Oldring, the rustler, was also a rancher.
Venters's calculating eye took count of stock that outnumbered the red herd.
"What a range!" went on Venters.

"Water and grass enough for fifty thousand head, and no riders needed!" After his first burst of surprise and rapid calculation Venters lost no time there, but slunk again into the sage on his back trail.

With the discovery of Oldring's hidden cattle-range had come enlightenment on several problems.

Here the rustler kept his stock, here was Jane Withersteen's red herd; here were the few cattle that had disappeared from the Cottonwoods slopes during the last two years.

Until Oldring had driven the red herd his thefts of cattle for that time had not been more than enough to supply meat for his men.