herd would dress out, and invited my opinion. "Those beeves will
dress off from forty-five to fifty per cent.," I replied. "The
Texan being a gaunt animal does not shrink like a domestic beef.
Take that 'Open A' herd straight through and they will dress from
four fifty to six hundred pounds, or average better than five
hundred all round. In three months, under favorable conditions,
those steers ought to easily put on a hundred pounds of tallow
apiece. Mr. Radcliff, do you remember pointing out a black muley
yesterday and saying that he looked like a native animal? I'll
just bet either one of you a hundred dollars that he'll dress out
over five hundred pounds; and I'll kill him in your presence and
you can weigh his quarters with a steelyard."

They laughed at me, Siringo joining in, and Mr. Field ordered the
drinks. "Mac," said the detective, "these gentlemen are all
right, and you shouldn't take any offense, for I don't blame them
for driving a hard bargain. I'd probably do the same thing if I
was the buyer instead of the seller. And remember, Mac, if the
deal goes through, you are to drive the herd at the seller's
risk, and deliver it at any point the buyer designates, they
accepting without expense or reserve the cattle only. It means
over three months' further expense, with a remuda thrown back on
your hands; and all these incidentals run into money fast.
Gentlemen, unless you increase the advance cash payment, I don't
see how you can expect me to shade my offer. What's your hurry,
Mac?"

As it was growing late, I had arisen, and saying that I expected
to move camp to-morrow, invited the party to join me at the bar.
I informed the buyers, during the few minutes' interim, that if