“Maybe not quite this well,” Sally replied. “But don’t forget, a well-fed cowboy is a happy cowboy.”
“You didn’t pack your china and silver, did you?” Smoke asked sarcastically.
“Oh, that’s a good idea,” Sally teased. “Maybe I will do that.”
“Right,” Smoke replied sarcastically.
Sally laughed. “Call the boys in, Smoke,” she said. “I need to get going if I’m going to get ahead of the drive.”
The drive had been out for four days and nights so far, and there had been no real problems except fatigue. Smoke was pleased with the job Pearlie and Cal had done in picking hands for the drive. Billy Cantrell and the Butrum brothers had proven to be great hands. Mike Kennedy had as well. Only the two former soldiers, Andy and Dooley, were inexperienced, but not even that was causing much of a problem. They were good workers and eager to learn from the more experienced of the outfit.
It was early in the morning of the fifth day, and the last morning star made a bright pinpoint of light over the purple mountains that lay in a ragged line far to the north and west. The coals from the campfire of the night before were still glowing, and Smoke watched as Pearlie threw chunks of wood onto them, then stirred the fire into crackling flames, which danced merrily against the bottom of the suspended coffeepot.
A rustle of wind through feathers caused Smoke to look up just in time to see a golden eagle diving on its prey. The eagle swooped back into the air carrying a tiny field mouse, which kicked fearfully in the eagle’s claws. A rabbit bounded quickly into its hole, frightened by the sudden appearance of the eagle.
“Want some coffee, Smoke?” Pearlie called.
“Yes, thanks,” Smoke answered.
Pearlie used his hat as a heat pad against the blue-iron handle and poured a cup, then brought it over to Smoke.
“Who’s watching the herd?” Smoke asked.
“Billy and Mike ate their breakfast early and have gone out to relieve Cal and Andy.”
“Cal and Andy were riding nighthawk?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm, I didn’t think Cal would have the nerve to be alone with Andy after that joke he pulled on him,” Smoke said.
Smoke’s comment referred to an incident on their first day out. Cal had told Andy that the feces from some cows were edible, and to prove his point, he went over to pick up a handful of cow manure and eat it.
While all the other cowboys laughed, Andy fought hard to keep from gagging. Then, feeling sorry for him, Pearlie explained that what Cal had eaten was actually a piece of Sally’s gingerbread.
“Well, sir, Andy took it pretty good and I think Cal is sort of ashamed of himself for the joke, so they’ve been gettin’ along just real good since then,” Pearlie said.
“Speak of the devils, here they come,” Smoke said, nodding toward two riders who were coming into the camp then.
Both men dismounted, then went over and poured themselves cups of coffee. Andy walked over to a log and sat down with some of the others to wait for breakfast, while Cal came up to Smoke and Pearlie. Cal’s coffee was black and steaming and he had to blow on it before he could suck it through his lips.
“Cows quiet through the night?” Smoke asked.
“Bedded down like they had blankets and pillows,” Cal responded.
“That’s good.”
“You know what I’m beginnin’ to think?” Cal asked. “I’m beginnin’ to think we might just pull this off. I mean, look, we’ve been out for four full days now, and there ain’t been no trouble of any kind.”
Pearlie chuckled. “We’ve only been out for four days. Hell, we’re barely off Sugarloaf, and you’re already talkin’ about how easy it’s goin’ to be.”
“No,” Cal responded quickly. “I’m not sayin’ it’s goin’ to be easy. I’m just sayin’ I believe we can do it.”
Pearlie snorted. “I didn’t know you ever doubted it.”
Cal looked back toward the chuck wagon. “I tell you what, this coffee was good, but I’m gettin’ a little hungry. I wouldn’t mind havin’ a biscuit or two.”
“I seen Sally put some in the Dutch oven just a little while ago,” Pearlie said. “I expect breakfast will be ready in a minute or two.” He looked over at a couple of lumps on the ground. The lumps were actually bedrolls and right now, both were occupied by the men who had been on nighthawk from midnight until four. “I guess I’d better wake up Billy and Hank.”
“No, let me do it,” Cal said. “They seemed to take particular pleasure in waking me up this mornin’ at four when it was time for me to take the watch. I am going to enjoy returning the favor.”
“Be my guest,” Pearlie invited.
Cal crept over very quietly until he was positioned exactly between the two sleeping men. He stood there for a moment, listening to their soft snoring as he smiled in anticipation of the moment. Then he yelled, at the top of his voice.
“All right you two, let’s go! Get ’em up an’ head ’em out! We can’t wait around here till Christmas!”
Billy and Hank awoke with a start, Billy letting out a little shout of surprise as he did so.
“What is it? What’s happening?” Billy asked.
Cal laughed.
