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puties； 〃the easiest way out of this matter is the best。 No one here has committed any crime subjecting him to arrest； neither can you take possession of any cattle belonging to Don Lovell。 I'll renew the invitation for you to go down to the wagon and breakfast； or I'll give you the best directions at my command to reach Dodge。 Instead of trying to attempt to accomplish your object you had better go back to the chaparralyou're spelled down。 Take your choice； men。〃
Bob's words had a soothing effect。 He was thirty…three years old and a natural born leader among rough men。 His advice carried the steely ring of sincerity； and for the first time since the meeting； the deputies wilted。 The chief one called his men aside； and after' a brief consultation my brother was invited to join them； which he did。 I afterwards learned that Bob went into detail in defining our position in the premises； and the posse； once they heard the other side of the question； took an entirely different view of the matter。 While the consultation was in progress； we all dismounted； cigarettes were rolled； and while the smoke arose in clouds； we reviewed the interim since we parted in March in old Medina。 The sheriff's posse accompanied my brother to the wagon； and after refreshing themselves； remounted their horses。 Bob escorted them back across the summit of the mesa； and the olive branch waved in peace on the divide。
The morning was not far advanced。 After a brief consultation； the two older foremen urged that we ride to the relief of Forrest。 A hint was sufficient； and including five of my best…mounted men； a posse of twenty of us rode away。 We held the divide for some distance on our course； and before we left it； a dust…cloud； indicating the presence of Bob's herd； was sighted on the southern slope； while on the opposite one my cattle were beginning to move forward。 Sponsilier knew the probable whereabouts of Forrest； and under his lead we swung into a free gallop as we dropped down the northern slope from the mesa。 The pace was carrying us across country at a rate of ten miles an hour； scarcely a word being spoken； as we shook out kink after kink in our horses or reined them in to recover their wind。 Our objective point was a slight elevation on the plain； from which we expected to sight the trail if not the herds of Flood； Forrest； and The Rebel。 On reaching this gentle swell； we reined in and halted our horses； which were then fuming with healthy sweat。 Both creek and trail were clearly outlined before us； but with the heat…waves and mirages beyond； our view was naturally restricted。 Sponsilier felt confident that Forrest was north of the creek and beyond the trail； and again shaking out our horses； we silently put the intervening miles behind us。 Our mounts were all fresh and strong； and in crossing the creek we allowed them a few swallows of water before continuing our ride。 We halted again in crossing the trail； but it was so worn by recent use that it afforded no clue to guide us in our quest。 But from the next vantage…point which afforded us a view； a sea of cattle greeted our vision； all of which seemed under herd。 Wagon sheets were next sighted； and finally a horseman loomed up and signaled to us。 He proved to be one of Flood's men； and under his direction Forrest's camp and cattle were soon located。 The lad assured us that a pow…wow had been in session since daybreak； and we hurried away to add our numbers to its council。 When we sighted Forrest's wagon among some cottonwoods； a number of men were just mounting to ride away； and before we reached camp； they crossed the creek heading south。 A moment later； Forrest walked out； and greeting us； said：
〃Hello； fellows。 Get down and let your horses blow and enjoy yourselves。 You're just a minute late to meet some very nice people。 Yes； we had the sheriff from Dodge and a posse of men for breakfast。 Nono particular trouble； except John Johns； the d fool； threw the loop of his rope over the neck of the sheriff's horse； and one of the party offered to unsling a carbine。 But about a dozen six…shooters clicked within hearing； and he acted on my advice and cut gun…plays out。 No trouble at all except a big medicine talk； and a heap of legal phrases that I don't sabe very clear。 Turn your horses loose； I tell you； for I'm going to kill a nice fat stray； and towards evening； when the other herds come up； we'll have a round…up of Don Lovell's outfits。 I'll make a little speech； and on account of the bloodless battle this morning； this stream will be rechristened Sheriff's Creek。〃
CHAPTER X。 A FAMILY REUNION
The hospitality of a trail wagon was aptly expressed in the invitation to enjoy ourselves。 Some one had exercised good judgment in selecting a camp； for every convenience was at hand； including running water and ample shade from a clump of cottonwoods。 Turning our steaming horses free； we threw ourselves； in complete abandonment and relaxation； down in the nearest shade。 Unmistakable hints were given our host of certain refreshments which would be acceptable； and in reply Forrest pointed to a bucket of creek water near the wagon wheel； and urged us not to be at all backward。
Every one was well fortified with brown cigarette papers and smoking tobacco； and singly and in groups we were soon smoking like hired hands and reviewing the incidents of the morning。 Forrest's cook； a tall； red…headed fellow； in anticipation of the number of guests his wagon would entertain for the day； put on the little and the big pot。 As it only lacked an hour of noon on our arrival； the promised fresh beef would not be available in time for dinner； but we were not like guests who had to hurry homewe would be right there when supper was ready。
The loss of a night's sleep on my outfit was a good excuse for an after…dinner siesta。 Untying our slickers； we strolled out of hearing of the camp； and for several hours obliterated time。 About three o'clock Bob Quirk aroused and informed us that he had ordered our horses； and that the signal of Sponsilier's cattle had been seen south on the trail。 Dave was impatient to intercept his herd and camp them well down the creek； at least below the regular crossing。 This would throw Bob's and my cattle still farther down the stream； and we were all determined to honor Forrest with our presence for supper and the evening hours。 Quince's wrangler rustled in the horses； and as we rejoined the camp the quarters of a beef hung low on a cottonwood； while a smudge beneath them warned away all insect life。 Leaving word that we would return during the evening； the eleventh…hour guests rode away in the rough； uneven order in which we had arrived。 Sponsilier and his men veered off to the south； Bob Quirk and his lads soon following； while the rest of us continued on down the creek。 My cattle were watering when we overtook them； occupying fully a mile of the stream； and nearly an hour's ride below the trail crossing。 It takes a long time to water a big herd thoroughly； and we repeatedly turned them back and forth across the creek； but finally allowed them to graze away with a broad； fan…like front。 As ours left the stream； Bob's cattle were coming in over a mile above； and in anticipation