Long ago in a very small town, out in the Texas panhandle 4 young men were riding around in a pickup drinking beer and bragging. The town had a population of around 350 depending on who died, and who the law was after. One got to bragging that he could ride anything with hair. This was a true statement, Skinum holds the title of the best cowboy I ever met, with the exception of his dad. He was laying it on thick when providence laid a chance to prove his skill in front of 4 drunk rednecks. It was 2 days before The Hedley Cotton fesival, some of the ladies who make the floats for the annual parade had constructed a turtle from a old lawn mower. With a old roping rope the turtle was secured to the ball hitch, Skinum mounted his steed, and off they went to where the basket ball game was just over at the school. Skinum spurring the turtle like a bronk at a a amazing 15mph.
At the basket ball game that was over with the crowd going home, Skinum waved and acted the rodeo cow boy. Problem was the the Hi-po was in the crowd.
When the blue and red lights started flashing Skinum became Small town legend.
He rode that lawn mower around town at chase speeds, When the boys got headed out tward the cemitary with the Hi-Po Hot on their trail speeds reached over 90mph on asphalt, long before the asphalt ended the wheels had given up the gohst, sparks were flying all behind that turtle, Skinum was still riding but some how the showman ship had gone out of it for him.
All good things come to a end, It was so with the asphalt. Skinum rode that sparking turtle until the first curve on the dirt, The turtle went in the ditch, The dust was intense, sight of Skinum was lost at first contact with dirt road.
The driver let up for the dirt road but not that much.
By the time a 4 way crossing was reached the turtle had been seen bouncing 15ft in the air. It was assumed Skinum's ride was over. no need to slow down now. With the dust kicked up by the turtle there was no way for the Hi-Po to follow at speed.
Skinum was ejected into a cotton patch and watched the chase go past, with only minor bruses and abraisions.
The boys avoided the Hi-po, but justice had its way. The local sherif charged the usual suspects with the job of replaceing the turtle. Thus the sorryest looking float ever in the Hedley cotton festival parade. The replacement turtle was a sad sight to see beeing pulled behind a float. Had Skinum chose to ride that time he would had recieved the recognition he so ritchly deserved.
