It was, as Zane had said, they were rousted out early and drove the herd til midday, paused for an hour, maybe a little more and then pushed on again. They were close to the finish of the drive and every man was well aware that the end was neigh. There was no shortage of complaints on the short nights and increased night watches, now using six as opposed to four teams of two.

But they were closing in on this big lake that was not far from the ranch they were headed to. They would water and rest the herd when they reached it. Resting the herd meant resting the hands for the final push toward Kalispell and the Rocki'n P Ranch. It was Frank Teal's hope that most, if not all his hands would stay on, providing this Pike fellow kept his word. He had not told the boys that Kalispell was a tinder box with trouble between the two big spreads, but that would be put forth soon enough, that way it would be fresh in their minds when they got there. No surprises.

So Justus and Zane returned to the herd while Weezr and McVay took the point. They were on the left flank keeping alert to their surroundings, and the cattle in line.

"Won't be long now, according ta what Teal said to Modene. Maybe three, four days." Zane said, reiterating that they were close. "Then we'll see about them girls."

Zane grinned wide, because the boy was right, they were at the bottom of a list of experienced hands and they would get the first watch, but they would not be alone, maybe half the crew would go into town, and the other half would stay to the ranch, but that was a ways off yet. They first had to get there.

"Could be, but I'm thinking it ain't an all 'er nothin' deal this here goin' ta town." Zane remarked. "Hell, no matter how ya cut it, there'll be seven 'er eight of us there all at once. An' folks ain't fond of cowhands courtin' their daughters. In them Kansas cow towns we was restricted to one side of town. Only time I was there, this here bein' only my second drive."

Zane grinned wide once again at what Justus was saying, "Now what I was sayin' was about them Kansas cow towns an' they had seen plenty of cowboys in off the trail, too many, too often. Oh, they liked the money that the stores, hotels, and saloons brought in, which was considerable let me tell ya." He explained. "Ain't fergettin' the brothels neither."

"Some'a them range bums, as you call 'em, went home broke as when they started. Wearing duds that wouldn't hold up on the ride home, 'cus they got rid of their range clothes, an' such. These here canvas trousers are far better'n the cotton ones they bought, not ta mention coats an' shirts. But this here town, it ain't a cow town, fact is, she's just a town. Heard tell there's some minin' goin' on, but cattle, though I 'spose there's cattle ranches an' I reckon they drive their beef wherever it needs ta go. Well, that's what I heard anway."

The herd moved along at a good pace, stopping at the eastern foot of the Flathead Lake to take a break, and rest for a day where there was plenty of grass and water for them, as well as the men who needed the break. Although they had seen plenty of sign, there had been no more run-ins with the red man, which was a misnomer. Indian's skin was brown.

The break had done all of them good, and the lake meant that they had some fifty miles to go the reach the Rocking P Ranch and the end of the drive. They would be home for those that wanted to stay on, and payday for everyone whether they chose to stay or ride on. That was always a choice for the cowhand, ride the grub line in almost any direction, they could always sign on with an outfit or move on. A vagabond life was there for the taking, or a bunk house and steady meals, a home.

So the push north, and northwest was on, and to reach the top of the lake, forty-odd miles took the herd two days, and when they reached the top of the lake they were greeted by a large wagon drawn by two draft horses driven by a woman with a mounted rider who broke away and trotted over to the herd.

"Frank Teal?" Pronto asked the first man he came to.

"Back alongside the chuck wagon about the mid-day break," Weezer said, pointing back behind him.

To be continued...

Zane looked across the herd at the wagon and the man galloping out to where 'Weezer' was, could be most anything, looking fer directions I reckon." He said with a smile. That' there's one stout wagon, an' will ya look at them Perchinron draft horses. They come a far piece that's for sure. Man, them animals is beautiful! They that them Vikings rode 'em in olden times. Imagine that!"

They sat there watching the woman on the wagon as Teal rode up and was now talking with her. Good to see a real live woman.

"Ain't real sure what ta think of them folks, I mean they seem ta have come up along the lake there from tuther side. That's some coincidence, alright." He added.

++++++++

'Weezer' grinned, "Big fella on a Chestnut. over by the chuck, jawin' with yer woman. You from here?"

Pronto smiled"Yep, this'd be my herd. Pike, Pronto Pike." He reached his hand across, "Rockin' P Ranch, maybe fifteen more miles ahead. Pleasure to meet ya, Weezer." He reined around and galloped back toward Em and Frank Teal.