“Where’s your herd?” inquired Joel.

“He hasn’t any,” interrupted Forrest; “he’s working for me.  About this time to-morrow evening, I’ll split this ranch wide open with two herds, each of thirty-five hundred two-year-old steers.  I’m coming with some style this time.  You simply can’t keep a good man down.”

“There were two herds instead of one to go to the old man’s beef ranch,” explained Priest.  “We brought along a couple extra men and came through a day ahead.  We can’t halt our cattle, but we can have the chute and corrals nearly ready when the herds arrive.  All we’ll lack is the hardware, and the wagons will reach here early during the afternoon.”

The homestead presented a busy scene for the remainder of the day.  Every old tool on the ranch was brought into service, and by twilight the outlines of the branding chute had taken form.  The stable corral was built out of heavy poles and posts, with a capacity of holding near one hundred cattle, and by a very slight alteration it could be enlarged, with branding conveniences added.

At this point it was deemed advisable to enlighten the boys regarding the title of stray cattle.  Forrest and Priest had talked the matter over between themselves, and had decided that the simple truth concerning the facts was the only course to adopt.  The older of the two men, by the consent of years, was delegated to instruct the lads, and when the question of brands to be adopted by the new ranch was under consideration, the chance presented itself.

“In starting this ranch,” said the gray-haired foreman to the boys, as they all sat before the tent in the twilight, “we’ll have to use two brands.  Cattle are conveyed from one owner to another by bill-of-sale.  In a big pastoral exodus like the present, it is simply impossible to keep strays out of moving herds.  They come in at night, steal in while a herd is passing through thickets, while it is watering, and they may not be noticed for a month.  Under all range customs, strays are recognized as flotsam.  Title is impossible, and the best claim is due to the range that gives them sustenance.  It has always been customary to brand the increase of strays to the range on which they are found, and that will entitle you to all calves born of stray mothers.”

The brothers were intent listeners, and the man continued:  “For fear of winter drifting, and that they may be identified, we will run all these strays into Two Bars on the left hip, which will be known as the ‘Hospital’ brand.  For the present, that will give us an asylum for that branch of flotsam gathered, and as trustees and owners of the range, all increase will fall to Wells Brothers.  However, in accepting this deputyship, you do so with the understanding that the brand is merely a tally-mark, and that in no way does it deprive the owner of coming forward to prove and take possession of his property.  This method affords a refuge to all strays in your possession, and absolves you from any evil intent.  All other cattle coming under your control, with the knowledge and consent of the owner or his agent, are yours in fee simple, and we will run them into any brand you wish to adopt.”