regulation blacksmith shop, constituting the business
interests of Powderville. As arriving guests, a rough but cordial
welcome was extended us by the keeper of the hostelry, and we mingled
with the other travelers, but never once mentioning our business. I was
uneasy over the money in our possession; not that I feared robbery, but
my mind constantly reverted to it, and it was with difficulty that I
refrained from continually feeling to see that it was safe. Sponsilier
had concealed his in his boot, and as we rode along, contended that
he could feel the roll chafing his ankle. I had tied two handkerchiefs
together, and rolling my share in one of them, belted the amount between
my overshirt and undershirt. The belt was not noticeable, but in making
the ride that day, my hand involuntarily went to my side where the money
lay, the action never escaping the notice of Sponsilier, who constantly
twitted me over my nervousness. And although we were tired as dogs after
our long ride, I awoke many times that night and felt to see if my money
was safe; my partner slept like a log.

Several cowmen, ranching on the lower Powder River, had headquarters at
this outpost. The next morning Sponsilier and I made their acquaintance,
and during the course of the day got a clear outline of the situation.
On the west the river was the recognized dead-line to the Wyoming
boundary, while two camps of five men each patroled the dividing line on
the north, drifting back the native stock and holding the through herds
in quarantine. The nearest camp was some distance east of Powderville,
and saddling up towards evening we rode out and spent the night at
the first quarantine station. A wagon and two tents, a relay of saddle
horses, and an arsenal of long-range firearms composed the outfit. Three
of the five men on duty were Texans. Making ourselves perfectly at home,
we had no trouble in locating the herds in question, they having already
sounded the tocsin to clear the way, claiming government beef recognized
no local quarantine. The herds were not over thirty miles to the south,
and expectation ran high as to results when an attempt should be made
to cross the deadline. Trouble had already occurred, where outfits
respecting the quarantine were trespassed upon by three herds, making
claim of being under government protection and entitled to the rights of
eminent domain. Fortunately several of the herds on the immediate line
had been bought at Ogal