de their last camp a short distance from the
cabin of a squatter, who rode over to see them during the evening. He
went home about ten o'clock, and George and his companions lay down on
their blankets, leaving the herd to the care of four mounted troopers.
The latter, who during the journey had exhibited the greatest eagerness
to learn something of the mysteries of cattle-herding, had so far
progressed in knowledge and skill as to be able to stand guard at night,
and to give George and Mr. Wentworth an opportunity to obtain the rest
of which they began to stand so much in need. About midnight George
mounted his horse and rode around the herd to assure himself that
everything was just as it should be. He went on horseback, because
everybody rides while working about Texas cattle. If a man should
venture among them on foot during the daytime, his life would be in
danger; and if he went around them at night, he would probably stampede
the whole herd.

"All serene," said Loring, who was the first guard George encountered
during his rounds. "The moon shines so brightly that I can see the
movements of every steer in the drove."

"If we were a little nearer the river perhaps things wouldn't be quite
so serene," answered George. "The Mexicans take just such a night as
this for their raids."

About an hour after George had retired to his blanket Loring noticed
that the cattle began to show signs of uneasiness. Those that were
standing up began to move about, those that were lying down arose and
moved about with them, and presently the whole herd was in motion. The
cattle did not attempt to run away, but walked restlessly about, as if
they were unable to find a place that suited them.

"Suke, thing! suke, thing!" said Loring coaxingly.

The travelled reader would have said at once that Loring was a
Southerner; and if he could have heard Phillips on the other side of the
cattle trying to soothe them with "Co-boss! co-boss!" he would have said
that Phillips was from the North. But the cattle did not understand
either of them, or if they did they paid no attention to them. Their
restlessness increased every moment, and finally Loring, good soldier
though he was, deserted his post and started for camp as fast as he
could make his horse walk.

"Ackerman," said he in an excited voice, "get up. There is something
wrong with those cattle."

George was on his feet in an instant. One glance at the herd was enough.

"I should say