The herder began a voluble discourse of mingled protestations and exposition.  California John cut him short.

“I know my instructions as well as you do,” said he.  “They tell me to put sheep and herders off the Reserve without using unnecessary force; but there ain’t nothing said about putting them off in the same place!”

Ross Fletcher rocked with joy in his saddle.

“So that’s what you had up your sleeve!” he fairly shouted.  “Why, it’s as simple as a b’ar trap!”

California John pointed his gnarled forefinger at the herder.

“Call your dogs!” he commanded sharply.  “Call them in, and tie them!  The first dog loose in camp will be shot.  If you care for your dogs, tie them up.  Now drop your gun on the ground.  Tom, you take their shootin’-irons.”  He produced from his saddle bags several new pairs of hand-cuffs, which he surveyed with satisfaction, “This is business,” said he; “I bought these on my own hook.  You bet I don’t mean to have to shoot any of you fellows in the back; and I ain’t going to sit up nights either.  Snap ’em on, Charley.  Now, Ross, you and Tom run those sheep over the line, and then follow us up.”

As the full meaning of the situation broke on the Frenchman’s mind, he went frantic.  By the time he and his herders should be released, the whole eighty-mile width of the Sierras would lie between him and his flocks.  He would have to await his chance to slip by the rangers.  In the three weeks or more that must elapse before he could get back, the flocks would inevitably be about destroyed.  For it is a striking fact, and one on which California John had built his plan, that sheep left to their own devices soon perish.  They scatter.  The coyotes, bears and cougars gather to the feast.  It would be most probable that the sheep-hating cattlemen of Inyo would enjoy mutton chops.

California John collected his scattered forces, delegated two men to eject the captives; and went after more sheep.  He separated thus three flocks from their herders.  After that the sheep question was settled; government feed was too expensive.

“That’s off’n our minds,” said he.  “Now we’ll tackle the next job.”

He went at it in his slow, painstaking way, and accomplished it.  Never, if he could help it, did he depend on the mails when the case was within riding distance.  He preferred to argue the matter out, face to face.

“The Government prefers friends,” he told everybody, and then took his stand, in all good feeling, according as the other man proved reasonable.  Some of the regulations were galling to the mountain traditions.  He did not attempt to explain or defend them, but simply stated their provisions.

“Now, I’m swore in to see that these are carried out,” said he, “always, and if you ain’t going to toe the mark, why, you see, it puts me in one hell of a hole, don’t it?  I ain’t liking to be put in the position of fighting all my old neighbours, and I sure can’t lie down on my job.  It don’t really mean much to you, now does it, Link? and it helps me out a lot.”