Posted September 17, 2022
"Good ta know I'll be gettin' my turn at some'a th' gentler ponies." Rolling his eyes, Justus grinned. "So long's I got some warnin' when I can expect ta be layin' in th' dirt an' lookin' up at th' sky!"
Justus had to wonder how much of a horse's attitude had to do with having a different rider every day, and not getting to know the man on his back or what he expected. And he figured that there were some of the men who didn't have the same tolerance for a horse's spirit and did more to encourage it than help.
No matter, Justus would take things a day at a time, and hope for the best.
"Can't say as I'd not prefer ta sleep in in th' mornin's myself! An' ya can't blame a horse that doesn't want ta get out an' work while th' dew's still wet!"
The discipline of work and a schedule would take some getting used to...he'd been on his own for a couple weeks, and having a job would change that.
Posted September 18, 2022
"Well son, you tell that ta Frank." Lorado said dryly. "The job's movin' this here beef. Frank, he likes to start early, right at the crack 'a dawn, and push through the day, 'cept fer noonin'. But he gets it done."
I don't know that them horses all care that much. They know they're jon, fer shore, an' part 'a thet is ta make life hard on cowboys!" Ames said and both men laughed through their scarves. "some days is worse than others with them cayuses. Cain't never tell which'll give ya a hard ride first thing, an' which rope. Jest shake out yer rope an' hope fer the best!"
Up ahead the the chuck wagon was off the trail and a fire was going already. They would be stopping , letting the animals feed while they ate and rested as well. Then it would be back to pushing horns til supper.
Posted September 19, 2022
"So long's there's a good meal at th' end of th' day," Justus said with a grin. A hard day's work was a given for most men, and Justus didn't mind, so long as it wasn't unreasonable, but to have the knowledge that there was a hearty, tasty meal waiting made it all the easier to do that work.
He chuckled and shook his head. "Gone often enough without supper, so I'm content ta know I won't be goin' hungry." Grinning, he chuckled again. "An' that th' food's not gonna give me a belly ache so I wished I'd gone hungry!"
And so far, he was enjoying the company, the men all seemed to be easy-going, and were good to him so far, and Justus clung to the hope that he'd found something that was going to last for a while.
Posted September 19, 2022
"Oh ya ain't about ta go hungry at Cookies chuck wagon, No siree bob! That man and and Danny, why they pride themselves on the chuck they put out. That's the reason Ol' Frank hired 'em on." Lorado promised. "Men thet eat well work hard. An' Frank, he likes his men workin' as hard as he is."
"Thet's a fact. Why Frank is likely to send a couple of the boys out to get a deer, 'er some other game to bulk up what Cookie's got on hand. Rather that than kill one a' the cattle, but he ain't shy about that neither. Will added. "Men gotta eat to deliver, an' Frank he aims to deliver, so you'll eat well on this drive."
"All right, we're here!" Lorado beamed. "Time ta tie on the feed bag!" He said as he stepped down, they were the last ones in, so the picket line was already up. The point riders too care of that as the cattle were hearded together for the noon break, and settled in to grazing.
Posted September 19, 2022
Grateful for the chance to not be in the saddle for a bit, Justus swung to the ground, giving Annie a pat on the neck, then loosening her cinch a little so she could breathe easier. Before tying her to the picket line, he took off the bridle and hung it over the saddle horn, making it easier for her to graze.
He checked on Mule, who didn't seem to mind not having to work, and in fact, seemed to be enjoying his time off, then headed for the chow line. He didn't know how long they had, but figured there'd be some decent time, so the cows could have their meal, too!
Posted September 20, 2022
All of the men were there and standing in line for the noon meal that Cookie was dishing up, and it smelled good, even at a distance, but the breeze carried the aroma of what turned out to be a hearty beef stew.
"How you makin' out kid?" A voice from behind him asked. "See they got you with Ames an' Lorado. I'm Pythias Modeen, help Frank Teal ramrod this outfit. Seen you earlier, looks to me like you'll fit right in." Modeen and Teal had been partners for a number of years, diving cattle where they needed to go. "Gonna be a fair ta middlin' trip I reckon. You need anything, give a holler."
Posted September 21, 2022
"I'm doin' real good." Justus turned to face the man behind him, a little startled to see that the man was black. Oh, he'd seen him around, and had no problem with the color of his skin -- so long as a man was honorable and pulled his share, it didn't matter one whit to Justus what he looked like.
Still, being the product of Confederate Texas, and having lived among men who blamed most anything on the Negros rather than take responsibility for their own bad choices, Justus had never really actually talked to a black man.
"I appreciate all th' help, sir, an' how welcomin' everyone is. Oh, name is Justus Wheeler." He stuck out his hand to shake. "Good ta meet ya."
Posted September 22, 2022
"And I you young man." Modeen said extending his hand. "These boys rank as some of the best Texas has to offer, so you'll get a real education out here. We'll push hard and we'll see bad weather, hardly ever fails, no matter the time of year or the direction we take. Hopefully we'll make up any lost time, but never can tell about that."
"Likely we'll see some Indians along the way and that might get a bit touchy. Rustlers as well, ya know they get farther out every year, then drive 'em to the nearest market, so keep yer eyes peeled. Like I said, you need anything you just holler."
Posted September 22, 2022 · IP
"Yes, sir." Justus grinned and nodded. "Just do what I'm told, know how ta do that well enough!" Hopefully, when something happened, he'd be close enough to someone who could tell him what he needed to do, or the solution would be very obvious. Once he had a chance to just sit and chat, he was sure he'd have a better idea of what to expect...he was certain that these old cowboys had stories, and stories taught lessons, ones that he would be more than happy to learn.
"Reckon if I make it through this I'll be a pretty decent hand, an' it's good ta know might be a job at th' end of it." He hadn't expected to fall into something like this, but it was a godsend, and he planned to make the most of it.
Posted September 23, 2022
"I've no doubt of that. These boys'll teach the ropes, how well you do with what they tell you is up to you." Modeen said. "Well you be sure you eat and relax some, you'll be back in the saddle in an hour or so."
The weather was nice, but most all of the men knew that weather was like a woman, subject to change at a moments notice.
"So how ya makin' out youngster?" The voice belonged to Virgil whom he'd met earlier in the day before. "Bet you've been asked that til yer sick of it, but most all these men want you to succeed at this job. We need good men, an' you got the makin's. You keep that Colt ready an' handy, cuz we never know."