sheep, and others were county
officials. County affairs were dreadfully mismanaged and county funds
misused. For our own protection we had to take part in politics, form an
Opposition, and after a long struggle, in which my partners did noble
service, we carried an election, put in our own officials, secured
control of the county newspaper, and had things as we wanted them. But
it was a bitter fight, and the old robber gang, who had run the county
for years, were desperate in their resentment. Unfortunately, this
resentment was basely and maliciously shown by an attempt, successful
but happily not fatal, to poison one of my partners. He had a long and
grim fight with death, but his indomitable will pulled him through. I
myself, though I had little to do with politics, had a narrow escape
from a somewhat similar fate. Living at that time, in winter, at what
was called the Meadows Camp, I usually had a quarter of beef hung in the
porch. Frost kept it sweet and sound for a long period, and every day it
was my practice to cut off a steak for consumption. There were two cats,
fortunately, and a slice was often thrown to them. One morning I first
gave them their portion, then cut my own. In a few minutes the
unfortunate animals were in the throes of strychnine poisoning and died
in short order. It was a shock to me and a warning.

The Mexicans continued for some time to be mean and threatening.
Bush-whacking at night was attempted, and they even threatened an attack
on our headquarters ranch; but we were a pretty strong outfit, had our
own sheriff, and by-and-by a number of good friends.

In our district rough country and timber prevented the cattle drifting
very much. In winter they naturally sought the lower range; in summer
they went to the mountains. Headquarters was about half-way between. It
was finally arranged that I should take charge of the lower winter camp
during winter and the mountain camp during summer. My partners mostly
remained at headquarters. In summer time, from April to the end of
October, this arrangement suited me very well indeed; in fact, it was
made at my own suggestion; and the life, though a solitary one for long
periods, suited me to the ground and I enjoyed it immensely. Practically
I lived alone, which was also my own wish, as it was disagreeable to
have anyone coming into my one-roomed cottage, turning things over and
making a mess. I did my own cooking, becoming almost an expert, and have
ev