"Pete and the Outlaw" Equine & Rodeo Bronze Sculpture by Edd Hayes fine bronze sculptor

As a pair of callused bare feet touch the cold wooden floor of the bunkhouse, at the same time outside, in the frigid stillness a pair of short gray ears prick up and turn toward the still dark bunkhouse. It's four o'clock in the morning.

The restless gray, knowing what is about to happen, backs his ears and moves through the other horses to the far back side of the corral. In the cold darkness he waits.

A tall, dark, hatted figure moves slowly through the gate, quietly unfurling a large loop in his lariat and positions himself to make a throw. Horses are milling and bunching up and snorting while trying to keep one eye on this dark figure. An ochre dust rises in the darkness as the figure lets go his silent trap in the direction of the gray.

Caught on the second throw, the gray is reluctant, but doesn't put up a fuss while being led to the round pen. He even stands quietly, though nervously taking in a quick breath then shuddering when the saddle is placed on his back.

Mumbling a few muffled cusswords, the cowboy, stands and looks at the gray, the moonlight reflecting off this quivering mass of gray muscle, he mutters the words, "last time", slips his left foot into the stirrup and swings into the saddle.

Inside the bunkhouse, the other ranch hands are awakened by the noise and commotion coming from the corral. Once the empty bunk is spotted, word goes around the room, "Ain't nothin' to fret, it's just Pete and that outlaw gray, again!

Edd Hayes