They may have spotters ahead here on the Republican; Dave will
take charge of your 'Open A's' at once, and you will drop back
and follow up with his cattle. For the time being and to every
stranger, you two will exchange names. The Rebel is in charge of
Forrest's cattle now, and Quince will drop back with Paul's herd.
Dave, here, gave me the slip on crossing the Texas Pacific in the
lower country, but when we reach the Union Pacific, I want to
know where he is, even if in jail. And I may be right there with
him, but we'll live high, for I've got a lot of their money."

Sponsilier reported his herd on the same side of the trail and
about ten miles to our rear. I had no objection to the change,
for those arid plains were still to be preferred to the lock-up
in Ogalalla. My only regret was in temporarily losing my mount;
but as Dave's horses were nearly as good, no objection was urged,
and promising, in case either landed in jail, to send flowers, I
turned back, leaving my employer with the lead herd. Before
starting, I learned that the "Drooping T" cattle were in advance
of Sponsilier's, and as I soldiered along on my way back, rode
several miles out of my way to console my old bunkie, The Rebel.
He took my chaffing good-naturedly and assured me that his gray
hairs were a badge of innocence which would excuse him on any
charge. Turning, I rode back with him over a mile, this being my
first opportunity of seeing Forrest's beeves. The steers were
large and rangy, extremely uniform in ages and weight, and in
general relieved me of considerable conceit that I had the best
herd among the Buford cattle. With my vanity eased, I continued
my journey and reached Sponsilier's beeves while they were
watering. Again a surprise was in store for me, as the latter
herd had, if any, the edge over the other two, while "The Apple"