ly Company. Very sorry to put you to
all this trouble, but these herds must not be interfered with. I trust
that you gentlemen understand that the government is supreme."

As the papers mentioned were produced, Sponsilier kicked me on the
shin, gave me a quiet wink, and nodded towards the documents then being
tendered to Captain Ullmer. Groping at his idea, I rode forward, and
as the papers were being returned with a mere glance on the part of the
quarantine leader, I politely asked if I might see the assignment of the
original contract. But a quizzical smile met my request, and shaking out
the heavy parchment, he rapped it with the knuckles of his disengaged
hand, remarking as he returned it to his pocket, "Sorry, but altogether
too valuable to allow out of my possession." Just what I would have done
with the beribboned document, except to hand it over to Sponsilier,
is beyond me, yet I was vaguely conscious that its destruction was of
importance to our side of the matter at issue. At the same instant in
which my request was declined, the big medicine man turned to Captain
Ullmer and suavely remarked, "You found everything as represented, did
you?"

"Why, I heard your statement, and I have also heard it disputed from
other sources. In fact I have nothing to do with you except to enforce
the quarantine now established by the cattlemen of eastern Montana.
If you have any papers showing that your herds were wintered north of
latitude 37, you can pass, as this quarantine is only enforced against
cattle from south of that degree. This territory lost half a million
dollars' worth of native stock last fall from Texas fever, and this
season they propose to apply the ounce of preventive. You will have
ample time to reach your destination after frost falls, and your
detention by quarantine will be a good excuse for your delay. Now,
unless you can convince me that your herds are immune, I'll show you
a good place to camp on the head of Wolf Creek. It will probably be a
matter of ten to fifteen days before the quarantine is lifted, and we
are enforcing it against citizens of Montana and Texas alike, and no
exception can be made in your case."

"But, my dear sir, this is not a local or personal matter. Whatever you
do, don't invite the frown of the government. Let me warn you not to act
in haste. Now, remember--"

"You made your cracks that you would cross this quarantine line,"
interrupted Ullmer, bristlingly, "and I want you