Major Mabry owned a ranch and extensive cattle interests
northwest in Llano County. As we expected to start the herds as
early as possible, the latter part of February found us at the
ranch actively engaged in arranging for the summer's work. There
were horses to buy, wagons to outfit, and hands to secure, and a
busy fortnight was spent in getting ready for the drive. The spring
before I had started out in debt; now, on permission being given
me, I bought ten horses for my own use and invested the balance of
my money in four yoke of oxen. Had I remained in Palo Pinto County
the chances were that I might have enlarged my holdings in the
coming drive, as in order to have me remain several offered to sell
me cattle on credit. But so long as I was enlarging my experience I
was cont
