If Bud and the others expected to engage in a sharp fight as soon as they reached the scene, they were disappointed. True, the sheep herders became aware of their arrival, and there was some talk, and not a little excitement, among the Greasers. But there were no hostile acts, and no attempt was made to drive over any sheep.
"I wonder if there is a ford here?" said Yellin' Kid.
"I reckon there is," said Snake Purdee. "You can see where it has been used," and he pointed to marks on their bank of the stream.
"They either know about this place, or they've made some tests and are satisfied that it's safe," declared Bud.
"But if what Lanky says is true, though it may have been safe early this morning, it might not be safe now," said Dick.
"That's true, but I think they'll take a chance," Bud declared. "There isn't fodder enough on that side to last the sheep very long."
This was perfectly true, and it was evident that the herders would endeavor to get their woolly charges on the other side of the stream as soon as possible, to take advantage of the rich grazing on the open range, newly made available to all comers.
"But I thought when the government opened new land it could only be taken by citizens, or those about to become citizens," questioned Dick, when, as they watched the sheep herders, they talked over the situation.
"That is the law," said Bud. "But down here you'll find the law doesn't amount to much when a man wants a thing. He generally goes and gets it, and thinks about the law afterward. That's why Dad has to do what he is doing. If the law was as tight here as it is in the east, he could get out an injunction, or something, against these herders, and stand them off until he could find his papers proving his claim."
"Think he'll ever find 'em?" asked Nort.