Now this is the way the _herds_ are captured; but of course there are captures made now and then in _different ways_. The hunter sometimes conceals himself near the water where the herd comes down to drink, and, watching his opportunity, _creases_ his animal; that is, he shoots him through the neck about an inch from the top and just in front of the shoulders. This will _stun_ the animal so that he will fall and not recover for some minutes, in which time you can bind him fast. _This_ is, though, _scientific_ work, and none but a _fine shot_ need _undertake it_; for a little _too high_ does _no_ good, and the least _too low_ does _too much_ good entirely. Now, there yet remains to be explained the _stock_ business, which is so extensively carried on in this country, and to which nearly the whole prairie country is so peculiarly adapted. Were I to tell to persons who had never been here of the millions of cattle and sheep that are pastured here, and of the thousands that are annually shipped to the states, it would be incredibly received. As before said, the prairie is covered with _buffalo-grass_, which is next to _mountain bunch-grass_, which is said to be the strongest grass in the world. It usually grows _thickly_ and about six inches long, and curls up--though of course _this_ depends upon the range. It usually _rains_ and _snows_ some in the _winter_ and _spring_ seasons, but during the _summer_ season it never sprinkles; and you can be just as sure of it as of the wrath to come. I have often thought that this would be a fine place to make hay. The snows and rains dampen the earth, and in the spring, when the grass springs forth and the prairie world is wrapped in its green mantle, there is no part of the earth more beautiful. About the first of May the grass is usually _grown up_, and it stays green until about _August_, when--except in the valleys--it all dries up in the hot sun and dry air, and cattle eat it like hay. It is then the _strongest_. And stock-men hate to see the fall rains come; for they say it takes the _strength_ out of the _grass_. CHAPTER V. Cattle-Business Explained--Branding Stock--Round-Up--Mavorick--Beef-Gathering--Stampedes--Tender-Feet-- Stock-Raising in Texas--Cattle-Trail--Buying Cattle from Trail--How to Enter Stock Business--Sheep-Raising--Greasers--Texas Cattle-Fever.