The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-10-24

( seemed the uySleAS' uheAA'
nearer the animals and examining them
more closely. ne noticed some singed
hair near the mark
Then he knew what had happened-a
''rustler'' had been at work and had
changed the brands. 1t was not diff
/ cult to make a rude 'B" out OF the cir
Gle. and the new brand would be as
! clear as the old one after snort time
Hurry" called the foreman, and
away Lorne raced, following up the
/ herd.
Relations were very much strained
between Heating and the west line
rider that week.
You're likely to be discharged" was
Jims prophecy. Heating has it in for
! you. but he may keep you until after
/ the roundup. Well need all the men
we can get then"
! The roundup was only two weeks
away and Lorne had a curiosity to
/ know Just how il was conducted. Keat-
| ing said nothing. though the new line
rider made several strange trips across
| the pasture.
At last came the fateful time of the
roundup.
Instead of four cowboys. there were a
! score. Some came in groups with their
| mess wagon and tents, and quite a lit
tie village sprung up at c corner.
pretty sight il was. too, as the 10000
cattle gathered on the green plains. a
party was engaged in compelling a cow
to give share of milk to an orphan
calf, when buggy came from the east.
The men looked up with keen interest.
Colonel WatSonf' exclaimed one.
1t was indeed the railroad attorney.
He had determined to examine his cat
tie ranch in person, and had come in his
private car 10 the nearest station. Dur
ing the cutting-Out process. by which
the cattle were separated into groups,
he watched the proceedings.
Seems to me we are short on this
years shipment" he remarked to Keat-
ing.
well. it was a hard winter and we
lost good many-here, look out there
Ito Lorne, who was driving a fine g.
year-old into the Circle ranch herd).
That amt ours. can't you see ?" He
pointed to large B. on the crea-
lures side.
Il think it is ours" said Lorne, quiet
ly. going on with his work
Il shall discharge You right here!'
shouted Heating. 'Lea@e the ranch!"
Lorne did not seem discouraged. He
came to Colonel Watson's side y know
some things about this ranch that you
do not he went on. Il wish you would
order the foreman to give me a chance
to prove that l am right"
In response to Colonel Watson's nod
ne went 10 the euSe OF the camp anu
came back with a package in his hand.
Boys" he called rope down a b
steer" In a moment sturdy animal
was helpless on the ground. Lorne
stepped forward and took the paper
from his package. This l found in Mr..
Keating's cabin" he began. MY COM
panion will testify to it He held in
his hand a piece of iron. on the end of
which was a curious figure resembling
| a Sc" Placed over the =, it left only
the upper circle exposed. you can see
how the circle was changed. 1t makes
an o into a b.
Heating was white with fright. 'It
is not NINE" he broke out.
Did l brand the crumple-horned cow
that | found outside the ranch with a
different brandt And who was that
stranger 1 saw with you inside the pas
ture?"
The foreman evidently thought that
the boy had witnessed some of his pri-
vate markings. He made leap for his
horse and, with spurs sunk deep in the
animals TANKS, was being carried
away like the wind when suddenly
from Jim's hand went curling away,
with all the energy that a strong arm
could give it, long rope with loop at
the end. The loop came down slowly,
but widening as it fell. Then, with a
snap, it drew taut, and Heating lay,
stunned and bruised, on the sod. 1t
was better. perhaps. that he was in
jured little, as BY Colonel WatsOn's
advice, they allowed him TO leave the
state.
wen 20 homeS' the colonel said to
/ Lorne, when the roundup was over;
and they went to their private car.
You'll have to come back soon,"
said the attorney. as they rode north
ward, for you will take charge of the
ranch
Lorne was too happy to thank him.
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