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Show John K found that twelve to fifteen miles per day was good mileage for a flock to travel. Sometimes even fewer miles were trailed, depending on the terrain, the condition of the animals, and of course the availability of water. Hot days slowed them somewhat as the sheep sought shade. The location of suitable bedgrounds was a factor also in determining just how long or short a day's trail should be. The same bedgrounds were most often used year after year if other conditions were favorable. When automobiles began to use the roadways to some extent, many impatient or speeding drivers of cars or trucks sometimes plowed into a flock of sheep, leaving dead and injured animals strewn about. Years of experience, including sad happenings, had made John K more aware of possible problems and he became very cautious. Being alert to the possibility of accidents was a herder's responsibility and he tried to avert them. John K instructed his men to take time to ride or walk ahead of a moving vehicle to open a path for it to pass more' carefully through the sea of vacillating ewes. THE SHEEP WAGON The sheep wagon of fifty to eighty years ago was a suggestive yet incomplete model for the modern one of today, or for the camper that has become so popular. The base of the high old wagon John K used was the width of the narrow wagon box upon which the camp frame rested. In order to step 58 |
