In an Arizona town one day Bill Venero heard them say That a band of Apache Indians Were on the trail that way Heard them tell of murder done Three men killed at Rocky Run "They're in danger at the cow ranch" Said Venero under his breath! Nearly forty miles away Was a little place that lay In a deep and shady valley In the mighty wilderness Half a score of homes were there And in one a maiden fair Held the heart of Bill Venero Bill Venero's Little Bess. So no wonder he grew pale When he heard the cowboy's tale Of the men that he'd seen murdered There at Rocky Run Sure as there's a God above I will save the girl I love By that love I hold for Bessie I will see that somethin's done! Not one minute he delayed When this brave resolve was made "But, man," his comrades told him When they hears his daring plan "You are riding straight to death!" But he answered, "Save your breath, I may never reach the cow ranch But I'll do the best I can." As he crossed the alkali All his thoughts flew on ahead To the little band at Cow Ranch Thinking not a danger near With his quirt's unceasing whirl And the jingle of his spurs Little Chapo bore the cowboy OВґer the far away frontier. Sharp and dear a rifle shot Woke the echoes of the spot "I am wounded," cried Venero As he swayed from side to side. "While there's life there's always hope Slowly onward I will lope If we fail to reach the Cow Ranch Bessie Lee will know I tried." Then at dusk a horse of brown Wet with sweat came panting down The little lane at Cow Ranch Stopped in front of Bessie's door. But the cowboy was asleep And his slumber was so deep Little Bess could never wake him Though she tried forever more. You have heard this story told By the young and by the old How the Indians killed Venero On his way to Rocky Run. Many years have passed away And the maiden's hair is gray But still she places roses On Bill Venero's grave.
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