The lieutenant looked at him with some curiosity and respect.
"Oh," he said. "I thought perhaps you were some kind of a foreman. My name is Lieutenant Barrows."
Ted acknowledged it with a slight bow.
"I am in charge of this delivery of beef to the department, and as you are already late I wish you to send this herd further into the reservation."
"I am sorry I cannot comply with your wish," said Ted, "but it will be impossible to-night. The cattle made a forced march to-day, and are tired out, and, besides, they have just been watered, and have only time to graze a full feed before they bed. I am explaining all this to show you that my action in not doing what you wish was not through spite, but in the best interests of both the government and ourselves."
"It is my duty to inspect the animals, and——"
"I can't help that. The cattle do not go forward a foot farther to-night. I will get them into the pasture early in the morning."
"That will be too late," said the officer curtly. "I shall inform the commandant of the post, Colonel Croffut, that you are late and that you refuse to obey orders."
"Confound your impudence, who are you to give orders to me?" asked Ted, mad in a minute.
"As I told you, I am the inspector, and it seems to me that it would be good policy, to say the least, to cater to my wishes somewhat."