Not another Bear Ropin' Story!
--Mike Puhallo from "Rhymes on the Range"
Hancock House Publications
I'd seen Red Hysler rope a bear
back when I was a kid!
And I've heard a bunch of stories
from hands, who claimed they did!
Now, this bit of cowboyography
was one I'd yet to try.
But I knew that when the time came
I'd rope the beast or die!
In the sagebrush west of Kamloops
I got my chance one day.
On a big flat we call Caribou Ditch
in the early part of May.
I spotted this ol' black bear
a mile from any trees.
And the wind was in my face
I could rope this bear with ease!
Had my tree on a big black gelding
that Loon Lake Charlie'd raised.
He closed the gap in an awful rush
to where the bruin grazed.
As I stood up in my stirrups
and shook my nylon out.
That poor ol' bear had not looked up
had no clue what I's about!
When she heard those thunderin' hoofbeats
I thought for sure she'd run.
But she reared up and popped her jaws
it sounded like a gun!
Well, ol' Spook he jerked his head down
bucked once, then turned his tail.
And with all the speed a good horse can
smoked her down the trail.
From the corner of my eye
I saw three cubs had scattered.
But holding to the saddle horn
Was all that really mattered!!
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