Father and I Were Ranchers

During dinner at the mountain ranch, Fred Aultland arrives with urgent news: the cattle have scattered, and the roundup must start immediately.

The next morning, Ralph helps drive the cattle across rough terrain and narrow passages. The work is intense, requiring him to dodge branches, navigate uneven ground, and manage unpredictable cattle. Determined to prove himself to Mr. Cooper and the other ranch hands, Ralph crosses a swollen creek on Sky High, his horse. The water is deeper and the current stronger than expected, but Ralph grips the reins tightly, guiding Sky High safely to the other side. Exhausted but undeterred, Ralph keeps rounding up the cattle. Impressed, Mr. Cooper tells him, “By God, you’re going to make a cow poke, Little Britches” (204).

Ralph is determined to train his horse, Sky High, for the demands of ranch work, especially cattle drives. Starting with basic riding skills, he gradually increases the difficulty of tasks, aiming to build trust without breaking Sky’s spirit. Despite setbacks, like Sky High resisting commands, Ralph remains calm and consistent. He helps Sky High improve at tasks like roping and maneuvering cattle.

Ralph practices precision drills using Sky High and another horse, Sky Blue, focusing on figure eights and maintaining control at high speeds.