both warm and tender, that organ was frequently infested with
this pest, whose ravages often undermined the supporting
cartilages and produced the drooping or "gotch" ear. In my remuda
over one half the horses were afflicted with ticks, and many of
them it was impossible to bridle, owing to the inflamed condition
of their ears. Fortunately we had with us some standard
preparations for blistering, so, diluting this in axle-grease, we
threw every animal thus affected and thoroughly swabbed his ears.
On reaching the Nueces River, near the western boundary of
Lasalle County, the other two outfits continued on down that
stream for their destination in the lower country. Flood remained
behind with me, and going into camp on the river with my outfit,
the two of us rode over to Los Lobos Ranch and announced
ourselves as ready to receive the cattle. Dr. Beaver, the seller
of the herd, was expecting us, and sending word of our arrival to
neighboring cowmen, we looked over the corrals before returning
to camp. They had built a new branding-chute and otherwise
improved their facilities for handling cattle. The main inclosure
had been built of heavy palisades in an early day, but recently
several of smaller sized lumber had been added, making the most
complete corrals I had ever seen. An abundance of wood was at
hand for heating the branding-irons, and every little detail to
facilitate the work had been provided for. Giving notice that we
would receive every morning on the open prairie only, we declined
an invitation to remain at the ranch and returned to my wagon.

In the valley the grass was well forward. We had traveled only
some twenty miles a day coming down, and our horses had fared
well. But as soon as we received any cattle, night-herding the
remuda would cease, and we must either hobble or resort to other