Posted November 30, 2022
"Now there's a thought. try'n ta be respectful. Them redskin's know 'bout respect, they know 'bout men that stand an' fight 'an show courage, that they respect most of all." Pythias mused. Hard tellin' what your up agin' with 'em, that's a fact."
"We can ease back on the route we was follerin'. Ain't no trail, but there surely will be when the herd passes this a way." Was his thought, and that would be true, and one that was easy to follow, should a body decide to do that. His fear was that a raiding party would be after the horses. Horses were wealth to most India tribes.
Posted December 1, 2022
Justus nodded. "Especially them horses fer th' missus," he observed, "don't gotta be an expert, nor know what breed they're called, ya can tell just by lookin' at 'em that they're fine animals."
It might be one thing to see an exceptionally good looking horse now and then, but to have several of them together really made an impression.
"I think it's interestin' that th' horses are fer th' missus. Not that ladies can't handle horses, but just a bit odd." He shrugged. "Lookin' forward ta meetin' these folks, they sound like good people. I just hope things work out."
Posted December 4, 2022
"Can't say, never met either of 'em, but Frank he knows the Mister, I believe." Pythias said. "And yer right about them Morgan Horses, you can see right off their well bred, ain't sure as they'd be good with cattle, but fer ridin'? Now that's what the draw is. You seen there's just the one stud, an' the rest is his harem. You know about them, right?"
It was likely that this man's wife wanted to raise the Morgans to sell, now whether she was the one break them. Now there had been talk that the animal could be gentled, but Pythias had never seen it done.
"We need to ease up on this bend, what with the trees and the rocks I'd just play 'er safe." He said suddenly.
----
Meanwhile, Frank Teal and the men were moving the cattle again. Another dusty day was upon them as every man was in the saddle, the sky, streaked with the colors of the dawn crept over the country.
The chuck wagon was already out in front with Lorado and Will riding point leading the herd north once more. Things had been quiet, and that was they way they all liked it. It was a hot, dusty job driving cattle, but one they loved as much as they cursed it. Frank was riding around the herd as he often did to ensure that all was well. Riders in their places, that the trail ahead was clear, that there were no threats from the flanks in the form of men red or white, though he trusted his men to keep that vigil. It was something each of them took to heart.
So far the dive was going well, with the exception of the herd cutter incident, but that was well behind them now, and best forgotten, as there would be new adversity ahead, be it men, or weather, or the lay of the land. They did not know the country like they did for the Kansas drives, and that was why Pythias and Wheeler were out ahead of them, to make sure they could move through, that there was water and graze, and that there were no threats.
Posted December 8, 2022
"That'd be somethin', ta see a lady breakin' broncs!" Justus chuckled. "I reckon, though, if she's breedin' 'em, she'll be raisin' 'em from foals, so they won't need breakin' so much as trainin'." Just jumping on a horse and beating it to submission wasn't the best thing if you had time to get them used to the equipment and process, and he figured that a lady would likely spoil the foals so they'd do anything she asked!
"Sounds like they got a good set-up..." He stopped as Pythias hesitated.
"We need to ease up on this bend, what with the trees and the rocks I'd just play 'er safe." He said suddenly.
"Yes, sir." It surely was a good place for trouble, and Justus looked around for all the potential hiding places, something he'd had plenty of practice doing!
"Might be worth it ta put a man up on th' ridge there when th' time comes," he suggested, "a good spot ta see both ways." Because, even if it was clear now didn't mean it would still be when they were ready to drive the cows through.
Posted December 8, 2022 · IP
"Purdy much what I was thinkin'." Pythias agreed. "You'll do, Justus, you'll do. Now the bend runs through them trees an' them hills. The one you favor and the smaller one. Not that it matters none. I mean ta say, maybe they are up there and maybe their just around the bend waitin' on the herd."
He rested his Winchester on his knee, the barrel skyward, his hand on the action. He started forward at a walk, it could be clear and it could well be an ambush. There had been no sign of Indians, other than the ones they passed, but that meant nothing.
"Be ready." He said.
Posted December 10, 2022
Nodding, Justus pulled an old 'Yellow Boy' rifle from its scabbard and moving alongside Pythias as he focused his attention on the terrain around them. He'd heard those words often enough -- 'Be ready' -- but this time it wasn't because they were bracing for a gunfight with a posse, and he liked feeling like a 'normal' person, and that he was doing something positive. More than ever, he wanted to be decent and honest, and hoped that this was his chance.
As they moved forward, there didn't seem to be anything amiss, but then the background noises around them stopped and both horses' heads went up, ears pricked forward...
Posted December 10, 2022
"Ain't unusual." Pythias said in lowered tones as they moved forward. "Don't al'ays mean trouble." But he was not so sure about that as the pair came round the bend only to find several wolves on a deer carcass. They ran when the men appeared. Of course that did not mean they would not return to their kill. They had not run far as they sized up the men and the horses.
But the deer was already down and there was plenty of meat to be had so, as the horsemen moved on, the wolves slowly returned to the kill. Nature at work. "Danged if I wasn't thinkin' redskins'd be waiting on us." He returned his rifle to it's scabbard. "Not that they ain't around, cuz they is."
Posted December 12, 2022
"Kinda strange ta know yer likely bein' watched," Justus commented, a little bothered by the idea, but there wasn't anything they could do about it, and as long as it was just watching, that was all right!
As for the wolves, they could get their fill of venison, and leave the cattle alone. Of course, it would be foolish for them to bother a herd that large, accompanied by men, but the strays would be in danger.
"Might be more deer around," Justus suggested, "be a good change fer grub, if Cookie can handle it!" Although he had no doubt that the man could do amazing things with just about anything!
Posted December 12, 2022
"I believe we need keep our eye out for another, they're around, and Cookie? Why that man, Nate Ambrose can do wonders with nothin', he darn sure kin handle a deer." Pythias said. "So we've come a fair piece, maybe we see if we can't find us some game ta take back afore we ride on out again."
There had been plenty of sign, mostly deer track and droppings, so they were around. There had been Indians as well, so a report to Frank Teal would be in order. It was not as if they were in eminent danger of an Indian raid as they had been riding away from them, but that meant nothing.
Posted December 14, 2022
"Maybe we should find a spot by th' river an' sit fer a while, quiet, watch fer game?" Justus suggested. It didn't need to be a long time, but deer might be more inclined to show themselves if there wasn't evidence of human activity.
"Be a good chance ta let th' horses rest." He hoped that Pythias didn't think he was shirking, but it really would be nice to be able to bring some game back to the drive.