"Ask me again," said the puncher. "Listen!"
From the vicinity of the wagon came the gurgle of water and then a
distinctly canine sneeze.
"Dinged if he ain't fussin' with that dog again!" grumbled Shoop. "The
dam' fool!" Which, as it is the spirit which giveth life to the
letter, was not altogether uncomplimentary.
CHAPTER XII
A GIFT
Warned by John Corliss of Loring's evident intent to graze his sheep on
the west side of the Concho River, the cattle-men held a quiet meeting
at the ranch of the Concho and voted unanimously to round up a month
earlier than usual. The market was at a fair level. Beef was in
demand. Moreover, the round-up would, by the mere physical presence of
the riders and the cattle, check for the time being any such move as
Loring contemplated, as the camps would be at the ford. Meanwhile the
cattle-men again petitioned the Ranger at Antelope to stir up the
service at Washington in regard to grazing allotments.
The round-up began. The Concho outfit moved camp to the ford and
Sundown had his first introduction to real work. From morning till
night and far into the night the fires were going.
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