knew his mount, extra attention was shown each horse. There were
witches' bridles to be removed from their manes, extra long tails
were thinned out to the proper length, and all hoofs trimmed
short. The horses were fast shedding their winter coats, matting
the saddle blankets with falling hair, and unless carefully
watched, galled backs would result. The branding-irons had been
altered en route, and about noon a vaquero came down the river
and reported that the second round-up of the day would meet just
over the county line in Dimmit. He belonged at Los Lobos, and
reported the morning rodeo as containing over five hundred
beeves, which would be ready for delivery at our pleasure. We
made him remain for dinner, after which Flood and I saddled up
and returned with him. We reached the round-up just as the
cutting-out finished. They were a fine lot of big rangy beeves,
and Jim suggested that we pass upon them at once. The seller
agreed to hold them overnight, and Flood and I culled back about
one hundred and twenty which were under age or too light. The
round-up outfit strung the cattle out and counted them, reporting
a few over seven hundred head. This count was merely informal and
for the information of the seller; but in the morning the final
one would be made, in which we could take a hand.

After the cut had started in for the ranch, we loitered along,
looking them over, and I noticed several that might have been
thrown out. "Well, now," said Flood, "if you are going to be so
very choice as all that, I might as well ride on. You can't use
me if that bunch needs any more trimming. I call them a fine lot
of beeves. It's all right for Don to rib the boys up and make
them think that the cattle have to be top-notchers. I've watched
him receive too often; he's about the easiest man I know to ring