for a cigarette-paper. He may come
out all right, but he's just about white enough to get the worst of it.
I've read these Sunday-school stories, where the good little boy always
came out on top, but in real life, especially in cattle, it's quite
different."

My brother's words had a magical effect. Sponsilier asked for
suggestions, when Bob urged that every man available go into the post
and accompany the inspection party that afternoon. Since Forrest and
himself were unknown, they would take about three of the boys with
them, cross the Missouri, ride through and sum up the opposition cattle.
Forrest approved of the idea, and ordered his cook to bestir himself
in getting up an early dinner. Meanwhile a number of my boys had ridden
down to Forrest's wagon, and I immediately dispatched Clay Zilligan back
to my cattle to relieve Vick Wolf and inform the day-herders that we
might not return before dark. Wolf was the coolest man in my employ, had
figured in several shooting scrapes, and as he was a splendid shot,
I wanted to send him with Forrest and my brother. If identified as
belonging to Lovell's outfits, there was a possibility that insult might
be offered the boys; and knowing that it mattered not what the odds
were, it would be resented, I thought it advisable to send a man who
had smelt powder at short range. I felt no special uneasiness about my
brother, in fact he was the logical man to go, but a little precaution
would do no harm, and I saw to it that Sponsilier sent a good
representative.

About one o'clock we started, thirty strong. Riding down the
Yellowstone, the three detailed men, Quince Forrest, and my brother soon
bore off to the left and we lost sight of them. Continuing on down the
river, we forded the Missouri at the regular wagon-crossing, and within
an hour after leaving Forrest's camp cantered into Fort Buford. Sanders
and his outfit were waiting in front of the quartermaster's office, the
hour for starting having been changed from two to three, which afforded
ample time to visit the sutler's bar. Our arrival was noticed about the
barracks, and evidently some complaint had been made, as old man Don
joined us in time for the first round, after which he called Dave and
me aside. In reply to his inquiry regarding our presence, Sponsilier
informed him that we had come in to afford him an escort, in case he
wished to attend the inspection of the opposition herds; that if there
was any bulldozing going