Nevertheless I prepared next morning to brand them for the Company.

The fire was ready, the irons nearly hot, when up drove M----in a furious rage.

I do not think I ever saw a man look so angry and mean.

He held a shot-gun in his hand and, presenting it at me, swore he would kill me if I dared to proceed any further.

My foreman, who knew him well, warned me to be careful; there seemed no doubt that he meant what he said; he was too mad to dispute with, and so! well, his bluff, if it were a bluff, carried the day and I ordered the mares to be turned loose.