“But suppose no one ever calls for these stray cows?” said Joel, meditating.

“Then let them live out their days in peace,” advised Forrest.  “The weeds grow rankly wherever a cow dies, and that was the way their ancestors went.  One generation exempts you.”

The discovery of wolves in that immediate vicinity was not mentioned until the following morning.  The forces were divided between the tasks, and as Priest and Joel rode up the valley to the site of the new corral, the disclosure was made known.

“Wolves?  Why, certainly,” said Priest, answering his own query.  “Wolves act as a barometer in forecasting the coming of storms.  Their activity or presence will warn you of the approach of blizzards, and you want to take the hint and keep your weather eye open.  When other food becomes scarce, they run in packs and will kill cattle.  You are perfectly safe, as yours will be either under herd or in a corral.  Wolves always single out an animal to attack; they wouldn’t dare enter an inclosure.  Taken advantage of in their hunger, they can be easily poisoned.  A wolf dearly loves kidney suet or fresh tallow, and by mixing strychnine with either, they can be lured to their own destruction.”

The post-holes were dug extra deep for the corral.  The work was completed before noon, the gate being the only feature of interest.  It was made double, fifty feet wide, and fastened in the centre to a strong post.  The gate proper was made of wire, webbed together with stays, admitting of a pliability which served a double purpose.  By sinking an extra post opposite each of the main ones, the flexibility of the gate also admitted of making a perfect wing, aiding in the entrance or exit of a herd.  In fastening the gate in the centre short ropes were used, and the wire web drawn taut to the tension of a pliable fence.  “You boys will find this short wing, when penning a herd, equal to an extra man,” assured the old foreman.

The first round-up on the new ranch took place that afternoon.  Forrest took the extra men and boys, and riding to the extreme upper limits of the range, threw out the drag-net of horsemen and turned homeward.  The cattle ranged within a mile or two on either side of the creek, and by slowly closing in and drifting down the Beaver, the nucleus of the ranch was brought into a compact herd.  There was no hurry, as ample time must be allowed for the arrival of the wagons and stretching of the wire, in finishing and making ready the upper corral for its first reception of cattle.  There was a better reason for delay, which was held in reserve, as a surprise for the boys.