. Philip of Texas; a story of sheep raising in Texas. hought that John, Zeba, and I should be able to keepthe cattle on the road, for we were to follow the highwaythe entire distance, and he intended to hire three slavesfrom our neighbors to drive the mules which wouldhaul all our household belongings. There was no question in my mind but that we wouldget along easily with the oxen and the cows. Fatherdecided to harness most of the mules to three wagons, sothey could be handled by the hired negroes; but thequestion of how we would be able to get the sheep alongworried me much. Whoever has had
. Philip of Texas; a story of sheep raising in Texas. hought that John, Zeba, and I should be able to keepthe cattle on the road, for we were to follow the highwaythe entire distance, and he intended to hire three slavesfrom our neighbors to drive the mules which wouldhaul all our household belongings. There was no question in my mind but that we wouldget along easily with the oxen and the cows. Fatherdecided to harness most of the mules to three wagons, sothey could be handled by the hired negroes; but thequestion of how we would be able to get the sheep alongworried me much. Whoever has had charge of suchanimals knows well that it is not a simple task to drivethem over a strange country, however quiet they may 30 PHILIP OF TEXAS have been on feeding grounds with which they areacquainted. But no good could come from my worrying as tohow we might get into Texas. I would soon know byexperience. In fact, I had little time to concern my-self about anything whatsoever save the work on hand,because in order to be ready to leave the plantation. within twenty days, all of us found plenty with whichto occupy our hands. It really seemed to me as if Gyp knew exactly whatwe were planning to do, for he walked around at myheels day after day, with his tail hanging between hislegs, as though ashamed that he was about to leavethe United States for a new country, where he wouldsee a flag which bore but a single star. HOW WE SET OUT 31 HOW WE SET OUT There was so much bustle and confusion on the plan-tation during the short time left to us that I hardly re-member how we made ready; but I do know that wewere finally prepared for the journey, and that Johnand Zeba set oft* with the cattle twenty-four hoursbefore father, mother, and I left home, in order that thecreatures might become somewhat accustomed to trav-eling by the time we overtook them. We had three wagons covered with heavy cloth,each drawn by six mules, and loaded with all ourprovisions, clothing, and such farming tools as
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectfrontierandpioneerli
