that, then it doesn’t matter what size the town is.”
“You got that right,” Cal said. “But the question now is, did we make it in time? Are we the first ones here?”
“We’re the first ones here,” Sally said.
“How do you know?”
“Look at the feeder lots,” Sally said. “There aren’t more than a couple of dozen cattle down there.”
“Could be they already been delivered to the Indians,” Billy said.
“No,” Sally said. “If there had been that many cattle in the pens, we would still be able to smell it. We’re the first.”
“So, what do we do now, Smoke?” Billy asked.
“We’ll keep the herd here while I go into town and contact Mr. Malone,” Smoke answered. “Then, soon as I make the arrangements, I’ll pay you boys off, then make arrangements for you and the horses to go back by train.”
“Whooee,” Jules said. “Think about that, boys. We’ll be goin’ home on the train. I ain’t never been on no train before. I wonder what that’ll be like.”
“Why, shoot, it won’t be like nothin’,” Cal said. “You just sit there on the train and ride along with it, that’s all.”
“Sally, you want to come into town with me?” Smoke asked.
“Not yet,” Sally said. “Since we won’t be taking the wagon back, I’ll need to spend some time packing the things that we will be shipping back home. But I tell you what, find us a hotel room while you are in town, would you? I wouldn’t mind spending this night in a real bed.”
“Yeah, I could go along with that myself,” Smoke said. He swung into his saddle and looked back at the others. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of you,” he said. “Not many men could do what you just did, driving three thousand head of cattle five hundred miles in the wintertime.”
“The reason not many men could do it is because there ain’t that many dumb enough to try,” Billy replied, and the others laughed.
“I’ll be back in a couple of hours,” Smoke said as he turned toward the town.
A small bell was suspended from the door so that it jingled as Smoke stepped into the Indian agency office.
“I’ll be with you in just a moment,” someone called from the back.
“No hurry,” Smoke answered. “It’s taken me a month to get here. I can wait a few more minutes, I reckon.”
The man laughed as he came out front. “May I help you?”
“My name is Smoke Jensen,” Smoke said. “Are you are Cephus Malone?”
“I am indeed, sir. Cephus Malone at your service.”
“Then you are the man I’m looking for. I’m here to sell my cattle. That is, assuming I am the first.”
“You are the first.”
“Then, I take it that you are still interested in buying.” Smoke chuckled. “Otherwise, I’ve had a hell of a long drive for nothing.”
“Oh, yes, I am quite willing to buy your herd. As soon as you put your cows in the holding pens, I will issue you a receipt for payment. Then, all you have to do is send the receipt to Washington and they’ll send you a bank draft for the amount.”
“I have to send the receipt to Washington for payment? I thought all I had to do was present the receipt to Mr. Abernathy.”
“No, no, Abernathy need not get involved. I’m the only one you will have to deal with. That is, except for the Indian Bureau in Washington.”
“Yes, in Washington,” Smoke repeated. It was obvious by the tone of his voice that he was not too thrilled with the idea of having to wait for payment.
“I can see that it is making you a little nervous to have to wait for your money. But if you can’t depend on the United States government, who can you depend on?”
“I guess you’re right,” Smoke said. “All right, I’ll go bring in the herd. I have them just outside town.”
“Good, good. Believe me, Mr. Jensen, there are going to be a lot of happy Indians when these cattle are delivered.”
“I hope so,” Smoke said. “A happy Indian is a peaceful Indian.”
The man chuckled. “That’s true, Mr. Jensen,” he said. “Yes, sir, truer words were never spoken. I like that. I may use that the next time I talk to the bureaucrats in Washington. A happy Indian is a peaceful Indian.”
“You will want the cattle delivered to the holding pens, I suppose?”
“Yes.”
“All right,” Smoke said as he started toward the door.
“Wait, Mr. Jensen, don’t you want the receipt?”
Smoke stopped. “Don’t you want to count them first?”
“Oh, yes. Yes, indeed. I guess I was getting a little ahead of myself, wasn’t I? Please, by all means, bring the
