Read Online Lone Star Ranger : A Ranger to Ride With (9781310568404) by James J. Griffin - Free Book Online Page A

stepped outside one of the mounts lifted its head and
whickered. Nate stopped short.
    “Red?”
    The horse whickered again, more loudly.
    “Big Red! It is you.” Nate walked up to the
horse, who nuzzled his cheek.
    “That sorrel your brother’s horse, Nate?”
Jeb asked.
    “He sure is,” Nate answered. “That’s his
saddle, too. Just like his gun, Jonathan burned his initials into
the saddle.”
    “Looks like you weren’t tellin’ me the
entire truth, Hawkins,” Jeb said. “Were you ridin’ that
sorrel?”
    “Yeah. Yeah, I was. But I got him from the
same fella who sold me the gun. Traded my bay for him. Thought I
got the better part of the deal, since my horse was plumb wore out.
Guess I was wrong.”
    “I’d say so,” Jeb answered. “Unless you can
prove you didn’t know that horse was stolen, you might still be
facin’ the noose.
    ***
    Once Hawkins was safely behind bars, Jeb,
Nate, and Carl went to Dr. Mannion’s office. Mannion was still
working on the outlaw Carl had shot, so they had to wait to have
their own wounds treated.
    “I have to say I’m much obliged to the both
of you,” Jeb said. “If you hadn’t stepped in, I’d be headed for
Boot Hill right about now.”
    “Don’t even mention it, Ranger,” Carl said.
“I’m more than happy to see thievin’ skunks like that get what’s
comin’ to ’em.”
    “Nevertheless, I’m grateful. And Nate, you
showed a lot of grit back in that saloon. I think you just got
yourself a new job.”
    “What do you mean, Jeb? I thought you
couldn’t come up with any.”
    “I couldn’t, but you did. How’d you
like to join the Texas Rangers?”
    “What?”
    “Well, not officially, of course. You’re a
mite too young. But I figure I can talk Cap’n Quincy into takin’
you on as a camp helper. You see, me and the rest of the Rangers
you met are part of an entire company of men. We’re camped on the
San Saba, two days ride southwest of here. We’ve got an old Ranger
who’s our camp cook. You’d be his helper, rustlin’ up firewood,
helpin’ him cook and clean up, give him a hand with some of the
chores. What do you think?”
    “You really mean that?”
    “I’d also add you could learn a lot about
Rangerin’ while you’re with us. No guarantees that Cap’n Quincy
will take you on, or how long the job will last, but if you’d like
to take your chances rather’n headin’ back to Delaware…”
    “I’d take the job if I were you, Nate,” Carl
said.
    “You took the words right out of my mouth.
Carl. But Jeb, are you sure? I don’t even know how to ride that
good. Jonathan was the cowboy, not me.”
    “The only way to learn is by doin’,” Jeb
answered. “Which means the best way to learn how to handle a horse
is by ridin’ him. And we’ll sure be doin’ a lot of hard ridin’ the
next two days. You’ll be sore, but I’d bet my hat you’ll learn
fast. You proved yourself today when you took on Hawkins. You’re a
man to ride the river with, Nate.”
    “Jim said the same thing too, about me and
my brother. What’s that mean, Jeb?”
    “Ride the river with? That means you’re a
man who can be absolutely trusted, no matter how tough the goin’ is
or how dangerous a situation becomes. It comes from the cattle
drives, where fordin’ a herd of cows across a flooded river is
about the most dangerous thing a man can face. If you can count on
your pard, no matter what, he is a man to ride the river with.”
    “It’s the highest praise you can get in
Texas, son,” Carl added. “And I wouldn’t worry. You’ll do just
fine.”
    “So would you, Carl. You ever think about
joinin’ up with the Rangers?”
    “Me? Heck no. I’m too hair-triggered. Also
don’t like bein’ tied down to one outfit. But I appreciate the
offer.”
    “Well, if you ever change your mind, just
find the nearest Ranger company and sign on. Give ’em my name.”
    “I’ll do that.”
    Doctor Mannion emerged from the back
room.
    “I’ve done