So I earmark the calf with the owner's marks, and don't brand him at all.
Then he's a sleeper.

If the Pot-Hook-S boys see him, they'll notice that he's earmarked all right, and very likely they'll take it for granted that he's branded, or, perhaps let him go anyway.

Before the next rodeo I run on to my sleeper again, and he's big enough now to take away from the cow, so all I have to do is to change the earmarks and brand him with my iron.

Of course, I wouldn't get all my sleepers, but--the percentage would be in my favor.

If too many sleepers show up in the rodeo, though, folks would get mighty suspicious that someone was too handy with his knife.