"There was a time long ago when all shearing was done by hand. In the spring bands of traveling shearers came from ranch to ranch and sheared the flocks for so much a day. Sometimes these men were Mexicans, sometimes Indians. As they made a business of shearing and nothing else they became verra skilful with the shears and could turn off many fleeces a day. It is an art to shear a sheep. Many a try must you have before you can do it. The smaller ranches still shear by hand, for it does not pay to run a power plant unless you have large flocks." "I suppose a power plant does the work quicker," suggested Donald. "No, I think good shearers can clip the fleeces almost as fast. The chief advantage in machinery is that it takes the wool off closer, and you do not need such skilled men to do the work. You just have to remember not to shear flocks this way in summer, for the wool would be cut so close that your sheep would be wild with flies and sunburn before their coats grew long enough to protect them." They had now reached the plant, where they were to meet Donald's father and Thornton; they mounted the steps of the low building and went in. Immediately they were greeted by the whirr of wheels, the chatter of many herders, and the blatting of sheep. Mr. Clark came forward. "Well, Don," he said, "this is quite a sight, isn't it?" "I should say it was! I had no idea shearing was done this way. It is just the way they clip horses or cut my hair." His father smiled. "Yes, it is done on the same principle. Let us watch this man here. He is just starting. I thought he would tie the feet of the sheep first, but he does not seem to be doing it; instead he is turning it up on its rump, and holding it with his left arm so its hoofs cannot touch the floor. They say sheep never kick or struggle if their feet are raised from the ground. Now he is starting with the shears. See! He is opening the wool by a cut down the right shoulder. How neatly the fleece comes off--almost in one piece, as if it was a jacket!" "I guess that was a smooth-skinned sheep," laughed Donald, "or the shearer never could have done it so quickly." The man who was shearing overheard him. "It was a smooth-skinned one," he called. "Still, even the wrinkly Merinos loose their coats pretty fast. Watch and see. I have one right here." Donald watched. It was fascinating. "I'd like to try it," he said glancing up at his father. "I guess you'd have trouble!" "I wouldn't mind the trouble if I wasn't afraid of cutting the sheep," replied the boy. "Suppose you leave it until you come West the next time," called Sandy, who chanced to be passing and heard his words. "You mustn't do everything this trip, or you'll have nothing to look forward to when you come again." "Perhaps it's as well for the sheep!" grunted the Mexican who was shearing. [Illustration: "I'D LIKE TO TRY IT"] "I shouldn't wonder!" answered Donald good-naturedly.