numbered. To make a success of any business, a little common
sense is necessary. Nine tenths of the investing in cattle to-day
in the Northwest is being done by inexperienced men. No other
line of business could prosper in such incompetent hands, and
it's foolish to think that cattle companies and individuals,
nearly all tenderfeet at the business, can succeed. They may for
a time,--there are accidents in every calling,--but when the tide
turns, there won't be one man or company in ten survive. I only
wish they would, as it means life and expansion for the cattle
interests in Texas. As long as the boom continues, and foreigners
and tenderfeet pour their money in, the business will look
prosperous. Why, even the business men are selling out their
stores and going into cattle. But there's a day of reckoning
ahead, and there's many a cowman in this Northwest country who
will never see his money again. Now the government demand is a
healthy one: it needs the cattle for Indian and military
purposes; but this crazy investment, especially in she stuff, I
wouldn't risk a dollar in it."

During the conversation that evening, I was delighted to learn
that my employer expected to accompany the herds overland to
Ogalalla. There was nothing pressing elsewhere, and as all the
other outfits were within a short day's ride in the rear, he
could choose his abode. He was too good a cowman to interfere
with the management of cattle, and the pleasure of his company,
when in good humor, was to be desired. The next morning a horse
was furnished him from our extras, and after seeing us safely
across the railroad track, he turned back to meet Forrest or
Sponsilier. This was the last we saw of him until after crossing
into Nebraska. In the mean time my boys kept an eye on the