Wells Brothers

re cattle must be foregone. Forrest had only taken his saddle, abandoning for the present all fixtures contributed for his comfort on arriving at the homestead, inc

n't enough. Pa cut hay in this valley, and I know where I can mow a ton any morning. Mr. Quince said we'd have to stable a saddle horse apiece this winter, and those mules will have to be fed. The grass has greene

tions. Joel swung the blade like a veteran, scattering his swath to cure in the sun, and with whetstone on steel, beat a frequent tattoo. The raking into windrows and shocking at evening was an easy task for the brothers

t. And it's as round as an apple. I can't remember when I've worked so hard and been so hungry. No wonder the Texan despises any work he ca

e welcome, and proved to be Texas cowmen, father and son, in search of pasturage for a herd of through cattle. There was an open f

ing this range, at the trail crossing, and followed your wagon track up the creek. Unless the market im

he innate kindness of the guests allayed all feeling of insecurity. As the evening wore on, the old sense of dependence bro

l, "that so many cattle are leavin

supply was limited, the State is subject to severe drouth, the cattle were congesting on our ranges, with neither market inquiry or demand. The subjection of the Indian was followed by a sudden development of the West, the Texas and Montana cattle trail

at a northern climate is necessary to fatten and bring our Texas cattle to perfect maturity. Two winters in the North will insure a gain of from three to four hundred pounds' extra weight more per head than if allowed

life, the stone which the builders rejected, and now it promised a firm foundation to their future hopes. The threatened encroachment of a few weeks previous, and the causes of demand, as explain

insisted on looking over the

by purchase or rental, good enough, but not by any form of intrusion. We might pool our interests for a period of years, and the rental would give

. "None of our cattle range over a mile above the springs, a

aid Joel, "but only on condition that any agreement rea

" said the older cowman. "No one m

of horses coming down the dim road which his father used in going to Culbertson. A wagon followed, and from its general outlines the boy recognized it to be a cow outfit, heading for

anguidly in greeting. "Now,

filled every want. "Sit down," said the latter. "First, don't bother about getting any dinner; my outfit will make camp on the

looking for a range. I told them any agreement reached must be made with Mr. Q

reman. "I'm jealous, and I want it distinctly understood that

ed and fifty, not c

ed and fifty cattle? The lazy wretch-

"Mr. Quince has been a f

t a rustler I am," said Priest, arising to give his horse

being a soldier's introduction sufficed between the Texans, but Dell came in for a rough caress. "What do

," replied the elder cowman, "and I'm go

Joel to the two cowmen, with a

man, advancing to Priest. "My name

the employ of Don Lovell," said the gray-

e left," remarked the younger man in greeti

red the trail boss, searchin

man

did you le

ten da

attle are sold," said Priest, h

latte. From there the main contractor will trail the beef herd up to the Yellowstone. Old man Don was present at the delivery, and when I got back to Ogalalla with the oufit, that message w

y straight herd of Comanche County two-year-olds at Dodge City.

to make you, and I'm really sorry at this turn of events. I had figured out a leasing plan, whereby the rentals of this range would give you boys a fi

; "they have silent partners. As to schooling, I've known some mighty good men

elcome call," said Priest, arising. "Come on, everybody. My

good to me," said the elder cowman to Priest, "

the trail boss. "We're making forty miles a day

s far as the railroad," p

o long and love cow horses so dearly, that you simply can't quit my outfit to ride on

ay was the rule, and on the hour named, the cavalcade moved out, leaving its foreman behind. "Angle across the plain and enter the trail on the divide, between her

pirit and courage into the firing line like knowing that the reserves are strong. It's going to be no easy task to hold these cattle this winter, and now is the time to bring up the ammunition

day," said Joel, "and we'll hav

alry is useless. I think the railroad supplies, to settlers along its line, coal, lumber, wire, and other staples at cost. I'll make

tted Joel. "I didn't want to take it, bu

, then," said Priest. "Now comes th

?" impulsively inquired De

e through Texas cattle have been known to drift five hundred miles during the first winter. You must guard against a winter drift, and the only way is to hold your cattle under herd. If you boys let these cattle out

corn field,"

iest. "Your corral must protect

anks almost twenty feet high on the north and northwest. One hundred yards of fencing wou

bout water?" inquired the g

d two long pools in the circle of

looking at his watch; "I'll have t

tion of a branding chute. "You must cut and haul the necessary posts and timber before my return, and when we pass north, my outfit will bui

eal winter shelter," said Priest, dismounting to step the entrance, as a preliminary measurement. "A hundred and ten yards," he announced, a few minutes later, "coon-skin measurement. You'll need twenty heavy posts and one hundred stays. I'll b

e under herd?" inquired Del

but it's a good idea to loose-herd awhile; ride around them evening and morning, corral them and leave the gates open, teach them to seek a dry, cosy bed, at least a month before

d I'm sure we can do it again. The storms are th

g case; it's hold these cattle or the Indians will eat them fo

gh?" queried Joel. "Mr. Quince thought two

ided you spare them. If you must, miss your own dinner, but see that your horse gets his. Dismount and strip the br

e two weeks before I return," said he, leading his horse from the corral to the tent, "but we'll point in here and lend a hand in shaping you up for w

's siege, the forage is ample, the corral and branding chute is half done--well, I reckon we're the boys to hold a few cattle. Honest Injun, I hope it will storm enough this winter to try you out; just to