cook's arousing us, in the uncertain light of dawn, the herd was
slowly rising, and from the position of a group of four horsemen,
it was plainly evident that our guest had shaded all competition.
Our camp was in plain view of Los Lobos, and only some five or
six miles distant. With the rising of the sun, and from the top
of a windmill derrick, by the aid of a field-glass, the Lasalle
inspector had read his answer; and after the work in the morning
was over, and the final papers had been exchanged, Dr. Beaver
insisted that, in commiseration of his departed guest, just one
more mint-julep should be drunk standing.

When Don Lovell glanced over my expense account on our arrival at
Abilene, he said: "Look here, Tom, is this straight ?--twenty
dollars for inspection?--the hell you say! Corrupted them, did
you? Well, that's the cheapest inspection I ever paid, with one
exception. Dave Sponsilier once got a certificate for his herd
for five dollars and a few drinks. But he paid for it a month in
advance of the starting of the herd. It was dated ahead, properly
sealed, and all ready for filling in the brands and numbers. The
herd was put up within a mile of where four counties cornered,
and that inspector was a believer in the maxim of the early bird.
The office is a red-tape one, anyhow, and little harm in taking
all the advantage you can.--This item marked 'sundries' was DRY
goods, I suppose? All right, Quirk; I reckon rattlesnakes were
rather rabid this spring."



CHAPTER IV. MINGLING WITH THE EXODUS