about three miles from the corrals, and leaving orders for the
cook to follow up, the camp was abandoned with the exception of
the remuda. It was barely sun-up when we counted and took
possession of the beeves. On being relieved, the foreman of Los
Lobos took the ranch outfit and started off to renew the
gathering. We penned the cattle without any trouble, and as soon
as the irons were ready, a chuteful were run in and the branding
commenced. This branding-chute was long enough to chamber eight
beeves. It was built about a foot wide at the bottom and flared
upward just enough to prevent an animal from turning round. A
heavy gate closed the exit, while bull-bars at the rear prevented
the occupant from backing out. A high platform ran along either
side of the branding-chute, on which the men stood while handling
the irons.

Two men did the branding. "Runt" Pickett attended the fire,
passing up the heated irons, and dodging the cold branding-steel.
A single iron was often good for several animals, and sometimes a
chuteful was branded with two irons. It was necessary that the
work should be well done; not that a five months' trip required
it, but the unforeseen must be guarded against. Many trail herds
had met disaster and been scattered to the four winds with
nothing but a road brand to identify them afterward. The cattle
were changing owners, and custom decreed that an abstract of
title should be indelibly seared on their sides. The first guard,
Jake Blair, Morg Tussler, and Clay Zilligan, were detailed to cut
and drive the squads into the chute. These three were the only
mounted men, the others being placed so as to facilitate the
work. Cattle are as innocent as they are strong, and in this
necessary work everything was done quietly, care being taken to