Morris informed me that his employer's suspicions were aroused, and that he had that morning demanded a settlement in full or the immediate release of the herd.They had laughed the matter off as a mere incident that would right itself at the proper time, and flashed as references a list of congressmen, senators, and bankers galore.But Morris's employer had stood firm in his contentions, refusing to be overawed by flattery or empty promises.What would be the result remained to be seen, and the foreman and myself wandered aimlessly around town during the afternoon, meeting other trail bosses, nearly all of whom had heard more or less about the existing trouble.That we had the sympathy of the cattle interests on our side goes without saying, and one of them, known as "the kidgloved foreman," a man in the employ of Shanghai Pierce, invoked the powers above to witness what would happen if he were in Lovell's boots.This was my first meeting with the picturesque trail boss, though I had heard of him often and found him a trifle boastful but not a bad fellow.
He distinguished himself from others of his station on the trail by always wearing white shirts, kid gloves, riding-boots, inlaid spurs, while a heavy silver chain was wound several times round a costly sombrero in lieu of a hatband.We spent an hour or more together, drinking sparingly, and at parting he begged that Iwould assure my employer that he sympathized with him and was at his command.
The afternoon was waning when I hunted up my outfit and started them for camp.With one or two exceptions, the boys were broke and perfectly willing to go.Morris and I joined them at the livery where they had left their horses, and together we started out of town.Ordering the in to ride on to camp, and saying that I expected to return by way of Bob Quirk's wagon, Morris and myself stopped at the court-house.Sheriff Phillips was in his office and recognized us both at a glance."Well, she's working,"said he, "and I'll probably have some word for you late this evening.Yes, one of the local attorneys for your friends came in and we figured everything up.He thought that if this office would throw off a certain per cent.of its expense, and Reed would knock off the interest, his clients would consent to a settlement.I told him to go right back and tell his people that as long as they thought that way, it would only cost them one hundred and forty dollars every twenty-four hours.The lawyer was back within twenty minutes, bringing a draft, covering every item, and urged me to have it accepted by wire.The bank was closed, but I found the cashier in a poker-game and played his hand while he went over to the depot and sent the message.The operator has orders to send a duplicate of the answer to this office, and the moment I get it, if favorable, I'll send a deputy with the news over to the North Fork.Tell Reed that I think the check's all right this time, but we'll stand pat until we know for a certainty.We'll get an answer by morning sure.''
The message was hailed with delight at Bob Quirk's wagon.On nearing the river, Morris rode by way of the herd to ask the deputies in charge to turn the cattle up the river towards his camp.Several of the foreman's men were waiting at my brother's wagon, and on Morris's return he ordered his outfit to meet the beeves the next morning and be in readiness to receive them back.
Our foremen were lying around temporary headquarters, and as we were starting for our respective camps for the night, Lovell suggested that we hold our outfits all ready to move out with the herds on an hour's notice.Accordingly the next morning, Irefused every one leave of absence, and gave special orders to the cook and horse-wrangler to have things in hand to start on an emergency order.Jim Flood had agreed to wait for me, and we would recross the river together and hear the report from the sheriff's office.Forrest and Sponsilier rode up about the same time we arrived at his wagon, and all four of us set out for headquarters across the North Fork.The sun was several hours high when we reached the wagon, and learned that an officer had arrived during the night with a favorable answer, that the cattle had been turned over to Morris without a count, and that the deputies had started for town at daybreak.
