Free Between Hell and Texas by Dusty Richards Page B

squeaking axles about drove me crazy.”
    Everyone had some fun with the ways to travel during the meal. Even Louise chimed in. “I like passenger trains, myself. That is how civilized people go about this country.”
    â€œYou ever been on an ocean sailing ship?” May asked her.
    â€œOnce from New Orleans to Houston, and I believe we were farther there from the ranch than we would have been had we came up river on a paddleboat. Oh, Mark and I were both seasick the entire journey. No, I don’t wish to sail the seven seas.”
    The men went to the barn after lunch and put up the work animals, satisfied they’d be alright for the trip. The orphan calf was bawling a lot, but the two younger boys told Chet they’d fed him plenty of milk that morning.
    â€œGuess he misses his dead maw,” the little one said.
    Chet agreed. A nice warm spring day. He told the pair they could check on the cattle up Yellowhammer Creek on their ponies. The two rushed off to get them.
    â€œCurry them down first,” he shouted after them.
    â€œWe will, Uncle Chet,” they promised.
    Chet made certain the shower tank on the roof over the bathhouse was full and the second one was filling. He hoped the water would be warm enough to bathe in. Wintertime, they heated water with wood heat, but it had to be hauled in buckets to the tub. Solar and gravity power took over when winter wound down.
    After supper he planned a bath and to shave for his visit the next day to invite Kathren to the dance. That made two baths in one week—he’d do the same thing over again to get ready to go to the schoolhouse festival. He looked forward to getting out and talking to his friends. Hell with them Reynoldses.

Chapter 11
    In the morning, Chet saddled Fudge before he went to breakfast. A cooler wind had came up from the Gulf, and clouds were low and thick. He’d probably want his slicker before the day was out, going over to see Kathren. He wrapped the Winchester in an oilcloth and put it in his saddle scabbard—in case he needed it. That all settled, he hitched Fudge at the house rack and hurried inside. Hat on the hook, he heard Reg asking for grace and nodded in approval.
    He waited until the prayer was over, then came into the dining room and took his seat. “Thanks, Reg, for the grace, and my apology for being late. I didn’t plan well enough.”
    His words drew a few chuckles and Ray told him, “it will be alright, Uncle Chet,” which added to the amusement. Chet picked up his coffee cup, anxious for a sip and knowing it was tongue-scalding hot. He blew on it and then tried a sip. Still too hot. He set it back down and went to doctoring his plate of flapjacks with butter and lick. Everyone was so engaged they barely heard someone calling from the front door.
    â€œChet, someone is here,” Reg said as he wiped his mouth on his napkin, then rushed to open the door.
    Chet wasn’t far behind. He saw past Reg, Raul holding a bloody cloth to his head and trying to get his breath. “Bandits, señor. They’ve attacked us this morning with several men. They hurt several of our people.”
    â€œYou know who they are?” Reg asked.
    â€œOne I think was Toby Brown. He has a pinto horse with funny markings.”
    â€œHe one of them?” Chet asked Reg.
    Reg nodded. “What should we do?”
    â€œGet some medical supplies and take Susie and May down there. We need to send for the sheriff. We want this all to be legal.”
    Chet turned to Heck on the porch. “Saddle a fast horse, Heck, that you can handle, then ride to Mason and tell the sheriff he needs to come on the run. They’ve attacked the ranch and hurt several of our people. Louise, we’ll hitch a buckboard, you go to Mayfield and bring the doc back.”
    â€œJ.D., you’re in charge here. They come here, you be sure everyone is safe, the children and the girls. Don’t worry about