into the pending trouble between the cattlemen and the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians.  Reports were anything but encouraging; the well-known obstinacy of the President was admitted; it was also known that he possessed a rugged courage in pursuance of an object or purpose.  Those who were not in political sympathy with the party in power characterized the President as an opinionated executive, and could see little or no hope in a personal appeal.

However, the matter was not to be dropped.  The arrival of a deputation of cattlemen from the West was reported by the press, their purposes fully, set forth, and in the interim of waiting for an appointment, all of us made hay with due diligence.  Major Hunter and I had a passing acquaintance at both the War and Interior departments, and taking along senators and representatives in political sympathy with the heads of those offices, we called and paid our respects.  A number of old acquaintances were met, hold-overs from the former regime, and a cordial reception was accorded us.  Now that the boom in cattle was over, we expressed a desire to resume our former business relations as contractors with the government.  At both departments, the existent trouble on the Indian reservations was well known, and a friendly inquiry resulted, which gave us an opportunity to explain our position fully.  There was a hopeful awakening to the fact that there had been a conspiracy to remove us, and the most friendly advances of assistance were proffered in setting the matter right.  Public opinion is a strong factor, and with the press of the capital airing our grievances daily, sympathy and encouragement were simply showered down upon us.

Finally an audience with the President was granted.  The Western delegation was increased by senators and representatives until the committee numbered an even dozen.  Many of the latter were personal friends and ardent supporters of the chief executive.  The rangemen were introduced, and we proceeded at once to the matter at issue.  A congressman from New York stated the situation clearly, not mincing his words in condemning the means and procedure by which this order was secured, and finally asking for its revocation, or a modification that would permit the evacuation of the country without injury to the owners and their herds.  Major Hunter, in replying to a question of the President, stated our position:  that we were in no sense intruders, that we paid our rental in advance, with the knowledge and sanction of the two preceding Secretaries of the Interior, and only for lack of precedent was their indorsement of our leases withheld.  It soon became evident that countermanding the order was out of the question, as to vacillate or waver in a purpose, right or wrong, was not a characteristic of the chief executive.  Our next move was for a modification of the order, as its terms required us to evacuate that fall, and every cowman present accented the fact that to move