The lust of possession was in Dell’s voice.  The reward had been fairly earned, and turning to the other cattle in dispute, Joel’s errors were easily corrected.  All three were in one brand, and the mere failure to note the lines of difference between the figure eight and the letter S had resulted in repeating the mistake.  Seay amused himself by pointing out different animals and calling for their brands, and an envious rivalry resulted between the brothers, in their ability to read range script.

“A good eye and a good memory,” said Seay, as they rode homeward, “are gifts to a cowman.  A brand once seen is hardly ever forgotten.  Twenty years hence, you boys will remember all these brands.  One man can read brands at twice the distance of another, and I have seen many who could distinguish cattle from horses, with the naked eye, at a distance of three miles.  When a man learns to know all there is about cattle, he ought to be getting gray around the edges.”

Forrest accepted the umpire’s report.  “I thought some novice might trip his toe on that equality sign,” said he.  “There’s nothing like having studied your arithmetic.  Dell’s been to school, and it won him a cow and calf when he saw the sign used as a brand.  I wonder how he is on driving mules.”

“I can drive them,” came the prompt reply.

“Very well.  Hook up the old team.  I’m sending you down to the trail crossing to levy on two commissary wagons.  Take everything they give you and throw out a few hints for more.  This afternoon we begin laying in a year’s provisions.  It may be a cold winter, followed by a late spring, and there’s nothing like having enough.  Relieve them of all their dried fruits, and make a strong talk for the staples of life.  I may want to winter here myself, and a cow camp should make provision for more or less company.”

Seay lent his approval.  “Hitch up and rattle along ahead of me,” said he.  “The wagons may reach the crossing an hour or two ahead of the herds, and I’ll be there to help you trim them down to light traveling form.”

It proved an active afternoon.  The wagon was started for the trail crossing, followed by Seay within half an hour.  Joel was in a quandary, between duty and desire, as he was anxious to see the passing herds, yet a bond of obligation to the wounded man required his obedience.  Forrest had noticed the horse under saddle, the impatience of the boy, but tactfully removed all uneasiness.

“I have been trying to figure out,” said he, “how I could spare you this afternoon, as no doubt you would like to see the herds, but we have so much to do at home.  Now that I can hobble out, you must get me four poles, and we will strip this fly off the tent and make a sunshade out of it—­make an arbor in front of our quarters.  Have the props ready, and in the morning Seay will show you how to stretch a tarpaulin for a sunshade.  And then along towards evening, you must drift our little bunch