is horse's neck and himself； one of which pinioned his arms。 The boys were expecting something of this nature； and fully half the men in Lovell's employ galloped up and formed a circle around the captive； now livid with rage。 Archie was cursing by both note and rhyme； and had managed to unearth a knife and was trying to cut the lassos which fettered himself and horse； when Dorg Seay rode in and rapped him over the knuckles with a six…shooter； saying； 〃Don't do that； sweetheart； those ropes cost thirty…five cents apiece。〃
Fortunately the knife was knocked from Tolleston's hand and his six…shooter secured； rendering him powerless to inflict injury to any one。 The cattle count had ended； and escorted by a cordon of mounted men； both horse and captive were led over to where a contingent had gathered around to hear the result of the count。 I was merely a delighted spectator； and as the other men turned from the cattle and met us； Lovell languidly threw one leg over his horse's neck； and； suppressing a smile； greeted his old foreman。
〃Hello； Archie；〃 said he； 〃it's been some little time since last we met。 I've been hearing some bad reports about you； and was anxious to meet up and talk matters over。 Boys； take those ropes off his horse and give him back his irons； I raised this man and made him the cow…hand he is； and there's nothing so serious between us that we should remain strangers。 Now； Archie； I want you to know that you are in the employ of my enemies； who are as big a set of scoundrels as ever missed a halter。 You and Flood； here； were the only two men in my employ who knew all the facts in regard to the Buford contract。 And just because I wouldn't favor you over a blind horse； you must hunt up the very men who are trying to undermine me on this drive。 No wonder they gave you employment； for you're a valuable man to them； but it's at a serious loss； the loss of your honor。 You can't go home to Texas and again be respected among men。 This outfit you are with will promise you the earth； but the moment that they're through with you； you won't cut any more figure than a last year's bird's nest。 They'll throw you aside like an old boot； and you'll fall so hard that you'll hear the clock tick in China。 Now； Archie； it hurts me to see a young fellow like you go wrong； and I'm willing to forgive the past and stretch out a hand to save you。 If you'll quit those people； you can have Flood's cattle from here to the Rosebud Agency； or I'll buy you a ticket home and you can help with the fall work at the ranch。 You may have a day or two to think this matter over； and whatever you decide on will be final。 You have shown little gratitude for the opportunities that I've given you； but we'll break the old slate and start all over with a new one。 Now； that's all I wanted to say to you； except to do your own thinking。 If you're going back to town； I'll ride a short distance with you。〃
The two rode away together； but halted within sight for a short conference； after which Lovell returned。 The cattle were being drifted east by the deputies and several of our boys； the trail boss having called off his men on an agreement of the count。 The herd had tallied out thirty…six hundred and ten head； but in making out the receipt； the fact was developed that there were some six hundred beeves not in the regular road brand。 These had been purchased extra from another source； and had been paid for in full by the buyers； the seller of the main herd agreeing to deliver them along with his own。 This was fortunate； as it increased the equity of the buyers in the cattle； and more than established a sufficient interest to satisfy the judgment and all expenses。
Darkness was approaching； which hastened our actions。 Two men from each outflt present were detailed to hold the cattle that night； and were sent on ahead to Priest's camp to secure their suppers and a change of mounts。 The deposed trail boss accepted an invitation to accompany us and spend the night at one of our wagons； and we rode away to overtake the drifting herd。 The different outfits one by one dropped out and rode for their camps； but as mine lay east and across the river； the course of the herd was carrying me home。 After passing The Rebel's wagon fully a half mile； we rounded in the herd； which soon lay down to rest on the bedground。 In the gathering twilight； the camp…fires of nearly a dozen trail wagons were gleaming up and down the river； and while we speculated with Sponsilier's boys which one was ours； the guard arrived and took the bedded herd。 The two old cowmen and the trail boss had dropped out opposite my brother's camp； leaving something like ten men with the attached beeves； but on being relieved by the first watch； Flood invited Sheriff Phillips and his deputies across the river to spend the night with him。
〃Like to； mighty well； but can't do it；〃 replied Phillips。 〃The sheriff's office is supposed to be in town； and not over on the North Fork； but I'll leave two of these deputies with you。 Some of you had better ride in to…morrow； for there may be overtures made looking towards a settlement； and treat those beeves well； so that there can be no charge of damage to the cattle。 Good…night； everybody。〃
CHAPTER XV。 TOLLESTON BUTTS IN
Morning dawned on a scene of pastoral grandeur。 The valley of the North Platte was dotted with cattle from hill and plain。 The river； well confined within its low banks； divided an unsurveyed domain of green…swarded meadows like a boundary line between vast pastures。 The exodus of cattle from Texas to the new Northwest was nearing flood…tide； and from every swell and knoll the solitary figure of the herdsman greeted the rising sun。
Sponsilier and I had agreed to rejoin our own outfits at the first opportunity。 We might have exchanged places the evening before； but I had a horse and some ammunition at Dave's camp and was just contentious enough not to give up a single animal from my own mount。 On the other hand； Mr。 Dave Sponsilier would have traded whole remudas with me； but my love for a good horse was strong； and Fort Buford was many a weary mile distant。 Hence there was no surprise shown as Sponsilier rode up to his own wagon that morning in time for breakfast。 We were good friends when personal advantages did not conflict； and where our employer's interests were at stake we stood shoulder to shoulder like comrades。 Yet Dave gave me a big jolly about being daffy over my horses； well knowing that there is an indescribable nearness between one of our craft and his own mount。 But warding off his raillery； just the same and in due time； I cantered away on my own horse。
As I rode up the North Fork towards my outfit； the attached herd was in plain view across the river。 Arriving at my own wagon； I saw a mute appeal in every face for permission to go to town； and consent was readily granted to all who had not been excused on a similar errand the day before。 The cook and horse…wrangler were included； and the activities of the outfit in saddling and getting away were suggestive of a prairie fire or a stampede。 I accompanied them across the river； and then turned upstream to my brother's camp； promising to join them later and make a full day of it。 At Bob's wagon they had stretched a fly； and in its shade lounged half a dozen men； while an air of languid indolence pervaded the camp。 Without dismounting； I announced myself as on the way to town； and invited any one who wished to accompany me。 Lovell and Reed both declined； half of Bob's men had been excused and started an hour before； but my brother assured me that if I would wait until the deposed foreman returned； the latter's company could be counted on。 I waited； and in the course of half an hour the trail boss came back from his cattle。 During the interim； the two old cowmen reviewed Grant's siege of Vicksburg； both having been participants； but on opposite sides。 While the guest was shifting his saddle to a loaned horse； I inquired if there was anything that I could attend to for any one at Ogalalla。 Lovell could think of nothing； but as we mounted to start； Reed aroused himself； and coming over； rested the stub of his armless sleeve on my horse's neck； saying：
〃You boys might drop into the sheriff's office as you go in and also again as you are starting back。 Report the cattle as having spent a quiet night and ask Phillips if he has any word for me。〃
Turning to the trail boss he continued： 〃Young man； I would suggest that you hunt up your employer and have him stir things up。 The cattle will be well taken care of； but we're just as anxious to turn them back to you as you are to receive them。 Tell the seller that it would be well worth his while to see Lovell and myself before going any farther。 We can put him in possession of a few facts that may save him time and trouble。 I reckon that's about all。 Oh； yes； I'll be at this wagon all evening。
My brother rode a short distance with us and introduced the stranger as Hugh Morris。 He proved a sociable fellow； had made three trips up the trail as foreman； his first two herds having gone to the Cherokee Strip under contract。 By the time we reached Ogalalla； as strong a fraternal level existed between us as though we had known each other