n.

The Frenchman stared at him.

"W'at you do?" he gasped at last. "Where we go?"

"I'm going to put you off the Reserve, too, but on the west side," said
California John. The old man's figure straightened in his saddle, and
his hand dropped to the worn and shiny butt of his weapon: "No; none of
that! Take your hand off your gun! I got the right to use _necessary_
force; and, by God, I'll do it!"

The herder began a voluble discourse of mingled protestations and
exposition. California John cut him short.

"I know my instructions as well as you do," said he. "They tell me to
put sheep and herders off the Reserve without using unnecessary force;
but _there ain't nothing said about putting them off in the same
place!_"

Ross Fletcher rocked with joy in his saddle.

"So that's what you had up your sleeve!" he fairly shouted. "Why, it's
as simple as a b'ar trap!"

California John pointed his gnarled forefinger at the herder.

"Call your dogs!" he commanded sharply. "Call them in, and tie them! The
first dog loose in camp will be shot. If you care for your dogs, tie
them up. Now drop your gun on the ground. Tom, you take their
shootin'-irons." He produced from his saddle bags several new pairs of
hand-cuffs, which he surveyed with satisfaction, "This is business,"
said he; "I bought these on my own hook. You bet I don't mean to have to
shoot any of you fellows in the back; and I ain't going to sit up nights
either. Snap 'em on, Charley. Now, Ross, you and Tom run those sheep
over the line, and then follow us up."

As the full meaning of the situation broke on the Frenchman's mind, he
went frantic. By the time he and his herders should be released, the
whole eighty-mile width of the Sierras would lie between him and his
flocks. He would have to await his chance to slip by the rangers. In the
three weeks or more that must elapse before he could get back, the
flocks would inevitably be about destroyed. For it is a striking fact,
and one on which California John had built his plan, that sheep left to
their own devices soon perish. They scatter. The coyotes, bears and
cougars gather to the feast. It would be most probable that the
sheep-hating cattlemen of Inyo would enjoy mutton chops.

California John collected his scattered forces, delegated two men to
eject the captives; and went after more sheep. He separated thus three
flocks from their herders. After that the sheep question was settled;
government feed was to