ill be in the War
Office before that sun sets. Now, my advice is--"

"I don't give a damn for you nor your advice. My reputation as a soldier
is all I possess, and no man can dictate to nor intimidate me. My past
record is an open book and one which I am proud of; and while I have the
honor to command at Fort Buford, no threats can terrify nor cause me to
deviate from my duty. Captain O'Neill, attend orders and escort these
vehicles back to their quarters."

The escort loosened out, the conveyances started, and the inspection was
over. We were a quiet crowd, though inwardly we all felt like shouting.
We held apart from the military party, and when near the herd which held
the "Circle Dot" steers, my brother and a number of the boys galloped
on ahead and cut out the animals before our arrival. On entering the
wagon-road near the post, the military cavalcade halted a moment for us
to come up. Lovell was in the lead, and as we halted the commandant said
to him: "We have decided to receive your cattle in the morning--about
ten o'clock if that hour will be convenient. I may not come over, but
the quartermaster's Mr. Sanders will count for us, and you cowmen ought
to agree on the numbers. We have delayed you a day, and if you will put
in a bill for demurrage, I will approve it. I believe that is all. We'll
expect you to spend the night with us at the post. I thought it best to
advise you now, so that you might give your men any final orders."

CHAPTER XXIII. KANGAROOED

Lovell and his attorneys joined the cavalcade which returned to the
post, while we continued on south, fording the Missouri above Forrest's
camp. The two recovered beeves were recognized by their ranch brands as
belonging in Bee County, thus identifying them as having escaped from
Bob Quirk's herd, though he had previously denied all knowledge of them.
The cattle world was a small one, and it mattered little where an animal
roamed, there was always a man near by who could identify the brand
and give the bovine's past history. With the prospects bright for a new
owner on the morrow, these two wayfarers found lodgment among our own
for the night.

But when another day dawned, it brought new complications. Instead of
the early arrival of any receiving party, the appointed hour passed,
noon came, and no one appeared. I had ridden down to the lower camps
about the latter hour, yet there was no one who could explain, neither
had any word from the post reach