by J. T. Edson
iv Due to its Mexican connotations, few Texans used the word ‘cinch’.
v Dream-book: a mail order catalogue.
vi To avoid confusion, the author is using the rifle’s better-known name.
vii A detailed description of a similar type of Abbot & Downing coach’s fittings is given in: Calamity Spells Trouble.
viii A detailed description of a ‘dished’ wheel and the purpose it served is given in: The Whip and the War Lance.
ix The front wheel had a diameter of three foot ten inches.
x Set: four couples facing each other in a square formation.
xi Also known as the yellow catfish.
xii How the cowhands of Texas turned the longhorns’ fascination for freshly spilled blood to their advantage during round-ups is told in: Goodnight’s Dream.
xiii A description of a running iron and its use is given in: The Cow Thieves.
xiv Mark learned later that Leathers had been in the back-house when Silky had gone to deal with him and effect an entrance via the ramp. Then, having clubbed the supervisor unconscious with the butt of the rifle he had been loaned by Sparlow, Silky had had to wait until the Negro corral hands had driven a longhorn back out of the chute and opened the gate so he could make his belated ascent to the factory.
xv There were a few points which Mark was unable to clear up, as he never learned the answers. Schweitzer and Profaci had plotted to remove their other partners when they had learned that Goodnight’s scheme was gaining acceptance. The Italian had been on his way to Houston, to hire men to carry out the removals. Meeting Gomez in Bryan and learning of the trouble with Ribagorza, Profaci had paid the Mexican to visit the factory and use the demand for advance payment as an excuse to kill Viridian. Learning from Gianna of her husband’s departure, Sparlow had set off after him and murdered him, hiding his body and leaving his horse tied up in the woods. The dance hall girl admitted that she had been paid to supply him with an alibi. Schweitzer’s decision to leave Pilar had come when he had heard of Profaci’s death. Already suspicious of Viridian, guessing that he had been responsible for de Froissart’s murder and the truth about the can of kerosene, he had also believed that Sparlow was hoping to gain control of the Company. So, having taken the precaution of obtaining a spare key for the safe at the factory’s office, he had collected Viridian’s copies of the statement and the incriminating contract. Knowing that he would be able to call upon men hired by Profaci, he had taken the documents and all his money, then had set off with the intention of returning when he had sufficient helpers to protect his interests. On discovering that the storekeeper had fled, Sparlow had given chase. In the hope of saving his life, Schweitzer had handed over the documents and explained how they could be used. The hope had not materialized. Sparlow had killed him and had set out to complete the task by getting rid of the Viridians. Being short of men, he had yielded to Gianna’s request to be allowed to deal with Marlene.
xvi Told in: You’re in Command Now, Mr. Fog.
xvii Told in: The Big Gun, Under the Stars and Bars, The Fastest Gun in Texas and Kill Dusty Fog.
xviii Told in: The Devil Gun.
xix Further details of Belle Boyd’s career are given in: The Hooded Riders, The Bad Bunch, To Arms, To Arms, In Dixie!, The South Will Rise Again and The Whip and the War Lance.
xx Told in: The Colt and the Saber and The Rebel Spy.
xxi Told in: ‘The Paint’ episode of: The Fastest Gun in Texas.
xxii Told in: The Ysabel Kid.
xxiii Told in: .44 Caliber Man and A Horse Called Mogollon.
xxiv Told in: Goodnight’s Dream and From Hide and Horn.
xxv Told in: Set Texas Back on her Feet.
xxvi Told in: Trail Boss.
xxvii Told in: The Man From Texas.
xxviii Told in: Quiet Town, The Making of a Lawman, The Trouble Busters, The Small Texan and The Town Tamers.
xxix Told in: Gun Wizard.
xxx Told in: The South Will Rise Again.
xxxi Floating outfit: a group of four to six cowhands employed on a large ranch to work the more distant sections of the property. Taking food in a chuck wagon, or ‘greasy sack’ on the back of a mule, they would be away from the ranch house for weeks at a time. Because of General Hardin’s prominence in the affairs of Texas, the OD Connected’s floating outfit were frequently sent to assist his friends who found themselves in trouble or danger.
xxxii Right bower; second highest trump card in the game of euchre.
xxxiii Mark’s main meetings with Calamity Jane are told in: Troubled Range, The Wildcats and The Fortune Hunters.
xxxiv Books in which Calamity Jane takes leading roles are: Cold Deck, Hot Lead, Calamity Spells Trouble, Trouble Trail, The Bull Whip Breed, The Cow Thieves, White Stallion, Red Mare (co-starring the Ysabel Kid), The Big Hunt (in which Mark makes a guest appearance) and The Whip and the War Lance.
xxxv How Mark’s romance with Belle Starr commenced, progressed and ended is told in: the ‘The Bounty On Belle Starr’s Scalp’ episode of Troubled Range, Rangeland Hercules, the ‘The Lady Known as Belle’ episode of The Hard Riders and Guns in the Night. She also appears in Hell in the Palo Duro and Go Back to Hell, assisting Dusty Fog and the Ysabel Kid.
xxxvi Pairaivo: first, or favorite, wife.
xxxvii Nemenuh: ‘The People’, the Comanche Indians’ name for their nation.
xxxviii Told in: Comanche.
xxxix Told in: The Bloody Border and Back to the Bloody Border.
xl Told in: Gun Wizard.
xli Told in: Sidewinder.
xlii Told in: Hell in the Palo Duro and Go Back to Hell.