“These here is our discharge papers,” Andy said. “Me’n Dooley has done served our time, and we got ourselves mustered out this mornin’. We’re still wearin’ uniforms ’cause we ain’t got us no civilian clothes yet.”
Pearlie read both papers, then he looked at Andy. “According to this paper you’re from Cincinnati, and Dooley here is from Boston.”
“Yes, sir, that’s right.”
“What did you do before you come into the army?” Pearlie asked.
“Well, sir, I worked down on the river docks, loadin’ and unloadin’ boats,” Andy said.
“I worked in a factory making bricks,” Dooley said.
“A dockworker and a brick maker,” Pearlie said. “There won’t be much call for loadin’ boats or makin’ bricks during this drive.”
“Wasn’t much call for loadin’ boats or makin’ bricks in the army either,” Andy said. “But we both learned to soldier.”
“I need cowboys. Do either of you know anything about cows?”
“They give milk,” Dooley said.
“Horses can give milk,” Cal said.
“Well, I can tell the difference between a cow and a horse,” Dooley said.
Pearlie looked surprised for a moment; then he laughed out loud.
“Well, I’ll give you credit for honesty,” he said. He stroked his chin. “I reckon anyone who can learn how to soldier can learn how to cowboy. All right, you two go with Mike. Mike, get your tack and go down to the general store. Miz Sally is down there getting supplies. You can help her load the wagon.”
“Who is Miz Sally?” Dooley asked. “How will we recognize her?”
“She’s the boss’s wife,” Mike said. “And don’t you be worryin’ none about recognizing her. She’ll be about the prettiest woman in town. I know what she looks like.”
Chapter Seven
Pearlie and Cal watched as the three men walked down toward the general store.
“You think they’ll work out all right?” Cal asked.
“I don’t know why not. Like I said, they learned how to soldier. And I like the way they took up for Mike like that.”
“Yeah,” Cal said. “I liked that, too.”
A couple of minutes later, Pearlie and Cal tied their horses off in front of the Longmont Saloon, then stepped inside.
“Pearlie, Cal,” Louis Longmont called to them from behind the bar. “It’s good to see you boys. Is Smoke with you today?”
“No, sir, Mr. Longmont, he’s still out at the ranch,” Pearlie answered.
Longmont smiled. “Well, that’s all right. You boys are always welcome, with or without Smoke. What’ll it be?”
“Two beers,” Pearlie said.
“And I’ll have the same,” Cal added.
Longmont chuckled as he drew four mugs, then set them in front of the two boys. “Cal, wasn’t that long ago you wasn’t old enough to drink beer. I remember Miz Sally tellin’ me what she’d do to me if she caught me servin’ you one.”
“I’m old enough now,” Cal said.
“Yeah, that’s why I put them in front of you. No way I’d go against Miz Sally otherwise. So, how are things goin’ out at Sugarloaf?”
“We’re lookin’ to hire three good men,” Pearlie said.
Longmont looked surprised. “Really? It’s mid-fall. Most ranches lay off at the end of summer. What are you doin’ out at Sugarloaf that you need more men?”
“We’re drivin’ a herd up into Wyoming,” Cal said.
“Oh, I see. So you’re lookin’ to hire someone next spring,” Longmont said.
“No, not in the spring—we want someone now,” Pearlie said.
“Why would you want someone now? Why not wait until you actually drive the herd?”
“’Cause we’re driving the herd up now,” Cal said.
“What? This late in the year? Why, that’s crazy. Why would Smoke do somethin’ like that?”
“’Cause Miz Sally has got it in her mind that we’re goin’ to have another winter kind’a like that one we had a couple years back when there was that big freeze-out,” Cal said. “So, we’re sellin’ off half the herd to the U.S. government so’s they can provide beef for the Indians. Only, the government won’t pay for the beef until we deliver it to them.”
