camp.

The remainder of the afternoon was spent in idleness and in the
entertainment of our guest. Official-like, he pretended he could
hardly spare the time to remain another night, but was finally
prevailed on and did so. After dark, I took him some distance
from camp, and the two of us had a confidential chat. I assured
him if there was any object in doing so, we could move camp right
to or over the county line, and frankly asked him what inducement
he would offer. At first he thought that throwing off everything
over a hundred dollars would be about right. But I assured him
that there were whole families of inspectors in Lasalle County
who would discount that figure, and kindly advised him, if he
really wanted the fee, to meet competition at least. We discussed
the matter at length, and before returning to camp, he offered to
make out the certificate, covering everything, for fifty dollars.
As it was certain to be several days yet before we would start,
and there was a prospect of a falling market in certificates of
inspection, I would make no definite promises. The next morning I
insisted that he remain at some near-by ranch in his own
territory, and, if convenient, ride down every few days and note
the progress of the herd.

We were promised a large contingent of cattle for that day. The
ranch outfit were to make three rodeos down the river the day
before, where the bulk of their beeves ranged. Flood was anxious
to overtake the other outfits before they reached the lower
country, and as he assured me I had no further use for him, we
agreed that after receiving that morning he might leave us.
Giving orders at camp to graze the received beeves within a mile