abin."

They did. It was long after dark before they reached shelter again.

The riders of the Slash Lazy D were glad to see spring come, though it
brought troubles of its own. The weather turned warm and stayed so. The
snow melted faster than the streams could take care of it. There was high
water all over the Blanco country. The swollen creeks poured down into
the overflowing river. Three punchers in the valley were drowned inside
of a week, for that was before the bridges had been built.

While the water was still high Harshaw started a trail herd to Utah.

-----

[3] According to old-timers the automobile is responsible for the
extermination of the game supply going on so rapidly. The pioneers
at certain seasons provided for their needs by killing blacktail and
salting down the meat. But they were dead shots and expert hunters.
The automobile tourists with high-power rifles rush into the hills
during the open season and kill male and female without distinction.
For every deer killed outright three or four crawl away to die later
from wounds. One ranchman reports finding fifteen dead deer on one
day's travel through the sage.

CHAPTER XXV

THE RIO BLANCO PUTS IN A CLAIM

Preparations for the drive occupied several days. The cattle were rounded
up and carefully worked. Many of those that had roughed through the hard
winter were still weak. Some of these would yet succumb and would
increase the thirty per cent of losses already counted. Only those able
to stand inspection were thrown into the trail herd. Afterward, a second
cut was made and any doubtful ones culled from the bunch.

Word had come from Rangely that all the streams were high as far as and
beyond the Utah line. But the owner of the Slash Lazy D was under
contract to deliver and he could not wait for the water to go down.

When the road herd had been selected and the mavericks in the round-up
branded with the Slash Lazy D or whatever other brand seemed fair
considering the physical characteristics of the animal and the group with
which it was ranging, Harshaw had the cattle moved up the river a couple
of miles to a valley of good grass. Here they were held while the ranch
hands busied themselves with preparations for the journey. A wagon and
harness were oiled, a chuck-box built, and a supply of groceries packed.
Bridles and cinches were gone over carefully, ropes examined, and hobbles
pre