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main Missouri。
This was the situation on the morning of September 15。 As we returned to Sponsilier's wagon； all the idle men about the camp joined our cavalcade； and we rode down and paid Forrest's outfit a social visit。 The latter were all absent； except the cook； but shortly returned from down the river and reported the opposition herds to be crossing the Missouri； evidently going to camp at Alkali Lake。
〃Well； I've been present at a good many deliveries；〃 said Quince Forrest； as he reined in his horse； 〃but this one is in a class by itself。 We always aimed to get within five or ten miles of a post or agency； but our friends made a worthy effort to get on the parade…ground。 They did the next best thing and occupied the grazing where the cavalry horses have been herded all summer。 Oh； their cattle will be hog…fat in a few days。 Possibly they expect to show their cattle in town； and not trouble the quartermaster and comandante to even saddle upthey're the very kind of people who wouldn't give anybody trouble if they could help it。 It wouldn't make so much difference about those old frontier officers or a common cowman； but if one of those young lieutenants was to get his feet wet； the chances are that those Washington City contractors would fret and worry for weeks。 Of course； any little inconvenience that any one incurred on their account； they'd gladly come all the way back from Europe to make it rightI don't think。〃
While we were discussing the situation； Bob Quirk arrived at camp。 He reported that Lovell； relying on the superiority of our beeves； had waived his right to deliver on the hour of high noon； and an inspection of the other cattle would be made that evening。 The waiver was made at the request of the leading officers of Fort Buford； all very friendly to the best interests of the service and coiisequently ours； and the object was to silence all subsequent controversy。 My brother admitted that some outside pressure had been brought to bear during the night； very antagonistic to the post commander； who was now more determined than ever to accept none but the best for their next year's meat supply。 A well…known congressman； of unsavory reputation as a lobbyist in aiding and securing government contracts for his friends； was the latest addition to the legal forces of the opposition。 lie constantly mentioned his acquaintances in the War Department and maintained an air of assurance which was very disconcerting。 The younger officers in the post were abashed at the effrontery of the contractors and their legal representatives； and had even gone so far as to express doubts as to the stability of their positions in case the decision favored Lovell's cattle。 Opinion was current that a possible shake…up might occur at Buford after the receipt of its beef supply； and the more timorous ones were anxious to get into the right wagon； instead of being relegated to some obscure outpost。
It was now evident that the decisive issue was to occur over the delivery of the contending herds。 Numerous possibilities arose in my imagination； and the various foremen advanced their views。 A general belief that old man Don would fight to the last was prevalent； and amidst the discussions pro and con； I remarked that Lovell could take a final refuge behind the indemnity in hand。
〃Indemnity； hell！〃 said Bob Quirk； giving me a withering look； 〃what is sixty…five thousand dollars on ten thousand beeves； within an hour of delivery and at thirty…seven and a half a head？ You all know that the old man has strained his credit on this summer's drive； and he's got to have the money when he goes home。 A fifteen or twenty per cent indemnity does him no good。 The Indian herds have paid out well； but if this delivery falls down； it will leave him holding the sack。 On the other hand； if it goes through； he will be； financially； an independent man for life。 And while he knows the danger of delay； he consented as readily as any of us would if asked for a cigarette…paper。 He may come out all right； but he's just about white enough to get the worst of it。 I've read these Sundayschool stories； where the good little boy always came out on top； but in real life； especially in cattle； it's quite different。〃
My brother's words had a magical effect。 Sponsilier asked for suggestions； when Bob urged that every man available go into the post and accompany the inspection party that afternoon。 Since Forrest and himself were unknown； they would take about three of the boys with them； cross the Missouri； ride through and sum up the opposition cattle。 Forrest approved of the idea； and ordered his cook to bestir himself in getting up an early dinner。 Meanwhile a number of my boys had ridden down to Forrest's wagon； and I immediately dispatched Clay Zilligan back to my cattle to relieve Vick Wolf and inform the day…herders that we might not return before dark。 Wolf was the coolest man in my employ； had figured in several shooting scrapes； and as he was a splendid shot； I wanted to send him with Forrest and my brother。 If identified as belonging to Lovell's outfits； there was a possibility that insult might be offered the boys； and knowing that it mattered not what the odds were； it would be resented； I thought it advisable to send a man who had smelt powder at short range。 I felt no special uneasiness about my brother； in fact he was the logical man to go； but a little precaution would do no harm； and I saw to it that Sponsilier sent a good representative。
About one o'clock we started； thirty strong。 Riding down the Yellowstone； the three detailed men； Quince Forrest； and my brother soon bore off to the left and we lost sight of them。 Continuing on down the river； we forded the Missouri at the regular wagon…crossing； and within an hour after leaving Forrest's camp cantered into Fort Buford。 Sanders and his outfit were waiting in front of the quartermaster's office； the hour for starting having been changed from two to three； which afforded ample time to visit the sutler's bar。 Our arrival was noticed about the barracks； and evidently some complaint had been made； as old man Don joined us in time for the first round； after which he called Dave and me aside。 In reply to his inquiry regarding our presence； Sponsilier informed him that we had come in to afford him an escort； in case he wished to attend the inspection of the opposition herds； that if there was any bulldozing going on he needn't stand behind the door。 Dave informed him that Bob and Quince and three of the other boys would meet us at the cattle； and that he need feel no hesitancy in going if it was his wish。 It was quite evident that Mr。 Lovell was despondent； but he took courage and announced his willingness to go along。
〃It was my intention not to go；〃 said he； 〃though Mr。 Aspgrain and Sutton both urged that I should。 But now since you boys all feel the same way； I believe I'll go。 Heaven and earth are being moved to have the other cattle accepted； but there are a couple of old war…horses at the head of this post that will fight them to the last ditch； and then some。 I'm satisfied that my beeves； in any market in the West； are worth ten dollars a head more than the other ones； yet there is an effor