Now, I've never said a word in favor of either one of you. Of
course, when Mr. Lovell asked me if I knew certain trail foremen
who were liable to be idle this year, I intimated that he had
plenty of material in his employ to make a few of his own. The
old man may be a trifle slow on reaching a decision, but once he
makes up his mind, he's there till the cows come home. Now, all
you and Quince need to do is to make good, for you couldn't ask
for a better man behind you. In making up your outfit, you want
to know every man you hire, and give a preference to gray hairs,
for they're not so liable to admire their shadow in sunny or get
homesick in falling weather. Tom, where you made a ten-strike
with the old man was in accepting that horse herd at Dodge last
fall. Had you made a whine or whimper then, the chances are you
wouldn't be bossing a herd this year. Lovell is a cowman who
likes to see a fellow take his medicine with a smile."



CHAPTER II. ORGANIZING THE FORCES

Don Lovell and Jim Flood returned from Lasalle County on the last
day of February. They had spent a week along the Upper Nueces,
and before returning to the ranch closed a trade on thirty-four
hundred five and six year old beeves. According to their report,
the cattle along the river had wintered in fine condition, and
the grass had already started in the valley. This last purchase
concluded the buying for trail purposes, and all absent foremen
were notified to be on hand at the ranch on March 10, for the
beginning of active operations. Only some ten of us had wintered
at headquarters in Medina County, and as about ninety men would