The semi annual Roundup, occurring twice a year served the double purpose of collecting the fat cattle for market and the calves and mavericks for branding; the latter was as essential as the former. No legal identification could be made without branding as the cattle were permitted to run at large. Unbranded cattle were called mavericks. When found roaming the prairie they were driven into a corral by any rancher and branded; he could make legal demand thereafter for his property. This was in harmony with the law and the custom of the range. The only deviation from the established rule was during the roundups. Then they were apportioned to the ranches in the ratio of the total number of mavericks collected. In this proportion, they were branded and delivered to the different ranches. Calves running with the cows were branded with similar designations of the mother. 

The actual roundup would continue for two or three weeks and the preparatory work would consume as much time. There was food to purchase, extra cowmen to employ, broncos to bust and train; bridles, saddles, blankets and wagons to collect and overhaul; branding irons to collect, repair and store at the center; rope of the proper size had to be selected and made into lariats and lassos. The word “lasso” was a misnomer on the prairie and used only by the "tenderfoot." The Cowpuncher called it his "rope." 

The actual date of the beginning of the roundup was known to the ranchers long in advance of the start, and the simultaneous movements during the progress of the roundup could be likened to a perfect and well-oiled machine in its workings as they were well planned by ranchmen expert in organization work. From the circumference of the imaginary circle, the start would be made for the center, forty or fifty miles away. Efforts were directed to rounding up all of the cattle found within that imaginary enclosure and driving them to the center. But the word "center" was unknown to the Cowmen as they would say "the meeting place." 

During the roundup they would live in the great open out of doors and feed from the tail-end of chuck wagons. One or more of those traveling restaurants with cooks and an abundance of chuck or grub followed in the wake of each ranch outfit. Imagine, if you can, "flap-jacks" six or eight inches across and five or six of them eaten by each man with the necessary butter and sorghum molasses, together with bacon, beans and potatoes, and, in addition, a great quantity of black coffee was drunk. Only those who have followed the roundups can realize or vouch for such facts. The strenuous life out in the open permitted such indulgences without fear of indigestion. 

When night overtook the roundup, it would find them prepared to corral the cattle where ever they happened to be and it was done systematically. The work would be divided and those assigned for "night riding" would ride constantly around and around the herds to keep them from stampeding, or straying away. Others would roll in their blankets and lie down anywhere on the prairie and grab a few hours of much needed sleep. The watch would be changed in the night and those who had been sleeping would relieve their companions in the saddle who would likewise grab an equal amount of rest. And they slept;—no wakeful nights bothered them. 

With the break of day, breakfast would be served and before sun-up, the roundup would be moving. The movements of the different sectors were so well timed in their progress that they would reach Benkelman during the same half day, with thousands of cattle bellowing and scampering about in their wild and frantic endeavor to get away from their captors. The herds were corralled in the wide open bottom on both sides of the Republican river where they were held until the necessary “cutting out," shipping and branding had been accomplished. Those herds huddled together would cover a territory one and one half miles wide by five to ten miles in length. 

What a time for reunions those roundups proved to be. What advantages were taken of these opportunities to renew old acquaintanships. Some ranchmen and Cowpunchers had not met for a year or two, while others found that two or three years had passed since they had had a drink together. Their actions at such times could not be compared with the average meeting of men after a long absence, but they resembled college mates returning to school after a long summer vacation. The spontaneousness in greeting and the extravagant unconventionality produced a merry heart, even with the onlooking stranger. They were hail fellows well met, who took the more strenuous activities of life lightly and without worry. Scores of Cowmen were necessary to corral so many cattle on so large an open space but it should not be presumed that they worked all of the time; they had an abundance of time off of duty. 

The saloon was the busiest spot in town on such occasions and the necessity of keeping it open day and night was met and the convivial nature of Cowpunchers found satisfaction in diversion. Poker games were going constantly and dances were held regularly. At times, favorite cow ponies were selected for races, which produced much amusement and fierce betting. Hundreds of dollars would change hands after each race. 

The actual branding of cattle attracted attention even though it was a cruel and inhuman means of torture. The most expert were in demand for such trials and their dexterities were worth witnessing in the branding corral. For instance, a calf or a maverick would be selected from among the herd and into the bunch the roper or Cowman would ride for the purpose of "stirring them up" and when they would begin to move about the rope would be thrown in such a way as to catch the selected critter by the hind leg. Then suddenly wheeling the cow pony, the bellowing, struggling and unwilling animal would be dragged to a spot a few paces to the rear where it would be grabbed by the head and feet and held securely while another would slap on the hot branding iron. At such times, cowponies exhibited their training and showed as much skill in their work as the Cowpunchers. 

When the work of the roundup was finally completed and the last shipments of fat cattle had been made, the remainder of the corralled cattle would be released to wander at will until the time of the next roundup and the Cowmen would be dispersed to the several ranches, most of which were many miles away.