Myself was an entire stranger in the whole of that huge country, devoted solely to cattle interests, and of course did not have a friend nor did expect to have any.

In fact M---- 's appellation of me as that "damned Scotsman" became disagreeably familiar.

The round-up was then a long way off down the river, some 100 miles, working up towards Fort Sumner; so I decided to visit the ranches.

We rode out to one where was a house (unoccupied) and a spring, there stayed one night, and on departing left an old coffee-pot, some flour, etc., as proof of habitation and so gave myself the right to claim having taken possession.

From there to the headquarters ranch was some thirty-five miles.