E-text prepared by Charlie Kirschner

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THEY CHANGED TO FRESH ONES AT NOON.

WELLS BROTHERS

THE YOUNG CATTLE KINGS

BY

ANDY ADAMS

Published March 1911

CONTENTS

ILLUSTRATIONS

WELLS BROTHERS

THE YOUNG CATTLE KINGS

CHAPTER I

WAIFS OF THE PLAIN

The first herd of trail cattle to leave Dodge City, Kansas, forthe Northwest, during the summer of 1885, was owned by the veterandrover, Don Lovell. Accidents will happen, and when about midwaybetween the former point and Ogalalla, Nebraska, a rather seriousmishap befell Quince Forrest, one of the men with the herd. He andthe horse wrangler, who were bunkies, were constantly scuffling,reckless to the point of injury, the pulse of healthy manhoodbeating a constant alarm to rough contest.

The afternoon previous to the accident, a wayfaring man hadovertaken the herd, and spent the night with the trail outfit.During the evening, a flock of sand-hill cranes was sighted, whenthe stranger expressed a wish to secure a specimen of the bird forits splendid plumage. On Forrest's own suggestion, his being along-range pistol and the covey wary, the two exchanged belts. Thevisitor followed the flock, stealing within range a number oftimes, and emptying the six-shooter at every chance. On securing afine specimen near nightfall, he returned to the herd, elated overhis chance shot and beautiful trophy. However, before returning thebelt, he had refilled the cylinder with six instead of fivecartridges, thus resting the hammer on a loaded shell. In theenthusiasm of the moment, and ignorant of its danger, belt andpistol were returned to their owner.

Dawn found the camp astir. The sun had flooded the plain whilethe outfit was breakfasting, the herd was grazing forward inpastoral contentment, the horses stood under saddle for themorning's work, when the trail foreman, Paul Priest, languidlyremarked: "If everybody's ready, we'll ride. Fill the canteens;