"Shtop t'at!" shrieked Otto. "You fool poy, mint t'em shteers!"
But it was too late. Down the trail behind us thundered the cattle. The bull gave a bellow, and started down into the draw. Taken off our guard, Otto and I were dragged helplessly after him, while Barney, giving an Ogallalla war-whoop, fired his revolver as rapidly as he could. The air fairly quivered with Otto's expostulations, addressed now to the bull and now to the "verfluchte kid." On we swept in a mad race, and yielding to a wild impulse, I gave forth my most blood-curdling yells. I saw, rather than heard, the startled oaths of the teamsters. In the next moment their horses were plunging and kicking as they heard the roar of the angry Durham charging down upon them. There was a snapping of harness and a breaking of axles as the teams swerved sharply apart, and the new court-house rolled majestically over on its side with a crash of broken windows. On we dashed, a tangle of horses and men, in the wake of the bull, with a score of crazy cattle bringing up our rear. Before the cowboys could recover from their surprise we were upon them. With a snort of defiance the bull toppled over every horse he could reach, and ploughed his way through the crowd of squealing broncos, dragging us after him. As the horsemen scattered I saw Arkansaw Joe rolling out of a cactus-bed, while his bronco fled in the direction of Alkali.
"Too bad to spoil our circus!" yelled Barney, as he swept past with a grin. We reached the top of the slope, leaving our cattle train to amuse our dismounted adversaries.
"Cut t'at lariat," shouted Otto, "and git home."
We urged our ponies to their topmost speed, for we knew only too well what to expect when the cowboys should have had an opportunity to load their revolvers. Had they not been empty when we made our charge, we should hardly have escaped so easily. Luckily we were well out of range by the time they reached the top of the draw. They galloped after us about a mile, shouting and firing, until they saw us join a group of horsemen who had ridden out from Garfield. Others were hurrying up, and we were soon surrounded by a crowd of indignant citizens. We quickly told what had happened. In a short time the force was thought large enough to proceed to the rescue of the court-house, and in spite of Otto's remonstrance, Barney and I turned back with them. But long before we reached the scene of our adventure a column of smoke told us the fate of the stolen building. There was nothing left to do when we rode up to the blazing pile but to vow vengeance on the thieves, and resolve to keep a better watch hereafter. When we arrived at our home we found that the bull had preceded us, much to father's surprise. While I got breakfast for the family, Barney gleefully related our adventure, and finished by declaring that the bull ought to be immortalized in history together with the geese that saved the Capitol. Father looked grave, and warned us not to go near Alkali. We did not go, except once; but that, as Mr. Kipling says, is another story.
[THE CARE OF A GUN.]
BY H. H. BENSON.
Aside from the pride and satisfaction which every sportsman should take in keeping his favorite weapon bright and free from spots, inside and out, it pays to keep a gun clean. The residue left in the barrel after firing contains acids, which will soon eat "pits" or spots in the metal, and when once started, it is almost impossible to prevent them increasing in size and number. When badly pitted, the recoil is increased by the roughness in the barrel. A gun can be cleaned by the following directions. The cleaning-rod should have at least three tools—a wool swab, a wire scratch-brush, and a wiper to run rags through. Have plenty of water at hand—warm if you have it, if not cold will do nicely. Put the swab on the rod, and some water in a tin basin or wooden pail. By placing one end of the barrel in the water, you can pump it up and down the barrel with the swab. When it is discolored take fresh water, squeeze out the swab in it, and repeat the operation, until the water comes from the barrel as clear as it went in. If the gun has stood overnight, or longer, since using, it is best to put on the scratch-brush after the first swabbing, and a few passes with this will remove any hardened powder or leading. The next step is to fill the wiper with woollen or cotton rags, and dry the barrel thoroughly. When one set becomes wet take another, until they come from the barrel perfectly dry. Then stand the barrel on end on a heated stove, changing it from end to end, taking care that it does not become overheated. By the time it is well warmed up, the hot air from the stove will have dried out every particle of moisture left in the barrel. If no stove is at hand, the last set of drying rags used must be plied vigorously up and down the barrel until it becomes quite warm from the friction. Drying is the most important part of cleaning, and if the least particle of moisture is left in the barrel it will be a rust spot the next time the gun is taken from its case. The gun may now be oiled, inside and out, with sewing-machine oil or gun grease, which can be had in any gun-store. The woollen rags used for greasing soak up a great deal of oil, and should be dropped into the gun cover for future use.
Cartridges can be bought ready loaded, by hand or machinery, but most sportsmen prefer to load their own, for several reasons. They find it much cheaper, and the shells can be loaded to suit each one's individual notion.