How it destroyed them I don't know: perhaps it drowned them; anyway they disappeared at once.
In my own pasture in New Mexico I for various reasons decided to "breed," instead of simply handle steers.

Steers were certainly safer and surer, and the life was an easy one.

But there appeared to me greater possibilities in breeding if the cows were handled right and taken proper care of.

It will be seen by-and-by that my anticipations were more than justified, so that the success of this little ranch has been a source of pride to me.
The ranch was called "Running Water," because situated on Running Water Draw, a creek that never to my knowledge "ran" except after a very heavy rain.

Prairie fires were the greatest danger in this level range country, there being no rivers, canons, or even roads to check their advance.