But Phil and his helpers were in possession of the premises near the watering trough, and his shorthorn majesty was therefore even more than usual out of patience with the whole world.

The corrals were between the bull and Patches, so that the animal had not noticed the man, and the Dean, chuckling to himself, and without attracting Patches' attention, quietly drove the ill-tempered beast into the enclosure and shut the gate.
Then, riding around the corral, the Dean called to the young man.

When Patches stood beside his employer, the cattleman said, "Here's a blamed old bull that don't seem to be feelin' very well.

I got him into the corral all right, but I'm so fat I can't reach him from the saddle.

I wish you'd just halter him with this rope, so I can lead him up to the house and let Phil and the boys see what's wrong with him." Patches took the rope and started toward the corral gate.