brief, for the clattering hoofs of a cavalcade of horsemen were
approaching, and as I arose, Quince Forrest and Bob Quirk with a
dozen or more men dashed up and halted. As their herds were
intended for the Crow and Fort Washakie agencies, they would
naturally follow up the south side of the North Platte, and an
hour or two of grazing would put them in camp. The Buford cattle,
as well as Flood's herd, were due to cross this North Fork of the
mother Platte within ten miles of Ogalalla, their respective
routes thenceforth being north and northeast. Forrest, like
myself, was somewhat leary of entering the town, and my brother
and the boys passed on shortly, leaving Quince behind. We
discussed every possible phase of what might happen in case we
were recognized, which was almost certain if Tolleston or the
Dodge buyers were encountered. But an overweening hunger to get
into Ogalalla was dominant in us, and under the excuse of
settling for our supplies, after the herd passed, we remounted
our horses, Flood joining us, and rode for the hamlet.

There was little external and no moral change in the town.
Several new saloons had opened, and in anticipation of the large
drive that year, the Dew-Drop-In dance-hall had been enlarged,
and employed three shifts of bartenders. A stage had been added
with the new addition, and a special importation of ladies had
been brought out from Omaha for the season. I use the term LADIES
advisedly, for in my presence one of the proprietors, with marked
courtesy, said to an Eastern stranger, "Oh, no, you need no
introduction. My wife is the only woman in town; all the balance
are ladies." Beyond a shave and a hair-cut, Forrest and I fought
shy of public places. But after the supplies were settled for,
and some new clothing was secured, we chambered a few drinks and