the outlet-第43节
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and quietly dragged his mattress outside。 Our bed was soft and downy； but in spite of the lateness of the hour and having been in our saddles at dawn； we tossed about； unable to sleep。 After agreeing that it was the mattress； we took the covering and pillows and lay down on the floor； falling into a deep slumber almost instantly。 〃Well； wouldn't that jar your eccentric；〃 said Dave to me the next morning； speaking of our inability to sleep in a bed。 〃I slept in one in Ogalalla； and I wasn't over…full either。〃
Lovell remained with us all the next day。 He was well known in Miles City； having in other years sold cattle to resident cowmen。 The day was spent in hunting up former acquaintances； getting the lay of the land； and feeling the public pulse on the matter of quarantine on Southern cattle。 The outlook was to our liking； as heavy losses had been sustained from fever the year before； and steps had already been taken to isolate all through animals until frost fell。 Report was abroad that there were already within the jurisdiction of Montana over one hundred and fifty thousand through Texas cattle； with a possibility of one third that number more being added before the close of the season。 That territory had established a quarantine camp on the Wyoming line； forcing all Texas stock to follow down the eastern side of the Powder River。 Fully one hundred miles on the north； a dead…line was drawn from Powderville on that watercourse eastward to a spur of the Powder River Mountains； thus setting aside a quarantine ground ample to accommodate half a million cattle。 Local range…riders kept all the native and wintered Texas cattle to the westward of the river and away from the through ones； which was easily done by riding lines； the Southern herds being held under constant control and hence never straying。 The first Texas herds to arrive naturally traveled north to the dead…line； and； choosing a range； went into camp until frost relieved them。 It was an unwritten law that a herd was entitled to as much grazing land as it needed； and there was a report about Miles City that the quarantine ground was congested with cattle halfway from Powderville to the Wyoming line。
The outlook was encouraging。 Quarantine was working a hardship to herds along the old Powder River route； yet their enforced isolation was like a tempered wind to our cause and cattle； the latter then leisurely grazing across Dakota from the Little Missouri to the mouth of the Yellowstone。 Fortune favored us in many respects。 About Miles City there was no concealment of our mission； resulting in an old acquaintance of Lovell's loaning us horses； while old man Don had no trouble in getting drafts cashed to the amount of two thousand dollars。 What he expected to do with this amount of money was a mystery to Dave and myself； a mystery which instantly cleared when we were in the privacy of our room at the hotel。
〃Here； boys；〃 said old man Don； throwing the roll of money on the bed； 〃divide this wad between you。 There might be such a thing as using a little here and there to sweeten matters up； and making yourselves rattling good fellows wherever you go。 Now in the first place； I want you both to understand that this money is clear velvet； and don't hesitate to spend it freely。 Eat and drink all you can； and gamble a little of it if that is necessary。 You two will saddle up in the morning and ride to Powderville； while I will lie around here a few days and try the market for cattle next year； and then go on to Big Horn on my way to the Crow Agency。 Feel your way carefully； locate the herds of Field； Radcliff & Co。； and throw everything in their way to retard progress。 It is impossible to foretell what may happen； and for that reason only general orders can be given。 And remember； I don't want to see that money again if there is any chance to use it。〃
Powderville was a long day's ride from Miles City。 By making an early start and resting a few hours at noon； we reached that straggling outpost shortly after nightfall。 There was a road…house for the wayfaring man and a corral for his beast； a general store； opposition saloons； and the regulation blacksmith shop； constituting the business interests of Powderville。 As arriving guests； a rough but cordial welcome was extended us by the keeper of the hostelry； and we mingled with the other travelers； but never once mentioning our business。 I was uneasy over the money in our possession； not that I feared robbery； but my mind constantly reverted to it； and it was with difficulty that I refrained from continually feeling to see that it was safe。 Sponsilier had concealed his in his boot； and as we rode along； contended that he could feel the roll chafing his ankle。 I had tied two handkerchiefs together； and rolling my share in one of them； belted the amount between my overshirt and undershirt。 The belt was not noticeable； but in making the ride that day； my hand involuntarily went to my side where the money lay； the action never escaping the notice of Sponsilier； who constantly twitted me over my nervousness。 And although we were tired as dogs after our long ride； I awoke many times that night and felt to see if my money was safe； my partner slept like a log。
Several cowmen； ranching on the lower Powder River； had headquarters at this outpost。 The next morning Sponsilier and I made their acquaintance； and during the course of the day got a clear outline of the situation。 On the west the river was the recognized dead…line to the Wyoming boundary； while two camps of five men each patroled the dividing line on the north； drifting back the native stock and holding the through herds in quarantine。 The nearest camp was some distance east of Powderville； and saddling up towards evening we rode out and spent the night at the first quarantine station。 A wagon and two tents； a relay of saddle horses； and an arsenal of long…range firearms coinposed the outfit。 Three of the five men on duty were Texans。 Making ourselves perfectly at home； we had no trouble in locating the herds in question； they having already sounded the toesin to clear the way； claiming government beef recognized no local quarantine。 The herds were not over thirty miles to the south； and expectation ran high as to results when an attempt should be made to cross the deadline。 Trouble had already occurred； where outfits respecting the quarantine were trespassed upon by three herds； making claim of being under government protection and entitled to the rights of eminent domain。 Fortunately several of the herds on the immediate line had been bought at Ogalalla and were in possession of ranch outfits who owned ranges farther north； and were anxious to see quarantine enforced。 These local cowmen would support the established authority； and trouble was expected。 Sponsilier and I widened the breach by denouncing these intruders as the hirelings of a set of ringsters； who had no regard for the rights of any one； and volunteered our services in enforcing quarantine against them the same as others。
Our services were gratefully accepted。 The next morning we were furnished fresh horses； and one of us was requested； as we were strangers； to ride down the country and reconnoitre the advance of the defiant drovers。 As I was fearful that Field or Radcliff might be accompanying the herds； and recognize me； Sponsilier went instead； returning late that evening。
〃Well； fellows；〃 said Dave； as he dismounted at the quarantine camp； 〃I've seen the herds； and they propose to cross this dead…line of yours as easily as water goes through a gourd funnel。 They'll be here by noon to…morrow； and they've got the big conversation right on tap to show that the government couldn't feed its army if it wasn't for a few big cowmen like them。 There's a strange corporal over the three herds and they're working on five horses to the man。 But the 'major…domo's the whole works； he's a windy cuss； and intimates that he has a card or two up his sleeve that will put these quarantine guards to sleep when he springs them。 He's a new man to me； at least he wasn't with the gang at Ogalalla。〃
During the absence of my partner； I had ridden the dead…line on the north。 A strip of country five miles wide was clear of cattle above the boundary； while below were massed four herds； claiming the range from the mountains to the Powder River。 The leader of the quarantine guards； Fred Ullmer； had accompanied me on the ride； and on our return we visited three of the outfits； urging them to hold all their reserve forces subject to call； in case an attempt was made to force the dead…line。 At each camp I took every possible chance to sow the seeds of dissension and hatred against the highhanded methods of The Western Supply Company。 Defining our situation clearly； I asked each foreman； in case these herds defied local authority； who would indemnify the owners for the loss among native cattle by fever between Powderville and the mouth of the Yellowstone。 Would the drovers？ Would the government？ Leaving these and similar thoughts for their consideration； Ullmer and I had arrived at the first quarantine station shortly before the return of my partner。
Upon the report of Sponsilier； Ullmer was appointed captain； and lost no time in taking
