"Your fire cost us a few cattle, but I reckon it saved the destruction of a lot more, for there would have been many of 'em killed if they had charged on into the deeper forest." "Then the stampede has been stopped ?" asked Prescott.
"Yes; two of my men followed the parted trails, and came back to report the two herds halted and grazing.

My name is Ross.
I'm the owner of about a fourth of the cattle in the big herd." "I hope you don't feel angry with us for doing the best we could to save our camp," Dick went on.
"You saved myself and the other owners a greater loss," replied Mr.Ross, "so I thank you." "You're quite welcome, Mr.Ross," smiled Tom Reade.

"But what was the shooting about ?" "I shot some of the cattle that appeared to be still alive, to put an end to their suffering.

You boys haven't any ice here, have you ?" "No, sir," Dick replied.
"Too bad," said Mr.Ross.

"If you had ice I could offer you a prime lot of beef that it will hardly pay me to move, as I can't get the animals cut up quickly enough and on ice, after the long haul I would have to make." "Are you going to leave the cattle on the clearing ?" Dick asked in sudden concern.
"We'll bury the carcasses," smiled Mr.Ross.