Read Online Jodi's Journey by Rita Hestand - Free Book Online Page A

them?”
    “I don't want to fool with breaking in a set
of horses unless I have to. We'll find some soon enough. If we had
more men and the time to mess with breaking them in, maybe, but not
now.”
    Jodi nodded.
    The herd was bedded down for the night as
they caught up to them, and several of the drovers were cleaning up
and putting the chuck wagon back together. It seemed Dutch had
eaten last and he was bickering mildly with Josh about having to do
the dishes.
    Concho met them as they hobbled the horses.
“Señor Boss, a rancher came up to camp. Said he's got fifty head
of horses he could spare us. I liked the man, he was blunt and to
the point. He seemed an honest man. I told him you would be mucho
interested.”
    “Good, will he be back or do I need to find
him?”
    “He'll be here first thing in the morning,”
Concho answered with a satisfied smile.
    “Good.” Hunt nodded, his spirits buoyed.
    “Well boys, line up, Jodi has a real treat
for you all, black-berry pie.” Hunt smiled. All of the men gathered
around. “And this is our new drover. He's going to drive the chuck
wagon. His name is Matt.”
    All the men introduced themselves to Matt and
smiled with a glint of amusement. Hunt knew that before the drive
was over, the boys would initiate Matt into being a real
drover.
    The pie was gone quickly.
    “First trip up the trail, kid?” Josh asked
curiously.
    With an arrested expression, Matt watched him
closely. “The name is Matt, and yeah, it is.”
    Josh nodded. “Well, I hope you know what's in
store for you.”
    A tensing of his jaw betrayed his own
frustration at not being accepted as a man. “I know. I heard my
daddy talking about the trail drives. I can handle myself,” Matt
replied, unrolling his bedroll. “I handled my pa's freighter wagon
for nigh on to three years now.”
    “That's good, but just keep that shotgun
handy. You might need it.” Josh laughed and turned in.

    CHAPTER SEVEN

    The next morning the rancher returned just as
he had promised Concho. He had the horses with him. Bronzed by the
sun, weathered by the wind, his face held dignity, like a shelf
full of books; his smile was broad and friendly.
    “I saw the cattle yesterday passin' through,
figured you might be able to use a good string of cow ponies. You
won't find any better south of the Brazos. The name's Bill
Williams.”
    Hunt smiled and shook the outstretched hand
of the stranger. Then he began looking over the herd of horses. He
moved slowly, methodically, between them, measuring them as only a
cattle man could do. Every one of them was well bred, and he knew
he'd have to pay handsomely for them. “Well, I like what I see.
What's your price?”
    “Times are hard, that's for sure.” The
rancher smiled, but glanced at his string proudly. “Would get a
good price on the market, but I ain't got the time or the man power
to take up the trail. So I reckon fifteen dollars a head.”
    “All right, that's a good price for broke in
cow ponies. I appreciate you stopping by.” Hunt smiled at the
rancher openly now, realizing instantly that this was an honest man
who obviously knew his horse flesh.
    “Well, I have to admit, I got more horses
than I need,” the man said with a contented smile. “I was planning
to take them up to Ft. Worth, but when I saw your herd moving
through, I figured I'd give you first gander at them.” He paused a
moment for reflection. “I could get more for them there, but it
would take time I don't have to spare, if you want to know the
truth. So, we'd sort of be helping each other out.”
    “Where's your ranch?” Hunt asked curiously as
he studied the man.
    “'Bout five miles over that hill yonder. Got
a small spread,” the rancher answered without a pause.
    Yep, this was one honest cowpoke, Hunt
affirmed in his head.
    “Cattle? You aren't taking them up the
trail?” Hunt questioned, almost absently.
    “Can't do that.” The man shook his head
reluctantly. “I haven't got the man power.