When the cattle had rested, without waiting for full day Howard was forced to start them on and to make a wide swerve out of his intended direction to come soon to feed and water.  Otherwise the drive would become a tremendous misfortune and loss.  His cattle would lose weight rapidly under privation; they would when delivered in San Juan only vaguely resemble the choice herd he had promised; scrawny and jaded, under weight and wretched, their price would drop from the top to the bottom of the scale.  He would make for the San Doran place; Doran, though no friend, would at least sell him hay; the figure would be high, since Doran, no man better, knew when the other man was down and in a ditch.  But water and food must be had.

Howard, toward noon, rode ahead to Doran’s house.  Doran was out in front of his barn, breaking a team of colts, working one at the time with a steady old mare, and in a hot and unpleasant mood.  He saw Howard and behind him the dust-clouds of an advancing herd.

‘Got any hay?’ demanded Howard.

‘Two barns full,’ said Doran.

’Sell me enough to take care of my cows?  Sunderberg’s pastures were burned out; I’m up against it for feed.’

‘Can’t,’ said Doran.  ‘Guess I’m sold out already for all I can let go.’

Howard wondered who was buying up hay at this time and by the big barnful.

‘A fellow came by here yesterday,’ explained Doran, and took an option on my whole lot.’  His shrewd eyes gleamed.  ’And at my own figure, too!  Which was four dollars the ton higher’n the market!  That’s going a few, ain’t it?’

‘Who was the man?’ asked Howard.

‘Fellow named Devine.  Know him?’

Howard pondered swiftly.  Then he demanded:  ’Just an option?  Mind saying how much cash you got, Doran?’

’Why, no.  He said he was short of cash, but he slipped me twenty bucks to tie the option.  I’m expecting him back to-morrow or next day to close the deal.’

Howard sought swiftly to explain what Devine’s play was; it was his suspicion that the twenty dollars would be forfeited and that Doran’s hay would remain in his barns a thousand years if he waited for Devine to come back for it.  But Doran, though he seemed to reflect, was stubborn.  He hadn’t a bale to sell, and that was all there was of it.  He even grinned behind Howard’s departing back.

The drive continued.  Slowly the panting brutes were urged on; at every water-hole and every trail-side pasture they were rested.  In the afternoon Howard found a rancher who could spare half a dozen bales of hay; they were promptly purchased, opened and thrown to the herd; to disappear instantly.  That night camp was made on the upper courses of the Morales Creek.  It was less than satisfactory; it was better than nothing.

Thus the journey into San Juan required twice the time Howard had counted upon.  And when at last he and his men urged his lagging cattle to the fringes of the village, he knew that the herd was in no condition for an immediate delivery.  He rode ahead and saw Engle at the bank; from Engle he rented the best pasture to be had at hand and bought hay; then, impatient at the enforced delay, he pitched camp and strove in a week to bring back his stock to something of its former condition.