The man's wages would be paid.

Witnesses were never lacking to swear to the improvements he had made, and after the patent had been granted the homesteader (for the contestant always won, in that country) the Sawtooth, would pay him for the land.

Frequently a Sawtooth man would file upon land before any other man had claimed it.

Sometimes a Sawtooth man would purchase a relinquishment from some poor devil of a claim-holder who seemed always to have bad luck, and so became discouraged and ready to sell.

An intelligent man like Bill Warfield could acquire much land in this manner, give him time enough.
In much the same manner his herds increased.