Taming the Wind

TWO

Tyler looked up as Brandon finished the supper prayer. "Thanks for having me. I hope it's not too much of an inconvenience."

"No inconvenience at all." Brandon smiled and handed Tyler a platter with fried chicken. "Always room for one more."

He helped himself to the crispy chicken and held the platter while Carissa took a portion, as well. "I hope you'll still feel that way after I explain why I've come."

Carissa took the platter and passed it to Laura. "I think he will. My brother-in-law always seems to enjoy a challenge."

Laura looked at Carissa with a strange expression. "A challenge?"

Tyler intervened. "Yes, I have to say this will be a challenge. William Barnett and I are putting together a cattle drive with another rancher. We'd like to ask you to come along as our wrangler and handle all the horses. We'll probably have at

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least fifteen men for the drive, and with the cook wagon and reserve mounts, there will probably be some seventy to eighty horses."

"A cattle drive to where?" Brandon asked.

"Kansas." Tyler took a bowl of grits and helped himself to a healthy portion.

He followed that up with thick chicken gravy and waited for Brandon to digest the news.

"How long would a drive like that take?" Laura asked before Brandon could speak. "We are due to have another baby in August, in case you were unaware."

Tyler smiled. "The drive ... if we can get everything in order, will start the first or so of April and we should be back by July at the latest, maybe even sooner. We've heard good reports from the forts along the way, and rivers are crossable for the most part. Those that are still running high will be down considerably by the time we reach them. The boys have already rounded up most of the herd for branding and such, so we're well on our way to being'

ready."

"What about Indians? I presume we'll have to travel through Indian Territory,"

Brandon said, still not looking at his wife.

Tyler frowned. "Well, that's the worst of it as far as I'm concerned. Comanche killed my father and some of his men. I'm none too inclined to want anything to do with them; however, there are new rail pens in a town called Abilene in Kansas. That's pert near straight north of here, not quite five hundred miles.

So in order to take the shortest route, we'll have to deal with the Indians."

"Five hundred miles in the saddle, eh?" Brandon asked, shaking his head.

"Not sure I'm ready for that kind of riding."

"We take it slow. The cattle graze along the way. We don't want to run the meat off of them."

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Carissa looked at Tyler. "How many miles would you travel each day?"

"Anywhere from ten to twelve. We don't push for more than that usually,"

Tyler said, meeting her worried expression. "It's already becomin' a well-established trail and shouldn't be all that rough. The hardest part will be finding good grazing if there's already been a lot of other drives through the area."

"So we're looking at about fifty days, more or less," Brandon said.

"That's a good average," Tyler admitted. "Then there's the ride home. It goes quicker, but it's still five hundred miles." He grinned. "So we figure about ninety days."

"And what benefits would there be for my brother-in-law?" Carissa asked.

Tyler laughed. "She would make a good businesswoman. The drovers are gettin' about thirty-five dollars a month and can bring some of their own cattle if they have them. Your cut would be considerably more because a wrangler gets better pay. Of course, you'd have to be able to shoe and doctor up any animal that needed attention. The trails are hard on the mounts."

"I'm sure they are. However, I am capable of doing both," Brandon assured.

"We'd take care of feeding you and providing the equipment needed," Tyler added. "The pay is one hundred dollars a month due to you after the beeves are sold in Abilene. And that includes payin' you for the return trip. Will said, too, that if we get a really high price for the beeves there will be bonuses for everyone."

Brandon's eyes widened. "That's a lot of money. Far more than I would have expected."

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Tyler laughed. "You'll earn it. You'll also need a couple of other men to help you with the horses. William's got some good men who can help, but you'll no doubt want to meet them and get to know them. That's why I'm here.

William was hoping that if you're of a mind to join us, you might come on over next Saturday for a bit of a meeting. Bring the family. Hannah--that's Will's wife--plans to prepare a feast for everyone."

"Sounds like a good excuse to get together," Brandon said, glancing to Laura. "What do you think?"

"I don't like the idea of you going away and traveling off through Indian land, but I realize we could use the money, with another baby on the way." She looked at their son and smiled as he stuffed a piece of buttered corn bread in his mouth. He managed to mash more of the bread between his fingers than he actually got in his mouth.

Tyler couldn't help but grin at the boy. He seemed so happy with his accomplishment. But it was Gloria Lowe who truly held his attention. He turned toward the little blond-haired girl. She sat very manageably on her mother's lap while Daniel was in a feeding chair between his mother and father.

"I don't think it would hurt to at least hear what William has to say," Brandon finally replied.

Tyler nodded. "He'll be glad to hear it. Ted Terry, too. They want to get under way as soon as possible. You'll get a chance to meet Ted and his wife, Marietta, on Saturday. They own a large ranch to the west and north of Will's.

And here's something else to interest you even more: You could buy additional horses for your farm in Abilene."

"I was just thinking on that, but maybe not in the way you were," Brandon admitted. "I was thinking that I could have

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my father ship some of his stock to Abilene. I could pick them up at the rail station and bring them back with us to Texas."

"See there, already thinkin' like a true Texan. Never make a trip for one purpose if you can do it for three or four."

"You said there are forts along the way?" Laura questioned.

Tyler could hear the worry in her voice. "Yes, ma'am. The army is keeping a good eye on the Indian nations. The renegades are still likely to raid, but the army is working to keep them contained."

"We'd heard that the Kiowa attacked earlier this year. We were told it happened just before we arrived in the area," Laura replied.

"It did, and it wasn't all that far north of here." He couldn't hide the anger in his voice. "It was much like when they killed my pa. Renegades attacked, robbed the place, burned everything, and killed those in their way. Only three men managed to survive the attack on our ranch. In the case of what happened in January, I'm told some of the women and children were taken hostage. No doubt to be traded."

Laura shuddered. "To whom would they trade ... people?"

"Other tribes. Mexican bandits." Tyler shook his head. "Seems there are always those who are looking to take a slave no matter the color of their skin."

"How awful," Carissa said. "Do they always take hostages?"

"No, not usually. It's more likely they kill everyone. That's how it was at our place ... at least that's what they tried to do." Tyler picked up his chicken and began to eat.

"But I thought you said your mother and sister were alive. At least I thought I remembered you telling me that once. Were they not on the ranch when the Indians attacked?" Carissa asked.

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"They are alive. Thankfully they were in Dallas with me and my grandfather when the Comanche attacked the house. I thought eventually we'd all return to the ranch, but Mother decided to go east to live with her cousin after my grandfather passed on. She said Texas made her far too sad. My sister, Lenore, married and now lives in Georgia. I was sorry to see them go, but now I'm just as glad they did. Since the government took my land, I'm hardly in a position to support them, but I do try to send my mother a little money.

Hopefully after this cattle drive, I can send her more than just a little."

"Seems a complete injustice that they should rob you of your home," Carissa said, shaking her head.

"They figure me for a traitor," Tyler replied. "Truth is, I never planned to go to war in the first place."

"Then how was it you ended up in the Confederate cavalry?" Brandon asked.

Tyler shrugged. "It's a long story. Even my pa wanted to stay out of the war.

He was of a mind like Sam Houston-- that Texas had no business goin' to war. After Pa died, my grandfather and I fully planned to rebuild the ranch."

He fell silent. "The war put an end to that. First because it took me away from the ranch. Then because my participation took the ranch away from me."

"But what about the Homestead Act?" Laura asked. "Couldn't you get another place that way?"

Brandon shook his head and answered before Tyler could. "No, he fought against the United States. They won't allow him to have land. At least not here. I don't know for sure how they're doing it elsewhere. You have to sign a paper stating that you never bore arms against the United States."

"As I told Mr. Atherton ... Tyler," Carissa began, "I think 27

it very unfair that he should be treated that way. I wish there was something we could do to help him."

"Well, we will just have to put our heads together and see what can be accomplished," Brandon replied. "I have good friends who served with the Union and some are in fairly high places now. Perhaps they might help."

"William is doing his best to help me," Tyler said, trying hard not to let the bitterness well up. First Indians had taken what he loved, and now the very government he was supposed to swear allegiance to had stolen his land.

"If Texas were to revert to being a republic again, you might easily be able to get your land back," Laura suggested. "As I understand it, there are many who want exactly that. They feel slighted that Texas has not yet officially been allowed back in the Union."

"We aren't like other states," Tyler admitted. "Never will be. This state is made up of folks who know what it is to have to fight for their very existence.

Texas isn't for the faint of heart. Even so, I doubt we'll ever see a return to our republic days. I doubt Texas will ever be like it used to be."



***

The next morning Tyler awoke in William's house to the smell of side meat and coffee. He smiled and quickly dressed. Hannah was in the kitchen with Juanita, her housekeeper and cook, when Tyler strolled in. He made an exaggerated effort to draw in a long deep breath.

"Sure smells good in here."

"Morning, Tyler," Hannah said, motioning to the stove. "Coffee's ready."

He grabbed a mug. "I think this may well be my favorite

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time of day. I'd all but forgotten what it was like to have a woman in the house. Camping on the battlefield doesn't exactly allow for the comforts of home."

"No, I'm sure it doesn't." Hannah turned with a platter of scrambled eggs and grits. "If you take a seat, I'll bring you some breakfast."

Tyler quickly complied. He was happily focused on putting away a second helping when Will joined him. "Wondered if you were gonna sleep away the day."

William rubbed his right leg, as he often did since taking a war bullet.

Mornings seemed worse for him, and stiffness caused his limp to be more pronounced. "I wasn't sure you'd be up this early. By the time I went to bed last night, you still weren't home."

There was a hint of disapproval in William's voice and that only caused Tyler to laugh. "I wasn't out whoopin' it up, if that's what you're worried about. I had dinner at the Reid farm. I think Brandon is going to do the job for us."

"He'll come on the drive?"

Tyler nodded. "So long as you can have him back by August. He's got another baby due then."

Hannah joined them, bringing a plate of corn bread and one of side meat.

Juanita followed behind with the coffeepot. She quickly refilled Tyler's cup and then turned to William's.

"So I'm not the only one expecting," Hannah said with a smile.

This was news to Tyler. "You're gonna have another baby, Hannah?"

She blushed and nodded. "Yes. As best I can figure the baby will come in October, possibly as early as September."

"Well, congratulations. That's mighty fine news." Tyler 29

reached over and gave William a slap on the back. "Mighty fine."

"We're pleased," Hannah admitted. "And now we know there will be new young ones. I like having more and more children in the area. That's how you settle a community. Families are the best way to civilize the land."

The clock chimed six, and Tyler finished the last of his grits. "Guess I'd best get out there and make sure the boys are gettin' those last few details ready for the drive."

"I'll be out shortly," William replied. He rubbed his thigh again. "Need to get my leg limbered up."

Tyler took up a piece of warm corn bread and cut it open. Without being prompted, Hannah forked a piece of side meat and held it out to Tyler. He grinned and grabbed the greasy piece with his fingers.

"You know me pretty well, don't you?" He stuffed the meat between the pieces of corn bread. "Sometimes I'm mighty sorry Will got your attention first."

Hannah laughed. "William would probably tell you that life with me is not all that you might imagine." She cast a quick glance at her husband. William's expression was one that suggested he knew better than to speak on the matter.

Tyler decided it would probably be best to head on out before further comments could be made. "I'll see you at the pens."

He headed out the back door and crossed the yard to the horse barn. Cutting through the structure, Tyler continued through the maze of outbuildings to the first of three large pens. The boys were standing around talking to one of the greenhorns.

"So you fellas don't have enough work to do, is that it?" Tyler asked.

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"No, boss. We were just telling Newt here about steer sliding," one of the men replied. His expression was quite serious.

Tyler eyed the man who'd formerly been under his command in the Confederate army. "Now, John, you know it's

not fair to expect a new man to know everything. Especially not one that hailed from the city."

Newt Clapton was seventeen at the most. His small, wiry frame made him look even younger, and there was something about his naïve nature that the men couldn't resist playing pranks on.

"So it's true?" Newt asked, his eyes widening. "You really have to learn to slide under a steer? I ain't never heard of it."

For a moment Tyler thought of exposing the hoax and then thought better of it. The boys were just having fun. "To work this ranch you have to learn a great deal you've probably never heard of."

"Boss is right," Grubbs continued. "You never know when you'll find yourself in the middle of a bad situation. I've seen many a man trampled by steers for lack of knowin' how to escape 'em."

"And that's why you learn steer slidin'?" Newt asked, looking uncertain.

"That's right," one of the other hands said with a serious nod.

Andy Dandridge, Hannah's brother, came to stand beside Tyler. "I had to learn it," he told the greenhorn. A shock of white-blond hair blew over his left eye, prompting Andy to push it off his face in annoyance.

"Andy's learned just about everything a fella can learn on a ranch. You should probably pay close attention to him. He's gonna be on the drive north with us."

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The seventeen-year-old didn't seem too pleased to yield to a mere boy.

Tyler, however, knew that Andy Dandridge had skills that nearly equaled any man on the place. William had taken Andy under his wing after marrying Hannah, and the two were inseparable. William was even allowing Andy to put his studies aside and join them on the drive. Andy was to be one of the paid drovers, and Tyler thought this was just fine. Hannah, however, was harder to convince.

Newt looked back at the men. "Well, I guess if I need to learn this steer sliding, I'd best get busy. What do I gotta do?"

Grubbs crossed his arms. "First ya gotta get used to slidin'. Sometimes it's hard to master. We have a fella practice slidin' in the dirt first. No sense having any obstacles in the way until you get that down. Andy, why don't you demonstrate how a fella should slide."

Tyler smiled as Andy quickly jumped the fence and jogged across the now empty pen. "You want to lead with whatever leg you favor," Andy called.

Then without further ado, the boy took off running. About twelve feet from the fence, Andy stuck out his right leg and hit the dirt. Just as he reached the fence, Andy grabbed the bottom rail and used it to pull himself under. He skidded across the remaining distance and came to rest at the feet of the greenhorn.

"It's just that easy," Grubbs said, nodding in approval. "But like I said, I would just try slidin' for now. You can practice that anywhere. When you get the hang of it--you can try it with the fence."

Andy got to his feet and dusted off his backside. "It ain't hard once you get a feel for it."

Tyler and the other men nodded. Newt frowned. "It doesn't 32

look all that easy. I thought for sure you were gonna hit your head on that fence."

"I have before," Andy admitted, "but that's why you gotta practice. When you ain't workin', you need to be practicin'."

"The boy's got that right," Grubbs said as the other men nodded. Tyler turned away lest his smile cause the greenhorn to question the validity of their statements. He'd seen this trick played on more than one new man. It was just the boys' way of having some good-natured fun, and God knew that by the time they reached Abilene, they'd all be in need of diversion.