While we were amusing ourselves at the antics of these two, my
attention was attracted by a four-mule wagon pulling across the
bridge from the south. On reaching the railroad tracks, I
recognized the team, and also the driver, as Quince Forrest's.
Here was news, and accordingly I accosted him. Fortunately he was
looking for me or my brother, as his foreman could not come in
with the wagon, and some one was wanted to vouch for him in
getting the needed supplies. They had reached the Mulberry the
evening before, but several herds had mixed in a run during the
night, though their cattle had escaped. Forrest was determined
not to risk a second night on that stream, and had started his
herd with the dawn, expecting to camp with his cattle that night
west on Duck Creek. The herd was then somewhere between the
latter and the main Arkansaw, and the cook was anxious to secure
the supplies and reach the outfit before darkness overtook him.
Sponsilier was reported as two days behind Forrest when the
latter crossed the Cimarron, since when there had been no word
from his cattle. They had met the buyers near the middle of the
forenoon, and when Forrest admitted having the widow Timberlake's
beef herd, they turned back and were spending the day with the
cattle.

The situation demanded instant action. Taking Forrest's cook
around to our outfitting store, I introduced and vouched for him.
Hurrying back, I sent Wayne Outcault, as he was a stranger to
Tolleston, to mix with the two rascals and send Seay to me at
once. Some little time was consumed in engaging Archie in a game
of pool, but when Dorg presented himself I lost no time in
explaining the situation. He declared that it was no longer
possible to interest Tolleston at Dutch Jake's crib during the