hus I knew they would make every effort to succeed in the drive
and would be desperate men to interfere with. The last day of the
round-up was over, and in the evening I was careful to note the
direction taken by the herd.

In the meantime L---- had sent me a restraining paper to serve and I was
of course determined to do it; but late that night my relief was great
to see the sheriff, a Mexican, drive into camp. Here was a proper
representative of the law at last, though I do not think he himself
liked the job overmuch, officers of his breed being habitually treated
with contempt by the white men. We agreed to take up the trail early
next morning, knowing that the distance to the line was forty miles
straight across the Staked Plains, no fences, no roads or trails, and no
water for thirty miles at least. So up and off before daybreak, he
driving a smart pair of horses, I with only my saddle pony, at as quick
a gait as a wheeled vehicle could move; drove till his team began to
play out, when luckily we came upon a mustang-hunter's camp and were
supplied with two fresh mounts. Pushing on we at last spied in the far
distance what was unmistakably a herd of cattle. Experience told me that
the cattle had been watered, a fact which was thankfully noted. Watered
cattle cannot be driven except at a very slow walk, and the herd was
still seven or eight miles from the Texas line. M----'s foreman had
made a fatal mistake! Had he not watered them they might have escaped
us. They must have thought they had hoodwinked me and were probably then
rejoicing at their success. They had certainly made a noble effort,
having travelled all night and on till noon next day at a speed I had
not thought possible. (There were even bulls in the herd.) One can
imagine the feelings of the party when they at last saw us two riding at
top speed directly on their trail. Cuss words must have flown freely,
and no doubt the more desperate ones talked resistance. I was really
anxious myself as to what course they would decide on, M---- not being
with them, and they thinking of nothing but the settlement of their
wages. On coming up to them they looked about as "mad" as any men could
be. But they decided rightly; and seeing the game was up, merely tried
to get me to promise to pay their back wages. This I would not do, but
said there was time enough to talk that over afterwards; that meantime
the herd must be driven back to its proper range, and to this they