The American Cowboy

A faint cry over howling winds wakes me at 2:00 a.m. Boots, coat, and hat on, I grab my lantern and head out in a blizzard to the barn to mount my horse and search for the source of the cry: a newborn calf under a fresh blanket of snow.

The cowboy's way of life embraces hard work, trust, and respect in the service of a greater purpose: community service, stewardship, and faith. It's called riding for the brand. The pay is modest; the toll on the body hard and the reward great. Hours on a hor...