n. On coming up, a number of
the officers dismounted to shift saddles, preparatory to starting on
their return, when the quartermaster halted near our employer and said:

"Colonel Lovell, let me say to you, in all sincerity, that in my
twenty-five years' experience on this frontier, I never saw a finer
lot of beeves tendered the government than these of yours. My position
requires that I should have a fair knowledge of beef cattle, and the
perquisites of my office in a post of Buford's class enable me to employ
the best practical men available to perfect the service. I remember
the quality of cattle which you delivered four years ago to me at Fort
Randall, when it was a six-company post, yet they were not as fine a lot
of beeves as these are. I have always contended that there was nothing
too good in my department for the men who uphold the colors of our
country, especially on the front line. You have been a soldier yourself
and know that I am talking good horsesense, and I want to say to you
that whatever the outcome of this dispute may be, if yours are the best
cattle, you may count on my support until the drums beat tattoo. The
government is liberal and insists on the best; the rank and file are
worthy, and yet we don't always get what is ordered and well paid for.
Now, remember, comrade, if this difference comes to an issue, I'm right
behind you, and we'll stand or be turned down together."

"Thank you, Colonel," replied Mr. Lovell. "It does seem rather
fortunate, my meeting up with a former business acquaintance, and at
a time when I need him bad. If I am successful in delivering on this
Buford award, it will round out, during my fifteen years as a drover,
over a hundred thousand cattle that I have sold to the government for
its Indian and army departments. There are no secrets in my business;
the reason of my success is simple--my cattle were always there on the
appointed day, humanely handled, and generally just a shade better than
the specifications. My home country has the cattle for sale; I can tell
within two bits a head what it will cost to lay them down here, and it's
music to my ear to hear you insist on the best. I agree with you that
the firing-line is entitled to special consideration, yet you know that
there are ringsters who fatten at the expense of the rank and file. At
present I haven't a word to say, but at noon to-morrow I shall tender
the post commander at Ford Buford, through his quartermaster,