As it was
certain to be several days yet before we would start, and there was a
prospect of a falling market in certificates of inspection, I would make
no definite promises. The next morning I insisted that he remain at some
near-by ranch in his own territory, and, if convenient, ride down every
few days and note the progress of the herd.

We were promised a large contingent of cattle for that day. The ranch
outfit were to make three rodeos down the river the day before, where
the bulk of their beeves ranged. Flood was anxious to overtake the other
outfits before they reached the lower country, and as he assured me I
had no further use for him, we agreed that after receiving that morning
he might leave us. Giving orders at camp to graze the received beeves
within a mile of the corrals by noon, and the wagon to follow, we made
an early start, Flood taking his own horses with him. We met the
cattle coming up the river a thousand strong. It was late when the last
round-up of the day before had finished, and they had camped for the
night fully five miles from the corrals. It took less than an hour to
cull back and count, excuse the ranch outfit, and start this contingent
for the branding-pens in charge of my boys. Flood was in a hurry, and
riding a short distance with him, I asked that he pass or send word to
the county seat, informing the inspector of hides and animals that a
trail herd would leave Los Lobos within a week. Jim knew my motive in
getting competition on the inspection, and wishing me luck on my trip,
I wrung his hand in farewell until we should meet again in the upper
country.

The sun was setting that night when we finished road-branding the last
of the beeves received in the morning. After dinner, when the wagon
returned to camp, I instructed Parent to move up the river fully a
mile. We needed the change, anyhow, and even if it was farther, the next
morning we would have the Los Lobos outfit to assist in the branding, as
that day would finish their gathering. The outside cattle were beginning
to report in small bunches, from three hundred upward. Knowing that Dr.
Beaver was anxious to turn in as many as possible of his own, we delayed
receiving from the neighboring ranches for another day. But the next
morning, as we were ironing-up the last contingent of some four hundred
Los Lobos beeves, a deputy inspector for Lasalle arrived from the county
seat. He was likewise officious, and professed disappointmen