Life on the long drive

• Cowboys worked in outfits led by a trail boss

  
• Herd owners would hire an outfit to deliver their cattle by an agreed time. Cattle drives could take several months.
• Each outfit had about 12 cowboys, a chuck wagon (food wagon) and a wrangler (who cared for the horses).
• There were many challenges and risks, such as stampedes, outlaw gangs and crossing Indian territory. Cowboys slept in the open, taking turns to stay up and keep guard.