“There was nothing else worth mentioning until we struck the Cimarron back here, where we overtook a herd of Chisholm’s that had come in from the east.  They had crossed through the Arbuckle Mountains—­came in over the old Whiskey Trail.  Here was another herd waterbound, and the boss-man was as important as a hen with one chicken.  He told me that the river wouldn’t be fordable for a week; wanted me to fall back at least five miles; wanted all this river bottom for his cattle; said he didn’t need any help to cross his herd, though he thanked me for the offer with an air of contempt.  I informed him that our cattle were sold for delivery on the North Platte, and that we wanted to go through on time.  I assured him if he would drop his cattle a mile down the river, it would give us plenty of room.  I told him plainly that our cattle, horses, and men could all swim, and that we never let a little thing like swimming water stop us.

“No!  No! he couldn’t do that; we might as well fall back and take our turn.  ‘Oh, well,’ said I, ’if you want to act contrary about it, I’ll go up to the King-Fisher crossing, only three miles above here.  I’ve almost got time to cross yet this evening.’

“Then he wilted and inquired, ’Do you think I can cross if it swims them any?’

“‘I’m not doing your thinking, sir,’ I answered, ’but I’ll bring up eight or nine good men and help you rather than make a six-mile elbow.’  I said this with some spirit and gave him a mean look.

“‘All right,’ said he, ’bring up your boys, say eight o’clock, and we will try the ford.  Let me add right here,’ he continued, ’and I’m a stranger to you, young man, but my outfit don’t take anybody’s slack, and as I am older than you, let me give you this little bit of advice:  when you bring your men here in the morning, don’t let them whirl too big a loop, or drag their ropes looking for trouble, for I’ve got fellows with me that don’t turn out of the trail for anybody.’

“‘All right, sir,’ I said.  ’Really, I’m glad to hear that you have some good men, still I’m pained to find them on the wrong side of the river for travelers.  But I’ll be here in the morning,’ I called back as I rode away.  So telling my boys that we were likely to have some fun in the morning, and what to expect, I gave it no further attention.  When we were catching up our horses next morning for the day, I ordered two of my lads on herd, which was a surprise to them, as they were both handy with a gun.  I explained it to them all,—­that we wished to avoid trouble, but if it came up unavoidable, to overlook no bets—­to copper every play as it fell.