When they had rejoined Stubb in the bar-room, Baugh said to Seigerman, “Don’t you think you can give us your answer by Friday next, so your name can be announced in the papers, and an active canvass begun without further loss of time?”

“Shentlemens, I’ll dry do,” said Louie, “but you will not dake a drink mit me once again, aind it?”

“No, thank you, Mr. Seigerman,” replied Stubb.

“He gave me a very fine cigar yesterday; you’ll like them if you try one,” said Baugh to Stubb.  “Let it be a cigar to-day, Mr. Seigerman.”

As Baugh struck a match to light his cigar, he said to Stubb, “I’m coming up to stop with Mr. Seigerman to-morrow.  Why don’t you join us?”

“I vould be wery much bleased to haf you mine guest,” said Louie, every inch the host.

“This is a very home-like looking place,” remarked Stubb.  “I may come up; I’ll come around Sunday and take dinner with you, anyhow.”

“Do, blease,” urged Louie.

There was a great deal to be said, and it required two languages to express it all, but finally the “Dreibund” parted.  The next day Baugh moved into his new quarters, and the day following Stubb was so pleased with his Sunday dinner that he changed at once.

“I’m expecting a man from Kansas City to-morrow,” said Baugh to Louie on Sunday morning, “who will know the sentiment existing in cattle circles in that city.  He’ll be in on the morning train.”

Stubb, in the mean time, had coached Arab as to what he should say.  As Baugh and he had covered the same ground, it was thought best to have Arab Ab the heeler, the man who could deliver the vote to order.

So Monday morning after the train was in, the original trio entered, and Arab was introduced.  The back room was once more used as a council chamber where the “Fierbund” held an important session.

“I didn’t think there was so much interest being taken,” began Arab Ab, “until my attention was called to it yesterday by the president and secretary of our company in Kansas City.  I want to tell you that the cattle interests in that city are aroused.  Why, our secretary showed me the figures from his books; and in the ‘Tin Cup’ brand alone we shipped out three hundred and twelve beeves short, out of twenty-nine hundred and ninety-six bought two years ago.  My employers, Mr. Seigerman, are practical cowmen, and they know that those steers never left the range without help.  Nothing but lead or Texas fever can kill a beef.  We haven’t had a case of fever on our range for years, nor a winter in five years that would kill an old cow.  Why, our president told me if something wasn’t done they would have to abandon this country and go where they could get protection.  His final orders were to do what I could to get an eligible man as a candidate, which, I’m glad to hear from my friends here, we have hopes of doing.  Then when the election comes off, we must drop everything and get every man to claim a residence in this county and vote him here.  I’ll admit that I’m no good as a wire-puller, but when it comes to getting out the voters, there’s where you will find me as solid as a bridge abutment.