第75章 THE LITTLE MISSOURI(3)

Throughout the North, Texas fever was generally accepted as a fact, and any one who had ever come in contact with it once, dreaded it ever afterward.So when the devil was sick the devil a monk would be; and if there was any advantage in taking the contrary view to the one entertained by all drovers, so long as our herds were free, we were not like men who could not experience a change of opinion, if in doing so the wind was tempered to us.Also in this instance we were fighting an avowed enemy, and all is fair in love and war.And amid the fumes of bad cigars, Sponsilier drew out the plan of campaign.

"Now, let's see," said old man Don, "tomorrow will be the 25th day of August.I've got to be at the Crow Agency a few days before the 10th of next month, as you know we have a delivery there on that date.Flood will have to attend to matters at Rosebud on the 1st, and then hurry on west and be present at Paul's delivery at Fort Washakie.So you see I'll have to depend on two of you boys going up to Glendive and Miles and seeing that those cow-towns take the proper view of this quarantine matter.

After dinner you'll fall back and bring up your herds, and after crossing the railroad here, the outfits will graze over to Buford.We'll leave four of our best saddle horses here in a pasture, so as to be independent on our return.Since things have changed so, the chances are that I'll bring Bob Quirk back with me, as I've written Flood to help The Rebel sell his remuda and take the outfit and go home.Now you boys decide among yourselves which two of you will go up the Yellowstone and promote the enforcement of the quarantine laws.Don't get the impression that you can't do this, because an all-round cowman can do anything where his interests are at stake.I'll think the programme out a little more clearly by the time you bring up the cattle."The herds were not over fifteen miles back up the river when we left them in the morning.After honoring the village of Little Missouri with our presence for several hours, we saddled up and started to meet the cattle.There was no doubt in my mind but that Sponsilier would be one of the two to go on the proposed errand of diplomacy, as his years, experience, and good solid sense entitled him to outrank either Forrest or myself.I knew that Quince Would want to go, if for no other reason than to get out of working the few days that yet remained of the drive.All three of us talked the matter of quarantine freely as we rode along, yet no one ventured any proposition looking to an agreement as to who should go on the diplomatic mission.I was the youngest and naturally took refuge behind my years, yet perfectly conscious that, in spite of the indifferent and nonchalant attitude assumed, all three of us foremen were equally anxious for the chance.Matters remained undecided; but the next day at dinner, Lovell having met us before reaching the railroad, the question arose who should go up to Miles City.Dave and Quince were also eating at my wagon, and when our employer forced ah answer, Sponsilier innocently replied that he supposed that we were all willing to leave it to him.Forrest immediately approved of Dave's suggestion.I gave my assent, and old man Don didn't qualify, hedge, or mince his words in appointing the committees to represent the firm of Lovell.