“Let us hear it. Of course I'll do anything I can for you or any other of my children.”
“Thanks, father. The favor is this. That in talking with the settlers—especially those who have been most ready to shoot the Don's cattle—that you tell them I have bought all his stock and all will be driven to the Colorado river just as soon as cold weather sets in. I don't think many of the settlers like me any better than they like the Don, but if they think they might displease you by killing your son's cattle they might spare the poor animals.”
“I'll do it. I expect Mathews and Miller now. They sent me word they are coming to bring me some special news as soon as Gasbang returns from town. But have you really and truly bought the stock? or is it only to—”
“I have made a bona fide purchase; five hundred head are already at the mine, and as soon as the hot weather is over, the others will follow. I must buy cattle somewhere, for we have to feed five hundred men now at work, and as the Don is losing his all the time, I proposed to him to sell all to me.”
“But what is he to do with his land? Queer that he should sell his cattle when he gets his land. Doesn't he believe he'll get rid of us—the squatters?”
“O yes, but he figures thus: If the Texas Pacific is built, it will pay better to sell his land in farming lots; if not, he can restock it when he gets rid of his troublesome neighbors.”
“He has more sense than I gave him credit for. I guess you put him up to that dodge.”
“No indeed. He thought it himself, but it seems that Gabriel and George thought the same thing at the same time, and as I was thinking where I could get cattle for my mines, it struck me I might buy his and suit us both.”
“All right. I'll speak to the settlers, but of course I cannot promise that they will do what I ask.”
“I understand that. Many thanks. Good-by.”