have broken from four to five dollars a head, and
unless I can deliver these Buford herds on my contract, they will lose
me fifty thousand dollars."

"Have you any intimation that they expect to buy in other cattle?" I
inquired.

"Yes. I have had a detective in my employ ever since my suspicions
were aroused. There are two parties in Dodge this very minute with the
original contract, properly assigned, and they are looking for cattle to
fill it. That's why I'm stopping here and lying low. I couldn't explain
it to you sooner, but you understand now why I drove those Buford herds
in different road brands. Tom, we're up against it, and we've got to
fight the devil with fire. Henceforth your name will be Tom McIndoo,
your herd will be the property of the Marshall estate, and their agent,
my detective, will be known as Charles Siringo. Any money or supplies
you may need in Dodge, get in the usual form through the firm of Wright,
Beverly & Co.--they understand. Hold your herd out south on Mulberry,
and Siringo will have notice and be looking for you, or you can find him
at the Dodge House. I've sent a courier to Fort Elliott to meet Dave and
Quince, and once I see them, I'll run up to Ogalalla and wait for you.
Now, until further orders, remember you never knew a man by the name of
Don Lovell, and by all means don't forget to use what wits Nature gave
you."

CHAPTER VII. WHEN GREEK MEETS GREEK

It was late that night when I reached the herd. Before I parted with
my employer we had carefully reviewed the situation in its minutest
details. Since the future could not be foreseen, we could only watch
and wait. The Texan may have his shortcomings, but lack of fidelity to
a trust is not one of them, and relying on the metal of my outfit, I at
once put them in possession of the facts. At first their simple minds
could hardly grasp the enormity of the injustice to our employer, but
once the land lay clear, they would gladly have led a forlorn hope in
Don Lovell's interests. Agitation over the matter was maintained
at white heat for several days, as we again angled back towards the
Cimarron. Around the camp-fires at night, the chicanery of The Western
Supply Company gave place to the best stories at our command. "There
ought to be a law," said Runt Pickett, in wrathy indignation, "making it
legal to kill some people, same as rattlesnakes. Now, you take a square
gambler and I don't think anything of losing my money against his