reliable man to take a herd to Fort Washakie. It's an Indian
agency on the head waters of the North Platte in Wyoming. Will
you tackle the job?"

"A good soldier is always subject to orders," replied The Rebel
with a military salute. "If you have a herd for delivery in
Wyoming, give me the men and horses, and I'll put the cattle
there if possible. You are the commandant in the field, and I am
subject to instructions."

"There's your remuda and outfit, then," said Lovell, pointing to
the one intended for Tolleston, "and you'll get a commissary at
the ranch and go into camp this evening. You'll get your herd in
Nueces County, and Jim will assist in the receiving. Any other
little details will all be arranged before you get away."

Calling for all the men in Tolleston's outfit, the two rode away
for that remuda. Shortly before the trouble arose, our employer
instructed those with the Buford cattle to take ten extra horses
for each herd. There were now over a hundred and forty head to be
culled back, and Sponsilier was entitled to ten of them. In order
to be sure of our numbers, we counted the remaining band, and
Forrest and I trimmed them down to two hundred and fifty-four
head. As this number was too small to be handled easily in the
open, we decided to take them into the corrals for the final
division. After the culling back was over, and everything had
started for the ranch, to oblige Sponsilier, I remained behind
and helped him to retrim his remuda. Unless one knew the horses
personally, it was embarrassing even to try and pick ten of the
best ones from the overplus. But I knew many of them at first