the outlet-第45节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
d place to camp on the head of Wolf Creek。 It will probably be a matter of ten to fifteen days before the quarantine is lifted； and we are enforcing it against citizens of Montana and Texas alike； and no exception can be made in your case。〃
〃But； my dear sir； this is not a local or personal matter。 Whatever you do； don't invite the frown of the government。 Let me warn you not to act in haste。 Now； remember〃
〃You made your cracks that you would cross this quarantine line；〃 interrupted Ullmer； bristlingly； 〃and I want you to find out your mistake。 There is no occasion for further words； and you can either order your outfit to turn your cattle east； or I'll send men and do it myself。〃
The 〃major…domo〃 turned and galloped back to his men； a number of whom had congregated near at hand。 The next moment he returned and haughtily threatened to surrender the cattle then and there unless he was allowed to proceed。 〃Give him a receipt for his beeves； Fred；〃 quietly remarked an old cowman； gently stroking his beard； 〃and I'll take these boys over here on the right and start the cattle。 That will be the safest way； unless the gentleman can indemnify us。 I lost ten thousand dollars' worth of stock last fall； and as a citizen of Montana I have objections to leaving a trail of fever from here to the mouth of the Yellowstone。 And tell him he can have a bond for his cattle；〃 called back the old man as he rode out of hearing。
The lead herd was pointed to the east； and squads of men rode down and met the other two； veering them off on an angle to the right。 Meanwhile the superintendent raved； pleaded； and threatened without avail； but finally yielded and refused the receipt。 and dispossession of his cattle。 This was just what the quarantine captain wanted； and the dove of peace began to shake its plumage。 Within an hour all three of the herds were moving out for the head of Wolf Creek； accompanied only by the quarantine guards； the remainder of the posse returning to their homes or their work。 Having ample time on our hands； Sponsilier and I expected to remain at Station No。 1 until after the 10th of September； and accordingly made ourselves at home at that camp。 To say that we were elated over the situation puts it mildly； and that night the two of us lost nearly a hundred dollars playing poker with the quarantine guards。 A strict vigilance was maintained over the herds in question； but all reports were unanimous that they were contentedly occupying their allotted range。
But at noon on the third day of the enforced isolation； a messenger from Powderville arrived at the first station。 A troop of cavalry from Fort Keogh； accompanied by a pack…train； had crossed the Powder River below the hamlet； their avowed mission being to afford an escort for certain government beef； then under detention by the local authorities。 The report fell among us like a flash of lightning。 Ample time had elapsed for a messenger to ride to the Yellowstone； and； returning with troops； pilot them to the camps of Field； Radcliff & Co。 A consultation was immediately held； but no definite line of action had been arrived at when a horseman from one of the lower camps dashed up and informed us that the three herds were already trailing out for the dead…line； under an escort of cavalry。 Saddling up； we rallied what few men were available； determined to make a protest； at least； in the interest of humanity to dumb brutes。 We dispatched couriers to the nearest camps and the outer quarantine station； but before a posse of twenty men arrived； the lead herd was within a mile of the dead…line； and we rode out。 and met them。 Fully eighty troopers； half of which rode in column formation in front； halted us as we approached。 Terse and to the point were the questions and answers exchanged between the military arm of the government and the quarantine authorities of Montana。 When the question arose of indemnity to citizens； in case of death to native cattle； a humane chord was touched in the young lieutenant in command； resulting in his asking several questions； to which the 〃major…domo〃 protested。 Once satisfied of the justice of quarantine； the officer； in defense of his action； said：
〃Gentlemen； I am under instructions to give these herds； intended for use at Fort Buford； a three days' escort beyond this quarantine line。 I am very much obliged to you all for making so clear the necessity of isolating herds of Texas cattle； and that little or no hardship may attend my orders； you may have until noon to…morrow to drift all native stock west of the Powder River。 When these herds encamp for the night； they will receive instructions not to move forward before twelve to…morrow。 I find the situation quite different from reports； nevertheless orders are orders。〃
CHAPTER XX。 ON THE JUST AND THE UNJUST
The quarantine guards returned to their camp。 Our plans were suddenly and completely upset； and not knowing which way to turn； Sponsilier and I； slightly crestfallen； accompanied the guards。 It was already late in the evening； but Captain Ullnier took advantage of the brief respite granted him to clear the east half of the valley of native cattle。 Couriers were dispatched to sound the warning among the ranches down the river； while a regular round…up outfit was mustered among the camps to begin the drifting of range stock that evening。 A few men were left at the two camps； as quarantine was not to be abandoned； and securing our borrowed horses； my partner and I bade our friends farewell and set out on our return for the Yellowstone。 Merely touching at Powderville for a hasty supper； we held a northwest； cross…country course； far into the night； when we unsaddled to rest our horses and catch a few hours' sleep。 But sunrise found us again in our saddles； and by the middle of the forenoon we were breakfasting with our friends in Miles City。
Fort Keogh was but a short distance up the river。 That military interference had been secured through fraud and deception； there was not the shadow of a doubt。 During the few hours which we spent in Miles； the cattle interests； were duly aroused； and a committee of cowmen were appointed to call on the post commander at Keogh with a formidable protest； which would no doubt be supplemented later； on the return of the young lieutenant and his troopers。 During our ride the night before； Sponsilier and I had discussed the possibility of arousing the authorities at Glendive。 Since it was in the neighborhood of one hundred miles from Powderville to the former point on the railroad； the herds would consume nearly a week in reaching there。 A freight train was caught that afternoon； and within twenty…four hours after leaving the quarantine camp on the Powder River； we had opened headquarters at the Stock Exchange Saloon in Glendive。 On arriving； I deposited one hundred dollars with the proprietor of that bar…room； with the understanding that it was to be used in getting an expression from the public in regard to the question of Texas fever。 Before noon the next day； Dave Sponsilier and Tom Quirk were not only the two most popular men in Glendive； but quarantine had been decided on with ringing resolutions。
Our standing was soon of the best。 Horses were tendered us； and saddling one I crossed the Yellowstone and started down the river to arouse outlying ranches； while Sponsilier and a number of local cowmen rode south to locate a camp and a deadline。 I was absent two days； having gone north as far as Wolf Island； where I recrossed the river； returning on the eastern side of the valley。 At no ranch which was visited did my mission fail of meeting hearty approval； especially on the western side of the river； where severe losses from fever had been sustained the fall before。 One ranch on Thirteen Mile offered； if necessary； to send every man in its employ； with their own wagon and outfit of horses； free of all charge； until quarantine was lifted。 But I suggested； instead； that they send three or four men with their horses and blankets； leaving the remainder to be provided for by the local committee。 In my two days' ride； over fifty volunteers were tendered； but I refused all except twenty； who were to report at Glendive not later than the morning of the 6th。 On my return to the railroad； all arrangements were completed and the outlook was promising。 Couriers had arrived from the south during my absence； bringing the news of the coming of the through Texas cattle； and warning the local ranches to clear the way or take the consequences。 All native stock had been pushed west of the Powder and Yellowstone； as far north as Cabin Creek； which had been decided on as the second quarantine…line。 Daily reports were being received of the whereabouts of the moving herds； and at the rate they were traveling； they would reach Cabin Creek about the 7th。 Two wagons had been outfitted； cooks employed； and couriers dispatched to watch the daily progress of the cattle； which； if following the usual route； would strike the deadline some distance south of Glendive。
During the next few days； Sponsilier and I were social lions in that town； and so great was our popularity we could have either married or been elected to office。 We limited our losses at poker to so much an evenin
