They employed detectives who regularly combed out the country in search of men who had loose ideas of mine and thine.

All the time the cow game was becoming stricter and harder.

Easterners brought on the East's idea of property, of low interest, sure returns, and good security.

In short, there was set on once more--as there had been in every great movement across the entire West--the old contest between property rights and human independence in action.

It was now once more the Frontier against the States, and the States were foredoomed to win.
The barb-wire fence, which was at first used extensively by the great operators, came at last to be the greatest friend of the Little Fellow on the range.