hin a week they would see its muddy waters and be relieved.
Thus encouraged they held the lead, but several times vaqueros dropped
back to make inquiries of drives and the water. The route was passable,
with a short dry drive from the head of Stinking Water across to the
Platte River, of which they were fully advised. Keeping them in sight,
we trailed along leisurely, and as we went down the northern slope of
the divide approaching the Republican River, we were overtaken at noon
by Don Lovell and Dave Sponsilier.

"Quirk," said the old man, as the two dismounted, "I was just telling
Dave that twenty years ago this summer I carried a musket with Sherman
in his march to the sea. And here we are to-day, driving beef to feed
the army in the West. But that's neither here nor there under the
present programme. Jim Flood and I have talked matters over pretty
thoroughly, and have decided to switch the foremen on the 'Open A' and
'Drooping T' cattle until after Ogalalla is passed. From their actions
at Dodge, it is probable that they will try and arrest the foreman of
those two herds as accessory under some charge or other. By shifting the
foremen, even if the ones in charge are detained, we will gain time and
be able to push the Buford cattle across the North Platte. The chances
are that they will prefer some charges against me, and if they do,
if necessary, we will all go to the lock-up together. They may have
spotters ahead here on the Republican; Dave will take charge of your
'Open A's' at once, and you will drop back and follow up with his
cattle. For the time being and to every stranger, you two will exchange
names. The Rebel is in charge of Forrest's cattle now, and Quince will
drop back with Paul's herd. Dave, here, gave me the slip on crossing the
Texas Pacific in the lower country, but when we reach the Union Pacific,
I want to know where he is, even if in jail. And I may be right there
with him, but we'll live high, for I've got a lot of their money."

Sponsilier reported his herd on the same side of the trail and about
ten miles to our rear. I had no objection to the change, for those arid
plains were still to be preferred to the lock-up in Ogalalla. My only
regret was in temporarily losing my mount; but as Dave's horses were
nearly as good, no objection was urged, and promising, in case either
landed in jail, to send flowers, I turned back, leaving my employer with
the lead herd. Before starting, I learned that the