# 9 Cowgirls and Indians...

As the days progressed, I was becoming more and more a cowgirl. On one special day, I became an Indian too.

Groups came from many parts of the world to the little guest ranch. One such group came from Japan.

The new European owners of the ranch were trying one more time, to create an authentic western atmosphere. They planned to have the group arrive just before sunset and serve a traditional ranch meal outside.

The cookout would be spectacular... red checkered table cloths would adorn each table, a bonfire would hold center stage and the chef would cook steaks over a wood fire grill. Combined with a glorious Arizona sunset, the scene would be perfect.

The ranch employed a variety of less than stellar people. One was the handyman who often smoked things that he shouldn't. He had been happily enjoying his favorite past-time prior to the evening event when he was asked to fill all the lanterns upon the picnic tables and make sure they were ready for the evenings cookout.

He dutifully did so.

The guests had not yet arrived but the ranch owners thought that glowing lanterns would provide a little more atmosphere upon first impression. They instructed the handyman to light the lanterns on each table.

There was a boom and whoosh... when he did so. He was thrown backwards a few feet and luckily not hurt.

He'd filled the lanterns with gasoline not kerosene.

A tragedy had been averted and everything was quickly fixed and again the scene was set for the guests arrival.

The tour bus finally pulled up, unloaded the Japanese cargo and then disappeared. The ranch owners wanted nothing to ruin the carefully arranged cookout scene. The happy Japanese milled around the bonfire, enjoying the orchestrated ambience.

Suddenly out of the darkness was heard a shrill scream and a group of mounted Indians charged from the shadows. They held spears in the air and circled the horrified tourists at a gallop.

Another group broke from the darkness, this time mounted cowboys shooting guns.

There was pandemonium.

The Japanese, in fear for their lives, ran into the desert night. The Cowboys and Indian's rode madly about, screaming and shooting.

The ranch owners had not realized that the glory days of the "Wild West" were very much a part of the Japanese present day. The Japanese culture had not assimilated that the many westerns on their TVs, were of a time long past.

The ranch owners began damage control. The mounted actors dismounted and awaited commands. The ranch staff went in search of lost Japanese tourists... who were running wildly though the desert.

Eventually they were all rounded up safely and the cookout went on as scheduled. Once fed and plied with drink everyone had a good time. Photos were taken and memories made.

For one urban girl trained in England, who dressed up as an Indian and who had just fulfilled every wild west fantasy she ever had, the evening was a great success. It was the only time that this cowgirl in training became an Indian.