CHAPTER 8

Pink in a Threatening Mood.

Eagle Creek Smith had at last reached the point where he must face new
conditions and change established customs. He could no longer ignore the
barrenness of the range, or close his eyes to the grim fact that his cattle
were facing starvation--and that in June, when they should be taking on
flesh.

When he finally did confess to himself that things couldn't go on like that,
others had been before him in leasing and buying land, until only the dry
benches were left to him and his hungry herds.

But Eagle Creek was a man of resource. When the round-up pulled in and
Wooden Shoes reported to him the general state of the cattle, and told of
the water-holes newly fenced and of creek bottoms gobbled by men more
farseeing than he, Eagle Creek took twenty-four hours to adjust himself to
the situation and to meet the crisis before him. His own land, as compared
to his twenty thousand cattle, was too pitifully inadequate for a second
thought.

He must look elsewhere for the correct answer to his problem.

When Rowdy rode apathetically up to the stable, Pink came out of the
bunk-house to meet him, big with news. "Oh, doctor! We're up against it
a-plenty now," he greeted, with his dimples at their deepest.

"Huh!" grunted Rowdy crossly. "What's hurting you, Pink?"