ed every man to do his duty. Now was there
anything else you'd like to know?"

CHAPTER XII. MARSHALING THE FORCES

Both herds had watered in the Smoky during the afternoon. The stranger's
cattle were not compelled to go down to the crossing, but found an easy
passage several miles above the regular ford. After leaving the river,
both herds were grazed out during the evening, and when darkness fell
we were not over three miles apart, one on either side of the trail. The
Wyoming cowman spent a restless night, and early the next morning rode
to the nearest elevation which would give him a view of his cattle.
Within an hour after sun-up he returned, elated over the fact that his
herd was far in the lead of ours, camp being already broken, while we
were only breakfasting. Matters were working out just as I expected. The
mixed herd under the Mexican corporal, by moving early and late, could
keep the lead of our beeves, and with the abundance of time at my
disposal we were in no hurry. The Kansas Pacific Railroad was but a few
days' drive ahead, and I advised our guest to take the train around
to Ogalalla and have a new outfit all ready to relieve the aliens
immediately on their arrival. Promising to take the matter under
consideration, he said nothing further for several days, his cattle in
the mean time keeping a lead of from five to ten miles.

The trail crossed the railroad at a switch east of Grinnell. I was
naturally expecting some word from Don Lovell, and it was my intention
to send one of the boys into that station to inquire for mail. There was
a hostelry at Grinnell, several stores and a livery stable, all dying an
easy death from the blight of the arid plain, the town profiting little
or nothing from the cattle trade. But when within a half-day's drive of
the railway, on overtaking the herd after dinner, there was old man Don
talking to the boys on herd. The cattle were lying down, and rather
than disturb them, he patiently bided his time until they had rested and
arose to resume their journey. The old man was feeling in fine spirits,
something unusual, and declined my urgent invitation to go back to
the wagon and have dinner. I noticed that he was using his own saddle,
though riding a livery horse, and in the mutual inquiries which were
exchanged, learned that he had arrived at Grinnell but a few days
before. He had left Camp Supply immediately after Forrest and Sponsilier
passed that point, and until Siring