Jack O'Brien

“There were, to be sure, some grounds for the ranchers’ bitterness toward sheep. It was known that sheep cold be destructive to grass. Their small, sharp hoofs knifed deep into the sod, turning it up and cutting it so thoroughly that years were necessary for a new growth of grass to appear. In grazing also it could be held that they were harmful to the ranges because of their method of cropping down close to the roots and at times even below them. A sheep band allowed to graze too long on one range could utterly destroy it, reduce it to barren uselessness as quickly and completely as could a cloud of locusts swarm down and destroy a tract of grain. Bed grounds also were harmful to the pastures. Herders brought their sheep together at night to protect them from the ravages of roving wolves, coyotes, and bears, and should the band be permitted to occupy the same bed grounds for too long a period, the growth was soon worn off, exposing the bare earth, hopeless for future grass.”

“After a fellow has been through several kinds of hell and high water, it isn't exactly new to him if he is told that he may die. though it does give me a pain to think that just as I had given up the ship you fellow should arrive, only to have me die on your hands now that the fight is over. But that's all in the game.”

“So it boils down to whether we trust every scientific means of completing this case by following the trail ahead or of chasing after your dog on a probable wild-goose chase.”’ “Exactly!”