in our guest John Blocker, a prominent drover. He informed us
that he and his associates had fifty-two thousand cattle on the
trail, and that he was just returning from overtaking two of
their five lead herds. Knowing that he was a well-posted cowman
on routes and sustenance, having grown up on the trail, I gave
him the best our camp afforded, and in return I received valuable
information in regard to the country between our present location
and Doan's Crossing. He reported the country for a hundred miles
south of Red River as having had a dry, backward spring, scanty
of grass, and with long dry drives; and further, that in many
instances water for the herds would have to be bought from those
in control.

The outlook was not to my liking. The next morning when I
inquired of our guest what he would advise me to do, his answer
clearly covered the ground. "Well, I'm not advising any one,"
said he, "but you can draw your own conclusions. The two herds of
mine, which I overtook, have orders to turn northeast and cross
into the Nations at Red River Station. My other cattle, still
below, will all be routed by way of Fort Griffin. Once across Red
River, you will have the Chisholm Trail, running through
civilized tribes, and free from all annoyance of blanket Indians.
South of the river the grass is bound to be better than on the
western route, and if we have to buy water, we'll have the
advantage of competition."

With this summary of the situation, a decision was easily
reached. The Chisholm Trail was good enough for me. Following up
the north side of the Clear Fork, we passed about twenty miles to
the west of Fort Griffin. Constantly bearing east by north, a few