over five months on the trail; after the first month, tender-footed cattle began to appear from time to time in the herd, as stony or gravelly portions of the trail were encountered,—­the number so affected at any one time varying from ten to forty head.  Frequently well-known lead cattle became tender in their feet and would drop back to the rear, and on striking soft or sandy footing recover and resume their position in the lead; that since starting, it was safe to say, fully ten per cent of the entire herd had been so affected, yet we had not lost a single head from this cause; that the general health of the animal was never affected, and that during enforced layovers nearly all so affected recovered.  As there were not over twenty-five sore-footed animals in the herd on our arrival, our explanation was sufficient and the herd was accepted.  There yet remained the counting and classification, but as this would require time, it went over until the following day.  The cows had been contracted for by the head, while the steers went on their estimated weight in dressed beef, the contract calling for a million pounds with a ten per cent leeway over that amount.

I was amongst the first to be interviewed by the Indian agent, and on being excused, I made the acquaintance of one of two priests who were with the party.  He was a rosy-cheeked, well-fed old padre, who informed me that he had been stationed among the Blackfeet for over twenty years, and that he had labored long with the government to assist these Indians.  The cows in our herd, which were to be distributed amongst the Indian families for domestic purposes, were there at his earnest solicitation.  I asked him if these cows would not perish during the long winter—­my recollection was still vivid of the touch of squaw winter we had experienced some two weeks previous.  But he assured me that the winters were dry, if cold, and his people had made some progress in the ways of civilization, and had provided shelter and forage against the wintry weather.  He informed me that previous to his labors amongst the Blackfeet their ponies wintered without loss on the native grasses, though he had since taught them to make hay, and in anticipation of receiving these cows, such families as were entitled to share in the division had amply provided for the animals’ sustenance.

Lovell returned with the party to the agency, and we were to bring up the herd for classification early in the morning.  Flood informed us that a beef pasture had been built that summer for the steers, while the cows would be held under herd by the military, pending their distribution.  We spent our last night with the herd singing songs, until the first guard called the relief, when realizing the lateness of the hour, we burrowed into our blankets.

“I don’t know how you fellows feel about it,” said Quince Forrest, when the first guard were relieved and they had returned to camp, “but I bade those cows good-by on their beds to-night without a regret or a tear.  The novelty of night-herding loses its charm with me when it’s drawn out over five months.  I might be fool enough to make another such trip, but I ’d rather be the Indian and let the other fellow drive the cows to me—­there ’s a heap more comfort in it.”