Rangers and sovereignty Page: 134 of 188

                                
RANGERS AND SOVEREIGNTY.

137

Cattle Stealing
A few days after the saddle raid, a Mr. Evans, who
lived in Mason County, reported to me that he had
lost all his cattle, including his work oxen and in all
had lost fifty-three head; he said the trail of the cattle
had started west. I took a scout immediately and
"cut sign" for the trail; I found the trail, going west,
and followed it, as rapidly as I could, but could not
find anyone, who had seen the parties, or the cattle.
The trail went up the South Llano River, for 25 miles,
then bore south, to the head of the Frio River, that
was called Frio water hole; after watering there, they
struck straight west, to the head of the Nueces River.
I was not far behind them at the Frio water hole. I
could give a good guess then where they were taking
the cattle. Fort Clark, near the Rio Grande was then
a good market for butchers' cattle, and I was satisfied
they were taking them there. We pushed on the trail,
until about three o'clock in the evening, when we
reached the head of the Nueces River. The trail took
down the old Fort Clark road, running down the river,
and we were close to them; within an hour's march,
we were in sight of the dust, caused by driving the
cattle. The road ran through a dense growth of cedar,
and shinoak brush, and our chance to get the men