noon
In reply to an inquiry as to the ownership of the unfortunate herds , he informed me that there were three , one belonging to Bob Houston , another to Major Corouthers , and the third to a man named Murphy , the total loss amounting to about two thousand cattle . From this same range-man we also learned our location . Camp Supply lay up the North Fork some sixty miles , while a plain trail followed up the first bottom of the river . Wishing to avoid , if possible , intersecting the western trail south of Dodge , the next morning I left the herd to follow up , and rode into Camp Supply before noon . Lovell had sighted me a mile distant , and after a drink at the sutler 's bar , we strolled aside for a few minutes ' chat . Once I had informed him of the locality of the herd and their condition , he cautioned me not to let my business be known while in the post . After refreshing the inner man , my employer secured a horse and started with me on my return .