“This is the back track,” said Quirk, “and we’re expected to crowd three days into one.  I don’t know what the old man wants with you, but I had a wire to pick you up.”

“Mr. Lovell has been urging me to stock our range—­to buy more cattle,” admitted Joel.

“That’s what I thought.  He’s buying right and left.  We’re on our way now to receive cattle.  That’s it; the old man has a bunch of cattle in sight for you.”

“Possibly.  But what’s worrying me is, how am I to buy them—­if it takes any money!” dejectedly admitted the husky boy.

“Is that fretting you?” lightly inquired Quirk.  “Let the old man do the worrying—­that’s his long suit.  You can rest easy that he has everything all figured out.  It might keep you and I guessing, but it’s as clear as mud to that old man.  We’ll make Dodge in four days.”

The ravages of the drouth were disheartening.  A few hours after sunrise, a white haze settled over the dull, dead plain, the heat-waves rolled up to the cavalcade like a burning prairie, sweat and dust crusted over the horses under saddle, without variation of pace or course.  Only three herds were met, feeling their way through the mirages, or loitering along the waters.  Traveling by night was preferable, and timing the route into camps and marches, the cottonwood on the Arkansas River was sighted in advance of the schedule.

The outfit halted on a creek north of town.  Cattle under herd had been sighted by the thousands, and before the camp was made snug, a conveyance drove up and Forrest and Don Lovell alighted.

“Well, Bob, you’re a little ahead of time,” said the latter, amid general greetings, “but I’m glad of it.  I’ve closed trades on enough cattle to make up a herd, and the sellers are hurrying me to receive them.  Pick up a full outfit of men to-night, and we’ll receive to-morrow afternoon.  Quince took the train at Cheyenne, but his outfit ought to reach here in a day or so.  I’ve laid my tape on this market, and have all the cattle in sight that I want.  Several deals are pending, awaiting the arrival of this boy.  Come to town to-night.  I’ll take Joel under my wing right now.”

Three horses were caught, Joel riding one and leading two, and the vehicle started.  It was still early in the afternoon, and following down the creek, within an hour the party reached a trail wagon encamped.  A number of men were about, including a foreman; and at the request of Mr. Lovell to look over their cattle and horses again the camp took on an air of activity.  A small remuda was corralled within ropes, running from choice to common horses, all of which were looked over carefully by the trio, including the wagon team.  A number of horses were under saddle, and led by the foreman, a quartette of men started in advance to bunch the herd.