Then Phil, after a moment's talk with Jim Reid, rode up to Nick Cambert, who was sitting on his horse a little apart from the group of intensely interested cowboys.

The Cross-Triangle foreman's tone was curt.

"I reckon I'll have to trouble you to vent your brand on that Cross-Triangle calf, Nick." The Tailholt Mountain man made no shallow pretense that he did not understand.

"Not by a damn sight," he returned roughly.

"I ain't raisin' calves for Bill Baldwin, an' I happen to know what I'm talkin' about this trip.