arts in a stand-up
fight, little bands of these cow-hunters often soundly thrashed war
parties out-numbering them ten to one.

Then it not infrequently fell out that collisions occurred between
rival outfits of cow-hunters, disputes over territory or cattle, which
led to bitter feuds not settled till one side or the other was killed
off or run out of the country. Battles royal were fought more than
once in which a score or more of men were killed, wherein the _casus
belli_ was a difference as to the ownership of a brindle steer.

These men were a law unto themselves. Courts were few and far between
on the line of the outer settlements. Powder and lead came cheaper
than attorneys' fees, and were, moreover, found to be more effective.
Thus the rifle and pistol were almost invariably the cow-hunters' court
of first and last resort for disputes of every nature. Except in rare
instances where there happened to be survivors among the families of
the original plaintiff and defendant, this form of litigation was never
prolonged or tiresome. When there were any survivors the case was sure
to be re-argued.

Occasionally, of course, in the immediate settlements a case would be
brought to formal trial before a judge and jury. While, as a rule, the
procedure of these courts conformed to the statutes and was formal
enough, rather startling informalities sometimes characterized their
sessions. A case in point, of which Shang Rhett was the hero, occurred
at Llano.

At that time the town of Llano could boast of only one building, a big
rough stone house, loop-holed for defence against the Indians. Under
this one roof the enterprising owner assembled a variety of industries
and performed a variety of functions that would dismay the most
versatile man of any older community. Here he kept a general store,
operated blacksmith and wheelwright shops, served as post-master, ran a
hotel, and sat as justice of the peace. Indeed, he got so much in the
habit of self-reliance in all emergencies, that in more than one
instance he subjected himself to some criticism by calmly sitting as
both judge and jury in cases wherein he had no jurisdiction. Getting a
jury at Llano was no easy task. Often the country for miles around
might be scoured without producing a full panel.

Llano being the county seat, and this the only house in town, it
somewhat naturally from time to time enjoyed temporary distinction as a
court house, when at long i