long stairway ran up the outside of the building, landing on a
gallery in front, from which the sheriff announced the sitting of
the honorable court of Keith County. At home in Texas, lawsuits
were so rare that though I was a grown man, the novelty of this
one absorbed me. Quite a large crowd had gathered in advance of
the hour, and while awaiting the arrival of Judge Mulqueen, a
contingent of fifteen men from the two herds in question rode up
and halted in front of the court-house. Forrest and I were lying
low, not caring to be seen, when the three plaintiffs, the two
local attorneys, and Tolleston put in an appearance. The
cavalcade had not yet dismounted, and when Dorg Seay caught sight
of Tolleston, he stood up in his stirrups and sang out, "Hello
there, Archibald! my old college chum, how goes it?"

Judge Mulqueen had evidently dressed for the occasion, for with
the exception of the plaintiffs, he was the only man in the
court-room who wore a coat. The afternoon was a sultry one; in
that first bottom of the Platte there was scarcely a breath of
air, and collars wilted limp as rags. Neither map nor chart
graced the unplastered walls, the unpainted furniture of the room
was sadly in need of repair, while a musty odor permeated the
room. Outside the railing the seating capacity of the court-room
was rather small, rough, bare planks serving for seats, but the
spectators gladly stood along the sides and rear, eager to catch
every word, as they silently mopped the sweat which oozed alike
from citizen and cattleman. Forrest and I were concealed in the
rear, which was packed with Lovell's boys, when the judge walked
in and court opened for the hearing. Judge Mulqueen requested
counsel on either side to be as brief and direct as possible,
both in their pleadings and testimony, adding: "If they reach the