When I'm after some critter that's hit the high lope, And a-spurrin' my hawse till he flies, When I'm watchin' the chances for throwin' my rope And a-winkin' the sweat from my eyes, Then the leathers they squeal with the lunge and the swing And I work to the livelier tune that they sing: "_Reach 'im! reach 'im! reach 'im!_ _If you lather your hawse to the heel!_ _There's a time to be slow and a time to be quick;_ _Never mind if it's rough and the bushes are thick--_ _Pull your hat down and fling in the steel!_" When I've rustled all day till I'm achin' for rest And I'm ordered a night-guard to ride, With the tired little moon hangin' low in the west And my sleepiness fightin' my pride, Then I nod and I blink at the dark herd below And the saddle he sings as my hawse paces slow: "_Sleepy--sleepy--sleepy--_ _We was ordered a close watch to keep,_ _But I'll sing you a song in a drowsy old key;_ _All the world is a-snoozin' so why shouldn't we?_ _Go to sleep, pardner mine, go to sleep._" [Illustration: "_There's a time to be slow and a time to be quick._"] A BAD HALF HOUR Wonder why I feel so restless; Moon is shinin' still and bright, Cattle all is restin' easy, But I just kaint sleep tonight. Ain't no cactus in my blankets, Don't know why they feel so hard-- 'Less it's Warblin' Jim a-singin' "Annie Laurie" out on guard. "Annie Laurie"--wish he'd quit it! Couldn't sleep now if I tried. Makes the night seem big and lonesome, And my throat feels sore inside. How _my_ Annie used to sing it! And it sounded good and gay Nights I drove her home from dances When the east was turnin' gray. Yes, "her brow was like the snowdrift" And her eyes like quiet streams, "And her face"--I still kin see it Much too frequent in my dreams; And her hand was soft and trembly That night underneath the tree, When I couldn't help but tell her She was "all the world to me." But her folks said I was "shif'less," "Wild," "unsettled,"--they was right, For I leaned to punchin' cattle And I'm at it still tonight. And she married young Doc Wilkins-- Oh my Lord! but that was hard! Wish that fool would quit his singin' "Annie Laurie" out on guard! Oh, I just kaint stand it thinkin' Of the things that happened then. Good old times, and all apast me! Never seem to come again-- My turn? Sure. I'll come a-runnin'. Warm me up some coffee, pard-- But I'll stop that Jim from singin' "Annie Laurie" out on guard. FROM TOWN