The others nodded, plainly having determined to follow Caldwell’s example.  But they kept their eyes lowered, not looking at Lawler, for they felt that this surrender was not relished by him.  Caldwell almost jumped with astonishment when he felt Lawler’s hands on his shoulders; and he looked hard at the other, wondering, vastly relieved when Lawler laughed.

“I reckon I don’t blame you,” said Lawler.  “It’s a mighty blue outlook.  Winter is close, and they’ve got things pretty well blocked.  They figured on the late round-up, I reckon.  Sell to Warden and wind the thing up—­that’s the easiest way.”

Caldwell grasped Lawler’s hand and shook it vigorously.

“I thought you’d show right disappointed over us givin’ in, after what you tried to do, Lawler.  You’re sure a square man.”  He laughed.  “You’ll be the first to sell to Warden, though,” he added, with a faint attempt at humor; “for I seen Blackburn an’ some more of your outfit trailin’ about a thousand head in tonight.  They’ve got them bedded down about a mile from town.  I reckon you’ll be runnin’ them into the company corral in the mornin’.”

“Not a hoof goes into the company corral, Caldwell,” smiled Lawler.

“No?” Caldwell’s amazement bulged his eyes.  “What then?  What you aimin’ to do with them?”

“They’re going to Red Rock, Caldwell,” declared Lawler, quietly.  “The thousand Blackburn drove over, and the seven thousand the other boys are holding at the Circle L. I wouldn’t sell them to Warden if he offered fifty dollars a head.”

It was late when Caldwell and the others rode out of town, heading into the darkness toward their ranches to prepare their herds for the drive to the company corral at Willets.  But before they left, Caldwell visited Warden’s office, in which, all evening, a light had glowed.  Warden’s expression indicated he had expected the cattlemen to surrender.

With shamed face Caldwell carried to Warden the news of the surrender; speaking gruffly to Simmons, whom he found in the office with Warden.

“I reckon there’ll be cars—­now?” he said.

Simmons smiled smoothly.  “Them that contracted for cars last spring will probably get them,” he said.  “I reckon the cause of all this mix-up was that the company wasn’t aimin’ to play no hit-an’-miss game.”

“There’ll be a day comin’ when the cattlemen in this country will jump on you guys with both feet!” threatened Caldwell.  “It’s a mighty rotten deal, an’ you know it!”

“Is Lawler accepting my price, Caldwell?” interrupted Warden, quietly; “I saw a Circle L trail herd headed toward town this evening.”

“Hell!” declared Caldwell; “Lawler ain’t so weak-kneed as the rest of us critters.  He just got through tellin’ me that he wouldn’t sell a hoof to you at fifty!  He’s drivin’ to Red Rock—­eight thousand head!”

When Caldwell went out, breathing fast, Warden smiled broadly at Simmons.