cowman and his word was as good as his bond. If Em said this young man
was trustworthy, the shipper was willing to take a chance on him. The
honest eye, the open face, the straightforward manner of the youth
recommended his ability and integrity. The shipper was badly in need of
a man. He made up his mind to wire.

"Let you know later," he said, and for the moment dropped Dave out of the
conversation.

But before noon he sent for him.

"I've heard from Crawford," he said, and mentioned terms.

"Whatever's fair," agreed Dave.

An hour later he was in the caboose of a cattle train rolling eastward.
He was second in command of a shipment consigned to the Denver Terminal
Stockyards Company. Most of them were shipped by the West Cattle Company.
An odd car was a jackpot bunch of pickups composed of various brands. All
the cars were packed to the door, as was the custom of those days.

After the train had settled down to the chant of the rails Garrison
sent Dave on a tour of the cars. The young man reported all well and
returned to the caboose. The train crew was playing poker for small
stakes. Garrison had joined them. For a time Dave watched, then read
a four-day-old newspaper through to the last advertisement. The hum of
the wheels made him drowsy. He stretched out comfortably on the seat
with his coat for a pillow.

When he awoke it was beginning to get dark. Garrison had left the