ot cowmen. They
were impatient to see the cattle; and when dinner was over, I explained
to them that the men on herd would be relieved for dinner by those in
camp, and orders would be given, if it was their wish, to throw the
cattle compactly together. To this Siringo objected. "No, Mac," said he,
"that isn't the right way to show beeves. Here, Morg, listen to me; I'm
foreman for the time being. When you relieve the other lads, edge in
your cattle from an ordinary loose herd until you have them on two or
three hundred acres. Then we can slowly drive through them for an hour
or so, or until these gentlemen are satisfied. They're not wild, are
they, Mac?"

I assured every one that the cattle were unusually gentle; that we
had not had a run so far, but urged caution in approaching them with a
conveyance. As soon as the relief started, I brought in the livery team
off picket, watered, and harnessed them into the vehicle. It was my
intention to accompany them on horseback, but Siringo hooted at the
idea, and Mr. Radcliff and I occupied the back seat, puffing splendid
cigars. We met the relieved men coming in, who informed us that the herd
was just over the hill on the south side of the creek. On reaching the
gentle rise, there below us grazed the logy, lazy beeves, while the boys
quietly rode round, silently moving them together as instructed. Siringo
drove to their lead, and halting, we allowed the cattle to loiter past
us on either side of the conveyance. It was an easy herd to show, for
the pounds avoirdupois were there. Numerous big steers, out of pure
curiosity, came up near the vehicle and innocently looked at us as if
expecting a dole or sweetmeat. A snap of the finger would turn them,
showing their rounded buttocks, and they would rejoin the guard of
honor. If eyes could speak, the invitation was timidly extended, "Look
at me, Mr. Buyer." We allowed the herd to pass by us, then slowly
circled entirely around them, and finally drove back and forth through
them for nearly two hours, when the prospective buyers expressed
themselves as satisfied.

But the fiscal agent was not. Calling two of the boys, he asked for the
loan of their horses and insisted that the buyers ride the cattle
over and thoroughly satisfy themselves on the brands. The boys gladly
yielded, and as Mr. Field and Mr. Radcliff mounted to ride away, the
detective halted them long enough to say: "Now, gentlemen, I wish to
call your attention to the fact