heriff took the precaution to
accompany the plaintiffs and Tolleston back to their hotel. The absence
of the two deputies whom we had met the day before was explained by the
testimony of the one-armed cowman. When the two drovers came downstairs,
they were talking very confidentially together, and on my employer
noticing the large number of his men present, he gave orders for them to
meet him at once at the White Elephant saloon. Those who had horses at
hand mounted and dashed down the street, while the rest of us took it
leisurely around to the appointed rendezvous, some three blocks distant.
While on the way, I learned from The Rebel that the cattle on which the
attachment was to be made that afternoon were then being held well up
the North Fork. Sheriff Phillips joined us shortly after we entered the
saloon, and informed my employer and Mr. Reed that the firm of Field,
Radcliff & Co. had declared war. They had even denounced him and the
sheriff's office as being in collusion against them, and had dispatched
Tolleston with orders to refuse service.

"Let them get on the prod all they want to," said Don Lovell to Reed and
the sheriff. "I've got ninety men here, and you fellows are welcome to
half of them, even if I have to go out and stand a watch on night-herd
myself. Reed, we can't afford to have our business ruined by such a set
of scoundrels, and we might as well fight it out here and now. Look at
the situation I'm in. A hundred thousand dollars wouldn't indemnify me
in having my cattle refused as late as the middle of September at Fort
Buford. And believing that I will be turned down, under my contract, so
Sutton says, I must tender my beeves on the appointed day of delivery,
which will absolve my bondsmen and me from all liability. A man can't
trifle with the government--the cattle must be there. Now in my case,
Jim, what would you do?"

"That's a hard question, Don. You see we're strangers up in this
Northwest country. Now, if it was home in Texas, there would be only one
thing to do. Of course I'm no longer handy with a shotgun, but you've
got two good arms."

"Well, gentlemen," said the sheriff, "you must excuse me for
interrupting, but if my deputies are to take possession of that herd
this afternoon, I must saddle up and go to the front. If Honest John and
associates try to stand up any bluffs on my office, they'll only run on
the rope once. I'm much obliged to you, Mr. Lovell, for the assurance of
any he