Scarcely a day passed but similar experiences were related around the camp-fire.  In fact, as the end of the work came in view, they became commonplace with us.  Finally the two outfits were united at the general hide yard near the home ranch.  Coils of small rope were brought from headquarters, and a detail of men remained in camp, baling the flint hides, while the remainder scoured the immediate country.  A crude press was arranged, and by the aid of a long lever the hides were compressed into convenient space for handling by the freighters.

When we had nearly finished the killing and baling, an unlooked-for incident occurred.  While Deweese was working down near Shepherd’s Ferry, report of our work circulated around the country, and his camp had been frequently visited by cattlemen.  Having nothing to conceal, he had showed his list of outside brands killed, which was perfectly satisfactory in most instances.  As was customary in selling cattle, we expected to make report of every outside hide taken, and settle for them, deducting the necessary expense.  But in every community there are those who oppose prevailing customs, and some who can always see sinister motives.  One forenoon, when the baling was nearly finished, a delegation of men, representing brands of the Frio and San Miguel, rode up to our hide yard.  They were all well-known cowmen, and Uncle Lance, being present, saluted them in his usual hearty manner.  In response to an inquiry—­“what he thought he was doing”—­Uncle Lance jocularly replied:—­

“Well, you see, you fellows allow your old bulls to drift down on my range, expecting Las Palomas to pension them the remainder of their days.  But that’s where you get fooled.  Ten cents a pound for flint hides beats letting these old stagers die of old age.  And this being an idle season with nothing much to do, we wanted to have a little fun.  And we’ve had it.  But laying all jokes aside, fellows, it’s a good idea to get rid of these old varmints.  Hereafter, I’m going to make a killing off every two or three years.  The boys have kept a list of all stray brands killed, and you can look them over and see how many of yours we got.  We have baled all the stray hides separate, so they can be looked over.  But it’s nearly noon, and you’d better all ride up to the ranch for dinner—­they feed better up there than we do in camp.”

Rather than make a three-mile ride to the house, the visitors took dinner with the wagon, and about one o’clock Deweese and a vaquero came in, dragging a hide between them.  June cordially greeted the callers, including Henry Annear, who represented the Las Norias ranch, though I suppose it was well known to every one present that there was no love lost between them.  Uncle Lance asked our foreman for his list of outside brands, explaining that these men wished to look them over.  Everything seemed perfectly satisfactory to all parties concerned, and after remaining in camp over an hour, Deweese and the vaquero saddled