第31章 WHEN GREEK MEETS GREEK(3)

The disturbing feature was, that after leaving headquarters in Medina County, he had gone into San Antonio, where he met a couple of strangers who partially promised him a job as trail boss, in case he presented himself in Dodge about June 15.They had intimated to him that it was possible they would need a foreman or two who knew the trail from the Arkansaw to the Yellowstone and Missouri River country.Putting this and that together, the presence of Archie Tolleston in Dodge was not at all favorable to the working out of our plans."And Arch isn't the man to forget a humiliation," concluded Bob, to which Iagreed.

The next morning I rode across to the Saw Log, and up that creek beyond all the herds.The best prospect for a camp was nearly due north opposite us, as the outfit lowest down the stream expected to start for the Platte the next morning.Having fully made up my mind to move camp, I rode for town, taking dinner on Duck Creek, which was also littered with cattle and outfits.I reached town early in the afternoon, and after searching all the hotels, located the fiscal agent in company with the buyers at the Lone Star saloon.They were seated around a table, and Mr.Field, noticing my entrance, beckoned me over and offered a chair.As Itook the proffered seat, both strangers turned on me, and Mr.

Radcliff said: "McIndoo, this agent of yours is the hardest man Iever tried to trade with.Here we've wasted the whole morning dickering, and are no nearer together than when we started.The only concession which Mr.Siringo seems willing to admit is that cattle are off from three to five dollars a head, while we contend that heavy beeves are off seven dollars.""Excuse me for interrupting," said the fiscal agent, "but since you have used the words HEAVY BEEVES, either one of you ask Mac, here, what those 'Open A's' will dress to-day, and what they ought to gain in the next three months on good grass and water.

There he sits; ask him."

Mr.Field explained that they had also differed as to what the herd would dress out, and invited my opinion."Those beeves will dress off from forty-five to fifty per cent," I replied."The Texan being a gaunt animal does not shrink like a domestic beef.

Take that 'Open A' herd straight through and they will dress from four fifty to six hundred pounds, or average better than five hundred all round.In three months, under favorable conditions, those steers ought to easily put on a hundred pounds of tallow apiece.Mr.Radcliff, do you remember pointing out a black muley yesterday and saying that he looked like a native animal? I'll just bet either one of you a hundred dollars that he'll dress out over five hundred pounds; and I'll kill him in your presence and you can weigh his quarters with a steelyard."They laughed at me, Siringo joining in, and Mr.Field ordered the drinks."Mac," said the detective, "these gentlemen are all right, and you shouldn't take any offense, for I don't blame them for driving a hard bargain.I'd probably do the same thing if Iwas the buyer instead of the seller.And remember, Mae, if the deal goes through, you are to drive the herd at the seller's risk, and deliver it at any point the buyer designates, they accepting without expense or reserve the cattle only.It means over three months' further expense, with a remuda thrown back on your hands; and all these incidentals run into money fast.

Gentlemen, unless you increase the advance cash payment, I don't see how you can expect me to shade my offer.What's your hurry, Mac?"As it was growing late, I had arisen, and saying that I expected to move camp to-morrow, invited the party to join me at the bar.