In likely places I have myself used the pan with the usual enthusiasm, but luckily never with much success.
The practice of that very curious custom, the "couvade," seems to be still in force among some of the Arizona Indian tribes, among whom so many other mysterious rites and customs prevail.
The loco-weed (yerba-loco) was common in our country and ruined many of our horses, but more about it hereafter.
After ten years, a long period of this life in Arizona, an offer came to me which, my partners consenting, was gladly accepted, viz., to take charge of and operate certain cattle-ranches in New Mexico in the interests of a Scottish Land and Mortgage Company.

Things had not been going well with us and the future held out no prospects of improvement.
Also I had been loyal to my agreement not to take or seek any share in the management of affairs, and the natural desire came to me to assume the responsibility and position of a boss.

But dear me! had I foreseen the nature of the work before me, and the troubles in store, my enthusiasm would not have been quite so great.
[Illustration: WATERING A HERD.].