He knew I wanted cattle and I knew he wanted grass, as he could not find a buyer and the season was late.

We both played "coon," but I must say I began to feel a bit uncomfortable.

At last greatly to my relief and joy, he approached me, and after a few minutes' dickering I had the satisfaction of counting into pasture this immense herd of 4000 cattle.
Meantime, I had also been corresponding with another party and very soon afterwards closed a deal with him for some 3700 more two-year-old steers.

Thus with 7700 head the pasture was nearly fully stocked, the rent for the first year was assured, and I prepared to go to the Old Country to form the company before mentioned.

But before going I found it necessary to throw in a hundred or so old cows to keep the steers quiet.