“About how many have you now, and how do they run?”

“They’re a hit-and-miss lot, like strays always are.  Run from a good cow down to yearlings.  There ought to be about twenty-five head, and I’ll cut you out five or six cripples.  They could never make it through, nohow.”

“Any calves among the strays?”

“Two or three.”

“Good enough.  Give each of the boys a cow and calf, and the others to me.  We’ll let on that I’ve bought them.”

That no time might be lost in friendly chat, a late dinner was eaten in the tent.  Straw would have to meet his herd at the trail crossing that afternoon, which would afford an opportunity to cut out all strays and cripples.  One of the boys would return with him, for the expected cow, and when volunteers were called for, Dell hesitated in offering his services.  “I’ll excuse you,” said Straw to Joel, who had jumped at the chance.  “I’m a little weak on this red-headed boy, and when a cow hand picks on me for his side partner, the choice holds until further orders.  Bring in the horses off picket, son, and we’ll be riding.”

The latter order was addressed to Dell.  No sooner had the boy departed than Straw turned to Joel.  “I’ve fallen head over ears in love with the idea of this trail hospital.  Just where it ought to be; just about midway between Dodge and Ogalalla.  Of course I’m hog wild to get in on it.  I might get a man hurt any day, might get sick myself, and I want to be a stockholder in this hospital of yours.  What’s your favorite color in cows?”

Joel’s caution caused him to hesitate.  “If you have one, send me a milk-white cow with a black face” instantly said Forrest.  “White cows are rich in cream, and I’m getting peevish, having to drink black coffee.”

“A white cow for you,” said Straw, nodding to Forrest, “and what color for you?” But Joel, although half convinced, made no answer.

“Send him a red one,” authorized Forrest; “red steers bring a dollar a head more than mongrel colors.”

“A red cow and calf for Joel, a white one for milk, and Dell can pick his own,” said Straw, murmuring a memorandum.  “Now, that little passel of cripples, and odds and ends,” again nodding to Forrest, “that I’m sawing off on you, I’ll bring them up with the cows.  Yes, I’m coming back and stay all night.”

Joel lost all doubts on the moment.  The trail boss was coming back, was going to bring each one a cow.  There was no question but that this stranger had the cattle in his possession; surely he would not trifle with his own people, with an unfortunate, wounded man.  All this seemed so in keeping with the partial outline of Priest, the old gray-haired foreman, that the boy’s caution gave place to firm belief.  If generous princes ever walked the earth, it was just possible that liberal ones in the rough were still riding it in disguise.

Joel hastened to his brother with the news.  “It’s all right,” said he, throwing the saddle on Straw’s horse.  “You go right along with this strange foreman.  He gave Mr. Quince a milk cow, a white one, and you’re to pick one for yourself.  If I were going in your place, I’d pick a red one; red cattle are worth a dollar a head more than any other color.”