each other. Several of the other boys came forward and, shaking
hands, greeted him with equal familiarity. As two strangers
alighted on the opposite side, the detective took me around and
they were introduced as Mr. Field and Mr. Radcliff, prospective
beef buyers. The boys had stretched a tarpaulin, affording ample
shade, and Parent invited every one to dinner. The two strangers
were rather testy, but Siringo ate ravenously, repeatedly asking
for things which were usually kept in a well-stocked chuck-wagon,
meanwhile talking with great familiarity with Tussler and me.

The strangers said little, but were amused at the lightness of
our dinner chat. I could see at a glance that they were not
cowmen. They were impatient to see the cattle; and when dinner
was over, I explained to them that the men on herd would be
relieved for dinner by those in camp, and orders would be given,
if it was their wish, to throw the cattle compactly together. To
this Siringo objected. "No, Mac," said he, "that isn't the right
way to show beeves. Here, Morg, listen to me; I'm foreman for the
time being. When you relieve the other lads, edge in your cattle
from an ordinary loose herd until you have them on two or three
hundred acres. Then we can slowly drive through them for an hour
or so, or until these gentlemen are satisfied. They're not wild,
are they, Mac?"

I assured every one that the cattle were unusually gentle; that
we had not had a run so far, but urged caution in approaching
them with a conveyance. As soon as the relief started, I brought
in the livery team off picket, watered, and harnessed them into
the vehicle. It was my intention to accompany them on horseback,
but Siringo hooted at the idea, and Mr. Radcliff and I occupied