“And make a damn fool of yourself,” Pogue Quentin retorted.
“What did you have Cole bring me home for?”
“We’re goin’ to Colorado Springs tomorrow,” Pogue said. “I want you sober when we get on the train.”
“Colorado Springs?” Billy Ray brightened up. “Yeah,” he said. “I’ve heard of Colorado Springs. They have a lot things you can do there. I’ve heard they even have a fancy gamblin’ house and theater there, just like they have in the big cities.”
“We aren’t goin’ to Colorado Springs to have a good time,” Pogue said.
“Then why are we goin’?”
“We’re goin’ to buy a bull.”
“We’re goin’ to buy a bull? Pa, what are you talkin’ about? You can buy a bull anywhere.”
“Not like this one, you can’t,” Pogue said. “This here is a purebred champion Hereford bull, and I aim to get him.”
“Ain’t we already got a herd of Herefords?”
“We’ve got a start,” Quentin said. “But soon, there will be no longhorns left, ever’ rancher in the West will be raisin’ Herefords, and whoever gets started first, and with the best bloodlines, is goin’ to be top hog in the lot.”
Billy Ray laughed. “Hell, Pa, the way you managed to get hold of all the other ranches in the county, you are already top hog in the lot.”
“Yeah, I am,” Pogue said. “And I aim to stay here. So you get yourself packed, then get a good night’s sleep. We’ll be leavin’ on the mornin’ train.”
“To buy a bull?” Billy Ray asked.
“To buy a bull,” Pogue said.
Chapter Six
An article in a Western newspaper gave hints for those who traveled by stagecoach, and the proprietors of the Sunset Stage Line had it printed up on flyers to be handed out to the passengers as they bought their tickets. Pearlie, who had been a shotgun guard for the stage line for nearly six weeks now, leaned back against the wall with his arms folded across his chest as he watched the passengers take the little handbill, then find a seat in the waiting room to read the material.
Helpful Instruction
1) When a driver asks a passenger to get out and walk, you are advised to do so, and not grumble about it.
2) If the team of horses runs away, remain seated and let the skilled and experienced driver handle it. Passengers who attempt to jump from the rapidly moving coach may be seriously injured.
3) Smoking and spitting on the leeward side of the coach is discouraged.
4) Drinking spirits is allowed, but passengers should be generous and share.
5) Swearing is not allowed.
6) Sleeping on your neighbor’s shoulder is not allowed.
7) Travelers shouldn’t point out spots where murders have occurred, especially when “delicate” passengers are aboard.
8) Greasing one’s hair is discouraged because dust will stick to it.
As he had written in his last letter to Smoke, Sally, and Cal, the Sunset Stage Coach Line was a small company that ran only from Los Brazos to the railroad depot at Chama. The coach departed Los Brazos at eight A.M., and at an average speed of eight miles per hour, would arrive at Chama just before noon. It would leave Chama at one P.M., and arrive in Los Brazos just before supper.
Although you could crowd nine passengers into the coach, it would be making the journey today with only five, the passenger manifest consisting of a man, his wife and child, a banker, and a territorial mining official. The official was an overbearing man, impressed with his position and authority. He had already let the ticket agent and the driver know who and what he was, and how important it was that he reach Chama in time to take the two o’clock train.
“It is vital business for the territorial government of New Mexico,” he insisted. “I’m not sure you quite understand the significance of that, but as an official representative of the territory of New Mexico, it is imperative that I not be impeded.”
“You are due to arrive by noon,” the ticket agent said. “I’m sure we will be able to get you there by two o’clock.”
Just outside, the hostlers were hitching up the team and readying the coach for the trip. The driver, a man with white hair and beard, stuck his head in through the door.
“How many today?” he asked.
“Hello, Ben. Looks like five, unless someone else comes before we leave,” Pearlie said.
Ben pulled a pocket watch from his shirt pocket, opened the face, and examined it.
“Well, if anybody else is plannin’ on makin’ the run, they’d better get themselves here in a hurry,” he said. “Otherwise, they’ll be waitin’ here till tomorrow.”
