Slocum 421 (14 page)

The older man had a belly laugh going. Caught coughing and choking next, he had to take the crooked stem pipe out of his mouth. Still laughing, he shook his head. “That much money he can buy a new one.”

Slocum was laughing too. “Yes, he can.”

“His plan worked, but he never could find anyone tough enough to run it until he found you.”

Slocum looked around. “You know I'm going to pay you and Dan twelve hundred dollars each, which includes you and him taking the boys and Caltron's wagon, mules, and horses home. I am setting aside that much for food too, and you can give Caltron back what you don't use. The boys will get six hundred dollars each for their two years' work and no deductions for any treats or advances he or I gave them.”

“Sure fair enough. I guess most are going home with me.”

“Two boys are all that are going to be looking around and not going back.”

“They'll have enough money to do what they want.”

Slocum nodded.

“Someone heard you were shot at last night. You know who did it?”

“A damn poor shot, thank God.”

“You get lots more funny now this job is close to over.”

“I have no idea who wants me dead. Glad he didn't get it done. What will you do back in Texas?”

“That money will buy me a small place. I'll have some relatives live on it, and when I get too old to do this kind work, I'll have a shelter.”

“Good idea.”

“I've been planning on it that way.”

Slocum looked off at the towering mountains and wondered where he'd spend his old age. No telling, but if he kept getting shot at, he might not have to worry about it. The shooter idea bothered him more than he wanted to let on. Knowing who he was up against was number one on his list.

Maybe the town law had found out something—but he doubted it. He nodded when Rufus offered him more coffee.

Pete rode in and left his horse at the rope hitch line.

“We heard you sold the steers.”

“We shook hands. Delivery starts in the morning. It will take a few days to weigh them all. But inside of a week Rufus will be trailing you all south for Texas.”

“Boy, I ever get back to Texas, I'll never leave again.”

“You aren't far from starting back.”

“They say someone shot at you?”

“I guess everyone's heard it now. I don't know who it was, but thank God he missed.”

“He messes with you, he may get messed with by all of us.”

Slocum held up his hand. “I don't want anyone hurt.”

“We can handle ourselves, boss man.”

“Thanks. But don't get too involved. I'll be on my guard.”

“We're going to back you. I mean it.”

“Maybe we can all get out of here in a few days and nothing will come of it. Thanks, Pete.”

When Pete left, Rufus spoke softly behind him. “That shooting at you pissed all the crew off. I mean they heard about it and they were mad as hell.”

“I appreciate them, but it no doubt is my problem.”

“They ain't going to let anything happen to you, trust me.”

Slocum decided to go back into town. He was not looking for any trouble, but a night or two in a real bed, maybe some cards and the lady he owed for her introduction to Alexander all were on his mind. And maybe the shooter might show up.

“Tell Jim Evans and Dan to pick a crew, and them plus the point riders take the first six hundred head into town and to the scales if I am not back in the morning.”

Rufus saluted him. “Can do, sir.”

Slocum rose to go back to town. He was surprised that he never met the boys who were after him on the road. His horse in the stables, he went and found supper in a café. The food was rich beef stew and sourdough biscuits with homemade butter and chokecherry jam. He tipped the waitress, paid the bill, and went across the street to the saloon. He had noted that the store window behind him was boarded up, no doubt waiting for replacement glass.

Alexander wasn't there at the card table, and the hostess Slocum had met was not in sight. He spoke to another woman working the floor.

“There was a lady here last night with light brown hair that did me a favor?”

“They ever find who shot at you?”

“No, ma'am.”

“You must mean Audrey. I think she is occupied right now. But I will get her word that you wish to speak to her.”

“I'd appreciate that.”

“Does she know your name?” she asked.

“The drover named Clark.”

“I will do that, Mr. Clark. Can I do anything else for you?”

“No, I'll play cards here for a while.”

“Fine. Good to meet you, Mr. Clark. My name is Belle if you need me.”

“Well, the cattle salesman is here,” one of the players said teasingly.

“When does the sale start?” another asked.

Slocum nodded. “We start in the morning.” He took a seat and put some money on the table. His hat set back, he settled in the chair facing the front door and waited for the dealer to deal the next hand.

“They find the guy shot at you?”

Slocum shook his head.

“Strange deal, you get here and some one shoots at you.”

Slocum agreed and the conversation died out.

He won and lost some small pots. Keeping about even, he continued to play and drew a better hand. Three queens, and he tried for four, drawing two cards. It gave him a pair of fives and a full house that should win. He stayed with the betting and in the end won a nice pot.

Audrey came by and quietly spoke to him. He excused himself and stepped back to talk to her. His voice low, he said, “I owe you for last night. I sold the herd I drove up here to Mr. Alexander this morning.”

“Oh, you did well.”

“I have fifty dollars for you for putting me in touch with him.”

“Can we celebrate later?”

“Sure.”

“I will be here when you finish, if that is all right?”

“Fine. I'll play a few more hands.”

“I have a fine room upstairs to use.”

“I appreciate your offer.”

“No problem.” She smiled mischievously, and he kissed her cheek.

“You in this hand, Lucky?” a player asked.

“You bet.”

“Then ante up five dollars so we can start.”

Settled in the chair, he tossed in his ante and settled down.

“You want a drink?” Audrey whispered.

He shook his head. In case the shooter came back, he would need all his senses about him to defend himself. “Thanks.”

The hostess setup in this place impressed him. Not many saloons or whorehouses had this hostess system. None of the women that worked the floor here were dumb or crazy-acting. They were polite, intelligent, and not brassy, and he wondered if he'd stepped into a new world in Montana.

Cards came and went. About ten, he excused himself and took Audrey's arm when she came by. They ascended the carpeted stairs and soon were in a room with red velvet drapes and low lights. Once they were behind the shut door, he kissed her on the mouth and she filled his arms.

“Tell me the going price.”

“Oh, we get a hundred dollars for full evening.”

“I can afford that.”

“I should have told you that before we came up here.”

“No, I knew the service was high-priced. I just appreciated you introducing me to Alexander.”

“He sent me a thank-you note and money too. So two people are happy.”

“He frequent you or your others?”

“No. He must have a fine wife. He has never been upstairs.”

“I don't have a wife, fine or otherwise.”

“Are you going to unhook my dress?”

“Certainly.”

“Do you always drive cattle to markets?”

“When I can get the work.”

His unhooking released the silky gown and exposed her pear-shaped breasts. She stepped out of the dress and went to hang it up on a hanger in the closet.

“How did you get here?” he asked.

“My husband was killed in a mine accident. I faced a rather poor life as a widow. It was not an easy choice, but I was promised good pay and protection from anyone who might be a threat to me. This is not a slave situation, nor is anyone punished for refusing a customer. I would not be here otherwise.”

“Would you leave if someone gave you a legitimate door to escape?” He was holding her loose in his arms.

“I would be very cautious until I knew it was real.”

He shook his head and kissed her softly. “I have no passageway from here to offer, but I am pleased to get to share you tonight. I only was curious.”

“You have a story too. You are educated and are out of place as a drover.”

He nodded and pressed her body to him. “But I am one, and do it as seriously as you do your job.”

She nodded, and they were soon lost in their quest for a sexual union on top of the bed. Her subtle body, smooth skin, and willingness all swept him away.

Before dawn, he ate breakfast in the nearby café and then checked his horse out of the livery. He was on the road as daylight crept over the horizon of mountains. When he reached the herd area, he could hear the cattle protesting as they were gathered for the first drive. Things were going well; his scout and Dan were in charge, and the bell steer was out in front waiting with patience to lead the others to the scales. Several cowboys were holding the rest of the herd back so they didn't try to go with the ones they'd cut out to be weighed.

Slocum sat his horse and watched the operation go forward smoothly. Then he rode on to the chuckwagon and dismounted to speak to Rufus.

“They have it in hand,” he said to his cook.

“Good boys.” He relit his pipe. “Yesterday they got a lead on the shooter.”

“Oh?” Slocum nested the cup of coffee in his hand.

“They think his name is Sears. That ring a bell?”

“I had some problems with him in Nebraska. He up here?”

“Pete and Benny are looking for him around town right now.”

“Should I go back and help them?”

Rufus shook his head. “The boys say they can handle him. He won't shoot at you again.”

“I told them—”

“These boys are damn grateful for you getting them up here and selling the cattle. They made up their minds to handle this at the first word of that attack.”

“I don't want—”

“Just leave it to them. Cattle are going to the pens.”

“I . . . Oh, okay. And yes, the cattle operation looks good. Thanks.”

Three hours later, when he rode into town, they were weighing five head of cattle at a time. Things were going smoothly. He and Alexander meet in the office and discussed the operation.

“You have some great men,” Alexander said.

“Good hands.”

“What will you do after the sale is completed?”

“Oh, I guess wander back south.”

“Texas?”

“I have no big place to land.”

“I could offer you a job as a buyer.”

Slocum looked out the dirty window as another five steers were driven by going to the pasture. “Thanks, but it will be fall soon and I aim to get somewhere warmer.”

“You ever need work, I can find you a job.”

“I appreciate that.”

“No problem. You realize the next major herd won't be here until fall?”

“I considered it.”

“What about the man owns these ones?”

“I knew him only a few days. Nice guy, with problems at home I guess.”

“You heard from him?”

“I will today. I sent him the sale information by telegram yesterday.”

Alexander nodded. He and Alexander shook hands, and Slocum excused himself. He saw Pete and another cowboy ride by. He wondered if they'd found Sears. He'd know before the day was over what had happened.

The cattle all penned and being weighed by a certified agent of the railroad, Slocum went and caught one of the men and told him of his plan to round up the rest of men to go eat lunch before they rode back to camp.

Then he went to the telegraph office on the other end of the depot.

“Any message for Clark?”

“Yes, we have one, sir.”

Dear Clark

You are super. I never expected that much per pound but I can, like every one, use the money. I agree on the payment to you and the men. Tell them I have work in Texas. I will watch for your telegram when you settle.

God bless you.

Jim Caltron

Slocum nodded and thanked the man in the visor.

Outside he gathered his horse, and the crew all went to their mounts. On their way to lunch, Pete turned to Slocum and nodded. “That back-shooter won't bother anyone again.”

“Thanks.” He didn't know or care about the how or the when. The matter was settled.

They had a nice lunch in the main café and rode back together, the boys acting like schoolboys let out for vacation.

“We're three days from settling. It will be fun,” he said to Dan.

“Rufus said you weren't going back with us?”

“I have some things to do.”

“I figured we'd have a big party going home.”

“No reason not to.”

“Jim was good, Boss, but you—well we really enjoyed your job of heading us up here.”

“It went well.”

“Rufus said you took good care of us too.”

“You boys will be paid well. No deducts. You get foreman wages too.”

“That's great.”

“Jim Caltron is pleased too.”

“Man, it will be good to see Texas.”

Slocum nodded.

 * * * 

The next two days the rest of the cattle were weighed and the matter settled. Two thousand, four hundred and twenty steers. They averaged a weight 860 pounds each and a value of $154.80 apiece. Over three hundred sixty five thousand in total. He would pay the cowboys six hundred dollars apiece. Rufus, Dan, and Slocum were going to receive twelve hundred apiece and that same amount was to be held to pay for the cost of going-home supplies.

He brought both Dan and Rufus to the bank for the settlement, and money was put into an envelope for each of the men. The Wells Fargo man assured Slocum that the remaining money would be transferred to Jim Caltron's account in San Antonio. He also gave him a receipt for what the bank was mailing to Caltron.

Slocum shook everyone's hand, thanked Alexander, then the three rode back to camp. The boys said they didn't need to stay there any longer, and they started to load up so that they could head for Wyoming first thing the next morning. Two of the punchers left them and went their own way.

 * * * 

On the trail the next morning. there followed good days tending to the and wrangling the horses. As they neared Fort Laramie, Slocum shook everyone's hand and left them for his lone ride to Glenna's place. When he rode up, she came out of the house blinking her eyes and using the side of her hand to shade the glare. “Is that you?”

“It ain't his brother, darling.”

“Oh my, I never thought I'd see you alive again.” She was in his arms crying and hugging him. They were soon kissing and trying to smother each other.

“Where have you been?”

“Montana. Took a herd up there and sold them. Highest-priced cattle I ever sold in my life.”

“How much did you get for them?”

He whirled her around. “Eighteen cents a pound.”

She whistled through her front teeth. “Gee that is high. Put me down. I'll make us some coffee.”

He looked around. “You expecting anyone?”

“No. Oh yes, we can drink coffee later, can't we?”

He hugged her again. “Much later.”