reservation. We
knocked off dancing about midnight and had supper,--good coffee with
no end of way-up fine chuck. We ate as we danced, heartily. Supper
over, the dance went on full blast. About two o'clock in the morning,
the wire edge was well worn off the revelers, and they showed signs of
weariness. Miller, noticing it, ordered the Indian war-dance as
given by the Cheyennes. That aroused every one and filled the sets
instantly. The fiddlers caught the inspiration and struck into "Sift
the Meal and save the Bran." In every grand right and left, we ki-yied
as we had witnessed Lo in the dance on festive occasions. At the end
of every change, we gave a war-whoop, some of the girls joining in,
that would have put to shame any son of the Cheyennes.

It was daybreak when the dance ended and the guests departed. Though
we had brought our blankets with us, no one thought of sleeping. Our
cook and one of the girls got breakfast. The bride offered to help,
but we wouldn't let her turn her hand. At breakfast we discussed the
incidents of the night previous, and we all felt that we had done the
occasion justice.

XIII

A QUESTION OF POSSESSION

Along in the 80's there occurred a question of possession in regard
to a brand of horses, numbering nearly two hundred head. Courts had
figured in former matters, but at this time they were not appealed to,
owing to the circumstances. This incident occurred on leased
Indian lands unprovided with civil courts,--in a judicial sense,
"No-Man's-Land." At this time it seemed that _might_ graced the
woolsack, while on one side Judge Colt cited his authority, only to be
reversed by Judge Parker, breech-loader, short-barreled, a full-choke
ten bore. The clash of opinions between these two eminent western
authorities was short, determined, and to the point.

A man named Gray had settled in one of the northwest counties in Texas
while it was yet the frontier, and by industry and economy of himself
and family had established a comfortable home. As a ranchman he had
raised the brand of horses in question. The history of this man is
somewhat obscured before his coming to Texas. But it was known and
admitted that he was a bankrupt, on account of surety debts which he
was compelled to pay for friends in his former home in Kentucky. Many
a good man had made similar mistakes before him. His neighbors spoke
well of him in Texas, and he was looked upon as a good citizen in
general.

Ten yea