ests, commanding and receiving the best that
the hostelry afforded. Sutton was likewise present, but quiet and
unpretentious, and I thought there was a false, affected note in the
hilarity of the ringsters, and for effect. I was known to two of the
trio, but managed to overhear any conversation which was adrift. After
dinner and over fragrant cigars, they reared their feet high on an outer
gallery, and the inference could be easily drawn that a contract, unless
it involved millions, was beneath their notice.

Morris informed me that his employer's suspicions were aroused, and
that he had that morning demanded a settlement in full or the immediate
release of the herd. They had laughed the matter off as a mere incident
that would right itself at the proper time, and flashed as references a
list of congressmen, senators, and bankers galore. But Morris's employer
had stood firm in his contentions, refusing to be overawed by flattery
or empty promises. What would be the result remained to be seen, and the
foreman and myself wandered aimlessly around town during the afternoon,
meeting other trail bosses, nearly all of whom had heard more or less
about the existing trouble. That we had the sympathy of the cattle
interests on our side goes without saying, and one of them, known as
"the kidgloved foreman," a man in the employ of Shanghai Pierce, invoked
the powers above to witness what would happen if he were in Lovell's
boots. This was my first meeting with the picturesque trail boss, though
I had heard of him often and found him a trifle boastful but not a bad
fellow. He distinguished himself from others of his station on the trail
by always wearing white shirts, kid gloves, riding-boots, inlaid spurs,
while a heavy silver chain was wound several times round a costly
sombrero in lieu of a hatband. We spent an hour or more together,
drinking sparingly, and at parting he begged that I would assure my
employer that he sympathized with him and was at his command.

The afternoon was waning when I hunted up my outfit and started them
for camp. With one or two exceptions, the boys were broke and perfectly
willing to go. Morris and I joined them at the livery where they had
left their horses, and together we started out of town. Ordering them
to ride on to camp, and saying that I expected to return by way of Bob
Quirk's wagon, Morris and myself stopped at the court-house. Sheriff
Phillips was in his office and recognized us both at a