The Black Stallion

"A Advertures of Junius & His Offspring"

Several summers in a row, when Gene, Noel, Dan and I were about 9 to 12 years old, we were privileged to stay with grandpa at his sheep herding stations on Thousand Lake Mountain....... We would ride the rancher's dump truck loaded with supplies until we reached the camp. This was a long but fun ride. This was a real adventure for us all... not to mention poor grandpa! Can you imagine trying to keep track of three or four hooligans that did everything except what they were told! I still remember waking up to the aroma of frying mutton, deer steaks, eggs, bacon pancakes and sourdough biscuits... Grandpa was quite a cook... Can't remember when I tasted better food. I guess he learned that if he didn't cook tasty meals he would never have them, unless he was home with grandma. But, as I remember, in the summers, June had to be gone a lot to support the family. We boys alternated between the farm at Loa (where we raised a lot of hell and were the consternation of the entire town) and being with grandpa.

Grandpa was a totally dedicated parent and grandparent. He didn't mind us being there with him. I think he really enjoyed raising kids... but we all frustrated him a great deal. We used to listen to his Zenith tube short-wave radio to go to sleep. One night we awoke from sleep in the sheep wagon about 2 in the morning... I remember grandpa coming into the sheep wagon after firing a round or two from his 30-30... "Grandpa, what are you shooting at?" We all yelled... "That damned cougar is after the deer we hung in the tree.. again.." No doubt in my mind that if he could have seen it, he would have shot it. I believe he had previously shot a number of them before in defense of the sheep herd...

Junius Gilbert Covington


Grandpa always wanted us to have the best wilderness experience and always had horses there for us to ride if he and other herders in the area had enough horses. I'll never forget a black stallion that he got for me to ride... he was beautiful and fast! But grandpa told me: "I'm gonna let you ride this horse, Tommy Wayne, but don't you have to promise that you will not dare let him run! Pull back on the reigns as he is impossible to control when he gets to a gallop..." For a day or two I heeded his advice, but I got a little cocky and the temptation was too great! This horse could provide an exciting ride. From a half mile away from camp, I thought I would just kick him a little as I was tired of the slow pace. I gently nudged his side and he burst into an uncontrolable gallop! Headed for the aspen grove, grandpa realized much more than I that I would be quickly hit in the head with an aspen branch and wounded, or worse, even killed.

June ran faster than I have seen any man run, headed toward me and the horse! As he approached the horse, the horse veered to the side but grandpa jumped and grabbed the horse by the neck in a wrestling hold. Pulling on the reigns he quickly brought the horse to a stop.... Then he turned to me and cussed me out severely! Not that I didn't deserve it, as I really could have been killed! I was on his list for a few days, but he always showed us that he cared by the way he treated us. So my family is here because June had enough strength and courage to out-run a horse....! Not an easy trick! But I have forever been grateful to him for this... I loved him so!

Tommy Wayne, Eldest Grand Son to Junius