CHAPTER XII. MARSHALING THE FORCES

Both herds had watered in the Smoky during the afternoon. The
stranger's cattle were not compelled to go down to the crossing,
but found an easy passage several miles above the regular ford.
After leaving the river, both herds were grazed out during the
evening, and when darkness fell we were not over three miles
apart, one on either side of the trail. The Wyoming cowman spent
a restless night, and early the next morning rode to the nearest
elevation which would give him a view of his cattle. Within an
hour after sun-up he returned, elated over the fact that his herd
was far in the lead of ours, camp being already broken, while we
were only breakfasting. Matters were working out just as I
expected. The mixed herd under the Mexican corporal, by moving
early and late, could keep the lead of our beeves, and with the
abundance of time at my disposal we were in no hurry. The Kansas
Pacific Railroad was but a few days' drive ahead, and I advised
our guest to take the train around to Ogalalla and have a new
outfit all ready to relieve the aliens immediately on their
arrival. Promising to take the matter under consideration, he
said nothing further for several days, his cattle in the mean
time keeping a lead of from five to ten miles.

The trail crossed the railroad at a switch east of Grinnell. I
was naturally expecting some word from Don Lovell, and it was my
intention to send one of the boys into that station to inquire
for mail. There was a hostelry at Grinnell, several stores and a
livery stable, all dying an easy death from the blight of the