The Bozeman Trail

Chapter Seven

“Oh, James, no,” James’s mother, Alice, said when he told her of his plans. “I have been so thankful that you didn’t leave with the regiment, so happy that you were going to be here with us. Now you say you want to go off to who knows where and hunt for gold? What about your leg? The doctor told me himself how lucky you were that you didn’t lose that whole leg when you were shot.”

“That was a long time ago, Mom,” James replied. “And you know yourself, I haven’t had the least bit of trouble with it since it healed. Not even so much as a twinge.”

“Still, I don’t know why you would want to go to what seems like half way around the world, just to look for gold. Especially when there is no guarantee that you will even find any. Just answer me why?”

“Why? Mom, do you have any idea how many fortunes were made during the California gold rush?”

“What do you need a fortune for? We have the ranch, and it’s doing very well,” his mother said.

“It’s not just the money,” James replied.

“Well, if it isn’t the money, what is it?”

“It’s, well, I don’t know, I can’t put it into words, but—”

“I think I can put it into words,” James’s father suggested.

“Well, if you can, Garrison Cason, I wish you would explain it,” Alice said. She shook her head. “Because it is certainly beyond me.”

“That’s because you don’t have the blood of a young man coursing through your veins. It was a hard thing James had to do, watching all the young men of the county ride off to go to war and not join them himself, to risk their danger, to share their glory,” Garrison said. “A young man has a natural desire for adventure, and there is nothing more adventurous than a war.”

“My Lord, Garrison, are you saying he should have gone to war?”

“No, I’m not saying that. Certainly, not to this war, anyway. I’m just saying that I can understand his need for adventure. And it just may be that going off to look for gold might satisfy that need.”

“So, you think he should go?”

“If he wants to, yes,” Garrison said. “After all, he’s a man, fully grown. There’s nothing we could do to stop him, anyway. Think of it, Alice. Isn’t this better than going to war?”

Alice sighed in resignation. “Yes, I suppose it is,” she admitted.

“I’m glad you can see it that way, Dad. And, Mom, I hope you understand,” James said.

“Who is going with you?” Garrison asked.

“Well, Bob’s going. Also, Billy Swan, and Duke Faglier.”

“Bob’s a good man, of course. And so is Billy Swan,” Garrison said. “But . . . Duke Faglier? I don’t know anything about him. He’s the fella that works at the livery, isn’t he?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I don’t know as I’ve ever said three words to him.”

“He’s the quiet type, all right. And unlike a lot of fellas his age, he doesn’t talk about himself much. But I’ve known him for nearly half a year now, and he’s a decent sort. He manages to avoid trouble.”

“Afraid of a fight?” Garrison asked.

James chuckled. “More like fights are afraid of him.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s a funny thing, I don’t know if I can explain it, but on the few times he’s come close to a fight, the other party has sort of backed away at the last minute. It’s like they sense something about him.”

“Oh, honey, you make him sound dangerous,” his mother said.

“I guess he is dangerous to anyone who is his enemy. But he’s proven to be just as loyal to those who call themselves his friends.”

“Tell me, James, do you think this Faglier could work with cattle?”

“To tell the truth, Dad, Duke strikes me as being someone who could pretty much do anything he set his mind to. Why do you ask?”

“I’ve had a thought,” Garrison said.

“You aren’t going to try and talk me out of going to Dakota, are you? Because I am going.”

“No, I’m not going to try and change your mind. On the contrary, I want you to go. But I have an idea that I believe would make the trip very profitable, even if you didn’t find gold. It would be hard work, and dangerous, even more dangerous than just going after gold.”

“Well, for heaven’s sake, Garrison, if it is more dangerous, why are you even suggesting it?” Alice asked.

“Because nothing worthwhile can be obtained without some risk,” Garrison replied.

“What is your idea?” James asked.

“I would like for you to drive some cattle up to Idaho,” Garrison said. “Even though you say this won’t be as big a gold rush as happened in California, there will be a lot of people there. A gold find has a tendency to draw them. And if there are a lot of people, there will be a demand for a lot of food. Those folks are going to have a real hunger for beef, and my bet is, they’ll be willing to pay top dollar for cattle.”

James smiled, and slapped his hand against the top of the table. “Dad, that is a great idea!” he said. “Yes, I’ll do it.”

“Of course, with Billy going, his Uncle Loomis will be wanting to send some of their cattle up as well. And Dusty Ferguson has been running his own cattle in with mine for many years now, so I reckon Bob will be taking some of the Ferguson cows up as well.”

“Garrison, you aren’t expecting four boys to take a herd all the way to Dakota by themselves, are you?” Alice asked.

“Well, to begin with, Alice, they aren’t boys, they are men. But no, I don’t expect them to do it by themselves. I’m sure if they look around, they’ll be able to find some more folks to go with them. Hell, I’m tempted to go with them myself.”

Alice shook her head vigorously. “Garrison Cason, don’t you even think such a thing,” she said.

Garrison laughed. “Well, I’m not going with them, Alice, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to think about it. It’s going to be quite an adventure, and I like adventure as much as the next fella. I would not have come to Texas in the first place, if I didn’t have a taste for adventure.”

“Yes, and look where that taste for adventure almost got you. You were headed for the Alamo, intent on joining up with Travis and the others. If you had gotten there in time, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation now,” Alice said.

“That’s all ancient history,” Garrison said. “All I’m saying is, if I didn’t have a ranch to run, and you to look after, I’d be on this drive with them.”

“You’d be welcome to come along, Dad,” James said.

Garrison laughed. “I’m sure you young people wouldn’t want an old geezer like me. Don’t worry, I’ve no intention of coming.”

“Well, I would hope not,” Alice said, her voice reflecting her relief.

“You want to take a herd of cattle all the way to Dakota?” Duke Faglier asked when James told him what they had planned.

“I’m taking a thousand head,” James said. “Billy is taking a thousand head for his uncle. And Bob is taking five hundred head. What do you say?”

“Well, I don’t know,” Duke hesitated. “Driv ing a herd of cattle up to Dakota seems a mite more involved than just ridin’ up to look for gold.”

James smiled. “I can understand that—if you have no vested interest. But see if this won’t change your opinion of the operation. I’ve talked Pa into givin’ you a hundred head of your own. Mr. Swan said he’d throw in another hundred head, and Bob’s pa is willin’ to give you fifty. That way you’d have your own stake in this drive.”

Duke was surprised by the offer. “You folks would do that?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Well, I don’t know what to say. That’s awful generous of you fellas.”

“Trust me, Duke, you are going to earn it,” Bob replied. “I know you are from Missouri and haven’t really been around cows all that much, but there ain’t nothin’ harder’n makin’ those ornery bastards move when they don’t want to.”

The others laughed at Bob’s description.

“He said that right,” Billy said. “You find a place that’s hotter’n hell in the summer, colder’n the North Pole in the winter, drier than the desert sometimes, and wetter’n the ocean other times and, like as not, there will be some cows there.”

Duke laughed. “Now it sounds like you boys are trying to talk me out of it.”

“Not at all,” James said. “We just want you to know what you’re getting into, that’s all.”

Duke nodded. “Well, if you folks are serious about all this, count me in,” he said. “Well, 250 head, huh? What do you reckon they’ll bring up in Dakota?”

“I’d be willin’ to bet they’ll bring fifty dollars a head,” Billy said.

“Fifty dollars a head? Times two-hundred-fifty? Why, that’s”—he thought for a moment—“that’s twelve thousand, five-hundred dollars! That’s a fortune!”

“My, my, that Missouri boy can do his numbers,” Bob teased, and the others laughed.

“Imagine that,” Duke said, smiling broadly. “Who would’ve ever thought Duke Faglier would be a man of substance?”

“How soon do you reckon we can get started?” Billy asked.

“Well, since Bob’s pa is foreman at Long Shadow, his beeves are already there. And that means that a hundred fifty of Duke’s cows are there as well, so why don’t you bring your herd on over? We’ll get ’em all together before we start the drive.”

“We’ll help you bring ’em over,” Bob offered.

“Yeah, me, too,” Duke said. “I might as well get used to being around those creatures.”

“Ha, what you mean is, you want to make certain you get your one hundred head brought over,” Billy said.

Duke laughed with the others.

The sign outside Bowman’s Mercantile advertised DEALING IN QUALITY GOODS FOR ALL MANKIND, and Ira Bowman made an honest effort to live up to that claim. His sprawling store sold goods that spanned the spectrum from baby beds to caskets. In between were such things as harness and saddles, furniture, and ready-made clothing.

Revelation Scattergood, a young woman of twenty, was looking at a table that was piled high with men’s trousers. She took one of the smaller pairs of pants from the table, then held them against her lithe form to check the fit. Deciding it was a fit, she put the pants with two others she had already laid aside.

The little bell over the door tinkled as Meg Murback and her mother came in. Without so much as a glance toward Revelation, the two women went toward the “ready to wear” dress rack.

“Oh, Mama, look at this one,” Meg said, pulling out a pink dress to show. “Isn’t it pretty?”

“Good afternoon, Miss Murback, Mrs. Murback, I’ll be right with you,” Bowman said from the back of the store.

“Did the new hats come in, Mr. Bowman?” Meg asked.

“They did indeed, direct from New Orleans. I hope you find one you like. What with the war and all, we probably won’t be getting any more for a while,” Bowman said.

Revelation watched as Meg picked one of the hats up and put it on. Meg walked over to the mirror and examined herself. When she saw Revelation’s reflection in the mirror, looking at her, she turned toward Revelation. “And just what are you looking at?” she asked, contemptuously.

Revelation looked away quickly.

“Meg!” Mrs. Murback scolded. “Be quiet.”

Revelation felt a small sense of consolation that Meg’s mother had called her down for such a curt remark. But her satisfaction was short-lived because of what Mrs. Murback said next.

“You know better than to talk to the likes of her. Any woman who would wear men’s trousers is nothing but trash.”

Turning toward Revelation, Meg stuck her tongue out, then hurried away quickly to join her mother, who was examining the latest shipment of ribbons.

With her cheeks flaming in embarrassment and suppressed anger, Revelation held up the three pair of trousers.

“Put these on my bill, will you, Mr. Bowman?”

“Be glad to,” Bowman answered.

Both Murback women were quiet until Revelation left the store, then Mrs. Murback spoke up.

“Ira, for the life of me, I don’t know how you can stand to do business with trash like the Scattergoods,” she said.

“They are good customers,” Bowman replied.

“They’ve never given me a moment’s trouble and they’ve always paid their bills on time.”

“They’re cattle thieves,” Mrs. Murback said.

“Nobody has ever proven that.”

“Nobody has to prove it. Everyone knows it. Besides, none of the Scattergoods went to war.”

“We have several who didn’t go to war,” Bowman reminded them. “Including James Cason.” He looked pointedly at Meg.

“I have informed Mr. Cason that I want nothing to do with a man who would not do his duty,” Meg said.

“Well, if you ask me, they are all slackers. But the Scattergoods are the worst of the lot,” Mrs. Murback said. “If, God forbid, my son Abner doesn’t come back, it’s going to be awfully hard to see healthy young men walking around without a scratch on them.”

“Still, you can’t hold it against Revelation because her brothers didn’t go off to fight in the war,” Bowman suggested.

“I don’t know why I can’t. She is clearly the worst of the lot, and I’ve no doubt whatsoever that she wouldn’t have gone if she had been a man. I just don’t see how you can do business with them.”

“I don’t have to like everyone I do business with,” Bowman said. “But as long as I do business with the public, seems to me like I have an obligation to serve everyone.”

Revelation Scattergood was one of five children. She was twenty years old, her brothers Matthew and Mark were twenty-three and twenty-two respectively. Luke and John, the twins, were twenty-one. Revelation’s mother died when Revelation was only newborn, leaving Ebeneezer Scattergood to raise his brood alone.

“He didn’t raise them,” someone once said, when another had commented on how difficult it must’ve been for Ebeneezer to raise five children on his own. “Hell, he just let them young’uns grow up like weeds. They’re just as tough and just as mean as weeds, too. And the girl? She ain’t a bit different; she’s as tough as any of her brothers.”

“Who can blame her? I reckon if you lived with a bunch like that, you’d probably try and survive any way you could.”

After Revelation left Bowman’s Mercantile, she stopped at the shoe store where she bought a pair of boots, then at the apothecary to pick up a nostrum for Luke’s toothache. It wasn’t until she returned to the livery where she had left the buckboard that she heard the liveryman, Michael Thornton, talking with Ian McMurtry about the upcoming cattle drive to Dakota.

“The four of ’em is takin’ a herd of near three thousand cows all the way to Dakota, is what I hear,” Thornton said.

“Sure now, an’ who would be so crazy as to do such a thing?” McMurtry asked. McMurtry was in the freighting business, and he owned half a dozen freight wagons that he kept parked at the livery.

“James Cason is the one puttin’ it together, I understand. And of course, whenever you see James, you gotta figure Bob Ferguson is goin’ to be with ’im. Them two boys been friends since they was just just little fellas, what with Dusty Ferguson bein’ Garrison Ferguson’s foreman all these years. Billy Swan, and Duke Faglier is the other two.”

“Duke Faglier, you say. And would that be the lad that works for you?”

“He did work for me. He give me his notice last Friday.”

“He’s a good worker, that lad.”

“Very good, very dependable,” Thornton said. “And quiet, too, the kind of quiet that makes a body wonder just what is goin’ on in that head of his. But he never was any trouble. I’m goin’ to hate losin’ him.”

“Sure an’ they must be payin’ him pretty good for him to give up steady work.”

“He told me he was getting two hundred fifty head give to him as his share.”

“Did he now? Two hundred and fifty cows you say?” McMurtry said. “Aye, that would be enough to turn the head of any ambitious lad.”

“Duke said they told him cows is bringin’ fifty dollars a head up in Dakota,” Thornton said.

McMurtry whistled. “Fifty dollars a head? My, ’tis a king’s ransom, that is. But if you ask me, they’ll not get the job done. They’ve more’n a thousand miles to go, and it’ll take ’em a good three months, even if they can keep the herd together, which I don’t think they can. ’Tis more of a task than four wee lads can handle, I’m thinkin’.”

Thornton looked around then and was startled to see Revelation standing there.

“My word, Revelation, why didn’t you say something? Here I was just gabbing away, and you’re here for your buckboard.”

“That’s all right, Mr. Thornton,” Revelation said. “I’m in no particular hurry. What do I owe you?”

“Well, your team has been fed and watered. Twenty-five cents ought to do it. You want me to bring it around for you?”

“No, I’ll get it, thank you,” Revelation said, handing him a quarter from her coin purse.

Thornton and McMurtry watched Revelation as she strolled across the wagon yard toward her team and buckboard.

“You know, with her fair hair and green eyes, she could be a colleen from the old sod, that’s for sure. And ’tis a fair lass she might well be, if only she would dress like one,” McMurtry said.

“Perhaps, but that’s not anything we’re going to ever see,” he said.

“Too bad. If the poor lass looked a wee bit more like a woman, I’m thinkin’ she could get herself a husband. I’m believing the women would be a mite easier on her if she had a man of her own.”

Thornton laughed. “Anyone who would marry her would have to tame her first, and I don’t think the man has been born who can do that. Did you see what she did to Cleetus Mon roe that time?”

“Sure, Michael, an’ aren’t you for remem berin’ that I was standin’ right by your side when it happened?”

McMurtry’s declaration that he had witnessed it did not deter Thornton from telling what he considered to be a good story.

“Ol’ Cleetus got it in his mind that he was goin’ to take her britches off, to see if she really was a woman under there,” Thornton began. “But she got away from him, then grabbed a whip and pret’ near cut him to ribbons. He was on the ground, all covered up, cryin’ and beg-gin’ for mercy before she stopped.”

“Aye, and prayin’ to the Mother of our Lord to save him, and him not even being Catholic,” McMurtry concluded, laughing with Thornton as they recalled the event.

To Thornton’s surprise, Revelation came walking back toward them. At first he was concerned that she may have overheard them talking, and he wondered if she were going to make a scene. He was relieved when she seemed to be totally unaware that they had been talking about her.

“Mr. McMurtry, do you still have that wagon for sale?”

“Aye,” McMurtry said. “A sturdy Studebaker wagon it is, as fine a wagon as you’ll find in these parts, I’m thinkin’.”

“And you have the mules to pull them?”

“Aye, lass, that I do. ’Tis a good strong team they are.”

“Is it right that there are no other wagons or mules to be had anywhere else?”

“That’s right,” McMurtry said. “The army of the Confederacy bought up all the rest of the stock, rolling and live. My wagon and team is all that’s left.”

“How much do want for the wagon and team?”

“Five hundred dollars for the wagon, three hundred dollars for a matched team. It’ll cost you eight hundred dollars, all together.”

“That’s a lot of money.”

“Aye, it’s a wee steep, but ’tis a good wagon and a good team. There’s folks payin’ that much for any kind of wagon and team, sure an’ they are that dear now.”

“All right, you hitch up the team. I’ll go to the bank and get a draft for eight hundred dollars.”

“Forgive me, lass, for being a bit o’ the skep-tic,” McMurtry said. “But will the bank be for honoring your draft?”

Thornton cleared his throat. “I’ll speak up for the girl,” he said. “She handles all the business for the family.”

“Why is that now? Herself being a woman?” McMurtry asked.

“Because the truth is, her brothers are so downright ornery that nobody wants to have anything to do with them,” Thornton answered. He touched the brim of his hat. “Forgive me, Revelation, for speakin’ ill of your kin.”

“When it’s the truth, there’s no need to apologize,” Revelation said. “Mr. Thornton, if you don’t mind, I’ll just leave the buckboard here for a while longer. Either I or one of my brothers will call for it later.”

“That’ll be fine,” Thornton said.

“I’ll be right back with your money,” Revelation said to McMurtry.

Both men watched as the young woman walked toward the bank. Then Thornton turned to McMurtry. “Well, don’t just stand there, man. Get the team hitched up.”

Long Shadow Ranch:

After Billy Swan put his cows in with the traveling herd, all four boys bunked at Long Shadow while making preparations to leave. This worked no hardship on the ranch, as the bunkhouse was empty, that condition having come about when, to a man, all the hands left with the Bexar Fusiliers. Bob Ferguson’s mother had been cooking for the ranch for many years, so it was an easy thing for her to cook for the young men.

James Cason slept and ate in the bunkhouse as well, though his mother would have preferred that he continue to live in the main house.

“After all, you are going to be gone a long time,” she argued.

But Garrison defended James’s choice to sleep in the bunkhouse, reminding his wife that her son would be living very closely with the young men for all the time they were gone, and it was a good thing that they start getting used to doing everything together now.

“Then perhaps I’ll just clean the place up for them. I’m sure the cowboys left it a mess.”

“Alice Cason, you’ll do no such thing,” Garrison said. “There are some places that are a man’s domain, and the bunkhouse is one of those places.”

“Betty Ferguson goes in the bunkhouse all the time,” Alice protested.

“That’s different. Mrs. Ferguson cooks for the outfit, and she always has.”

“May I remind you that there is no outfit anymore?” Alice said. “Your cowboys have all gone to war, every single one, leaving you high and dry.”

“That’s where you are wrong, Alice. We have a fine company of young men now.” Garrison looked pensive for a moment. “I just hope they are able to persuade a few others to go with them.”

Mrs. Ferguson was already serving supper when Duke Faglier came in. He took his hat off, hung it on a peg, then washed his face and hands at the basin.

“Sorry I’m late, Mrs. Ferguson,” Duke said as he dried his hands.

“That’s quite all right, Duke. The food is still warm.”

“Any luck?” James asked, passing the mashed potatoes to Duke as he sat down. The others looked toward Duke as he answered.

Spooning the mashed potatoes onto his plate, Duke shook his head slowly. “None. There’s nobody left in the entire county who is willing to ride for forty and found. Especially if they have to wait until the cattle are delivered before they are paid.”

“I’m not surprised,” Dusty Ferguson said.

“Why’s that, Pop?” Bob asked. “Forty and found seems a reasonable enough wage.”

“Oh, it was at one time. But now most of the young men have gone off to war. Those who are left are at a premium, and they know it.”

“What are we going to do, James? I don’t think the four of us can handle a herd this large.”

James sighed. “I guess about the only thing we can do is cut back on the size of the herd.”

“Cut back how much?” Billy asked.

“I’d say by half.”

Duke chuckled.

“What is it?” Billy asked. “What’s so funny?”

“Now I know what it’s like to be a big rancher,” Duke said. “I’ve just lost half my herd, and I haven’t even started yet.”

The others laughed with him.

“If that is all that befalls you during this adventure, you’ll consider yourselves lucky enough,” Dusty said.