Posted October 29, 2022
"Exactly, son. You take your horse, you an' me, we'll have us a look-see at the lay of the land, make sure it's easy going for the herd and the men." Pythias replied. "We'll be lookin' for other sign too, like unshod ponies, shod horses. We'll be the eyes out front."
"Gonna be an interestin' ride. Never know what we'll find. Maybe deer, maybe elk, that would be good, fresh game is always welcome when we come onto it. Mostly we make sure of the trail and if we come onto water, good for us, good for the herd. I may just keep you out with me for a couple days, if you like. There'll always be a couple men behind us, just in case. How's that sound?" He asked.
Posted October 30, 2022
"Sounds good, sir." Justus nodded eagerly, not at all minding the thought of not being close to cows for a few days. "I appreciate any chance ta learn more about runnin' cows, what yer lookin' for, how ya chose a path."
The more he could learn, the better, and it was true that he'd be more than happy to not be trailing cows for a while. Of course, that meant no chuck wagon, so sustaining on jerky, old biscuits and whatever canned goods they might have, but it was worth it.
"We'll be ready first thing. Anything else I need ta know?"
Posted October 31, 2022
"Nope, son, one never knows what might be out there, game, Indians, even more herd cutters, or nothing at all. You just make sure your guns are loaded. Should we come onto game, well, we'll clean 'em and ride back as fast as we can with it." Pythias told him.
"Now I'd thing game would be plentiful around here, maybe not buffalo, but they're too big and we'd lose most of it, so that's a waste of meat. Deer, antelope, elk sill could be too much, but not like the buffalo, and we don't use it like the Indian do. Heck, they use everything. But we'll see." what we find."
Posted November 1, 2022
"Never did see a buffalo," Justus admitted, "but I hear they can take down a man and horse, trample 'em into nothing." That was one creature he had no desire to run into! "But then, they're not too bright, if th' Indians can run a whole herd off a cliff."
Of course, that was a brilliant method of getting several animals, and the meat could last a tribe for the winter, and the hides would serve for warm clothing and shelter.
"Nor grizzlies. They have those in Montana, right? And timber wolves?" Well, badgers, too, and even wild boars could kill a man, or a horse...there were all manner of deadly beasts, even after they left the rattlers and scorpions behind.
Posted November 2, 2022
"Maybe, with luck you'll get to see one. "tween seventy-two an' seventy-four they killed better'n two million of 'em! Two million buffalo. I ain't ever seen that many cows, let alone buffalo. An' folks wonder why the Injuns hate us." Pythias stated.
"Now grizzlies, yep. They got 'em up there, well likely most places with trees." He laughed. "You see one you'll know ya seen it, brown, big, and mean! Once you got an eyeful you ride for all you can ride, cuz that critter can travel, I'm tellin' ya!"
Posted November 3, 2022
Justus nodded silently as the older man spoke, realizing that in the next couple of days he was liable to get shot, since he already had a flurry of questions. and he was going to ask them all, and more! There was going to be no rest for Pythias!
It seemed funny -- for all that Justus had grown up in a gang, and been involved in all manner of activities that few men knew, he was curious to hear the men's stories and become part of their world!
"Best be bunkin' down, yer gonna want an early start. I'm lookin' forward to it, Mr. Pythias. Don't leave without me!"
Posted November 4, 2022
"No earlier than normal, can't ride far in the dark, but rest is always a good thing. So you get some, an' we'll be off in the morning." Pythias said with a smile. "Now don't be gettin' the idea we'll be facin' up to no Indians, 'er other desperados, 'cuz that just might not happen."
"Part of what we'll be a bout is makin' sure there's a trail for them cattle, lookin' for water what we'll all need, and game ta eat. That oughtta be enough excitement, but mind, there's always a chance we could run into trouble, all different kinds of trouble." He started off, then paused and half turned. "See ya first light, Justus."
Posted November 5, 2022
Justus nodded to the man, then settled down for the night, mulling over the coming assignment for a time before drifting to sleep.
He was up with the rest of the crew, and after grabbing grub, he had Mule saddled and ready to go. At least the weather was decent at the moment, and Justus hoped it held...he had no desire to be miserable more than necessary, nor to have to deal with thick muck or swollen rivers.
Leading the horse over to Pythias, grinned and nodded. "Mornin'. Reckon we're about ready."
Posted November 5, 2022
"Son, I was born ready. You eat? Best tie on the feed bag if not, it'll be jerked beef and bisquits from here on out." Pythias pointed out to Justus. But out there we can make us jackrabbit stew. Got a mite 'a cookin' gear along with us just for such a meal. And jackrabbits are a plenty out this way."
"I have a pack mule in tow, we might just need it for any game we get to bring back. And it has minimal cookin' gear an' flour, salt, an' such. Gonna be a fine trip. I believe we'll bag us some meat along the way just to make this scoutin' trip a bit more profitable."
Posted November 6, 2022
"Yes, sir, Mule an' I are ready." More than! "We can pony th' mule if you've a mind, Mule don't mind mules, even if he only thinks he's one!"
The boy chuckled and swung into the saddle. "I can help with cookin', too, done enough in my time. Not as good as Cookie, of course, but I don't mind takin' my turn."
He didn't mention that he was good with a rifle, might not even need to mention it, if Pythias was a decent shot, but they'd see when the time came.