Songs of the Cattle Trail and Cow Camp · Chapter
Endnotes explained
The chapter provides endnotes that clarify specific terms and references within the book, including pronunciation notes, cultural context about saloons and sheepherders, and editorial remarks about a halfbreed Indian poet's verses.
What happens
The chapter provides endnotes that clarify specific terms and references within the book, including pronunciation notes, cultural context about saloons and sheepherders, and editorial remarks about a halfbreed Indian poet's verses.
Characters to notice
- Charles Badger Clark
Referenced in the endnote about a fragment not included in his poem.
Key passages
“Pronounced by the natives “muggy-yones.””
The locals pronounce it as 'muggy-yones.'
Clarifies the pronunciation of a term.
“Only such cowboys as are in desperate need of employment ever become sheepherders.”
Only cowboys who are extremely desperate for work would take up sheepherding.
Explains the stigma against sheepherding among cowboys.
“Fox is a halfbreed Indian who sent me a lot of verse. Although he had never heard of Walt Whitman, these stanzas suggest that poet.”
Fox, a halfbreed Indian, sent me many poems. Despite never knowing Walt Whitman, his verses resemble Whitman's style.
Describes the origin and style of the verses.