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

O´er 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