Stepp had charge of a bunch of cattle that had to cross the river a little below Camp Clarke and Bean was to assist. The river was high, and the cattle turned down stream when they reached the deep water, and commenced to swim. Bean was looking after the lead cattle to keep them from turning about, and start a mid-stream mill -- or circling movement. Stepp became excited, and shouted to Bean to head them off and turn them to the other shore. Bean was a better cowman than Stepp, and shouting directions in a cow outfit, is a violation of the ethics of the range. Bean was tempted to pull in shore, and let them go as they willed, but they were Ogallala cattle, and he was working for the Ogallala Cattle Company.

He swam his horse beside the lead steers for one hundred and fifty yards down the stream, in order to let Stepp do some worrying, and then turned his horse close to the leaders, and with his hand slapped a little water on the side of their heads nearest to him. They were turned easily, and quietly, and swam straight for the other shore, as desired.

Stepp realized that he had made a bad break, and that night and for several days, he tried to show favoritism for Bean, but he was too dignified to acknowledge that he had broken

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

cow-camp ethics, or to apologize. Not long thereafter, Bean quit the outfit and went to Cheyenne. Paxton heard of his departure, and also heard of the episode.