shown
little gratitude for the opportunities that I've given you, but we'll
break the old slate and start all over with a new one. Now, that's all
I wanted to say to you, except to do your own thinking. If you're going
back to town, I'll ride a short distance with you."

The two rode away together, but halted within sight for a short
conference, after which Lovell returned. The cattle were being drifted
east by the deputies and several of our boys, the trail boss having
called off his men on an agreement of the count. The herd had tallied
out thirty-six hundred and ten head, but in making out the receipt, the
fact was developed that there were some six hundred beeves not in the
regular road brand. These had been purchased extra from another source,
and had been paid for in full by the buyers, the seller of the main herd
agreeing to deliver them along with his own. This was fortunate, as
it increased the equity of the buyers in the cattle, and more than
established a sufficient interest to satisfy the judgment and all
expenses.

Darkness was approaching, which hastened our actions. Two men from each
outfit present were detailed to hold the cattle that night, and were
sent on ahead to Priest's camp to secure their suppers and a change of
mounts. The deposed trail boss accepted an invitation to accompany us
and spend the night at one of our wagons, and we rode away to overtake
the drifting herd. The different outfits one by one dropped out and rode
for their camps; but as mine lay east and across the river, the course
of the herd was carrying me home. After passing The Rebel's wagon fully
a half mile, we rounded in the herd, which soon lay down to rest on the
bedground. In the gathering twilight, the camp-fires of nearly a
dozen trail wagons were gleaming up and down the river, and while we
speculated with Sponsilier's boys which one was ours, the guard arrived
and took the bedded herd. The two old cowmen and the trail boss had
dropped out opposite my brother's camp, leaving something like ten men
with the attached beeves; but on being relieved by the first watch,
Flood invited Sheriff Phillips and his deputies across the river to
spend the night with him.

"Like to, mighty well, but can't do it," replied Phillips. "The
sheriff's office is supposed to be in town, and not over on the North
Fork, but I'll leave two of these deputies with you. Some of you had
better ride in to-morrow, for there may be overtures made looki