Rensselaer Standard, Volume 1, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 November 1879 — “Cutting Out” on a Colorado Cattle Ranch. [ARTICLE]

“Cutting Out” on a Colorado Cattle Ranch.

November’s Harper. Ouly the first purpose of the “round up” has been subserved when the cattle are collected. Next the cows and calves must be “cut out,” and we saw the “cow boys” ride into the herd, single out the cow (with calf following) and wilh great skill extricate her from the throng. The young calves are, of course, not yet marked, but the presence of one with a cow makes it imperative to place that cow’s mark on it. Strayed calves, on the other hand, (called “Mauvrics,”) from an old Frenchman iu Texas who is Baid to have added largely to his worldly store by a systematic abduction of the waifs and stays), are sold for the benefit of the associated ranchmen. “Firstcatch your calf,” as Mrs. Glass would say. "Perhaps you may think that this is an easy task; but you would find, if you tried it, that you were never more mistaken in your life, for the ease with which the raucheros accomplish it has come with careful training and long practice. The little animal runs wonderfully fast, springs, turns, and dodges almost like a fiash; but tne cow-boy never takes his eyes off of him, and the trained horse, now well warmed up and entering fully into the spirit of the chase, responds to, almost seems to anticipate, every turn of his rider’s left hand and wrist. Meanwhile the latter with his right arm is swinging his noosed rope, or lasso, and in another minute he has thrown it exactly over the calfs head. Instantly the horse plunges forward, giving “slack” to the rope, and allowing it to be wound around the horn of the saddle; then he moves on, dragging the calf after him, aud the little creature is soon in the hands of the men with the brandingirons. These have been heated in a hot fire, and are quickly applied, and in a few minutes the calf, now indelibly designated as the property of his master, is again running about.