WHEN A MAN'S A MAN BY HAROLD BELL WRIGHT GROSSET & DUNLAP PUBLISHERS NEW YORK By arrangement with D. Appleton-Century Co. 1916 TO MY SONS GILBERT AND PAUL NORMAN THIS STORY OF MANHOOD IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED BY THEIR FATHER _Acknowledgment_ It is fitting that I should here express my indebtedness to those Williamson Valley friends who in the kindness of their hearts made this story possible. To Mr. George A. Carter, who so generously introduced me to the scenes described in these pages, and who, on the Pot-Hook-S ranch, gave to my family one of the most delightful summers we have ever enjoyed; to Mr. J.H. Stephens and his family, who so cordially welcomed me at rodeo time; to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Contreras, for their kindly hospitality; to Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Stewart, who, while this story was first in the making, made me so much at home in the Cross-Triangle home-ranch; to Mr. J.W. Cook, my constant companion, helpful guide, patient teacher and tactful sponsor, who, with his charming wife, made his home mine; to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert N. Cook, and to the many other cattlemen and cowboys, with whom, on the range, in the rodeos, in the wild horse chase about Toohey, after outlaw cattle in Granite Basin, in the corrals and pastures, I rode and worked and lived, my gratitude is more than I can put in words. Truer friends or better companions than these great-hearted, outspoken, hardy riders, no man could have. If my story in any degree wins the approval of these, my comrades of ranch and range. I shall be proud and happy. H.B.W. "CAMP HOLE-IN-THE-MOUNTAIN" NEAR TUCSON, ARIZONA APRIL 29, 1916 CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. AFTER THE CELEBRATION 11 II. ON THE DIVIDE 23 III. IN THE BIG PASTURE 35 IV. AT THE CORRAL 47 V. A BIT OF THE PAST 81 VI. THE DRIFT FENCE 91 VII. THINGS THAT ENDURE 115 VIII. CONCERNING BRANDS 133 IX. THE TAILHOLT MOUNTAIN OUTFIT 159 X. THE RODEO 181 XI. AFTER THE RODEO 197 XII. FRONTIER DAY 239 XIII. IN GRANITE BASIN 261 XIV. AT MINT SPRING 281 XV. ON CEDAR RIDGE 297 XVI. THE SKY LINE 323 [Illustration: WHEN A MAN'S A MAN] CHAPTER I. AFTER THE CELEBRATION.