Daddy and the Bear--Wish I had a Picture

Trout Creek Ranch, the adjoining ranch up the valley, needed some help riding fences before bringing cattle down from the upper range, so Daddy went over, saddled up and spent a long day checking and mending fences.  As they headed back to the ranch, they took a break in a little clearing, probably had a few beers, and were discussing life in general.

When out of the forest a black bear appeared, it was a couple of years old. One of the cowboys bet Daddy that he couldn't rope the bear. Daddy, never one to turn down a dare, shook out a loop, roped that bear on the first try.  The bear was shocked, shot up the closest tree with Daddy right behind.  He followed that bear out on a limb--snap the limb broke, the bear tumbled down, Daddy following landed on the bear.  They never could say who was more surprised Daddy or the bear.  Of course, Daddy said, "What else could I do, I had to get my lariat" 

 A good rope is priceless to a cowboy.
It has made for a story retold many times.