CHAPTER XXIII. KANGAROOED
Lovell and his attorneys joined the cavalcade which returned to thepost, while we continued on south, fording the Missouri above Forrest'scamp. The two recovered beeves were recognized by their ranch brands asbelonging in Bee County, thus identifying them as having escaped fromBob Quirk's herd, though he had previously denied all knowledge of them.The cattle world was a small one, and it mattered little where an animalroamed, there was always a man near by who could identify the brandand give the bovine's past history. With the prospects bright for a newowner on the morrow, these two wayfarers found lodgment among our ownfor the night.
But when another day dawned, it brought new complications. Instead ofthe early arrival of any receiving party, the appointed hour passed,noon came, and no one appeared. I had ridden down to the lower campsabout the latter hour, yet there was no one who could explain, neitherhad any word from the post reached Forrest's wagon. Sponsilier suggestedthat we ride into Buford, and accordingly all three of us foremenstarted. When we sighted the ford on the Missouri, a trio of horsemenwere just emerging from the water, and we soon were in possession of thefacts. Sanders, my brother, and Mike Sutton composed the party, andthe latter explained the situation. Orders from the War Departmenthad reached Fort Buford that morning, temporarily suspending the postcommander and his quartermaster from receiving any cattle intended forthat post, and giving notice that a special commissioner was then enroute from Minneapolis with full authority in the premises. The orderwas signed by the first quartermaster and approved by the head of thatdepartment; there was no going behind it, which further showed thestrength that the opposition were able to command. The little attorneywas wearing his war-paint, and we all dismounted, when Sandersvolunteered some valuable points on the wintering of Texas cattle inthe North. Sutton made a memorandum of the data, saying if opportunityoffered he would like to submit it in evidence at the final hearing. Thegeneral opinion was that a court of inquiry would be instituted, and ifsuch was the case, our cause was not by any means hopeless.
"The chances are that the opposition will centre the fight on anassignment of the original contract which they claim to hold," said thelawyer, in conclusion. "The point was advanced yesterday that we wereintruders, while, on the other hand, the government was in honor boundto recognize its outstanding obligation, no matter in whose hands it waspresented, so long as it was accompanied by the proper tender. A greatdeal will depend on the viewpoint of this special commissioner; he maybe a stickler for red tape, with no concern for the service, as werethe post commander and quartermaster. Their possession of the originaldocument will be self-evident, and it will devolve on us to show thatthat assignment was illegal. This may not be as easy as it seems, forthe chances are that there may be a dozen men in the gang, with numerousstool-pigeons ready and willing to do their bidding. This contract maydemonstrate the possibility of a ring within a ring, with everythingworking to the same end. The absence of Honest John Griscom at thisdelivery is significant as proving that his presence at Dodge andOgalalla was a mistake. You notice, with the exception of Field andRadcliff, they are all new men. Well, another day will tell the story."
The special commissioner could not arrive before the next morning. Anambulance, with relay teams, had left the post at daybreak for Glendive,and would return that night. Since the following promised to be adecisive day, we were requested to bring every available man and reportat Fort Buford at an early hour. The trio returned to the post and weforemen to our herds. My outfit received the news in anything but acheerful mood. The monotony of the long drive had made the men restless,and the delay of a single day in being finally relieved, when lookedforward to, was doubly exasperating. It had been over six months sincewe left the ranch in Medina, and there was a lurking suspicion among anumber of the boys that the final decision would be against our cattleand that they would be thrown back on our hands. There was a generalanxiety among us to go home, hastened by the recent frosty nights anda common fear of a Northern climate. I tried to stem this feeling,promising a holiday on the morrow and assuring every one that we stillhad a fighting chance.
We reached the post at a timely hour the next morning. Only three menwere left with each herd, my wrangler and cook accompanying us for theday. Parent held forth with quite a dissertation on the legal aspects ofthe case, and after we forded the river, an argument arose between himand Jake Blair. "Don't talk to me about what's legal and what isn't,"said the latter; "the man with the pull generally gets all that he goesafter. You remember the Indian and the white man were at a loss to knowhow to divide the turkey and the buzzard, but in the end poor man gotthe buzzard. And if you'll just pay a little more attention to humanity,you may notice that the legal aspects don't cut so much figure as youthought they did. The moment that cattle declined five to seven dollarsa head, The Western Supply Company didn't trouble themselves as to thelegality or the right or wrong, but proceeded to take advantage of thesituation at once. Neal, when you've lived about twenty-five years onthe cold charity of strangers, you'll get over that blind confidence andbecome wary and cunning. It might be a good idea to keep your eye opento-day for your first lesson. Anyhow don't rely too strong on the rightor justice of anything, but keep a good horse on picket and your powderdry."
The commissioner had arrived early that morning and would take upmatters at once. Nine o'clock was set for the hearing, which would takeplace in the quartermaster's office. Consultations were being held amongthe two factions, and the only ray of light was the reported frigidityof the special officer. He was such a superior personage that ordinarymortals felt a chill radiating from his person on their slightestapproach. His credentials were from the War Department and were such asto leave no doubt but that he was the autocrat of the situation, beforewhom all should render homage. A rigid military air prevailed about thepost and grounds, quite out of the ordinary, while the officers' bar wasempty and silent.
The quartermaster's office would comfortably accommodate about onehundred persons. Fort Buford had been rebuilt in 1871, the adobebuildings giving place to frame structures, and the room in which thehearing was to be held was not only commodious but furnished with goodtaste. Promptly on the stroke of the hour, and escorted by the postadjutant, the grand mogul made his appearance. There was nothingstriking about him, except his military bearing; he was rather young andwalked so erect that he actually leaned backward a trifle. There was noprelude; he ordered certain tables rearranged, seated himself at one,and called for a copy of the original contract. The post adjutant hadall the papers covering the situation in hand, and the copy was placedat the disposal of the special commissioner, who merely glanced atthe names of the contracting parties, amount and date, and handed thedocument back. Turning to the table at which Lovell and his attorneyssat, he asked for the credentials under which they were tendering beevesat Fort Buford. The sub-contract was produced, some slight memorandumwas made, and it was passed back as readily as was the original. Theopposition were calmly awaiting a similar request, and when it came,in offering the papers, Congressman Y---- took occasion to remark: "Ourtender is not only on a sub-contract, but that agreement is fortified byan assignment of the original award, by and between the War Departmentand The Western Supply Company. We rely on the latter; you will findeverything regular."
The customary glance was given the bulky documents. Senator Aspgrain wasawaiting the opportune moment to attack the assignment. When it came,the senator arose with dignity and, addressing the commissioner,attempted to enter a protest, but was instantly stopped by that highfunctionary. A frozen silence pervaded the room. "There is no occasionfor any remarks in this matter," austerely replied the governmentspecialist. "Our department regularly awarded the beef contract for thispost to The Western Supply Company. There was ample competition onthe award, insuring the government against exorbitant prices, and therequired bonds were furnished for the fulfillment of the contract. Rightthen and there all interest upon the part of the grantor ceased untilthe ten
der was made at this post on the appointed day of delivery. Inthe interim, however, it seems that for reasons purely their own, thegrantees saw fit to sub-let their contract, not once but twice. Ourdepartment amply protected themselves by requiring bonds, and thesub-contractors should have done the same. That, however, is not thematter at issue, but who is entitled to deliver on the original award.Fortunately that point is beyond question; an assignment of the originalhas always been recognized at the War Office, and in this case theholders of the same are declared entitled to deliver. There is onlyone provision,--does the article of beef tendered qualify under thespecifications? That is the only question before making this decisionfinal. If there is any evidence to the contrary, I am ready to hear it."
This afforded the opportunity of using Sanders as a witness, and Suttongrasped the opportunity of calling him to testify in regard to winteringSouthern cattle in the North. After stating his qualifications asa citizen and present occupation, he was asked by the commissionerregarding his experience with cattle to entitle his testimony toconsideration. "I was born to the occupation in Texas," replied thewitness. "Five years ago this summer I came with beef cattle from UvaldeCounty, that State, to this post, and after the delivery, accepteda situation under the quartermaster here in locating and holding thegovernment's beeves. At present I am foreman and have charge of allcattle delivered at or issued from this post. I have had five years'experience in wintering Texas cattle in this vicinity, and have nohesitancy in saying that it is a matter of the utmost importance thatsteers should be in the best possible flesh to withstand our winters.The losses during the most favorable seasons have averaged from one tofive per cent., while the same cattle in a severe season will lose fromten to twenty-five, all depending on the condition of the stock with thebeginning of cold weather. Since my connection with this post we havealways received good steers, and our losses have been light, but aboveand below this military reservation the per cent. loss has run as highas fifty among thin, weak animals."
"Now, Mr. Sanders," said the special commissioner, "as an expert,you are testifying as to the probable loss to the government in thislocality in buying and holding beef on its own account. You may nowstate if you have seen the tender of beef made by Field, Radcliff & Co.,and if so, anticipating the worst, what would be the probable loss iftheir cattle were accepted on this year's delivery?"
"I was present at their inspection by the officers of this post,"replied the witness, "and have no hesitancy in saying that should thecoming one prove as hard a winter as '82 was, there would be a loss offully one half these cattle. At least that was my opinion as expressedto the post commander and quartermaster at the inspection, and theyagreed with me. There are half a dozen other boys here whose views onwintering cattle can be had--and they're worth listening to."
This testimony was the brutal truth, and though eternal, was sadlyout of place. The opposition lawyers winced; and when Sutton asked ifpermission would be given to hear the testimony of the post commanderand quartermaster, both familiar with the quality of cattle thegovernment had been receiving for years, the commissioner, havingadmitted damaging testimony, objected on the ground that they were undersuspension, and military men were not considered specialists outsidetheir own vocation. Other competent witnesses were offered and objectedto, simply because they would not admit they were experts. Takingadvantage of the opening, Congressman Y---- called attention to a fewfacts in passing. This unfortunate situation, he said, in substance, wasdeeply regretted by his clients and himself. The War Department wasto be warmly commended for sending a special commissioner to hear thematter at issue, otherwise unjust charges might have been preferredagainst old and honored officers in the service. However, if specialistswere to be called to testify, and their testimony considered, as to whatper cent. of cattle would survive a winter, why not call on the weatherprophets to testify just what the coming one would be? He ridiculed theattestations of Sanders as irrelevant, defiantly asserting that the onlyquestion at issue was, were there five million pounds of dressed beef inthe tender of cattle by Field, Radcliff & Co. He insisted on the letterin the bond being observed. The government bought cattle one yearwith another, and assumed risks as did other people. Was there any manpresent to challenge his assertion that the pounds quantity had beentendered?
There was. Don Lovell arose, and addressing the special commissioner,said: "Sir, I am not giving my opinion as an expert but as a practicalcowman. If the testimony of one who has delivered over ninety thousandcattle to this government, in its army and Indian departments, is ofany service to you, I trust you will hear me patiently. No exception istaken to your ruling as to who is entitled to deliver on the existingaward; that was expected from the first. I have been contracting beef tothis government for the past fifteen years, and there may be tricks inthe trade of which I am ignorant. The army has always demanded the best,while lower grades have always been acceptable to the Indian Department.But in all my experience, I have never tendered this government for itsgut-eating wards as poor a lot of cattle as I am satisfied that youare going to receive at the hands of Field, Radcliff & Co. I acceptthe challenge that there are not five million pounds of dressed beefin their tender to-day, and what there is would be a disgrace to anycommonwealth to feed its convicts. True, these cattle are not intendedfor immediate use, and I make the counter-assertion that this governmentwill never kill out fifty per cent. of the weight that you acceptto-day. Possibly you prefer the blandishments of a lobbyist to theopinion of a practical cowman like Sanders. That's your privilege. Yourefuse to allow us to show the relationship between The Western SupplyCompany and the present holders of its assignment, and in doing so Icharge you with being in collusion with these contractors to defraud thegovernment!"
"You're a liar!" shouted Congressman Y----, jumping to his feet. Theonly reply was a chair hurled from the hand of Sutton at the head of theoffender, instantly followed by a rough house. Several officerspresent sprang to the side of the special commissioner, but fortunatelyrefrained from drawing revolvers. I was standing at some distancefrom the table, and as I made a lunge forward, old man Don was hurledbackward into my arms. He could not whip a sick chicken, yet hisuncontrollable anger had carried him into the general melee and he hadbeen roughly thrown out by some of his own men. They didn't want him inthe fight; they could do all that was necessary. A number of soldierswere present, and while the officers were frantically commanding themto restore order, the scrap went merrily on. Old man Don struggled withmight and main, cursing me for refusing to free him, and when one of thecontractors was knocked down within easy reach, I was half tempted toturn him loose. The "major-domo" had singled out Sponsilier and wastrying issues with him, Bob Quirk was dropping them right and left, whenthe deposed commandant sprang upon a table, and in a voice like the hissof an adder, commanded peace, and the disorder instantly ceased.
The row had lasted only a few seconds. The opposing sides stood glaringdaggers at each other, when the commissioner took occasion to administera reproof to all parties concerned, referring to Texas in not verycomplimentary terms. Dave Sponsilier was the only one who had thetemerity to offer any reply, saying, "Mr. Yank, I'll give you onehundred dollars if you'll point me out the grave of a man, woman, orchild who starved to death in that state."
A short recess was taken, after which apologies followed, and thecommissioner resumed the hearing. A Western lawyer, named Lemeraux,made a very plausible plea for the immediate acceptance of the tender ofField, Radcliff & Co. He admitted that the cattle, at present, were notin as good flesh as his clients expected to offer them; that they hadleft the Platte River in fine condition, but had been twice quarantineden route. He was cautious in his remarks, but clearly intimated that hadthere been no other cattle in competition for delivery on this award,there might have been no quarantine. In his insinuations, the fact wasadroitly brought out that the isolation of their herds, if not directlychargeable to Lovell and his men, had been aided and abetted by them,retarding the progress of hi
s clients' beeves and forcing them to travelas fast as twenty-five miles a day, so that they arrived in a jadedcondition. Had there been no interference, the tender of Field, Radcliff& Co. would have reached this post ten days earlier, and rest would soonhave restored the cattle to their normal condition. In concluding, heboldly made the assertion that the condition of his client's tender ofbeef was the result of a conspiracy to injure one firm, that anotherdrover might profit thereby; that right and justice could be conservedonly by immediately making the decision final, and thus fearlesslysilencing any and all imputations reflecting on the character of thisgovernment's trusted representatives.
The special commissioner assumed an air of affected dignity andannounced that a conclusion had been arrived at. Turning to old man Don,he expressed the deepest regret that a civilian was beyond his power topunish, otherwise he would have cause to remember the affront offeredhimself; not that he personally cared, but the department of governmentwhich he had the honor to serve was jealous of its good name. Under thecircumstances he could only warn him to be more guarded hereafter inchoosing his language, and assured Lovell that it was in his power toescort any offender off that military reservation. Pausing a moment, heresumed a judicial air, and summed up the situation:
"There was no occasion," said he, in an amiable mood, "to refer thisincident to the War Department if the authorities here had gone abouttheir work properly. Fortunately I was in Minneapolis adjusting someflour accounts, when I was ordered here by the quartermaster-general.Instead of attempting to decide who had the best tender of cattle,the one with the legal right alone should have been considered. Ourdepartment is perfectly familiar with these petty jealousies, whichusually accompany awards of this class, and generally emanate fromdisappointed and disgruntled competitors. The point is well taken bycounsel that the government does not anticipate the unforeseen, andit matters not what the loss may be from the rigors of winter, thecontractor is exempt after the day of delivery. If the cattle weredelayed en route, as has been asserted, and it was necessary to makeforced drives in order to reach here within the specified time, all thisshould be taken into consideration in arriving at a final conclusion.On his reinstatement, I shall give the quartermaster of this postinstructions, in receiving these cattle, to be governed, not so much bytheir present condition as by what they would have been had there beenno interference. Now in behalf of the War Department, I declare theaward to The Western Supply Company, and assigned to Field, Radcliff,and associates, to have been fulfilled to the satisfaction of allparties concerned. This closes the incident, and if there is nothingfurther, the inquiry will stand adjourned without date."
"One moment, if you please," said Don Lovell, addressing thecommissioner and contractors; "there is a private matter existingbetween Field, Radcliff & Co. and myself which demands an understandingbetween us. I hold a sum of money, belonging to them, as indemnityagainst loss in driving ten thousand cattle from Southern Texas to thispost. That I will sustain a heavy loss, under your decision, is beyondquestion. I am indemnified to the amount of about six dollars and ahalf a head, and since the government is exempt from garnishment andthe contractors are wholly irresponsible, I must content myself with themoney in hand. To recover this amount, held as indemnity, suit hasbeen threatened against me. Of course I can't force their hands, butI sincerely hope they will feel exultant enough over your kangaroodecision to file their action before taking their usual outing inEurope. They will have no trouble in securing my legal address, myrating can be obtained from any commercial agency, and no doubt theirattorneys are aware of the statute of limitation in my state. I believethat's all, except to extend my thanks to every one about Fort Bufordfor the many kind attentions shown my counsel, my boys, and myself. Tomy enemies, I can only say that I hope to meet them on Texas soil, andwill promise them a fairer hearing than was accorded me here to-day. Mr.Commissioner, I have always prided myself on being a good citizen, haveborne arms in defense of my country, and in taking exception to yourdecision I brand you as the most despicable member of The WesternSupply Company. Any man who will prostitute a trust for a moneyconsideration--"
"That's enough!" shouted the special commissioner, rising. "Orderly,call the officer of the day, and tell him I want two companies ofcavalry to furnish an escort for this man and his herds beyond theboundaries of this military reservation." Looking Lovell in the face, hesaid: "You have justly merited a severe punishment, and I shall reportyour reflections to the War and Indian departments, and you may find itmore difficult to secure contracts in the future. One of you officersdetail men and take charge of this man until the escort is ready. Theinquiry is adjourned."
CHAPTER XXIV. THE WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT
The inquiry was over before noon. A lieutenant detailed a few men andmade a pretense of taking possession of Lovell. But once the specialcommissioner was out of sight, the farce was turned into an ovation, andnearly every officer in the post came forward and extended his sympathy.Old man Don was visibly affected by the generous manifestations of themilitary men in general, and after thanking each one personally, urgedthat no unnecessary demonstration should be made, begging that the orderof escort beyond the boundary of the reservation be countermanded. Noone present cared to suggest it, but gave assurance that it would be somodified as not in any way to interfere with the natural movement of theherds. Some little time would be required to outfit the forage-wagonsto accommodate the cavalry companies, during which my brother rode up,leading Lovell's horse, permission was given to leave in advance of theescort, and we all mounted and quietly rode away.
The sudden turn of affairs had disconcerted every man in the threeoutfits. Just what the next move would be was conjecture with mostof us, though every lad present was anxious to know. But when we werebeyond the immediate grounds, Lovell turned in his saddle andasked which one of us foremen wanted to winter in the North. No onevolunteered, and old man Don continued: "Anticipating the worst, I hada long talk this morning with Sanders, and he assured me that our cattlewould go through any winter without serious loss. He suggested theLittle Missouri as a good range, and told me of a hay ranch below themouth of the Beaver. If it can be bought reasonably, we would haveforage for our horses, and the railroad is said to be not over fortymiles to the south. If the government can afford to take the risk ofwintering cattle in this climate, since there is no other choice, Ireckon I'll have to follow suit. Bob and I will take fresh horses andride through to the Beaver this afternoon, and you fellows follow upleisurely with the cattle. Sanders says the winters are dry and cold,with very little if any snowfall. Well, we're simply up against it;there's no hope of selling this late in the season, and nothing is leftus but to face the music of a Northern winter."
As we turned in to ford the Missouri, some one called attention to acavalry company riding out from their quarters at the post. We halted amoment, and as the first one entered the road, the second one swung intoview, followed by forage-wagons. From maps in our possession we knew thesouthern boundary of the Fort Buford military reservation must be undertwenty miles to the south, and if necessary, we could put it behind usthat afternoon. But after crossing the river, and when the two troopsagain came in view, they had dropped into a walk, passing entirely outof sight long before we reached Forrest's camp. Orders were left withthe latter to take the lead and make a short drive that evening,at least far enough to convince observers that we were moving. Thedifferent outfits dropped out as their wagons were reached, and when myremuda was sighted, old man Don ordered it brought in for a change ofhorses. One of the dayherders was at camp getting dinner, and invitingthemselves to join him, my employer and my brother helped themselveswhile their saddles were shifted to two of my well-rested mounts.Inquiry had been made of all three of the outfits if any ranch hadbeen sighted on the Beaver while crossing that creek, but the onlyrecollection among the forty-odd men was that of Burl Van Vedder, whocontended that a dim trail, over which horses had passed that summer,ran down on the south side of the stream.
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br /> With this meagre information Lovell and my brother started. A latedinner over and the herders relieved, we all rode for the nearesteminence which would afford us a view. The cavalry were just going intocamp below O'Brien's ranch, their forage-train in sight, while Forrest'scattle were well bunched and heading south. Sponsilier was evidentlygoing to start, as his team was tied up and the saddle stock in hand,while the herd was crossing over to the eastern side of the Yellowstone.We dismounted and lay around for an hour or so, when the greater portionof the boys left to help in the watering of our herd, the remainder ofus doing outpost duty. Forrest had passed out of sight, Sponsilier'swagon and remuda crossed opposite us, going up the valley, followed byhis cattle in loose grazing order, and still we loitered on the hill.But towards evening I rode down to where the cavalry was encamped, andbefore I had conversed very long with the officers, it was clear tome that the shorter our moves the longer it would extend their outing.Before I left the soldier camp, Sanders arrived, and as we started awaytogether, I sent him back to tell the officers to let me know any timethey could use half a beef. On reaching our wagon, the boys were justcorralling the saddle stock for their night-horses, when Sanders beggedme to sell him two which had caught his fancy. I dared not offer them;but remembering the fellow's faithful service in our behalf, and thatmy employer expected to remember him, I ordered him to pick, with DonLovell's compliments, any horse in the remuda as a present.
The proposition stunned Sanders, but I insisted that if old man Don wasthere, he would make him take something. He picked a good horse out ofmy mount and stayed until morning, when he was compelled to return, asthe probabilities were that they would receive the other cattle sometime during the day. After breakfast, and as he was starting to return,he said, "Well, boys, tell the old man that I don't expect ever to beable to return his kindness, though I'd ride a thousand miles for thechance. One thing sure, there isn't a man in Dakota who has money enoughto tempt me to part with my pelon. If you locate down on the LittleMissouri, drop me a line where you are at, and if Lovell wants four goodmen, I can let him have them about the first of December. You throughlads are liable to be scared over the coming winter, and a fewacclimated ones will put backbone in his outfit. And tell the old manthat if I can ever do him a good turn just to snap his fingers and I'llquit the government--he's a few shades whiter than it, anyhow."
The herd had already left the bed-ground, headed south. About five milesabove O'Brien's, we recrossed to the eastern side of the Yellowstone,and for the next three days moved short distances, the militaryalways camped well in our rear. The fourth morning I killed a beef, aforage-wagon came forward and took half of it back to the cavalry campwith our greetings and farewell, and we parted company. Don Lovell metus about noon, elated as a boy over his purchase of the hay ranch. Mybrother had gone on to the railroad and thence by train to Miles Cityto meet his remuda and outfit. "Boys, I have bought you a new home," wasthe greeting of old man Don, as he dismounted at our noon camp. "There'sa comfortable dugout, stabling for about ten horses, and seventy-fivetons of good hay in the stack. The owner was homesick to get back toGod's country, and he'll give us possession in ten days. Bob will be inLittle Missouri to-day and order us a car of sacked corn from Omaha, andwithin a month we'll be as snug as they are down in old Medina. Bob'soutfit will go home from Miles, and if he can't sell his remuda he'llbring it up here. Two of these outfits can start back in a few days, andafterward the camp will be reduced to ten men."
Two days later Forrest veered off and turned his cattle loose below thejunction of the Beaver with the Little Missouri. Sponsilier crossed theformer, scattering his beeves both up and down the latter, while I cutmine into a dozen bunches and likewise freed them along the creek. Therange was about ten miles in length along the river, and a camp wasestablished at either end where men would be stationed until the beeveswere located. The commissaries had run low, there was a quiet rivalry asto which outfits should go home, and we all waited with bated breath forthe final word. I had Dorg Seay secretly inform my employer that Ihad given Sanders a horse without his permission, hoping that it mightdisplease him. But the others pointed out the fact that my outfit hadfar the best remuda, and that it would require well-mounted men tolocate and hold that number of cattle through the winter. Old man Donlistened to them all, and the next morning, as all three of us foremenwere outlining certain improvements about the hay ranch with him, heturned to me and said:
"Tom, I hear you gave Sanders a horse. Well, that was all right,although it strikes me you were rather liberal in giving him the pick ofa choice remuda. But it may all come right in the long run, as Bob andI have decided to leave you and your outfit to hold these cattle thiswinter. So divide your men and send half of them down to Quince's camp,and have your cook and wrangler come over to Dave's wagon to bringback provision and the horses, as we'll start for the railroad in themorning. I may not come back, but Bob will, and he'll see that you arewell fixed for the winter before he goes home. After he leaves, I wantyou to write me every chance you have to send a letter to the railroad.Now, I don't want any grumbling out of you or your men; you're adisgrace to the state that raised you if you can't handle cattleanywhere that any other man can."
I felt all along it would fall to me, the youngest of six foremen; andmy own dear brother consigning me to a winter in the North, while hewould bask in the sunshine of our own sunny South! It was hard to face;but I remembered that the fall before it had been my lot to drive athousand saddle horses home to the ranch, and that I had swaggered asa trail foreman afterward as the result. It had always been my luck tohave to earn every little advance or promotion, while others seemed tofall into them without any effort. Bob Quirk never saw the day that hewas half the all-round cowman that I was; yet he was above me and couldadvise, and I had to obey.
On the morning of the 25th of September, 1884, the two outfits startedfor the railroad, leaving the remainder of us in a country, save for thecattle, so desolate that there was no chance even to spend our wages. Icommitted to memory a curtain lecture for my brother, though somehow orother it escaped me and was never delivered. We rode lines between theupper and lower wagons, holding the cattle loosely on a large range. Adelightful fall favored us, and before the first squall of winter cameon, the beeves had contented themselves as though they had been born onthe Little Missouri. Meanwhile Bob's wagon and remuda arrived, the carof corn was hauled to our headquarters, extra stabling was built, andwe settled down like banished exiles. Communication had been opened withFort Buford, and in the latter part of October the four promised menarrived, when Bob Quirk took part of my outfit and went home, leavingme ten men. Parent remained as cook, the new men assimilated easily, afiddle was secured, and in fulfillment of the assertion of Sanders, wepicked up courage. Two grain-fed horses, carefully stabled, were allowedto each man, the remainder of our large number of saddle stock runningfree on the range.
To that long winter on the Little Missouri a relentless memory turns inretrospect. We dressed and lived like Eskimos. The first blizzard struckus early in December, the thermometer dropped sixty degrees in twelvehours, but in the absence of wind and snow the cattle did not leavethe breaks along the river. Three weeks later a second one came, and wecould not catch the lead animals until near the railroad; but the stormdrove them up the Little Missouri, and its sheltering banks helped us tocheck our worst winter drift. After the first month of wintry weather,the dread of the cold passed, and men and horses faced the work asthough it was springtime in our own loved southland. The months rolledby scarcely noticed. During fine weather Sanders and some of his boystwice dropped down for a few days, but we never left camp except to sendletters home.
An early spring favored us. I was able to report less than one per cent.loss on the home range, with the possibility of but few cattle havingescaped us during the winter. The latter part of May we sold fourhundred saddle horses to some men from the upper Yellowstone. Early inJune a wagon was rigged out, extra men employed, and an outfit s
ent twohundred miles up the Little Missouri to attend the round-ups. Theywere gone a month and came in with less than five hundred beeves, whichrepresented our winter drift. Don Lovell reached the ranch during thefirst week in July. One day's ride through the splendid cattle, and oldman Don lost his voice, but the smile refused to come off. Everythingwas coming his way. Field, Radcliff & Co. had sued him, and the juryawarded him one-hundred thousand dollars. His bankers had unlimitedconfidence in his business ability; he had four Indian herds on thetrail and three others of younger steers, intended for the LittleMissouri ranch. Cattle prices in Texas had depreciated nearly one halfsince the spring before--"a good time for every cowman to strain hiscredit and enlarge his holdings," my employer assured me.
Orders were left that I was to begin shipping out the beeves early inAugust. It was the intention to ship them in two and three train-loadlots, and I was expecting to run a double outfit, when a landslide cameour way. The first train-load netted sixty dollars a head at Omaha--butthey were beeves; cods like an ox's heart and waddled as they walked. Wehad just returned from the railroad with the intention of shipping twotrain-loads more, when the quartermaster and Sanders from Fort Bufordrode into the ranch under an escort. The government had lost forty percent. of the Field-Radcliff cattle during the winter just passed, andwere in the market to buy the deficiency. The quartermaster wanted athousand beeves on the first day of September and October each, anddouble that number for the next month. Did we care to sell that amount?A United States marshal, armed with a search-warrant, could not havefound Don Lovell in a month, but they were promptly assured thatour beef steers were for sale. It is easy to show prime cattle. Thequartermaster, Sanders, and myself rode down the river, crossed overand came up beyond our camp, forded back and came down the Beaver, andI knew the sale was made. I priced the beeves, delivered at Buford, atsixty-five dollars a head, and the quartermaster took them.
Then we went to work in earnest. Sanders remained to receive the firstcontingent for Buford, which would leave our range on the 25th of eachmonth. A single round-up and we had the beeves in hand. The next morningafter Splann left for the mouth of the Yellowstone, I started southfor the railroad with two train-loads of picked cattle. Professionalshippers took them off our hands at the station, accompanied them enroute to market, and the commission house in Omaha knew where to remitthe proceeds. The beef shipping season was on with a vengeance. Oursaddle stock had improved with a winter in the North, until one wasequal to two Southern or trail horses. Old man Don had come on in themean time, and was so pleased with my sale to the army post that hereturned to Little Missouri Station at once and bought two herds ofthree-year-olds at Ogalalla by wire. This made sixteen thousand steercattle en route from the latter point for Lovell's new ranch in Dakota.
"Tom," said old man Don, enthusiastically, "this is the making of a finecattle ranch, and we want to get in on the flood-tide. There is alwaysa natural wealth in a new country, and the goldmines of this one are inits grass. The instinct that taught the buffalo to choose this as theirsummer and winter range was unerring, and they found a grass at handthat would sustain them in any and all kinds of weather. This countryto-day is just what Texas was thirty years ago. All the early settlersat home grew rich without any effort, but once the cream of the virginland is gone, look out for a change. The early cowmen of Texas flatterthemselves on being shrewd and far-seeing--just about as much as I waslast fall, when I would gladly have lost twenty-five thousand dollarsrather than winter these cattle. Now look where I will come out, all dueto the primitive wealth of the land. From sixty to sixty-five dollars ahead beats thirty-seven and a half for our time and trouble."
The first of the through cattle arrived early in September. They avoidedour range for fear of fever, and dropped in about fifteen miles belowour headquarters on the Little Missouri. Dorg Seay was one of the threeforemen, Forrest and Sponsilier being the other two, having followed thesame route as our herds of the year before. But having spent a winterin the North, we showed the through outfits a chilling contempt. I hadribbed up Parent not even to give them a pleasant word about our wagonor headquarters; and particularly if Bob Quirk came through with oneof the purchased herds, he was to be given the marble heart. One outfitloose-herded the new cattle, the other two going home, and about themiddle of the month, my brother and The Rebel came trailing in withthe last two herds. I was delighted to meet my old bunkie, and had himremain over until the last outfit went home, when we reluctantly partedcompany. Not so, however, with Bob Quirk, who haughtily informed me thathe came near slapping my cook for his effrontery. "So you are anotherone of these lousy through outfits that think we ought to make a fussover you, are you?" I retorted. "Just you wait until we do. Every one ofyou except old Paul had the idea that we ought to give you a receptionand ask you to sleep in our beds. I'm glad that Parent had the gumptionto give you a mean look; he'll ride for me next year."
The month of October finished the shipping. There was a magic in thatNorthern climate that wrought wonders in an animal from the South.Little wonder that the buffalo could face the blizzard, in a country ofhis own choosing, and in a climate where the frost king held high revelfive months out of the twelve. There was a tonic like the iron of winein the atmosphere, absorbed alike by man and beast, and its possessorlaughed at the fury of the storm. Our loss of cattle during the firstwinter, traceable to season, was insignificant, while we sold out overtwo hundred head more than the accounts called for, due to the presenceof strays, which went to Buford. And when the last beef was shipped, thefinal delivery concluded to the army, Don Lovell was a quarter-milliondollars to the good, over and above the contract price at which hefailed to deliver the same cattle to the government the fall before.
As foreman of Lovell's beef ranch on the Little Missouri I spent fivebanner years of my life. In '89 the stock, good-will, and range weresold to a cattle syndicate, who installed a superintendent and postedrules for the observance of its employees. I do not care to say why, butin a stranger's hands it never seemed quite the same home to a few of uswho were present when it was transformed into a cattle range. Late thatfall, some half-dozen of us who were from Texas asked to be relieved andreturned to the South. A traveler passing through that country to-daywill hear the section about the mouth of the Beaver called only by thesyndicate name, but old-timers will always lovingly refer to it as theDon Lovell Ranch.
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