I Went Elk Hunting with a Wyoming Outlaw

This story, “Bandit of the Elk Path,” appeared within the June 1936 concern of Out of doors Life. This true account of a strikingly uncommon elk hunt was written by a broadly identified Easterner. For causes that will probably be obvious on studying this, he prefered to stay nameless, and gave fictional names to all the characters and locations.

Slapping my horse throughout the neck with the reins, I drew up even with Ross on the rocky path. Joe, the information, was plodding on forward towards the frowning Tetons, and Scotty, our prepare dinner and wrangler, adopted with the weary pack animals.

“Child your self, if you want, Ross,” I mentioned, “however that half­ baked information you picked by no means noticed this nation earlier than in his life.”

Ross answered with out elevating eyes from his horse’s bobbing ears: “The journey is jinxed. Two days rounding up the horses that idiot wrangler let get away. Then 4 days extra on the lookout for Gulch Creek. And we haven’t discovered it but. We might as properly stop.”

As he spoke, Joe topped out on a slim ridge. Outlined in opposition to the threatening, grey sky, in ten-gallon hat, chaps, and silver-studded vest, he regarded part of the rugged coun­attempt. However we have been to be taught earlier than the unusual finish of this journey that issues have been seldom what they appeared. As we rode up, Joe was scanning the nation.

“Cease enjoying make-believe, Joe,” mentioned Ross. “You recognize damned properly we’re misplaced.”

Joe rubbed his scraggly chin. “I ain’t precisely misplaced,” he mentioned. “I simply can’t appear to position this nation. If I-“

“You received’t have the ability to place something for much longer,” I in­terrupted. “It is going to be darkish in twenty minutes. Get a camp pitched.”

In his bungling method. Joe unlashed the packs, and arrange our tent. Scotty had obtained a hearth going, and was rummaging via the meals packs. Leaving them, he shuffled over to Ross.

“Nothing however beans left,” he mentioned.

“Rattling your beans!” exploded Ross. However, then, remembering we’d begun to run low on meals the fourth time out, he recanted. 

“All proper. However give us loads of robust espresso to scrub the style out of our mouths.”

“Do the very best I can,” promised Scotty. “However I solely obtained a few spoonfuls left.”

Leaving Weston, we had been bent solely on having fun with our­selves. Ross, with whom I had hunted deer in Pennsylvania and quail in Massachusetts, had wired me in Boston to affix him on an elk hunt. It was the glamour of the West, I feel, as a lot because the attraction of such a noble quarry that made me settle for. I used to be certain, after all, that scalp-hungry Indians have been not prowling round, and that cattle rustlers and fast­ draw dangerous males had gone utterly out of style, but it gave me a curious thrill, when stepped off the prepare at Wes­ton, to comprehend I used to be within the very nation the place such reckless, determined characters had as soon as flourished.

Ross had assembled the outfit earlier than I arrived. Joe he had chosen as a result of a good friend had really useful him, and Joe had employed Scotty. So, as an alternative of hard-riding, quick­ taking pictures males of the open ranges, whom I had half longed to come across, I discovered our occasion ministered to by a pair of untamed Westerners who obtained misplaced in their very own yard. How totally we have been misplaced I didn’t at first actual­ize, nor had I as but any dis­turbing considered Blackie Collins.

“Do you suppose,” Ross was saying to Joe, “which you could get us again to Wes­ton?”

“I reckon I can,” mentioned Joe slowly, “if I can choose up a path. Would possibly take a number of days.”

“Few days!” echoed Ross. “Why, you fool, we haven’t obtained sufficient grub to see us via tomorrow.”

“I reckon not,” admitted Joe.

“What about you, Scotty?” I requested. 

“Not me. I’m from Montana.”

Subsequent morning, we drank scorching water, faintly stained by espresso grounds, and ate three of our six remaining cans of beans. Both we’d stay on the nation from then on, or not stay in any respect.

“I’m going to search for a ranch,” I mentioned to Ross. “Perhaps we will purchase some meals.”

Collectively we rode all the way down to decrease coun­attempt. A jack rabbit bounded throughout our path, and I took a shot at it with my Colt computerized. However our meals downside wasn’t solved; I missed. Presently, as we rode up alongside a boulder-dotted creek, I noticed a ranch. Spurring our horses, we quickly reached the ramshackle buildings. Two ragged kids, who have been enjoying within the yard as we rode in, scurried into the mud-chinked, evil­ trying cabin like frightened cotton­tails. Behind the cabin was some form of outbuilding, simply as slattern because the cabin, and extra crooked. Slightly farther off was a corral, holding two high quality horses, a pinto and a rangy sorrel. Regardless of the occupant of the cabin may not have the ability to afford, he might not less than personal good horses.

“Appears to be like like a cattle rustler’s hold­ out to me,” remarked Ross sourly.

As he spoke, the cabin door was thrown open, and a bulging girl, with a greasy apron tied round her center, waddled out into the daylight. She held a shotgun on the prepared.

“What would you like right here?” she demanded.

“We’d like to purchase a bit of meals,” I mentioned. 

“Who’re you? The place you from?” 

“We’re hunters,” I mentioned, “or thought we have been. We’re misplaced, and out of meals.”

“Oh,” mentioned the girl, reducing her shotgun, and turning away. Then in obvious reduction she referred to as, “No one particular, Blackie.” At this, Blackie slouched out from behind the cabin, and the girl waddled indoors.

“On the lookout for meals, strangers?” drawled Blackie, closing one eye to squint at us. Tall, and wiry, he wore using boots, and a large hat, and had the leathery pores and skin of a person who had al­methods lived within the open. His black hair and drooping mustache have been simply be­ginning to grey.

“We’re providing to purchase some,” I mentioned.

“Operating fairly low ourselves,” mentioned Blackie. “Lengthy solution to pack grub out right here from city. Thirty miles from right here to Rangeville.” He rubbed an ear reflectively. “However I suppose we might let you may have some, if we will hit on a worth.” 

We lastly obtained ten kilos of flour, two kilos of espresso, a slab of salt pork, and a few miscellaneous canned items. The worth we “hit on” was about 4 occasions what we’d have paid in Wes­ton. Blackie, I believed, may need achieved higher as a highwayman than as a rancher. That little guess, a number of days later, didn’t appear so amusing. With our cash in his pocket, nevertheless, Blackie confirmed his yellow enamel in a crooked smile.

“Good searching?” he inquired affably, handing us the gunny sack into which he had stuffed our meals.

“Haven’t seen a solitary elk,” mentioned Ross.

“Humorous. I scare up a half dozen each time I experience into city.”

“You do what?” I requested. Glancing at Ross, I might see he was as a lot stirred by this surprising encourage­ment as I.

“Scare up elk,” repeated Blackie. “Nation’s awful with them.”

“Do any guiding?” I requested.

“On and off, if anyone affords me sufficient.”

“You’re employed,” I exclaimed. “What about Joe?” objected Ross.

“Fireplace him, and let him information himself again to Weston.” I turned to Blackie. “Can you set us up right here on the cabin?” 

“We’re fairly crowded, me, and the outdated girl, and the 2 youngsters.” He paused. “However I suppose we will do it, if we will hit on a worth.”

When, again at camp, we defined the state of affairs to Joe, he took it with mysterious calm. “So long as I’m paid,” he mentioned, “I don’t care what you do. However, if I needed to get residence with a complete pores and skin, I’d keep nearly ninety miles from that ranch.”

“Not afraid Blackie may allow us to get trampled by elk, are you?” I steered. “You made the cut price,” replied Joe, cryptically.

I couldn’t share Ross’s pessimism, however I needed to admit that we have been dependent solely upon Blackie to get us our elk. And Blackie, whereas he was sufficient when it got here to setting a worth of $4 a day every for boarding us, an­different $4 for his providers, and $10 every for a pack horse to take out the 2 elk we nonetheless hoped to get, misplaced coronary heart when it got here to getting out within the morning.

“No use hurrying,” he mentioned. “Elk will look forward to you when you recognize the place to search for them, like I do.”

However the elk didn’t wait. We put in 4 days of onerous rid­ing, up towering ridges, down tortuous attracts. We noticed check in abun­dance, however by no means an elk. To make issues worse, the meals Blackie’s fats helpmeet served us was abominable, and the mattress on our mattress should have been filled with crushed stone. The girl continued to re­gard us with ill-con­cealed hostility, although the kids quickly misplaced their earlier concern of us. 

“After we first obtained right here,” I mentioned to Blackie one night time, “the youngsters should have thought we have been prepare robbers or financial institution breakers.”

“I’d a rattling sight fairly have them meet up with outlaws,” mentioned Blackie, “than with a few of the rangers and recreation wardens round these components.”

“Good playmate we picked out,” mentioned Ross as we turned in. “Higher put that pistol of yours beneath your pillow. I’m going to maintain my dough beneath mine.” 

“Simply elk-country hospitality,” I laughed.

“It’s no laughing matter,” mentioned Ross gloomily. “This complete district was set­tled by outlaws. This Blackie is a throw-back. I’m glad I’m leaving within the morning.”

“With out an elk?”

“I’ve obtained to get again to work. You’re not going to remain alone, are you?”

“Your creativeness’s obtained the very best of you,” I mentioned. “I’m staying until I get an elk.” However that night time, although I had as soon as scoffed at my very own ideas of Western desperadoes, I slept on my Colt.

The subsequent morning, after I noticed Ross experience off alone on the well-marked path that led to Rangeville, I used to be, for a fleet­ing prompt, tempted to saddle my horse, and comply with. However I did need an elk. So, with out making a transfer, I watched Ross drop down out of sight right into a ravine. With out Ross’s deep-seated pessimism to paint my outlook, I mirrored hope­totally, issues may look higher.

Blackie was unusually elated at Ross’s departure. However this was not probably the most disturbing change in him. If he had been listless earlier than, he was downright lazy now. He had a thousand and one issues to try this have been extra vital than searching. And a few of these issues satisfied me I had obtained myself right into a ticklish, if not really harmful, situ­ation. I got here in from rinsing my fingers and face one morning to search out Blackie in my room, fondling my computerized. In­stead of showing embarrassed or apologetic, he tossed the gun on the mattress, and compelled fun.

“Proper good gun you bought there, mis­ter.” With that he strode out. After that I by no means left the automated out of my sight besides after I positioned it beneath my pillow at night time. I had no method of telling precisely what Blackie was as much as, however I used to be starting to have suspicions.

Each morning we’d begin out, experience all day, and are available again with out seeing conceal or hair of elk. At night time, I’d take heed to Blackie’s lurid tales of the early West, and attempt to outstare the phlegmatic girl. Then, after I had turned in, I’d hear muttered dialog, and one night time, cautious footsteps approached my door. As I reached beneath my pillow for the pistol, the footsteps retreated.

On the third day, Blackie stalled an extended time than typical, however earlier than midday we began for a ridge to the north. We noticed nothing un­til properly into the afternoon. Then, de­scending about 1,000 ft, crossing the creek, and climbing laboriously up via a ravine, we got here to the knife­ edged ridge. Half-heartedly I searched the nation with my glasses. On a pointy rise about 250 yards away, I noticed, for the primary time on this lengthy and fruitless journey, a powerful bull. My fingers trembled with eagerness whereas I slipped a 220-grain soft-nosed cartridge into my .30/06. As I dropped to a sitting place, the bull moved a number of ft towards a stand of pine. My entrance sight made loops on the beast’s shoulder, however after a minute it steadied, and I eased off the set off. The bull reared on his hind legs, fell, and rolled 100 ft down the ridge. Ultimately I had my elk. Scrambling down after him, I discovered a prize. The six-point antlers have been even, and fantastically shaped.

In a bathe of free stones, Blackie got here down to affix me. Once more he confirmed his yellow enamel in a queer smirk. It appeared odd {that a} man, to whom searching was a lot labor, might get a kick out of a lifeless elk, however there was no mis­taking Blackie’s delight.

“Properly, now,” he mentioned, “you bought a tro­phy to pack out.” He gave a throaty chortle.

“What’s so humorous about packing out a trophy?”

Blackie didn’t reply. Collectively we dressed out the cape, and, taking the liver, began again to the ranch. This, since I had my trophy, can be my final night time within the sinister place. I went straight to my room to pack. After a time I smelled liver frying, and, stepping out into the principle room of the cabin, I discovered Blackie and the greasy girl whispering in a nook. Blackie was ramming cartridges right into a Smith & Wes­son Military Mannequin .45. On the sound of my steps, the girl uttered a low “Shhh,” and Blackie, unabashed, turned.

“Greatest man stopper I ever had,” he mentioned. “Caught a feller fooling across the corral one night time. Put a gap in him with this right here gun you would have caught your foot via.”

“Blackie don’t know miss, both,” added the girl, getting up, and waddling over to the range. I sat down on the creaking picket chair she had left.

“I’m pulling out within the morning, Blackie,” I mentioned. “I wish to get our ac­counts straight.” I reached for my wal­let. Blackie’s slim eyes adopted my hand as if it fascinated him.

“It’s $48, isn’t it?” I mentioned. “Seven days’ board, 4 half days of guiding, and three full days.”

“Properly,” drawled Blackie, “I kinda thought so, however the outdated girl and me obtained to speaking it over, and we figured board’s kinda onerous to get in these components. The outdated girl ain’t used to ready on strangers. Arduous on her, feeling poorly the best way she is. So we figured $100 can be about proper.”

“I don’t really feel like joking, Blackie. I suppose you’ll need $20 as an alternative of $10 for a pack horse tomorrow.”

Blackie laughed throatily.

“If I don’t get the hundred,” he an­swered, “it don’t seem like I’ll have the ability to spare a horse.”

Ultimately I might perceive his chortle after I had shot my elk. He knew I’d by no means depart with out that elk head. I needed to drive the toe of my boot into his leering face, however one thing in the best way he fingered that .45 enabled me to manage my anger, and play for time. A determined plan was already forming in my thoughts.

“All proper, Blackie,” I agreed. “I’ll pay you the $100 — tomorrow morning.”

“No you don’t,” mentioned Blackie. “You pay proper now.”

“Inform him to depart his pistol, too,” referred to as the girl from the range. “I kinda like that gun.”

I obtained up. “If this can be a hold-up —” 

“Simple, stranger,” admonished Blackie, laying the .45 on the desk, “Simple. I obtained to have that cash.”

“Not a cent greater than you bargained for.”

Once more got here that taunting, throaty chortle.

“Swimsuit your self, stranger,” mentioned Blackie. Then thrusting the .45 into his breeches pocket he added, “However I obtained an thought you’ll change your thoughts.”

Out of the nook of my eye, I noticed Blackie and the girl trade glances. Blackie cleared his throat.

“Fixing to do some taking pictures?”

“If I’ve to,” I answered.

I might see Blackie’s gnarled hand ca­ress the .45 in his pocket.

“Don’t do it, stranger, until you’re highly effective fast on the draw.”

The loading completed, I obtained up, and walked to my room. The eyes of Blackie and the girl by no means left me. Shutting the door behind me, I jammed the again of a chair beneath the latch. Then I sat down on the mattress and waited. Counting out precisely $58, I laid the cash on the blanket, and scribbled a word. The additional $10, I defined, was for the rent of a pack horse. The shadows started to deep­en ominously. Exterior my door, I might hear Blackie stamping throughout the naked ground, and the shuffling steps or the wom­an. As soon as I believed I heard a noise out­facet my home windows, however my nerves have been getting too jumpy for me to make certain. Then, after what appeared like hours, I heard my door creak, as if somebody have been making an attempt to push it in. The chair groaned however held. I imagined I heard Blackie’s voice mutter “Rattling!” Footsteps crossed the outer room. All was nonetheless.

Scarcely daring to breathe, I tiptoed to the window. May I make it? After a second, I opened the window, took my rifle, thrust my pistol beneath my belt, and commenced slowly and noiselessly to climb out. My boot grated on the gravel of the yard, and my coronary heart skipped a beat. My creativeness magnified the noise until it gave the impression of a rock crusher. Stooping there within the moonless darkish, I paused to verify nobody else had heard. On tiptoe, I went to the outbuilding the place we had left my trophy, and, with this, crossed to the corral, stopping each step or two to verify I hadn’t aroused my host. On the corral, I hesitated breath­lessly. If one of many horses ought to whin­ny, I’d be misplaced.

Opening the gate, I entered, and, propping my rifle in opposition to the fence, saddled Blackie’s sorrel, and feverishly lashed on the elk head. Once more I listened. However no sound was issued from the cabin, no gentle confirmed. I saddled my very own horse, grabbed my rifle, and swung into the saddle. May I get away quick sufficient? 

Holding the reins of the sorrel, I put my spur into the ribs of my very own horse. Within the stillness, the sound of the iron footwear on the gravel was loud sufficient to wake the lifeless. However I used to be out of the cor­ral now, out of the yard, and down the broad path towards Rangeville. I turned in my saddle for one final have a look at Blackie’s stronghold.

A light-weight flashed on on the home windows, and the door was flung open. Framed within the yellow rectangular of sunshine, was Blackie, a ri­fle raised. There was a spurt of fireside, and a report. With my nerves on the breaking level, I might have sworn the bullet whistled previous my ear. However I used to be properly down the path now. I used to be free.

It was gone midnight after I reached Rangeville, exhausted, and unhappy­dle sore. The one gentle on the town was within the window of a bake store. My knock on the door was answered by the per­spiring baker in undershirt and apron. 

“I wish to depart a horse right here,” I ex­plained. “I’ve been searching up the coun­attempt, and borrowed it to carry my trophy in.”

Although plainly puzzled, the baker referred to as a flour-stained youth from the ovens.

“Put up the horse for the gentleman,” he ordered. Then he turned to me. I informed my story. “And,” I completed, “for those who’ll get somebody to take the sorrel again, I’ll pay —”

“Hear, mister,” mentioned the baker. “You couldn’t get a person on this city inside ten miles of Blackie Collins. He used to belong to some of the harmful gangs of outlaws within the state. Whew! And also you lived for seven days with a person like that!”