n had secured his horse and quit
headquarters before any one had even returned from the round-up. When
the last of the foremen came in, our employer delivered his final
messages. "Boys," said he, "I'll only detain you a few minutes. I'm
going west in the morning to Uvalde County, and will be present at the
receiving of Quince and Dave's herds. After they start, I'll come back
to the city and take stage to Oakville. But you go right ahead and
receive your cattle, Bob, for we don't know what may turn up. Flood will
help Tom first, and then Paul, to receive their cattle. That will give
the Buford herds the first start, and I'll be waiting for you at Abilene
when you reach there. And above all else, boys, remember that I've
strained my credit in this drive, and that the cattle must be A 1, and
that we must deliver them on the spot in prime condition. Now, that's
all, but you'd better be riding so as to get an early start in the
morning."

Our employer walked with us to the outer gate where our horses stood at
the hitch-rack. That he was reticent in his business matters was well
known among all his old foremen, including Forrest and myself. If he had
a confidant among his men, Jim Flood was the man--and there were a
few things he did not know. As we mounted our horses to return to our
respective camps, old man Don quietly took my bridle reins in hand and
allowed the others to ride away. "I want a parting word with you,
Tom," said he a moment later. "Something has happened to-day which will
require the driving of the Buford herds in some road brand other than
the 'Circle Dot.' The first blacksmith shop you pass, have your irons
altered into 'Open A's,' and I'll do the same with Quince and Dave's
brands. Of the why or wherefore of this, say nothing to any one, as no
one but myself knows. Don't breathe a word even to Flood, for he don't
know any more than he should. When the time comes, if it ever does,
you'll know all that is necessary--or nothing. That's all."

CHAPTER III. RECEIVING AT LOS LOBOS

The trip to Lasalle County was mere pastime. All three of the outfits
kept in touch with each other, camping far enough apart to avoid any
conflict in night-herding the remudas. The only incident to mar the
pleasure of the outing was the discovery of ticks in many of our horses'
ears. The pasture in which they had wintered was somewhat brushy, and as
there had been no frost to kill insect life, myriads of seed-ticks had
dropp