How many in the gang ?" inquired Anderson, darkly.

His early dealings with outlaw rustlers had not left him favorably inclined toward losing a single steer.
"Wal, I reckon we can't say.

Mebbe five hundred, countin' all along the valley on this side.

Then we hear there's more on the other...

Boss, if they git ugly we're goin' to lose stock, wheat, an' mebbe some blood." "So many as that!" ejaculated the rancher, in amaze.
"They come an' go, an' lately they're most comin'," replied Jake.
"When do we begin cuttin' grain ?" "I reckon to-morrow.