hile across the herd, which occupied
acres, it reminded one of the burning lake in the regions infernal. As
the night wore on, several showers fell, accompanied by almost incessant
bolts of lightning, but the rainfall only added moisture to the ground
and this acted like fuel in reviving the phosphor. Several hours before
dawn, great sheets of the fiery elements chased each other across the
northern sky, lighting up our surroundings until one could have read
ordinary print. The cattle stood humped or took an occasional step
forward, the men sat their horses, sullen and morose, forming new
resolutions for the future, in which trail work was not included. But
morning came at last, cool and cloudy, a slight recompense for the heat
which we had endured since leaving Dodge.

With the breaking of day, the herd was turned back on its course. For an
hour or more the cattle grazed freely, and as the sun broke through the
clouds, they dropped down like tired infantry on a march, and we allowed
them an hour's rest. We were still some three or four miles eastward
of the trail, and after breakfasting and changing mounts we roused the
cattle and started on an angle for the trail, expecting to intercept it
before noon. There was some settlement in the Smoky River Valley which
must be avoided, as in years past serious enmity had been engendered
between settlers and drovers in consequence of the ravages of Texas
fever among native cattle. I was riding on the left point, and when
within a short distance of the trail, one of the boys called my
attention to a loose herd of cattle, drifting south and fully two miles
to the west of us. It was certainly something unusual, and as every man
of us scanned them, a lone horseman was seen to ride across their
front, and, turning them, continue on for our herd. The situation was
bewildering, as the natural course of every herd was northward, but here
was one apparently abandoned like a water-logged ship at sea.

The messenger was a picture of despair. He proved to be the owner of the
abandoned cattle, and had come to us with an appeal for help. According
to his story, he was a Northern cowman and had purchased the cattle a
few days before in Dodge. He had bought the outfit complete, with the
understanding that the through help would continue in his service until
his range in Wyoming was reached. But it was a Mexican outfit, foreman
and all, and during the storm of the night before, one of the men ha