Judkins comes to tell Jane the white herd is missing. What happened to them? Who was lost? How does this compare to Lassiter's work earlier in the novel with the white herd?

Judkins comes to tell Jane the white herd is missing. He explains that the white herd was spooked and nervous and a stampede started. Judkins and Jane's other riders tried to calm the herd, but they ran off a cliff. It shows that Lassiter's work earlier in the novel, when his calming of the herd was truly an amazing act. Less experienced men tried to do the same and were killed.