_, Hardy, for there's no telling what we may have to do before
night."

Larkin's predictions of a visit were soon enough fulfilled. It was barely
ten o'clock when several horsemen were seen riding toward the banks of the
Big Horn. Bud mounted Pinte and advanced to meet them.

First came Beef Bissell, closely attended by Stelton, and after them, four
or five of the Bar T punchers. The actual encounter took place half a mile
from the camp. Looking back, Larkin could see his sheep feeding in plain
sight amid the green of the river bottoms.

"Howdy," snapped Bissell, by way of greeting. And then, without waiting
for a reply: "What does this mean?" He indicated the placid sheep.

"My flock was dying of thirst, and I brought them up last night," said
Bud. "They crossed the river early this morning."

"Why didn't you keep them on the other side? I warned you about this."

[Illustration: "I warned you first, Mr. Bissell. My sheep have got to go
North and the range West of the Big Horn is the only practicable way to
drive them."]

"I warned you first, Mr. Bissell. My sheep have got to go north, and the
range west of the Big Horn is the only practicable way to drive them. They
would never come through if I started them through the mountains. You
ought to know that."

"Never mind what I ought to know," cried Bissell angrily, his red face
flaming with fury. "There's one thing I do know, and that is, that those
range-killers don't go a step farther north on my side of the river."

"If you can show me clear title to ownership of this part of the range I
will risk them in the mountains; otherwise not," replied Bud,
imperturbably. "This range is free, and as much mine as yours. There's no
use going into this question again."

"That's the first true thing you've said," snarled the cowman. "Now, you
listen here. I don't go hunting trouble nowhere, but there ain't a man
between the Rio Grande and the Columbia that can say I don't meet it
half-way when I see it headed in my direction. Now, I've given you fair
warnin' before. I'll give it to you again, but this is the last time.
Either you have them sheep t'other side of the river by this time
to-morrow, or you take the consequences."

"Is that your final word on the matter?"

"Yes. An' I've got witnesses to prove that you were given a chance to
clear out."

"Then you give me only twenty-four hours?"

"Yes."

Bud's face took on a look of discouragement and failure, and he