I saw much of _their_ life, and was so attracted by it that the sheep proposition was finally abandoned as unsuitable.

Still, I was very undecided, knew little of the ways of the country and still less of the cattle business.
I moved to the small town of Las Vegas, then about the western end of the Santa Fe railroad.

Here I stayed six months, making acquaintances and listening to others' experiences.
Las Vegas was then a true frontier town.

It was "booming," full of life and all kinds of people, money plentiful, saloons, gambling-dens and dance-halls "wide open." Real Estate was moving freely, prices advancing, speculation rife, and--I caught the infection! A few successful deals gave me courage and tempted me further.

I became a real gambler.