第92章 A SOLDIER'S HONOR(2)

And while he knows the danger of delay, he consented as readily as any of us would if asked for a cigarette-paper.He may come out all right, but he's just about white enough to get the worst of it.I've read these Sundayschool stories, where the good little boy always came out on top, but in real life, especially in cattle, it's quite different."My brother's words had a magical effect.Sponsilier asked for suggestions, when Bob urged that every man available go into the post and accompany the inspection party that afternoon.Since Forrest and himself were unknown, they would take about three of the boys with them, cross the Missouri, ride through and sum up the opposition cattle.Forrest approved of the idea, and ordered his cook to bestir himself in getting up an early dinner.

Meanwhile a number of my boys had ridden down to Forrest's wagon, and I immediately dispatched Clay Zilligan back to my cattle to relieve Vick Wolf and inform the day-herders that we might not return before dark.Wolf was the coolest man in my employ, had figured in several shooting scrapes, and as he was a splendid shot, I wanted to send him with Forrest and my brother.If identified as belonging to Lovell's outfits, there was a possibility that insult might be offered the boys; and knowing that it mattered not what the odds were, it would be resented, Ithought it advisable to send a man who had smelt powder at short range.I felt no special uneasiness about my brother, in fact he was the logical man to go, but a little precaution would do no harm, and I saw to it that Sponsilier sent a good representative.

About one o'clock we started, thirty strong.Riding down the Yellowstone, the three detailed men, Quince Forrest, and my brother soon bore off to the left and we lost sight of them.

Continuing on down the river, we forded the Missouri at the regular wagon-crossing, and within an hour after leaving Forrest's camp cantered into Fort Buford.Sanders and his outfit were waiting in front of the quartermaster's office, the hour for starting having been changed from two to three, which afforded ample time to visit the sutler's bar.Our arrival was noticed about the barracks, and evidently some complaint had been made, as old man Don joined us in time for the first round, after which he called Dave and me aside.In reply to his inquiry regarding our presence, Sponsilier informed him that we had come in to afford him an escort, in case he wished to attend the inspection of the opposition herds; that if there was any bulldozing going on he needn't stand behind the door.Dave informed him that Bob and Quince and three of the other boys would meet us at the cattle, and that he need feel no hesitancy in going if it was his wish.It was quite evident that Mr.Lovell was despondent, but he took courage and announced his willingness to go along.

"It was my intention not to go," said he, "though Mr.Aspgrain and Sutton both urged that I should.But now since you boys all feel the same way, I believe I'll go.Heaven and earth are being moved to have the other cattle accepted, but there are a couple of old war-horses at the head of this post that will fight them to the last ditch, and then some.I'm satisfied that my beeves, in any market in the West, are worth ten dollars a head more than the other ones, yet there is an effort being made to turn us down.Our claims rest on two points,--superiority of the beef tendered, and the legal impossibility of a transfer from themselves, a corporation, to themselves as individuals.If there is no outside interference, I think we will make the delivery before noon to-morrow.Now, I'll get horses for both Mr.Sutton and Senator Aspgrain, and you see that none of the boys drink too much.Sanders and his outfit are all right, and I want you lads to remind me to remember him before we leave this post.Now, we'll all go in a little party by ourselves, and I don't want a word out of a man, unless we are asked for an opinion from the officers, as our cattle must argue our cause."A second drink, a cigar all round, and we were ready to start.As we returned to our mounts, a bustle of activity pervaded the post.Orderlies were leading forth the best horses, officers were appearing in riding-boots and gauntlets, while two conveyances from a livery in town stood waiting to convey the contractors and their legal representatives.Our employer and his counsel were on hand, awaiting the start, when the quartermaster and his outfit led off.There was some delay among the officers over the change of a horse, which had shown lameness, while the ringsters were all seated and waiting in their vehicles.Since none of us knew the trail to Alkali Lake, some one suggested that we follow up the quartermaster and allow the military and conveyances to go by the wagon-road.But Lovell objected, and ordered me forward to notice the trail and course, as the latter was a cut-off and much nearer than by road.I rode leisurely past the two vehicles, carefully scanning every face, when Mr.Field recognized and attempted to halt me, but I answered him with a contemptuous look and rode on.Instantly from the rigs came cries of "Stop that man!" "Halt that cowboy!" etc., when an orderly stepped in front of my horse and I reined in.But the shouting and my detention were seen and heard, and the next instant, led by Mike Sutton, our men dashed up, scaring the teams, overturning both of the conveyances, and spilling their occupants on the dusty ground.Iadmit that we were a hard-looking lot of cow-hands, our employer's grievance was our own, and just for an instant there was a blue, sulphuric tinge in the atmosphere as we accented our protest.The congressman scrambled to his feet, sputtering a complaint to the post commander, and when order was finally restored, the latter coolly said:

"Well, Mr.Y-----, when did you assume command at Fort Buford?