The blessing of sunshine and shower rested on the new ranch.  The beaver ponds filled, the spill-ways of every tank ran like a mill race, and the question of water for the summer was answered.  The cattle early showed the benefits of the favorable winter, and by June the brands were readable at a glance.  From time to time reports from the outside world reached the brothers, and among other friendly letters received was an occasional inquiry from the commission firm, the factors named under the existing contract.  The house kept in touch with the range, was fully aware of the open winter, and could easily anticipate its effects in maturing cattle for early shipment.

The solicitors of the firm, graduates of the range, were sent out a month in advance of other years.  Wells Brothers were advised of a promised visit by one of the traveling agents of the commission house, and during the first week in July he arrived at headquarters.  He was a practical man, with little concern for comfort, as long as there were cattle to look over.  Joel took him in tow, mounted him on the pick of saddle horses, and the two leisurely rode the range.

“What does he say?” inquired Dell, after a day’s ride.

“Not a word,” answered Joel.  “He can’t talk any more than I can.  Put in all day just looking and thinking.  He must like cattle that range wide, for we rode around every outside bunch.  He can talk, because he admitted we have good horses.”

Again the lesson that contact teaches was accented anew.  At parting the following morning, in summing up the outlook, the solicitor surprised the brothers.  “The situation is clear,” said he quietly.  “You must ship early.  Your double-wintered beeves will reach their prime this month.  You may ship them any day after the 25th.  Your single-wintered ones can follow in three weeks.  The firm may be able to advise you when to ship.  It’s only a fourteen-hour run to the yards, and if you work a beef-shipping outfit that’s up to date, you can pick your day to reach the market.  Get your outfit together, keep in touch with the house by wire, and market your beef in advance of the glut from the Platte country.”

The solicitor lifted the lines over a livery team.  “One moment,” said Joel.  “Advise Mr. Stoddard that we rely on him to furnish us two men during the beef-shipping season.”

“Anything else?” inquired the man, a memorandum-book in hand.

“Where are the nearest ranches to ours?”

“On the Republican, both above and below the old trail crossing.  There may be extra men over on the river,” said the solicitor, fully anticipating the query.

“That’s all,” said Joel, extending his hand.

The stranger drove away.  The brothers exchanged a puzzled glance, but Sargent smiled.  “That old boy sabes cows some little,” said the latter.  “The chances are that he’s forgotten more about cattle than some of these government experts ever knew.  Anyway, he reads the sign without much effort.  His survey of this range and the outlook are worth listening to.  Better look up an outfit of men.”