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The silence is interrupted by the clatter
of horses’ hooves, the warbling of mountain
birds and the bawling of cattle. We
saddled our horses in the early morning
and began a long climb upward. Now we
are almost at the tree line. Melting snow
creates creeks and rivers. We are riding in
a “box canyon,” a confined area bounded
on three sides by mountains. It is an ideal
range for cattle. The grass is lush and the streams of water are
clear.
I am riding with Hugh Simon, a retired RCMP officer who
is contracted to ride the range and keep an eye on cattle belonging
to several ranchers. Hugh watches out for sick cattle, cattle
roaming outside their normal range, and the occasional rustler.
Usually he rides alone. Knowing my interest in horseback riding,
he invited me to join him for a few days. I am awed by
the majestic mountain peaks, the rich-green vegetation and the
colourful alpine flowers.
Ranches in southwestern Alberta are few and far between. As
we trailer the horses from one area to another, chance encounters
with neighbours develop into lengthy chats. Pickups pull to the
side of the road and the news is shared. One rancher has not seen
his black bull for a few weeks. Could we spend some time searching
for the wayward sire? We heard about a longtime rancher who
is receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer. A young man
from Australia has purchased a ranch from a family who retired.
Hugh is a master storyteller, full of anecdotes, legends, and
amusing tales. One night after a steak supper and saskatoon pie
he tells me a story about Cyprian Pinkham, one of my predecessors
as Anglican bishop in Saskatchewan and southern Alberta. In
1909 a new log church at Rosebud Creek, northeast of Calgary,
was ready for the dedication service. Bishop Pinkham and a clergyman
named Thomas Castle rode horseback 35 miles to lead the
service. They discovered most of the local residents were bachelors
who had come to Alberta to homestead.
As the bishop prepared his sermon, Castle attended to other
arrangements. He asked one of the older men present to act as an
usher, and he asked “the tallest cowboy… to take up the offertory.”
The big fellow did not understand the word offertory so the
parson explained it was the collection. Years later Castle related
what happened next, to the consternation of the two clergymen.
“The service went along well until I was preparing to ask for the
offering. But the cowhand beat me to it. He walked to the front of
the church, drew out his enormous revolver and told the congregation,
‘We are taking up an offering and it’s going to be a good
one. If anyone puts less than $10 on this plate, I’ll shoot him right
there.’ He then walked through the standing congregation with
the pistol in one hand and the collection plate in the other. It was
the best collection I ever saw.” Local legend says the “cowhand”
was big Jack Morton, often called Wildhorse Jack.
I wonder what Bible text Bishop Pinkham chose? Perhaps he
preached on Exodus 35:21 “And they came, every one whose
heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing,
and they brought the Lord’s offering.” Alternately he may
have selected a text from 2 Corinthians: “Each of you must give
as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Suggested Scripture: Exodus 35:20-19, 2 Corinthians 9
Rod Andrews is a retired Anglican bishop. He lives in Saskatoon.
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