d, the two leading cattlemen sat down under the
shelter of the covered wagon and smoked their pipes. They had been old
army officers, though Colonel Sclevinger fought on the Union side in the
war. The singular feature (and yet it was not so singular either), was
that they had come in contact more than once during that period. It fell
to the lot of the colonel to take the captain prisoner. He treated the
brave Texan with so much consideration that a strong friendship was
formed, which remained uninterrupted to the present time.

It was by Captain Shirril's invitation that Colonel Sclevinger came to
Texas on the return of peace. The Northern man felt an interest in the
ranch business, but followed the counsel of the Texan, who warned him
against going blindly into it. He took pains to give him points, and,
when the proper time arrived, helped him to that extent that the
gentleman avoided the disastrous blunders committed by those who fancy
the ranch business offers a straight avenue to wealth, without any
preliminary training in its many difficulties.

Enough has been told to explain the friendship between the two men. The
colonel intended to make only a brief call, but he so enjoyed the
company of his old friend that he sat a long time in the wagon, smoking
and exchanging reminiscences of the war times, which theme must ever be
deeply entertaining to those who were actors in that tremendous epoch of
our nation's history.

Finally the visitor bade his friend good-night, and, mounting his horse,
galloped off in the night.

Avon Burnet had listened to a part of the conversation, for he was
always interested in what this occasional visitor to their cabin had to
say, but he could not remain as long as he wished. It was arranged that
he should assume his place in helping to watch the herd, Ballyhoo
Gleeson being one of those sharing the duty with him.

So it was that the youth rode out in the dismal rainy night to make a
"full hand" at the calling of a cattleman.

CHAPTER XXVI.

A SHOT FROM THE DARKNESS.

It was singular that Avon Burnet's most humiliating experience overtook
him on his first night in helping to watch his uncle's herd of cattle,
while following the Great Cattle Trail toward Kansas.

The starting point was so far north in Texas that the first day carried
them close to the Indian Nation, through whose territory they expected
to tramp for several days.

The night, as has been explained, was ra