The Cowboy

Sometimes we travel far just to find ourselves.

Chapter One

It was a mild morning the day I packed up for San Antone, nothing but blue skies and birds singing. Several weeks before had been hard, full of ice and wind, but that's Texas for you. She's warm as a lover's kiss one day and cold as a witch's tit the next.

Old Miguel and his sons, the hands here on the Scott Ranch, finished shearing the angoras two days before and he and I were loading the wagon that morning to take to market. The mohair would fetch a good price, for they'd put on heavy coat this year despite the generally mild and dry winter. If you don't know goats, for all the sorry dumb SOB's that they are, they do tend to have some sense for weather.

Now I'm sure you have heard of the Scott Ranch and you are wondering why I'm taking about goats and not the cattle they are famous for, but what you're probably not aware of is that this ranch comes in two pieces. Our main spread is down south, on the Santa Gertrudis and is the one most familiar to people. My family is there – My father and namesake, Jacob Scott, his beautiful wife my mother Carmen, of old Spanish blood (and don't forget it) and my twin sister, Adelina, or Lee as I like to call her.

Now the other piece, where I reside, is west of San Antonio, back in the hills. My father bought this land first, a modest 3000 acres, before purchasing the main ranch down south. I came up here a few years back to try my hand at raising mohair. Every young man needs an opportunity to prove himself worthy on his own and I think I've done pretty well. Besides, I prefer this land here with grass and tall trees much more than that down south where there's nothing but thorns and rattlers.

Back to what I was saying; Miguel and I were just finishing up loading the mohair into the wagons. I packed a good bit into some bundles and loaded them onto Jack, my little brown burro, along with some bobcat pelts. Miguel and his wife were bringing the mules and wagon tomorrow. I like to ride ahead and find buyers for my wool. I'm a simple man and the shorter I have to be in town the better. I'll take peace and quiet, rocks and trees, over the bustle of the city, thanks all the same.

A sudden commotion of cackling hens and roosters broke into my beloved peace, followed by a string of unmentionable Spanish coming from the hen house. Miguel and I turned in time to see his daughter, Maria, red-faced and screaming at a huge tan streak flying out of the chicken yard, barely missing the wrong end of a broomstick.

"Egg sucking dog!" Maria yelled in English now - meaning it was directed at none other but myself; heaving her ample self through the gate she pointed her stick at me.

"Hey now!" I said, backing up. I pointed behind the house where Zeus fled. "He went that-a-way!" She wobbled towards me anyway, heavy with her third child.

"I told you! Next time I catch that dog in there I'd have both your sorry hides!"

"Now Maria-"

"No Jake! You spoil that dog somethin' fierce! Now he's got all my hens in such a tizzy they prob'ly won't lay for days! You know I got cookin' to do before this baby comes!" Her dark eyes flashed and I put Little Jack between the two of us.

"Miguel! Tell your daughter to calm down or that baby will come now!" I pleaded in Spanish. The old man chuckled and shook his head, used to us by now, no doubt. Maria was the youngest bar far of her brothers and she, my sister and I grew up together on the main ranch. I was pleased as pie when they sent Miguel's family here to work just after I came, glad if Lee couldn't be here at least Maria could.

I smiled as charmingly as I could and promised Maria I'd buy her some new fancy chickens as a gift while I was in town. She eyed me suspiciously.

"With the feathered feet?"

I nodded quickly and added "Some guineas too, I know you been wantin' some. Just like those Lee used to keep back home, 'member?" Her face softened then and I knew I had won her over. She watched me for a second before waddling her way back to the hen house.

"Just keep that dog outta here!" She said over her shoulder, but the fire was gone from her voice. I ambled over to the house where Zeus' badger marked face peeked around the corner. I walked over to him and took his substantial head in my hands, grabbing the thick mane of hair around his ears and tugged on it playfully.

"You're a coward, y'know it?" I whispered, and was rewarded with an eggy lick to the face. "Bleh!" I cried, wiping it with my sleeve. His great plume of a tail waved like a peace flag. Zeus was everything a good dog ought to be – a huge animal, loyal and jolly. As a rule I didn't take to any of the goat dogs, they were there to do their job and not to be pets, but when one of the bitches had a litter of pups I was immediately taken with Zeus, a rolling fat fur ball with a black face and feet. Every cowboy needs a good dog anyhow. I ruffled his fur and went into the kitchen. Fidelia, Maria's mother greeted me with a kiss and a knowing smile.

"That Zeus is going to be the death of you." She said in Spanish, handing me a bundle of food and my canteen. Her face turned serious and I braced myself for what I knew was coming. "I still don't see why you insist on going ahead of us." She scolded, planting her hands on her hips. "It's too dangerous for you to be out there by yourself. There's no reason why you can't wait and ride with us tomorrow."

"C'mon Fidelia, do we have to keep on like this? You know I like to take care of business and get out of town. This way you can get all the supplies you need and take your time." I kissed her quickly on the forehead and made towards my escape. "B'sides, I'm a grown man, I think I can handle myself." She pulled a sour face and shook her head. I smiled, grabbed my long rifle by the door and kissed Maria's two boys playing marbles on the floor quickly goodbye.

"Head out, Zeus!" I called the dog as I made my way quickly to the barn, who whirled around me, barking, excited. He always new when we were headed out somewhere. The sun shone brightly down through the bare branches of the pecan trees, a fine day for traveling. Miguel met me at the barn door with my horse saddled and ready and Little Jack tethered on. "Miguel, you spoil me to no end." I smiled at the old man who clasped my elbow and told me vaya con dios. A man of few words, he's always been, but his brown eyes are always sincere. I strapped down my pack of food and canteen and slipped the .44-40 into the leather scabbard on the saddle before mounting up.

"See ya soon." I said to Miguel. I could see Zeus waiting impatiently down the road apiece, looking back, tail wagging. We barely made it out the front gate when my horse threw a kick back to Little Jack.

"Damnit Queenie now I won't have none of that you sorry old mule!" I jerked on the reigns and gave her what's for. The horse snorted and tried to swipe me off on the gatepost as we went through. I heard the cackle of Maria's laughter from the yard but I didn't give her the satisfaction of turning around.

For all I loved my dog, I hated my horse, and the feeling was mutual between us I promise you. I bought her some years back from a Mexican horse thief and good friend of mine who no doubt stole her from some Don down in Mexico. She was young, pure Spanish, black as midnight with a thick mane and tail that fell down in waves. I was so taken with her beauty and grace I failed to notice the devil shining in those dewy black eyes. I named her Lareina for she was surely to be a queen among horses. We were mortal enemies from the moment I first threw a halter on her. She broke my arm while trying to saddle break her, but I'm not one to turn tail and run. I finally (somewhat) conquered the nag and we've been fighting ever since. I've renamed her Queenie, which I say only in the most disrespectful way. She loves Old Miguel and it's only my stubborn pride and bullheadedness that keeps me from giving her to him, I'm not too bigheaded to admit. Besides, I like a challenge. Keeps you keen in your boots, I say.

"We got a long way to go, Little Queen, so you might as well just get used to me up here." She was on the short side and I liked to remind her of it. Daylight was already burning by the time we got to moving and I shed my oilskin duster early in favor of the warmth from the sun. Zeus chased armadillos and rabbits and Queenie was moderately behaved, only nipping at my leg once when I let my guard down. The trees were heavy with bright green pollen, fully recovered from the winter cold weeks before. The tall brown prairie grass was giving way to the green blades pushing up from the soft dirt below, and a mockingbird joined us for many miles, playing a whistling game with me. If you've never been to the hills here in Texas, I'll take this time to strongly suggest you stop a bit and visit. They don't hold a candle to the Rockies out west or the Sierra's in Mexico, (which I have had the pleasure of seein') but there's a certain peace-of-mind that settles in around you out here and a feelin' of growing things and good earth. It's easy to understand why the Comanche are not too keen on giving it up.

I stopped only briefly to rest and water the animals and made good headway before end of the day shadows stretched long across the ground. I stopped on the saddle of a little mountain to make camp, watching the sun set over the western horizon, turning the big clear sky into shades of pink, orange and blue until it deepened into black. I unburdened Little Jack and let him loose to graze. Queenie I tied up on a long rope because I don't trust her far as I can throw her.

I sang Nothing But The Blood as I made a cheery little fire, sending smoke whirling to the heavens, taking my song with it. The stars were clear and bright and the night was still except for the keening call of a whippoorwill. I ate my tortilla and dried sausage while Zues gnawed happily on a deer antler he'd found somewhere along the way, one of his big paws slung over my leg. "That's a good prize." I told him, and tossed him some sausage which he caught midair and swallowed in one gulp. I ruffled his ears and he grinned as dogs do, tongue hangin' out the side of his big black mouth.

I sighed and rolled up what was left of my dinner back in the pack for tomorrow and got out my comb. I will tell you now and freely, my only vanity is my hair. I've let it grow well past my shoulders and if my Daddy saw it he would snatch me baldheaded, but he's not here now to be the wiser. I pulled it loose from the leather string keeping it tied at the back of my neck. I am not broad shouldered or tall like my Daddy, and not well muscled like some cowboys, but I do have a nice head of hair and have been complimented on many occasions. I combed it out, so dark brown it's near black and wavy, just like my mother and sister's. As children, we often pretended to be one another we look so much alike though our eyes would eventually give us away. Where mine are blue like Daddy's hers are honey-brown.

Here my thoughts lingered, wondering what they were doing right then, if maybe she was wondering about me. It'd been an age since I last saw them it seemed and I sent up a prayer to God Almighty that I might see them again soon. I finished giving in to my vanity, secured my hair back and ran my fingers over my teeth and swished some water around in my mouth by way of brushing. Zeus moved off by then towards the edge of the fire, settling in for his nightly vigil over this little flock. All was right with the world as I slid down on my bedroll and was fast to sleep.

The sun was not quite peeking over the grey horizon when I woke to the deep, booming sound of Zeus barking his fool head off. "Zeus!" I said, rolling over and covering my ears. He barked if a leaf blew by a too fast. He continued insistent and urgent so I finally roused myself up. "What?" I said blearily. He looked from me back towards the north, where I saw… nothing. "Quiet!" I called, and he stilled his tirade for a bit so I could listen. I cocked my head in that direction and held my breath. There was a sound, like a far off wind rustling the trees… and something else. I shut my eyes and concentrated. A rhythmic sound, getting closer. "Hoofbeats?" I wondered aloud, opening my eyes and glancing around as Zeus' growl grew into a bark again. Little Jack looked at me lazily from under an oak tree and Queenie…

"Dad-gummit!" I growled - awake and full of fire now. Queenie was nowhere to be seen. "Damn that beast!" I threw my things hastily into the saddlebags and loaded Jack down with the wool, saddle and bags and tied them on in a hurry. I jerked his halter on, threw on my hat and duster and started hauling him down the hill. "Find that damn horse!" I commanded Zeus and hoped he understood. He took off down the hill in front of me, veering off to the north. I stalked and fumed, oh when I found that little….

Luckily for me she hadn't gone but a half-mile or so around an oak mot before her long rope got tangled in a hackberry bush. There she stood, looking away from me and towards the north with her ears cocked forward. "You could at least have the courtesy to look at me you old nag!" I growled. "Zeus! Quit that infernal barking!" This was no decent way to wake a man up in the morning. In a moment of stillness, I heard the sound of hoof beats again and close. About the time I remembered why Zeus was barking they were on me, coming around the side of the hill and fast.

I'd never seen Comanche anywhere other than in some of the missions before, certainly never out in the open and wild as such. There were near a dozen of them, flying straight towards me on their little brown mustangs - warriors all by the look of them. I stood there with my mouth open, gone dumb and still by the sight. They paid me no heed as they rode past until one of the last riders glanced back at me and with what seemed like a second thought, pulled his pony quickly around. He was young, smooth skinned and handsome. He motioned towards the north with his hand and said in broken Spanish. "You ride out. Bad wind coming." I only gawked at him, stupidly, I am ashamed to say. I'll blame it on the earliness of the day. His pony danced nervously beneath him. "Viento… Esteno" With that he was off, gone like the wind he warned me of. Zeus ran after him a bit but came back fast.

I stood like a dead stump. Bad wind? Viento esteno? "Did he mean estrano?" I asked Zeus. Strange wind? I looked up the little valley towards the north, which I could see better now from this side of the hill. There was a line of dark clouds rolling in sure enough, and the breeze was pulling to it from the south. I moved myself out of my stupor to untangle Queenie from the hackberry. "You wouldn't think Comanche would be so nervous of a little cold front." I mumbled. I saddled Queenie and took she and Jack down to a creek for a drink and to relieve myself before we moved on. The whole thing made me waspy, I admit. Zeus pressed up against my leg, his nose held high scenting the air around us that stilled for a moment and over the sounds of the horse chuffing I noticed it was dead quiet, not even then sound of birds greeting the sunrise.

Then it hit – an icy blast of cold wind, nearly knocking me off my feet and knocking my hat right off my head. "Shit!" I stumbled, cinching up my stampede string to keep my hat on. Queenie and Jack both jumped and shuffled around nervously and I could hear Zeus growling faintly over the howl of the wind. I swung my leg up and over Queenie. "Let's go!" I called over the sound and we headed back eastward. The wind pushed and shoved against us, clawing at my clothes like an angry polecat. Low, grey clouds soon blotted out the rising sun and the chill bit right through me straight to the bone and soon I was shivering so hard I could barely stay in the saddle. What a miserable day this was going to be! I silently cursed Texas and her weather wiles, trying to keep my mind off the Comanche and his strange warning.

The animals were jumpy, more so than just by the weather alone. Zeus stayed right next to my side, keeping step with Queenie. There was a foulness in the air that even I could sense. Soon pellets of ice and snow began to beat down on us, driven hard by the slicing wind. I knew I better find some refuge and fast, it was quick becoming dark as night and no matter how I shielded my face I could hardly keep my eyes open against the cold and even after I pulled my bandana up over my mouth and nose I could hardly catch a breath.

Suddenly there was a loud rushing sound, like the crushing wall of water that comes with a flash flood. Zeus barked and growled like a creature under attack and beneath me Queenie reared up, catching me by surprise and sending me flying off her backside. My landing was soft, as the snow had piled high by then. How it got so deep so fast was beyond me but I didn't waste time pondering on it. I grabbed Queenie's reigns and did my best to calm her, Zeus backed up against me and barking wildly. "Queenie!" I shouted over the wind. The snow fell so thick and fast now I was near blinded, only able to make out Queenie's black form right in front of me against the whiteness of the storm. I managed to pull myself back up in the saddle somehow, even though my entire being had gone numb from the cold and I pulled Little Jack closer to us.

There was a loud snarl down below from Zeus, all but invisible in the whiteness when suddenly he lunged forward and disappeared into the storm. "Zeus!" I cried. Just as suddenly Queenie lurched sideways beneath me with a whinny of fear. I hung on this time and with numb fingers pulled my long rifle from beside the saddle. My heart was hammering so hard I thought it might beat right out of my chest. The wind slackened just a little, enough to keep my eyes open. I pulled my rifle up to my shoulder and Queenie snorted wildly, tossing her head. She wanted to run but I wouldn't let her, not until I saw Zeus. The sounds of ferocious snarling drew my attention and my sights to the right. I could make out Zeus, pulling and twisting at something. "What the hell..." I muttered under my breath and I quickly found out.

From the whiteness a dark figure lashed out at me with glinting steel. "Oh God!" I cried and Queenie let out a high whinny of fear. From the snows and even from the pits of hell a creature came, huge and grey-black, covered with metal, swinging an enormous axe. Little Jack sprang to life next to us, hawing loudly and kicking wildly, connecting hoof to gut with the creature.

We were not saved though; as Queenie reared up again more of the black devils rushed towards us. I held on as best I could with my legs and prayed to God that Winchester equipped his rifles for warring demons. I shot the first beast in the face and he went down like a rock. That made them pause, sure enough and I could hear their guttural growling like a boar and bear crossed, iced over with a high pitched scream which turned out to be me.

I didn't let their moment of consideration sway me and I kept firing as they came into my sight, aiming only for their horrible faces half hidden under metal helmets but a niggling voice in my mind reminded me I was limited on bullets. "Zeus!" I cried over and over, and finally the dog leapt in from the storm, latching one of the devils' on the arm and not letting go. "Let's go!" I screamed, terror making my voice unrecognizable. I spurred Queenie hard and she took off like a shot into the winter whiteness, Zeus had let go of his foe and was leading the way. We ran hard, all but dragging Jack along and I prayed for Queenie's steps to be steady and not to stumble. I was finding it harder and harder to stay in the stirrup and I glanced down at my leg to see a black arrow shaft sticking out from it. I hadn't noticed it from the numbness and fear and now a new iciness surged through my veins, but I dared not stop, not yet.

I glanced back to see if we were hunted, though I couldn't tell for the snow. I rode on and hard, how far or long I can't say until I could feel Queenie giving way under me, completely exhausted from fear and the cold. The snow was letting up some and the wind calming, so I dared to slow her to a stop. Probably the first kind words passed between us as I rubbed her on the neck. I took another quick look at the arrow in my leg, my thin breeches marked with a red stain.

By then my eyes were starting to blur and my head felt like I'd spent too much time underwater. I tried to listen for the sound of demons hot on our trail, but I couldn't hear anything but the pounding of my own heart. Zeus looked up at me and wagged his tail a little; he was still uneasy but he didn't act like we were in immediate danger. I felt myself drooping down in the saddle then, and resolved to slide off and walk to keep awake.

The moment my feet hit the ground I realized just how weak and weary I was when I crumpled to the ground in a heap, the pain that shot threw my leg made me dizzy and I fought myself upright, clinging to Zeus' heavy fur for support. I felt weak and useless as a newborn calf and Zeus nuzzled my face to try and reassure me. He stared walking forward then, dragging me along the snow. I still had Queenie's reigns looped around my hand and she tugged along behind us, fighting me for her head. I hung on to that thick fur with all the strength I had left in me and Zeus slowly drug me forward. I drifted to unconsciousness then, dreaming I heard a shout and whistle on the wind…