“Right through to Montana,” Rock nodded. “What do yo’-all aim to do after yo’ get there?” Sayre inquired. “Stay on with the Seventy Seven?” “Don’t think so.” Rock frowned slightly. “I’d as soon work right along, but I don’t know as I like this outfit well enough to tie to.” “Yo’ mean yo’ don’t cotton much to yo’ boss?” the old man supplied. “Well, perhaps. Know him?” “A Duffy, ain’t he?” Rock nodded. “I know the tribe. They’s four boys--all big--all inclined to be high-handed. Le’s see. There’s Joe, Elmer, Ed, an’ Mark. Elmer’s handlin’ this herd yo’-all are with?” Again Rock nodded. “Elmer ain’t bad. Joe’s noisy, but harmless. Ed is real tough. Mark’s both noisy and mean. He always aimed to be bad, unless he’s changed a heap lately. He’s big as a house. Overbearin’ accordin’ to his size.” “Mark’s trail hand with this Seventy Seven herd,” Rock said. “Huh? If Elmer’s startin’ No’th with _that_ handicap, he’ll have trouble on the trail, I reckon. Ought to have more sense than have that disturber in his outfit. I don’t expect yo’ and Mark love each other, eh? No, I shouldn’t imagine yo’d want to stay with the Seventy Seven after the drive’s over, not if yo’ got to rub elbows with Mark. He sure is the wrong kind.” “Maybe not even all the way,” Rock said casually. “Mark’s inclined to ride me. No particular reason. Just don’t like me, I expect.” “Better quit the Seventy Seven, son,” Sayre counseled after a moment’s silence. “There’s other herds drivin’ No’th that need good men.” Rock shook his head. A little smile flitted across his face. “Would you?” he challenged. “Just to get away from a man that don’t like the shape of your head, or something? Would you, Uncle Bill, after you’d promised a trail boss you’d go?” “Well, no, I reckon I wouldn’t, come to think it over,” the old man answered dryly. “At least, when I was twenty-five I sho’ wouldn’t. At my age, now, I c’n see the wisdom of side-steppin’ trouble. Still, yo’ better quit the Seventy Seven soon as yo’ get to yo’ destination, providin’ yo’ and Mark both do _get_ there all right.” “I certainly aim to do both.” Rock smiled. “Mark’s welcome to flourish, so long as he don’t step on my corns too frequent. I want to get into this North country. I hear there’s chances there for a fellow with a little money. Time I’ve worked another year I’ll have a couple of thousand dollars. I might find a place where I could start in with a hundred cows or so, and grow up with the country.” “When yo’ get around to that, let me know,” the banker said. “I hear good reports of that Montana country. I might put in some money if yo’ locate a range. Texas is full up. She’ll spill a heap of stock and men into the Northwest in the next five years. Cattle grow into money tol’able fast.”