Posted December 20, 2022

Camp came alive that evening as Cookie dealt out venison steaks to the punchers. Knowing that the meat was not going to last, it was easy to be generous with it. Salted beef and pork was one thing, but there just wasn't near enough salt to spare on fresh game. There would be venison for the next two meals at least, and then those wolves Justus mentioned would get the rest.

But, for the evening Justus Wheeler was the man of the hour. Fresh meat was always appreciated. But any real celebration was tempered by talk of Indians, even though they had not seen them, they had other sign that Indians were there.

"Ya ain't seen none though?" Dallas asked.

"Ya seen there tracks though?" Rance asked. Then Lorado and Logan joined the conversation pointing more questions at the two, when Pythias held ups his hands,

"Boys, we know they're out there, seen track, heard 'em, but they kept away from us. Just sayin' we seen enough ta know, now you boys all need ta been watchful. We'll be headed back out come daylight."

"That we will Pythias," Frank stated as he walked up on the group which had expanded, "Ain't sayin' they'er hostiles, ain't sayin' they're peaceable, these boys is sayin' they're out there, we're in their country fer sure. There'll be double the watch ta'night, so some a ya need ta hit them soguns."

"'mon Justus, we best get some rest. It'll come early, I'm thinkin'. Pythias said as he got to his feet. The evenings discussion was over as the hands drifted off to where their bedrolls were laid out.

Posted December 21, 2022

"That boy's got sand, talkin' hisself up like thet affore ever facin' Injuns." Weezer stated.

"Aw, the boys just runnin' with it," Frank said. "Well see how he holds up should we have ta tangle with the red skins. He's just full'a piss and vinegar, like most'a you've been a time 'er two since I know'd you."

"He'll do, never even flinched when we run onta sign, and heard them Injuns up ahead. He was ready. Anyways, we'll be on aheada ya'all an' next time we stop, it'll be back to trailin' with these cows." Pythias stated.

"Maybe not, how's he with sign?" Frank wanted to know.

"Good, learns quick, ain't afraid ta ask questions. We run onta a good 'un."

"Believ yer right, Pythias." Frank declared. Lorado and Will just smirking and nodding in agreement.

Posted December 31, 2022

Pythias already had his plate and was walking away from the lone when he stopped next to Justice, "So, we'll be headin' out once'd we're done eatin'. Gotta a grub bag and a pack horse, so o rush." He announced. A pack animal might make things a bit easier less to carry on their own animals.

He took a couple steps then back peddled, "If you ain't got amm'anition, best ge t yo'self a box 'er two from Cookies afore we set out. Ain't rightly shore what ta expect out there. Hadn't give 'er much thought first trip out. Know'd I was pre-pared, jest not sure you was this go 'round." Then he walked off to find a place to sit and eat. Venison steak and beans, with a biscuit and coffee.

Posted January 1, 2023

Pythias sat his horse facing Frank Teal, siting on his as the herd was starting out. "Just a careful eye Pythias, we don't want to run onto any surprises ahead of us. As always water and graze." Frank ordered. "Plain enough we're in strange country to us, but then what country ain't?"

"Yeah, ain't that the truth. "We'll ride on ahead, like you say, a sharp eye about the country. Anything looks outta place, we'll come a runnin'." Pythias replied, knowing full well that there could be anything out there tat was not friendly.

"How's young Wheeler doin'?" Was the question.

"Jest fine, Boss. He's a sharp one. Don't miss much an' ain't afraid ta ask. He'll do." Came the answer, causing Frank to smile and nod.

"Well git then." Frank ordered. Pythias wheeled his horse and took out toward where he figured Justus would be waiting, and sure enough that was exactly where the young man was waiting.

"Let's git goin', gotta keep an eye out for trouble, as usual, water and graze a'course." He led out at an easy pace, a trot would separate them from the herd fairly quickly, and allow them to see the country. It was a couple of miles before Pythias spoke again.

"Could be there's Injuns about, maybe peaceable, maybe not. Maybe even some white men, but I kinda doubt it. Maybe too far from any towns, 'er settlements. Not that most bad men are see-questerd in any towns. Some maybe, but not most." He was saying. "Herd'll foller are tracks. So we need ta not be gallivantin' about the countryside."

Posted January 3, 2023

"Happens, buffalo ain't so plentiful nowadays, so some'll make do with beef. Most Agency Injuns take Agency beef. They don't like it, but it's food, barely." Pythias said as they started out. "You ever see what passes fer Agency beef?  Bad. Wouldn't feed oit to ma dog, if'n I had one. An' the wonder why the young bucks jump the reservation an' go ta fightin' again. But we won't see no reservation Injuns out here, no siree. These'll be them what wiped out Custer. If it ain't white men!"

Funny that there would be white men in Indian country, but when you're on the dodge, well, you get away from where good people are, and there in lies their problem. Namely the Sioux, Cheyenne, Crow, Blackfoot, and maybe Comanche.