Posted October 4, 2022
"Pleased ta meet ya, Rance." Justus gave the man a nod, then lined up with the others for grub. Maybe he could get some sleep despite the wind. He surely was tired enough, and until there was something that concerned him, he didn't need to be concerned.
First, though, a full belly! As the line progressed, he he nodded to the kid who was the cook's help. "Times like this, I bet yer glad ya don't have ta be on th' downwind end of a herd'a cows!"
Posted October 5, 2022
That did not take long. Cookie rang the triangle and shouted his best but in the end he sent the kid to roust all but the closest to him. Rance joined young Wheeler in the line, a bit out of the wind, but mostly in it for the moment. It seemed calmer up by the wagon.
"That had ta be bad back there. The wind drivin' the dust an' the smell, but should this wind let up you'll be on flank, left flank, then right, then back to the drag. It'll be me, Dallas, an' Dixie. eatin' dust tomorrow. But at least we got hot grub, won't always be that'a way out here though, every trip is different."
And they moved up steadily.
Posted October 7, 2022
"I'm grateful fer grub when it's there," Justus declared. There had been times he'd not known when -- or even if -- the next meal was coming, do the promise of regular meals was worth the hard work.
"Not lookin' forward ta tryin' ta get th' dust outta my gear, but leastways we don't got Cookie's job at that!"
The dust kicked up by the wind would find its way into every chink and crate, and some would likely be there years from now, no matter how thoroughly the wagon was cleaned.
Even now, despite Cookie's best efforts, there was probably bound to be some grit in the food, it was just a fact of life on the trail.
Posted October 7, 2022
"You'll shake out that bedroll or find things in there you didn't plan on havin' for comp'ny, but the rest, yeah, it'll wait, and this likely ain't the only blow we'll come onto." Rance offered. "Been in too many of these wind storms. Some times we been caught out on the plains with no shelter like we got here. Trees make a big differ'ce, believe me."
The line moved quickly as men were not about to dally about in the wind. And that wind would cool off the hot meal fairly quickly.
"I got two pots on, so plenty of Arbuckles. You come get it when yer a mind to!" Cookie hollered against the wind.
Posted October 7, 2022
Justus nodded to Cookie as he took a plate of grub. "Thank ya, sir." It smelled good, as much as one could smell through the thick dust, and squatting with his back to the wind only minimally reduced the dust. There was little talk as the men ate quickly, to get the meal in before it became pure dust!
Once that was accomplished, it seemed a little early to hit the sack, and the Sun still had a way to go before setting, so he headed over to check on Mule and Annie, wishing there was a way he could protect them from all the dust, but the best they could do was turn their tales to the wind.
Posted October 8, 2022
There would be no watches set during the storm. The cattle were down and unlikely to get up while the wind blew. As for the horses, all of them stood at the picket line which was stretched so the wind was at their backs, how they would stand if they were free to roam. It would help keep them from spooking.
Men would get up and check the horses lead ropes tied to the picket line. They did this on their own as a precaution. And there would always be a man awake through the night to check the horses, it would not be easy chasing down horses should they get loose, on foot. Sleeping out in the wind was never easy, nor restful.
Dixie Brick moved toward the line and stopped next to Justus. "Since yer here, check all them mounts and the woman's horses. Gotta insure the lead ropes are snug!" He shout against the howling wind. He patted him on the shoulder.
Posted October 8, 2022
Checking on the horses gave Justus a chance to get a good, close-up look at the Morgans, and he had to admit, they were fine-looking animals, graceful but sturdy.
"A woman, ya said?" he asked Dixie, "they're goin' ta a woman?" Not that it was unheard of, but it was a bit odd, and he was wondering what they were going to be used for. "Sure ain't just fer cow ponies...don't reckon she'd be sellin' 'em t' th' Army?"
Not that he had anything personal against the Cavalry, but he'd heard how they treated their horses, and it would be a shame to see these beautiful beasts treated that way.
Posted October 9, 2022
Dixie grinned, "Cain't say as I know much about what 'er who. Jest these beauties are headed to the same ranch the cattle are headed for, an' yep, a woman owns these horses. Me, I'm gettin' outta this wind! That shelter'll have ta do til she blows herself out. You best do the same.' He advised. "Get all the rest ya can, we'll be pushin' ta try an' make up for this delay."
There was no real schedule to be kept, but it was a fact that drovers tried to make up for time lost to weather. Yet, pushing cattle meant losing weight, and were they headed to market, rather than to a ranch where they could fatten up, it would be against their best interest when the cattle would be sold for weight. Of course the big drives cattle were sold by the head, and in the cow towns of Kansas, they were loaded into cattle cars and shipped on to where they would be slaughtered. The buyers could tell what the weight would be like when they looked over the herds.
Posted October 10, 2022 · IP
Justus nodded, quickly finishing his food then taking the plate back to Cookie before grabbing his gear and ducking behind the shelter. There was less dust here, and it was a bit quieter, although crowded. Justus found an unused spot on the floor to lay out his bedroll, then stretched on the blankets.
Using his hat, he covered his face, as much to block the light as filter some of the dust. He'd surely be happy when he had a chance to take a hot bath and be clean for a day or so, but he knew that wasn't coming any time soon. The best might be a dip in a stream somewhere, but that wouldn't be pleasant if the cows got there first!
Posted October 10, 2022
It was still dark when Cookie rang the triangle, and there was no so much as a breeze stirring the grass. The storm had passed them by at last. Damage was minimal around the camp, and that was good. The chuck wagon was still upright and intact.
Frank stood by the main fire looking over everything and happy to see everything appeared to be alright. "Roll out! Early day taday! We got ground to cover!" He shouted as he men were in the process of getting up, feeling the usual aches and pains, from sleeping on the ground, but that was all part and parcel of being a cowboy on a drive.
The clanging of the triangle sound once more, "Come an get it afore I throw it out!" Cookie threatened, which would never happen, but the men hustled to get in line for breakfast.