h troops,
pilot them to the camps of Field, Radcliff & Co. A consultation was
immediately held, but no definite line of action had been arrived at
when a horseman from one of the lower camps dashed up and informed us
that the three herds were already trailing out for the dead-line,
under an escort of cavalry. Saddling up, we rallied what few men were
available, determined to make a protest, at least, in the interest of
humanity to dumb brutes. We dispatched couriers to the nearest camps and
the outer quarantine station; but before a posse of twenty men arrived,
the lead herd was within a mile of the dead-line, and we rode out and
met them. Fully eighty troopers, half of which rode in column formation
in front, halted us as we approached. Terse and to the point were
the questions and answers exchanged between the military arm of the
government and the quarantine authorities of Montana. When the question
arose of indemnity to citizens, in case of death to native cattle, a
humane chord was touched in the young lieutenant in command, resulting
in his asking several questions, to which the "major-domo" protested.
Once satisfied of the justice of quarantine, the officer, in defense of
his action, said:

"Gentlemen, I am under instructions to give these herds, intended for
use at Fort Buford, a three days' escort beyond this quarantine line.
I am very much obliged to you all for making so clear the necessity
of isolating herds of Texas cattle, and that little or no hardship may
attend my orders, you may have until noon to-morrow to drift all native
stock west of the Powder River. When these herds encamp for the night,
they will receive instructions not to move forward before twelve
to-morrow. I find the situation quite different from reports;
nevertheless orders are orders."

CHAPTER XX. ON THE JUST AND THE UNJUST

The quarantine guards returned to their camp. Our plans were suddenly
and completely upset, and not knowing which way to turn, Sponsilier and
I, slightly crestfallen, accompanied the guards. It was already late
in the evening, but Captain Ullmer took advantage of the brief respite
granted him to clear the east half of the valley of native cattle.
Couriers were dispatched to sound the warning among the ranches down the
river, while a regular round-up outfit was mustered among the camps to
begin the drifting of range stock that evening. A few men were left at
the two camps, as quarantine was not to be abandoned