathing and staring evwarned tne men of danger. He wa liable to cue any moment if the ropes K not slack, so tho men kept saving, but to our great relief, he turned so wind’e , IOOS ? n his ropo - fol,n<l fresi ln “ nn d set up another wild scamper amid all the other exhausted and excited horses. These were lev- nut and the thoroughbred became quieter and very soon allowed a man to rub hi, nose, face and ears and then to put. on a Ti.pe halter. The men have an excellent method o. breaking horses here. In an hour t . he > r ara ready to be ridden. After being lassooed in this -vay the men have no whips and use no violence. If the horse lies down in temper, the n an waits till he gets up and continues to .teach him to follow him for the reward cf pats and caresses, which are evidently very delightful to the creature of the wilds. In less than an hour tne black thoroughbred war looking eagerly for more rubbing and pattin®, and stood that night quietly in the corral enjoying his hay. Next race meeting we are to see him run. 'V hen a sheep is to be killed the same c P c * oes A man stands in the centre with a long rope, and the unfortunate one that gets under the noose is the victim for slaughter. Again, a horse musters the sheep. I have heard of Scotsmen here who have trained their dogs to protect the sheen trom Coyotes, but if our men would be-amazed at the lassooing skill here, so would these men be amazed at New Zealand sheep dog trials. Along this trail are numerous roadhouse?, where travellers are entertained. At the 115 mile house there was much ado a fortnight ago in preparing for the local rare meeting- A steer and a pig were shot and dressed for feed. The latter foretold a mild winter, because the pig's milt was long and thin, instead of thick, as it is before a severe winter. It was fun to see a dozen cars drawn up bv the 115 and to hear the buzz of feet and voices. Every corner was utilised for accommodation, and for each meal the long table was filled live or six times. One met there wealthy ranchers, struggling homesteaders, poor but laughing breeds, dusky Indians and an occasional devotee cf lemon extract, a common substitute for whisky. One enjoyed watching the reunion of friends and the keen interest of the younger set in the two nights of dancing. The Indians danced the third night. One loves to picture this trail in the days of the Klondike rush, when the procession of people never stopped, and the 115 was always full of visitors, and hie there was all adventure. Now the trail is a rendezvous of hunters in the season and for tourists ■ ver the magnificent P.G.E. Railwav in summer. The race meetings are held twice a year, on a very pretty racecourse. This fall meeting saw the tints on the leaves, and it was a pleasant sight, sitting in the cars, to watch the races and the bucking contests. Onebrave lad rode a bull with nothing but a rope to hang upon- The bull bucked nobly, but the boy stayed on till he v.as taken into the bush near by and knocked off. Numerous horses were brought in' from the ranges. Thev bucked in fine style, but only one rider was unseated. Two Indians rode yn either side of the bucking horse and when the set time was up they caught the wild horse by a rope and the ri ler jumped on to one of the quiet horses and thence to the ground, while the Indians led away the broncho.