rted. The only concession which
Mr. Siringo seems willing to admit is that cattle are off from three to
five dollars a head, while we contend that heavy beeves are off seven
dollars."

"Excuse me for interrupting," said the fiscal agent, "but since you have
used the words HEAVY BEEVES, either one of you ask Mac, here, what those
'Open A's' will dress to-day, and what they ought to gain in the next
three months on good grass and water. There he sits; ask him."

Mr. Field explained that they had also differed as to what the herd
would dress out, and invited my opinion. "Those beeves will dress off
from forty-five to fifty per cent.," I replied. "The Texan being a gaunt
animal does not shrink like a domestic beef. Take that 'Open A' herd
straight through and they will dress from four fifty to six hundred
pounds, or average better than five hundred all round. In three months,
under favorable conditions, those steers ought to easily put on a
hundred pounds of tallow apiece. Mr. Radcliff, do you remember pointing
out a black muley yesterday and saying that he looked like a native
animal? I'll just bet either one of you a hundred dollars that he'll
dress out over five hundred pounds; and I'll kill him in your presence
and you can weigh his quarters with a steelyard."

They laughed at me, Siringo joining in, and Mr. Field ordered the
drinks. "Mac," said the detective, "these gentlemen are all right, and
you shouldn't take any offense, for I don't blame them for driving a
hard bargain. I'd probably do the same thing if I was the buyer instead
of the seller. And remember, Mac, if the deal goes through, you are to
drive the herd at the seller's risk, and deliver it at any point the
buyer designates, they accepting without expense or reserve the cattle
only. It means over three months' further expense, with a remuda thrown
back on your hands; and all these incidentals run into money fast.
Gentlemen, unless you increase the advance cash payment, I don't see how
you can expect me to shade my offer. What's your hurry, Mac?"

As it was growing late, I had arisen, and saying that I expected to move
camp to-morrow, invited the party to join me at the bar. I informed the
buyers, during the few minutes' interim, that if they wished to look the
cattle over again, the herd would cross the river below old Fort Dodge
about noon the next day. They thanked me for the information, saying it
was quite possible that they might drive down, and di