that over one half the herd are in the
single Marshall ranch brand. There are also some five hundred head in
the '8=8,' that being an outside ranch, but belonging to the estate. I
am informed that the remainder of nearly a thousand were turned in by
neighboring ranchmen in making up the herd, and you'll find those in
various mixed brands. If there's a hoof among them not in the 'Open A'
road, we'll cut them out for fear of trouble to the buyer. I never
sold a man cattle in my life who wasn't my customer ever afterward. You
gentlemen are strangers to me; and for that reason I conceal
nothing. Now look them over carefully, and keep a sharp lookout for
strays--cattle not in the road brand."

I knew there were about twenty strays in the herd, and informed Siringo
to that effect, but the cattle buyers noticed only two, a red and a
roan, which again classed them as inexperienced men among cattle. We
returned to camp, not a word being said about trading, when the buyers
suggested returning to town. Siringo looked at his watch, asked if there
was anything further they wished to see or know, and expressed himself
like a true Texan, "that there was ample time." I was the only one who
had alighted, and as they started to drive away, I said to Siringo:
"Charley, let me talk to you a minute first. You see how I'm situated
here--too many neighbors. I'm going to ride north of town to-morrow, and
if I can find a good camp on Saw Log, why I'll move over. We are nearly
out of supplies, anyhow, and the wagon can go by town and load up.
There's liable to be a mix-up here some night on the Mulberry, and I'd
rather be excused than present."

"That's all right, Mac; that's just what I want you to do. If we trade,
we'll make the deal within a day or two, and if not you can start right
on for Ogalalla. I've been selling cattle the last few years to the
biggest feeders in Nebraska, and I'm not a little bit afraid of placing
those 'Open A's.' About four months full feed on corn will fit those
steers to go to any market. Drop into town on your way back from the Saw
Log to-morrow."

That evening my brother Bob rode into camp. He had seen our employer
at Supply, and accordingly understood the situation. The courier had
returned from Fort Elliott and reported his mission successful; he had
met both Forrest and Sponsilier. The latter had had a slight run in the
Panhandle during a storm, losing a few cattle, which he recovered
the next day. For fear