Peyton liked the looks of the kids. “If I pay each of you will you watch my wagons today and see nothing bad happens to them?”
They nodded enthusiastically.
To their grandfather, he asked, “What would be fair pay?”
The man stroked his chin. “Would you pay fifty cents?”
“Gladly. Boys, each of you will earn fifty cents if you watch my wagons today. My friends and I have decided to camp out tonight. If you can sleep in the wagons, I will pay you another fifty cents for the night. Do we have a deal?”
The older one looked at his grandfather. “Can we?”
Señor Romero nodded and chuckled. “Señor Knight, I meant them to split the fifty cents.”
Peyton tilted his head. “I knew that but they look like nice young men and were very respectful to you. Come, Miguel and Antonio, and I’ll show you what I need done.”
At the wagons, Peyton introduced them to the three men. “I know you men are bored just sitting here. Miguel and Antonio are going to watch the wagons while we exercise the horses and go camping tonight on the open range.”
Jeff shook the boys’ hands. “Sure glad you’re going to relieve us. I’m not used to sitting around like we have been since his wife’s mama took sick.”
Sarge agreed, “Riding will be a relief. I’m not cut out for just standing around.”
Ozzie doused the campfire. “Those horses will be glad to get moving. I reckon next time we can take out the mules if your missus’ mama isn’t well soon.”
The men gathered their gear while Peyton showed the boys what to do and where they could sleep and what not to bother. The boys were fascinated by the wagons.
The younger, Miguel, looked inside. “We seen ‘em go through town but we never saw inside one. Looks like a little room.”
His brother nudged him. “It is a little room.”
Peyton laid a hand on the shoulder of each boy. “No fighting among yourselves. This is a job for grown men but I’m trusting you because your grandfather recommended you. Don’t let him or me down.”
They echoed one another. “We won’t.”
Peyton hoped he could believe them. As far as he knew, there was nothing irreplaceable or incriminating inside the wagons. All the same, he’d hate to have anything happen to the supplies Red had bought.
The four of them mounted their horses and led the extras. They left town at a lope then slowed when they reached open country. He stopped under a small group of trees.
“Last night, Carlos came to see me.” Peyton explained what he’d learned. “I suggest we proceed as if we’re watched. Let’s set up camp and look as if we’re sleeping under the stars.”
Sarge said, “Let us know when you’re ready.”
They rode on a little closer to where he thought the ranch house was. “Let’s make camp here. This is supposed to be open range but I see a fence up ahead.”
Ozzie built a small fire and Sarge unrolled his bedroll. Jeff and Peyton set out supplies for a meal. Jeff made the coffee while Peyton set out the other bedrolls.
Peyton studied the fence. “There’s no fence on Carlos’s drawing. I must have lost my bearings.”
Jeff asked, “So what do we do?”
Sarge braced his feet. “Reckon these fellas will have a suggestion or two.”
Four men rode toward them. They quartet appeared rough and not as ordinary cowboys or vaqueros. There was no doubt in Peyton’s mind these were gunmen.
The one in front was a big blond. “You’re trespassing on private property.”
Peyton acted surprised. Indeed, if that was Oslo his surprise was genuine because the man was supposed to be on guard at the ranch house. “We thought this was open range. Must have got lost.”
“You know what’s good for you, you’ll get un-lost .”
Jeff looked from one man to the other. “Hey, we made an honest mistake. Where does the private property start?”
The blond gestured behind them. “A mile that way. See you don’t come closer again.”
Peyton nodded. “Gladly. You mind telling us your name?”
The blond rode too close to Peyton. “Oscar Jorgensen, what’s it to you?”
“I like to know who I’m talking to is all. My name’s Knight.”
Oscar offered a scathing look. “Who cares, just get moving.”
Peyton and the other three gathered up their things and doused the fire. He was angry and with what he viewed as just cause. He had to control his urge to confront the hired roughs. Peyton and his friends saddled their horses and rode away. In the distance, the four gun men watched them.
When Peyton and his men had covered a little over a mile, they found a likely place for a new camp.
Sarge was burning mad. In spite of his anger, he kept his voice low. “I would like to have drilled into those four if it wouldn’t have upset the plan to get the brother out of that house. Imagine that blond must have a twin. Couldn’t be coincidence two bully blonds working for the same crooked outfit.”
Peyton clapped him on the shoulder. “I know keeping your temper under control was hard. I had the same problem. I appreciate you giving Josiah consideration. He needs us. Heard he’s drifting in and out of consciousness. They’re not giving him food or water except what Carlos slips him.”
Jeff laid out his bedroll. “Abigail must be half out of her mind for real.”
Peyton was surprised at his friend using her first name. “She’s a strong woman, they both are, but the strain is wearing on them. I had a devil of a time convincing Red to stay at the boardinghouse. Carlos helped me with that.”
Ozzie looked at Peyton. “You have a pocket watch, don’t you?”
He took it
