Brown’s train comprised twenty teams, and the other twenty-six.  His train happened to be in the lead that day, and as they neared the bridge, Brown rode back to the other wagon-master and said:—­

“B-B-Billy, wh-what are you g-g-going to do about p-p-paying t-t-toll on this b-b-bridge?”

He answered that if the fellow had a charter, he would be compelled to pay; otherwise he would not, as probably the charges were exorbitant.  Brown argued they might have some trouble with the ranchman if pay was refused, as they generally had a pretty tough crowd around them who were ready for any kind of a skirmish.

His friend called attention to the fact that together they had fifty-five men, well armed on account of probable Indian troubles.  They were all good fighters, and they would ask for no greater fun than cleaning out the ranch, if it was discovered that the proprietor had no charter.

Brown returned to the bridge, where the ranchman stood preparing to collect his toll, which was five dollars a team in advance.  This would require one hundred dollars from Brown and a hundred and thirty from the other train.  Brown refused point blank to pay the bill, and the ranchman asked him upon what grounds.

Brown’s reply was:—­

“Y-Y-You h-h-haint g-g-got no ch-ch-charter.”  The ranchman answered him that he had, and if he would go back to the ranch with him, he would show it.  The ranch was only a few hundred yards away.

Brown accompanied him, and in a short time returned to the train.  His friend asked him if the charter was all right, to which Brown replied in the affirmative, saying that he had settled for his outfit, and that his friend had better do the same, which he accordingly did.

After crossing the bridge, the other wagon-master noticed that Brown was very much amused about something, occasionally indulging in loud bursts of laughter.  His friend inquired the cause of his mirth, but he refused to tell.

When they arrived at the camping-ground that evening, and after corralling the trains and placing out the proper guards, Brown invited his friend to take supper with him.  While eating he was asked what had so amused him during the afternoon.  He said that when he went up to the ranch to see the bridge charter, he rode to the door, sat on his mule, and asked the ranchman to trot out his charter and be d—­d quick about it.

The man went into a black room and pretty soon returned, shouting:—­

“You stuttering thief, here it is!  What do you think about it?”

Brown looked up and found that he was peering into the muzzle of a double-barrelled gun, probably loaded with buck-shot.  The ranchman was pointing it directly at his head, with both triggers cocked.  Brown saw he was in earnest, and asked if that was the charter.  The ranchman replied that it was.

His friend then asked, “What did you do, Brown?”