From 500 our annual calf brand mounted to 4000; halted there, and gradually dropped back to the original tally.

Our cattle, from poverty, bogged in the river, or perished from hunger.

This was all due to the barbarous grazing system under which we worked, the United States refusing to sell or lease land for grazing purposes; consequently, except at the end of a gun, one had no control over his range.

Cattle versus sheep wars resulted, stealing became rampant and success impossible.
Among other sales made was that of some 1500 steers, of all ages, which we drove right up to the heart of Colorado and disposed of at good prices.

This drive was marked by a serious stampede, on a dark night in rough country, by which two of the boys got injured, though happily not seriously.