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.

"Charlie," he said, "you done it. Now, you go to Cheyenne and bring him back. Do whatever is necessary to bring him back. See ?"

Stepp evidently "observed," for he went to Cheyenne, and Bean came back with him, and they were apparently the best of friends. The stockmen's convention was on at that time ; the Hart outfit had found Bean unattached, and had hired him, but Stepp had done "what was necessary" to secure his release.

A short time before Bean's marriage, 'Gene Hall went to Ogallala, where he found Bean, with John Hewitt, Charlie Gifford and Jim McMahon in a high state of hilarity. They were wearing long linen dusters and straw hats, as burlesque new-comers. Bean went over to the store, and soon returned with a straw hat, and dragging a new linen duster by the sleeve. They insisted that 'Gene join them in the celebration, but Hall said the country was settling up with civilized folks, and that he did not aprove of the "rough stuff" they were pulling off, and that he told them as much. Which little lecture on proper etiquette was received with much merriment by the four hilarious men.