at Lovell, relying on the superiority of our beeves, had
waived his right to deliver on the hour of high noon, and an inspection
of the other cattle would be made that evening. The waiver was made at
the request of the leading officers of Fort Buford, all very friendly to
the best interests of the service and consequently ours, and the object
was to silence all subsequent controversy. My brother admitted that
some outside pressure had been brought to bear during the night, very
antagonistic to the post commander, who was now more determined than
ever to accept none but the best for their next year's meat supply. A
well-known congressman, of unsavory reputation as a lobbyist in aiding
and securing government contracts for his friends, was the latest
addition to the legal forces of the opposition. He constantly mentioned
his acquaintances in the War Department and maintained an air of
assurance which was very disconcerting. The younger officers in the
post were abashed at the effrontery of the contractors and their legal
representatives, and had even gone so far as to express doubts as to
the stability of their positions in case the decision favored Lovell's
cattle. Opinion was current that a possible shake-up might occur at
Buford after the receipt of its beef supply, and the more timorous ones
were anxious to get into the right wagon, instead of being relegated to
some obscure outpost.

It was now evident that the decisive issue was to occur over the
delivery of the contending herds. Numerous possibilities arose in my
imagination, and the various foremen advanced their views. A general
belief that old man Don would fight to the last was prevalent, and
amidst the discussions pro and con, I remarked that Lovell could take a
final refuge behind the indemnity in hand.

"Indemnity, hell!" said Bob Quirk, giving me a withering look; "what is
sixty-five thousand dollars on ten thousand beeves, within an hour of
delivery and at thirty-seven and a half a head? You all know that the
old man has strained his credit on this summer's drive, and he's got
to have the money when he goes home. A fifteen or twenty per cent.
indemnity does him no good. The Indian herds have paid out well, but
if this delivery falls down, it will leave him holding the sack. On the
other hand, if it goes through, he will be, financially, an independent
man for life. And while he knows the danger of delay, he consented as
readily as any of us would if asked