reached Ogalalla； as strong a fraternal level existed between us as though we had known each other for years。 Halting for a moment at the sheriff's office； we delivered our messages； after which we left our horses at the same corral with the understanding that we would ride back together。 A few drinks were indulged in before parting； then each went to attend to his own errands； but we met frequently during the day。 Once my boys were provided with funds； they fell to gambling so eagerly that they required no further thought on my part until evening。 Several times during the day I caught glimpses of Tolleston； always on horseback； and once surrounded by quite a cavalcade of horsemen。 Morris and I took dinner at the hotel where the trio of government jobbers were stopping。 They were in evidence； and amongst the jolliest of the guests； commanding and receiving the best that the hostelry afforded。 Sutton was likewise present； but quiet and unpretentious； and I thought there was a false； affected note in the hilarity of the ringsters； and for effect。 I was known to two of the trio； but managed to overhear any conversation which was adrift。 After dinner and over fragrant cigars； they reared their feet high on an outer gallery； and the inference could be easily drawn that a contract； unless it involved millions； was beneath their notice。
Morris informed me that his employer's suspicions were aroused； and that he had that morning demanded a settlement in full or the immediate release of the herd。 They had laughed the matter off as a mere incident that would right itself at the proper time； and flashed as references a list of congressmen； senators； and bankers galore。 But Morris's employer had stood firm in his contentions； refusing to be overawed by flattery or empty promises。 What would be the result remained to be seen； and the foreman and myself wandered aimlessly around town during the afternoon； meeting other trail bosses； nearly all of whom had heard more or less about the existing trouble。 That we had the sympathy of the cattle interests on our side goes without saying； and one of them； known as 〃the kidgloved foreman；〃 a man in the employ of Shanghai Pierce； invoked the powers above to witness what would happen if he were in Lovell's boots。 This was my first meeting with the picturesque trail boss； though I had heard of him often and found him a trifle boastful but not a bad fellow。 He distinguished himself from others of his station on the trail by always wearing white shirts； kid gloves； riding…boots； inlaid spurs； while a heavy silver chain was wound several times round a costly sombrero in lieu of a hatband。 We spent an hour or more together； drinking sparingly； and at parting he begged that I would assure my employer that he sympathized with him and was at his command。
The afternoon was waning when I hunted up my outfit and started them for camp。 With one or two exceptions； the boys were broke and perfectly willing to go。 Morris and I joined them at the livery where they had left their horses； and together we started out of town。 Ordering the in to ride on to camp； and saying that I expected to return by way of Bob Quirk's wagon； Morris and myself stopped at the court…house。 Sheriff Phillips was in his office and recognized us both at a glance。 〃Well； she's working；〃 said he； 〃and I'll probably have some word for you late this evening。 Yes； one of the local attorneys for your friends came in and we figured everything up。 He thought that if this office would throw off a certain per cent。 of its expense； and Reed would knock off the interest； his clients would consent to a settlement。 I told him to go right back and tell his people that as long as they thought that way； it would only cost them one hundred and forty dollars every twenty…four hours。 The lawyer was back within twenty minutes； bringing a draft； covering every item； and urged me to have it accepted by wire。 The bank was closed； but I found the cashier in a poker…game and played his hand while he went over to the depot and sent the message。 The operator has orders to send a duplicate of the answer to this office； and the moment I get it； if favorable； I'll send a deputy with the news over to the North Fork。 Tell Reed that I think the check's all right this time； but we'll stand pat until we know for a certainty。 We'll get an answer by morning sure。''
The message was hailed with delight at Bob Quirk's wagon。 On nearing the river； Morris rode by way of the herd to ask the deputies in charge to turn the cattle up the river towards his camp。 Several of the foreman's men were waiting at my brother's wagon； and on Morris's return he ordered his outfit to meet the beeves the next morning and be in readiness to receive them back。 Our foremen were lying around temporary headquarters； and as we were starting for our respective camps for the night； Lovell suggested that we hold our outfits all ready to move out with the herds on an hour's notice。 Accordingly the next morning； I refused every one leave of absence； and gave special orders to the cook and horse…wrangler to have things in hand to start on an emergency order。 Jim Flood had agreed to wait for me； and we would recross the river together and hear the report from the sheriff's office。 Forrest and Sponsilier rode up about the same time we arrived at his wagon； and all four of us set out for headquarters across the North Fork。 The sun was several hours high when we reached the wagon； and learned that an officer had arrived during the night with a favorable answer； that the cattle had been turned over to Morris without a count； and that the deputies had started for town at daybreak。
〃Well； boys；〃 said Lovell； as we came in after picketing our horses； 〃Reed； here； wins out； but we're just as much at sea as ever。 I've looked the situation over from a dozen different viewpoints； and the only thing to do is graze across country and tender our cattle at Fort Buford。 It's my nature to look on the bright side of things； and yet I'm old enough to know that justice； in a world so full of injustice； is a rarity。 By allowing the earnest…money paid at Dodge to apply； some kind of a compromise might be effected； whereby I could get rid of two of these herds； with three hundred saddle horses thrown back on my hands at the Yellowstone River。 I might dispose of the third herd here and give the remuda away； but at a total loss of at least thirty thousand dollars on the Buford cattle。 But then there's my bond to The Western Supply Company； and if this herd of Morris's fails to respond on the day of delivery； I know who will have to make good。 An Indian uprising； or the enforcement of quarantine against Texas fever； or any one of a dozen things might tie up the herd； and September the 15th come and go and no beef offered on the contract。 I've seen outfits start out and never get through with the chuck…wagon； even。 Sutton's advice is good； we'll tender the cattle。 There is a chance that we'll get turned down； but if we do； I have enough indemnity money in my possession to temper the wind if the day of delivery should prove a chilly one to us。 I think you had all better start in the morning。〃
The old man's review of the situation was a rational one； in which Jim Reed and the rest of us concurred。 Several of the foremen； among them myself； were anxious to start at once； but Lovell urged that we kill a beef before starting and divide it up among the six outfits。 He also proposed to Flood that they go into town during the afternoon and freely announce our departure in the morning； hoping to force any issue that might be smouldering in the enemy's camp。 The outlook for an early departure was hailed with delight by the older foremen； and we younger and more impulsive ones yielded。 The cook had orders to get up something extra for dinner； and we played cards and otherwise lounged around until the midday meal was announced as ready。 A horse had been gotten up for Lovdll to ride and was on picket； all the relieved men from the attached herd were at Bob's wagon for dinner； and jokes and jollity graced the occasion。 But near the middle of the noon repast； some one sighted a mounted man coming at a furious pace for the camp； and shortly the horseman dashed up and inquired for Lovell。 We all arose； when the messenger dismounted and handed my employer a letter。 Tearing open the missive； the old man read it and turned ashy pale。 The message was from Mike Sutton； stating that a fourth member of the ring had arrived during the forenoon； accompanied by a United States marshal from the federal court at Omaha； that the officer was armed with an order of injunctive relief； that he had deputized thirty men whom Tolleston had gathered； and proposed taking possession of the two herds in question that afternoon。
〃Like hell they will；〃 said Don Lovell； as he started for his horse。 His action was followed by every man present； including the one…armed guest； and within a few minutes thirty men swung into saddles； subject to orders。 The camps of the two herds at issue were about four and five miles down and across the river； and no doubt Tolleston knew of their location； as they were only a little more than an hour's ride from Ogalalla。 There was no time to be