An Unescorted Lady

by Rita Hestand

  "It's not like they want to rob us. I'd give anyone that much."

  Lance just chuckled. Marty tended to get onry when on a drive as Lane knew he'd rather be home with Helen than out here on the prairie. Joe just chuckled.

  Lance covered for Willis as he had the night guard. Lance relaxed, feeling very at home on the range and sang to the herd and they seemed to enjoy it. He always felt a closeness when he sang to them, as though he instinctively knew what they wanted to hear.

  But two nights later there was a storm, a really bad storm. And the cattle were restless as the lightning lit up the tips of their horns like lanterns. The clash of horns butting into horns made the boys restless too. They knew the least little thing could set the herd off in a stampede. The thunder sounded like a hundred drums in the wide-open spaces. But the lightning was deadly.

  "This ain't good," Joe told Lance.

  "I know, let's put a double guard around them tonight, just in case they run." Lance told him.

  "Good idea, I'll tell the boys." Joe told him.

  It was about two hours before dawn when a streak of lightning cut through the herd that seemed to touch them off. They ran and the stampede felt like the earth was going to cave in. The boys mounted up and they all rode like hell, trying to turn the herd, stirring dust, listening the to clang of horns, and the pounding of the hoofs, as the rain pelted them like small rocks against the skin.

  The boys rode hard, trying to turn them, everyone doing their job. Every cowboy did their job, as the storm was relentless. It began to rain hard and it made the task even more daunting. Just seeing was difficult in such an extreme storm. It was nearly five hours later when they gathered them against a canyon, and dawn was peaking over the horizon.

  Some of the boys came into camp soaked to the bone, all were weary.

  Everyone was worn out and tired, some hadn't gotten any sleep. But the storm had stopped, and they'd only lost about twenty steers. One of the boys had been gorged as he got too close to the herd. His name was Tim, and he was only about seventeen. There was a lot of blood and everyone was concerned. Marty's sons knew him best and they were shook up about him, as they were the ones that found him. They took him to Cookie, but his wound was so deep, Cookie shook his head. "I done all I can do for him. I sewed him up, but he lost a lot of blood. Gave him some laudanum to ease his suffering."

  It was one of Marty's men, and Marty shook his head. "That was one hell of a storm. Tim didn't have any folks, except us."

  "It was a storm we won't forget. Is there any hope for the boy?" Lance asked Marty.

  "I don't think so. My boys are taking it pretty hard too."

  Lance frowned, every cowboy knew the dangers of a stampede and they had all reacted as quickly as possible. It was no one's fault. But the camp was very quiet that day. They didn't push the herd that day, everyone gathered around the chuck wagon discussing Tim and he died that night.

  They buried the young cowboy the next day along the trail, and Lance and Marty both agreed they would rest that day as the boys were wiped out tired and the cattle too. The small wooden cross seem to stick out on the prairie like a lonely reminder of their troubles. Every drive had it's casualties, always unexpected.

  Tim Holton wouldn't be forgotten, and Jake, Marty's oldest said some words over his grave and Lance sang Amazing Grace. It was a somber day.

  Because of the rains though, the next river was rising, and they spent some time trying to find a place to cross it. Hazards happened on almost every trail drive, and Lance was prepared for anything to go wrong. Because there were so many men on the drive when there was a problem like this, they'd put their heads together, talk it over and then act.

  "The only safe place to cross is Benson's crossing and that's twenty miles out of our way." Sam told them. "But," Sam paused to consider, "you won't have no trouble there, the river bends a bit and slows the rush of water down. It's not as high there either."

  "I want to get the herd to market as bad as all of you, but not at the risk of another life," Lance told them. "We'll take a vote and decide."

  Most of the boys agreed with Lance, it wasn't worth another life. The crossing would cost them some time but most of them agreed it was safer.

  Joe was upset about the time, Lance explained. "I know how you feel. I want to get home probably as bad as you do, but not at the cost of another life. I'd rather be safe than sorry, Joe."

  "I know you are right, just burns me to lose time."

  "We all know these things happen, Joe?"

  "Yeah, I guess you're right." Joe reflected.

  "Every year we do this, every year there are problems to deal with Joe. But getting there safe and sound is more important than trying to beat all the other herds."

  "You know if we have any more delays, we could lose money on this trip."

  "Maybe, but money isn't always what I worry about." Lance told him.

  "Well I guess not, for you. You can afford to be generous, but I got kids to feed, and I’m not as rich as you are." Joe protested.

  "You will be in time. You got land, you got cattle, and you got a good family. In some ways you are richer than others."

  "How do you figure?" Joe asked aggravated that Lance could be so generous.

  "That boy we left back there on the trail didn't have family, money or a life. He'd barely began to live. I figure you and I are pretty lucky, count your blessings Joe."

  Joe hung his head, "You're right about that. He didn't have a chance at life yet."

  "My father and grandfather used to say." Lance smiled sadly. "It could have been you or me that happened to."

  "I guess you're right. How come you right about most things."

  "Because I've been wrong about enough of other things. Like Priscilla!" Lance chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

  "We ain't gonna let you live that one down, you know that don't you?" Joe smiled.

  "I know, but that's alright too." Lance smiled at him.

  The only other problem they had was running into a rancher as they got into Kansas territory that didn't want them on his land. Lance, Marty, and Joe all three went to talk to the rancher.

  "We gotta get the herd through, sir, so tell us how we can end this problem?" Lance finally came out with his ultimatum.

  "You got six thousand head of cattle, they'll tear the land up, eat the grass and do all kinds of harm if I let you through. This is my ranch; I won't allow that to happen. No sir!"

  Lance's smile disappeared, "You want to be paid for the damages?"

  "If I let you through, I'd expect it, yes." The rancher frowned at him.

  "Look, we don't have a choice, we have to get our herd to market. How much?"

  "A dollar a cow!" the man said.

  "That's six thousand dollars!" Marty yelled.

  "That's right, take it or leave it!"

  Lance stared at the man. "There are other herds coming the same way, you gonna charge them all?"

  "If I have to, yes!"

  "We won't be on over a hundred acres, and we'll get them through as fast as we can." Marty argued.

  "What choice do we have?" Lance asked Marty and Joe as they stepped out on the porch to consider his words.

  "Go around?" Joe suggested.

  "Yeah, losing more time. And you were worried about time the other day, as I recall." Lance informed him.

  "That's too much money Lance. Even split three ways it's too much money."

  "If we don't get through, we won't get our projected price." Lance reminded them. "And like I told you before, I found a buyer that we can trust to pay us the going price."

  When the three of them couldn't agree Lance offered one last ditch effort. "Let's jack him down on the price."

  "You think he'll lower it, just because you want him to?"

  "No, but I got a little idea working."

  "Okay, we don't have much choice."

  They went back inside the ranch house and the rancher was standing there with his hands on hi
s hips. "Well, did you decide?"

  "We'll give you three thousand, that's all."

  "Then you won't move them over my land."

  "Look, you either take the money or we'll go across your land anyway. You know what you are doing isn't right. You had to have known you bought land on the Chisholm Trail, that cattle would be coming your way every year. Well, this is the last year, as the railheads are coming our way and we won't be coming through here again."

  The man scratched his chin. "I knew about the herds coming, this is true. But it's still my land. But since there are herds behind you, I'll take that three thousand in cash if you don't mind."

  "Cash, I'll have to go into the nearest town and get a bank draft, I don't carry that much cash going up a trial."

  The man studied their problem. "What's your names?"

  Lance told him.

  "What ranches are you with?"

  Lance told him that too.

  "How often you been up this trail?"

  "Most of us fifteen years." Lance answered.

  The rancher firmed his lips. "Tell you what I'll do. I'll let you through, but I'll hold you to this price when you come back, I'll expect Cash payment."

  "That's generous of you sir."

  The man wrote the names and ranches down and estimated the time they'd be back through. "If you don't pay up, I'll find you and collect it."

  Lance studied the man. "A man's word is still worth something, sir."

  "Alright, I'll expect you back here next month then, you should be able to get there and get paid by then."

  "Fair enough."

  Marty and Joe weren't happy about it at all, but Lance told them as they were leaving. "I'll pay half and you two can pay the other half."

  Marty sighed, "I guess that's more than fair. But I'm wondering why he let us go through without paying now?"

  "Like he said, he'd find us and expect us to pay up. When we sell the herd, we can pay him, and we won't start any unnecessary shooting to do it. Besides, this is our last trip through this area, and we can be glad of it."

  "One thing that will save us some money is not letting the boys go into towns until we get there. Paying damages sometimes amounts to as much."

  "Good idea, Marty." Lance smiled. "I knew if we put our heads together, we could work through this, we always do."

  "He bought this land, knowing about the cattle drives." Joe insisted.

  "True, but he had the right to do it too, so there's little we can do about that. He'll make a bundle this year, but it's gonna be the last year." Lance informed them.

  "I'm sure glad that railroad is coming through Ft. Worth."

  "Imagine how easy it's going to be next year." Lance grinned.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Having no more trouble, they pushed the herd on to the railroad at Abilene, Kansas. Lance met up with the cattle buyer he had met on the train and he offered him a generous amount, enough to cover the entire expense of the cattle rancher's charges and have a profit still.

  Lance informed Marty and Joe that he was going to cover the expense himself. He had the largest herd, and he was well able to afford it.

  Marty and Joe were relieved because they had paid the Indian tribes a bounty for coming over their lands too.

  Now after celebrating a couple of days most of the men were headed home. Some of the wranglers they'd picked up on the trail headed to their own homes. They were all happy that it had been a good drive this year with relatively few problems and everyone had been paid for their work.

  Lance and the others stopped off and paid the rancher. The rancher shook his hand. "I was pretty sure I figured you right."

  Lance smiled, "Hopefully next year we will be able to ship them from Ft. Worth. But if not, we'll see you then."

  "Yeah, times are changing." The man said. "I appreciate you bringing this by so promptly."

  The rancher's wife fed all of them and they were on their way once more.

  The ride home would be pleasant after chasing cows for so long.

  It was August and hotter than blazes. The closer to Texas the hotter it got.

  "I can hardly wait to get back to see if Helen learned anything from your wife about cooking." Marty chuckled.

  "Let me tell you something Trudy is one hellova cook." Lance told him. "Why I think the boys think more of her than me."

  "Well hell yeah, you can't cook!" Marty laughed. Marty's boys had only been up the trail about three times and every time they headed home, they were more than anxious to get there, even though they knew the work there was just as hard.

  Rusty had made some strides in running the remuda, and herding the horses back was no problem. He hoped a certain girl would be looking forward to seeing him, as he had a question to ask her.

  Willis healed up from his snake bite, although his color didn't return for a long while.

  As they gathered around the fire Cookie chuckled, "I guess this is the last time I have to cook for you guys."

  "Reckon so, Cookie. You gonna retire now?"

  "I'm saving this money, gonna get me a small place and me and my dog are gonna sit on the porch and watch the people go by." He told them. "I'm gonna sit in my rocking chair and pet my dog and we'll live happily ever after."

  "Sounds good. You deserve it. I don't know if we've ever told you how much we appreciate you being with us every year. Cooking, doctoring, and all the other things you do." Lance looked at him with a smile. "And you are regular as clockwork, we can set our getting up time with you."

  Cookie was an older man with white hair and a smile as wide as the Mississippi. He wasn't a sloppy man; he took care of himself even on a cattle drive. He was probably the cleanest drover among them.

  "Well thanks boss. I enjoy going up the trail, and I'll miss you guys too."

  "I guess we'll have to have you visit us then." Lance told him.

  "Sounds good, especially if your wife is as good a cook as you say." Cookie chuckled. "I'd like to try her out, maybe she can teach this old dog some new tricks."

  "I’m sure you could share some recipes." Lance smiled.

  Just the mention of Trudy had his heart bouncing off his chest. He had sure missed her. He wondered if she'd be standing there where he told her. He hoped so, he had to get a wire off to her soon.

  As they finally hit Texas it seemed their riding picked up a bit, although the Red was swollen for this time of year. All the men were anxious to get home.

  But as they neared the gap, Lance left the drive to head up to the hill. His heart was nearly bursting with excitement.

  But, when he got to the hill, there was a strange stillness in the air. Lance tried to shake it off, as he came up to the grove where he asked her to wait. It was empty, and something inside him broke. She wasn't there!

  Had she not got the telegram he sent?

  He looked all over, but there was nothing.

  He stood there realizing she either forgot or wasn't coming. He fell to his knees. Why it had been so important to him for her to be there, he wasn't sure. Just a renewed hope for their future.

  Everything in him stiffened. All the noises, of the grasshoppers, the birds singing, and animals about disappeared. He felt empty. His face drained of color. His heart seemed to stop; he wasn't aware that tears rolled down his cheeks.

  It was foolish he knew, but when he'd asked her, he was full of excitement and knowledge that their marriage could withstand anything. Now, her not being here, seemed to trigger doubts in his mind. He'd just gotten his hopes up too high, that was all.

  He didn't know how long he was there, but at least a couple of hours later had passed when George rode up behind him.

  George stared at Lance, not sure how to approach him. He took his hat off and ambled up slowly toward him.

  "Lance?" He called to him.

  Lance didn't answer.

  "Lance?"

  He came nearer.

  Lance didn't turn to look at him, didn't respond except with an emptin
ess that even George recognized.

  "She's not here, George." Lance cried.

  "Lance," George fumbled with his hat, trying to find the right words to tell him. "Look, there's something you should know." George bowed his head, his face a mass of worry.

  Lance turned to look at his friend, unmindful of the tears. "She didn't come, George. I thought sure she'd be here."

  "Lance, I don't know how to tell you this, but there's been trouble at the house."

  "Trouble?" Lance barely let the word register.

  "The house is gone, boss." George mumbled.

  "The house?" Lance shook his head, then stared. "What are you talking about?" Lance's face registered the words now, but it still hadn't sunk in.

  "There was a tornado—" George told him.

  "Tornado? My God is she hurt?" he suddenly asked, going toward his horse now.

  "She ain't there, boss." George told him.

  "What do you mean?" Lance questioned, his eyes darting to him.

  "I think Chico can tell you best, let's get back now." George encouraged.

  Lance wiped his tears, now a fear hit him like he'd never known. A tornado? The house was gone, and where was Trudy?

  They rode quickly back to the ranch and Chico was sitting on what was left of the front porch. Around him was the shattered pieces of a good size ranch house.

  Lance's jaw dropped, his eyes widened, and fear spread through him like a hot knife. He quickly dismounted and ran up to Chico, "Where is she?"

  Chico's head dropped. "Boss, sit down, please…"

  Lance sat on the piece of step beside Chico, eager to hear what had happened.

  "It was about two weeks ago when it hit. I was in the barn as usual. Mark and Bill were checking the fence lines. Miss Trudy came out of the house and wondered why it was so dark. I tried to warn her. One of the horses stirred, and that's when it hit."

  "She's—"

  "I do not know. I looked around at the barn when I looked back, the house was gone, and she was too. We searched but we didn't find her."

  "Gone?" Lance repeated. "Gone?" he stood up and jerked Chico up by the collar, "Where?"

  "I do not know boss. Every day we've been out looking for her. Some of the neighbors saw we were hit and stopped off to help us look for her. We couldn't find her. We covered the whole ranch and found nothing. But she was there, I saw her. I talked to her just before—"