"But a sure bed ta sleep in..." Justus smiled widely, "makes all th' work worthwhile, an' then, havin' work that don't involve a saddle!" Even if that meant ground work, or even mucking stalls, it was worth it at the end of the day.
The sun arched in the sky then started toward the mountains as the day wore on, and although he had no way of knowing how much farther they had to go, Justus pulled Mule to a stop when he spotted smoke up ahead.
"See that?" he asked. "Looks like a proper fire, from a chimney, don't it?" The color was light, not the black smoke of a house actually burning, and it was a single thread, obviously confined. Could it be the ranch house?
"That it does, Gibbs, that it does," Zane responded. It would seem that they had gone way around whatever town there had been in their path, and maybe that was well enough. For the time being that town was not as important to them as settling the herd and getting up to the ranch itself, where they would settle in.
"Reckon we missed that Kalispell town. These low hills we've gone around likely hid it from view, given the trees an' all. So it would seem we'll just have to wait to see it." Zane commented as Pike and Teal rode up.
"Be just a mile and we'll turn 'em loose. Lorado an' Dallas are takin' the Morgan horses on up to the ranch, an' don't let Cookie run ya over, he'll be pushin' to get to the ranch proper and set up to feed you boys." They peeled off as Lorado and Dallas went by with the Morgans, followed by Nate and Danny with the chuck wagon, but not moving quite as fast as the horses were.
"I'd say we're just about there Gibbs, just about ta home," Zane added.
Even the cattle seemed to know that they were nearing the end of the trail and were ambling along at a good pace. Justus wasn't sure if he was just imagining it, but there was a charge in the air, and even Mule picked up his step.
Soon!