Strong High School - Mussul Unsquit Yearbook (Strong, ME)

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THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT 25 ceived news that other ranchmen had lost cattle and horses. Some men from each ranch were sent out in quest of the cattle. They followed the freshest tracks, which led them to a place in the mountainsg after that the tracks were obliterated by a recent rain. They thought they would investigate and be pre- pared to follow them another time. After they had gone through the pass they found a corral, therefore they proceeded very carefully and quietly. At the farther end of the corral were two or three cattle. They looked exhausted and the brand on their sides were obliterated by more recent branding. The men thought they were some of their cattle all right so a guard was set back at the pass and three men went forward to find the shelter of the men. They found it beyond the Corral. There were two horses tethered in front of the cabin, which denoted that there were at least two men at home, the others probably had driven the cattle on before they were discovered. Peter's men wondered which way they would return. They attacked the cabin and t'covered the two men, who were very busily playing cards at a table in the room. In the farther corner were some bunks indicating that this was also their sleeping quarters. The men, taken by surprise, easily surrendered themselves into the hands of their captors. They were both Mexicans and they would tell nothing to Peter's men. The Mexicans' hands were secured behind them, they were told to mount their horses. The captives' horses were tied together and led by one man while the others followed. When they reached the pass they were warned that someone was coming. Con-- cealing themselves hurriedly and as well as they could, they hadn't long to wait, for soon horses appeared through the pass. They were instantly surrounded and cap- tured. The man who was evidently their leader, was jim Twain, a Mexican like the rest of his gang. They had some very good horses and their saddles and bridlcs were the best and most beautiful of Mexi- can styles. They evidently had been steal- ing cattle for some time, and were getting rich out of it. The ranchmen after disarm- ing them set a guard about them and started on their way toward home. Several of the Mexicans tried to break and get away but they were pursued and recap- tured, while one fellow was killed in the attempt to get away. He was bound to his saddle and his horse led on. They reached Peter's ranch and Peter looked over the prisoners and sent a messenger to tell the other ranch owners. Within an hour the men from all around the neighborhood were there, all throwing jests and oaths at the captives, making them miserable. After they had tortured the leader to the utmost he told them that the cattle were sold, he handed over the money and pleaded to be saved. But the ranchmen were heart- less to these Mexican brutes. They took them to the cottonwoods not far away and prepared to carry out the rule of the plains, A man who is low enough to steal horses or cattle shall be hanged! i' One after another the men were strung up to die, leaving the leader, jim Twain, until the last. What a terrible thing it was to him to see all of his men and companions hanged like dogs before his eyes and to know that his turn was to come. His turn at last did come and he was strung up with- out mercy. When he was still the ranch- men turned away from the terrible sight. But in their hearts they were glad that they should never be bothered by these men again. Ha-srl J. K crshuvr, '23, 'rl-IE LOSER OF THE QUARTER-MILE S a general thing, Sun Rae lived up to his nickname, but today, as he walked with his chum and room-mate, Jack Townsend, toward the athletic field, one almost wondered why such a title had been

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24 THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT a myriad of jewels. The stillness was brok- en by the rending cry of the screech owl, and the twigs crackled here and there as a rabbit scuttled to a safer place of hiding, and all was still again. Far from the distance came the dismal howl of the wolf in full chase. Nearer and nearer it came, piercing the stillness of the night, and soon a large white buck ap- peared. Monarch of the wilds for years now he was to feel the vengance of the law of that vast wilderness. He crashed on, en- cumbered by his ponderous weight in the deep snow. His breath came short, and at every exhalation bloody froth fell from his mouth onto the snow. A few yards behind came his relentless pursuers, the wolvesg barking, howling and hissing as they rapidly gained on their prey, showing their fangs in a horrible laugh as though they realized the utter helplessness of the monarch. The buck suddenly came to a ledge and turned to make a last stand against these rapacious Hesh-eating cowards that dared to attack only in overwhelming numbers. He waited with lowered horns for the howling pack but had not long to wait for the big grey leader shot like a catapult for the throat. Feeble as he was the buck gave one fierce sweep of his horns and the wolf was Hung back. Then a rush, and a dozen, twenty, took up the attack and with each taste of blood the pack became more and more a ferocious howling mass. The mon- arch fought desperately with horns and hoofs. He beat and thrashed at his assail- ants, but with the loss of blood his life was ebbing fast away. Weaker and weaker be- came his blows. Then, as if in one last ef- fort, his head went high into the air hurling the grey bodies from him and he stood be- fore them the proud monarch that he was, as if in defiance. For a second and only a second, they seemed to slink away and then with a last mad rush they were upon him. The moon hid its face behind a passing cloud just as the pack closed in. The cloud passed. Where the monarch of the wilds had stood a lone straggler stopped to lap a well gnawed bone, he then threw back his head and called to his mate, a long, weird, dismal howl, and he too was gone. All was stillness again. Only the trampled, bloody snow and a few scattered bones was left to mark the scene of the tragedy of the wilds. Glendon Bfackley, 124. RUSTLERS ETER SPOFFORD was a young man of over six feet in height and he was the owner of a great western ranch. His days were spent in the saddle, they were long, tiresome days, but Peter was used to them. He had been in the saddle several days in succession with only a few hours rest. He was rugged and made for the life he ledg he was quick witted at all times. One day when he was riding on the far end of his ranch, he saw the tracks of cat- tle and horses. A suspicion arose in his mind. What was the meaning of those tracks? His cattle hadn't been herded over at this end for over two months and they had wandered clear down there, be- sides the tracks were all going away instead of towards his corral. That night when he returned to his ranch-house there was one of his men waiting for him. He reported that twenty of their best cattle were miss- ing. Peter told the messenger that he should take an extra man back with him and that they should keep watch by the cor- ral. Peter was mystified but he was on the safe side. After dismissing the man he turned in. For several days after he heard nothing from the lost cattle. One day a neighboring ranchman called and asked if Peter had seen anything of some of his cat- tle. Peter immediately asked him the same question. They were both surprised and perplexed. Later in the day they both re-

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26 THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT given him. With his head bowed down and his eyes cast upon the ground, he moved along, like the very picture of gloom. Townsend glanced quizzically at him. Why so glum, ' Sun'? he asked, at last. Don't you know that this is the day of the big field meet here at Blair, and that you 're supposed to win the quarter-mile race before the admiring gaze of the assembled ' mulchitood ' ? Rae smiled, half-heartedly, but said nothing. Townsend stood it as long as he could, and then ventured to put his hand upon his room-mate's shoulder. There 's something wrong, Rae, and you might as well tell me about it, if I can do any- thing -! No, there 's nothing you can do, and perhaps there is really nothing wrong, either: maybe I'm just borrowing trouble. It 's the race that 's worrying me! HIS that all! exclaimed Jack, with a sigh of relief. Why, that 's as good as won: no one else has a show in the quarter unless it is Boxford -, of all the fellows who have big handicaps, there isn't a run- ner in the lot! That is just the trouble 5 to make a good showing on the trackg Coach Whiting has entered every fellow in school who makes a pretense of running, and has given them all big handicaps. As soon as the pistol cracks, they will string out all over the track, and if either Boxford or I want to win, we will have to force a way through, and someone will be hurt. I won't take a chance on injuring some of those younger chaps. Townsend whistled. No, you won't- but Boxford will and then good-bye race! Well, it 's only a school match--what do you care whether you win or lose? Sun smiled. It just happens that john Merrit, the biggest contractor in town, has offered me a position this summer if I win today. He used to be a great runner in his time, and he has the idea that men wlio are successful in athletics at school have the grit and brains that he needs in his business. If I want the job, I 've got to win ! Whew! you are in a boat! responded Jack sympathetically. But cheer up, per- haps some of the youngsters will withdraw and you 'll have a fair race with Boxford after all. I hope so! replied Sun fervently. There 's no use of worrying, anyway, I 'll just have to go in and do the best I can. I 'll do nothing to be ashamed of - whether Merrit hires me or not. If Sun Rae had any hope that some of the younger boys entered in the quarter- mile race against him would withdraw, he was doomed to disappointment, for when he and Boxford lined up at the start - both being on scratch -it was to see fully twenty other contestants ahead of them, each upon the mark that his handicap had given him. Instantly Rae made his resolve, instead of swinging at once into the inside track, he would cut to the outside of the track, for by so doing, he would be able to advance around the struggling runners in- stead of having to force his way through them. Such a course would add many yards to the distance which he had to go, and as it was plain from Boxford's attitude that he intended to stick to the pole, what- ever happened, Sun was giving him just that much advantage. Get ready! Get the starter, and Rae and Boxford flashed off upon the race which was to result in either winning or losing Sun's coveted position. The first of the handicapped men was soon caught and passed, Boxford shoving him roughly out of the way with his elbow, while Rae went by on the outer side. So with the second and third, yet in spite of the extra distance that Sun was traveling, he held even with his opponent. During the race Boxford pushed a small- er boy against Rae with such force that it knocked him overg the result was that Boxford got in first. Rae got the prize for victory because Boxford fouled in knocking the boy over. set! Go! snapped