, carefully scanning every
face, when Mr. Field recognized and attempted to halt me, but I answered
him with a contemptuous look and rode on. Instantly from the rigs came
cries of "Stop that man!" "Halt that cowboy!" etc., when an orderly
stepped in front of my horse and I reined in. But the shouting and my
detention were seen and heard, and the next instant, led by Mike
Sutton, our men dashed up, scaring the teams, overturning both of the
conveyances, and spilling their occupants on the dusty ground. I admit
that we were a hard-looking lot of cow-hands, our employer's grievance
was our own, and just for an instant there was a blue, sulphuric tinge
in the atmosphere as we accented our protest. The congressman scrambled
to his feet, sputtering a complaint to the post commander, and when
order was finally restored, the latter coolly said:

"Well, Mr. Y-----, when did you assume command at Fort Buford? Any
orders that you want given, while on this military reservation, please
submit them to the proper authorities, and if just, they will receive
attention. What right have you or any of your friends to stop a man
without due process? I spent several hours with these men a few days
ago and found them to my liking. I wish we could recruit the last one of
them into our cavalry. But if you are afraid, I'll order out a troop of
horse to protect you. Shall I?"

"I'm not at all afraid," replied Mr. Raddiff, "but feel under obligation
to protect my counsel. If you please, Colonel."

"Captain O'Neill," said the commandant, turning to that officer, "order
out your troop and give these conveyances ample protection from now
until their return from this cattle inspection. Mr. Lovell, if you wish
to be present, please ride on ahead with your men. The rest of us will
proceed at once, and as soon as the escort arrives, these vehicles will
bring up the rear."

As we rode away, the bugles were calling the troopers.

"That's the way to throw the gaff into them," said Sutton, when we had
ridden out of hearing. "Every time they bluff, call their hand, and
they'll soon get tired running blazers. I want to give notice right now
that the first mark of disrespect shown me, by client or attorney, I'll
slap him then and there, I don't care if he is as big as a giant. We are
up against a hard crowd, and we want to meet them a little over halfway,
even on a hint or insinuation. When it comes to buffaloing the opposite
side, that's my long suit. The