Rawhide
Incident of the Blind Man's Bluff
Chapter 2
"You find out who he is?" Gil Favor had arrived only a few moments after the blind man had fainted. Pete and Favor were now standing beside the chuck wagon, where Wishbone knelt on the ground tending to the unconscious man. Mushy had gotten several blankets out of the supply wagon and laid them on the ground for the blind man to lie on.
Pete shook his head and chewed his lip; his hands resting on his hips. "Didn't get a chance to ask him. Claims this land 'round here is his." He made a sweeping motion with his hand, covering the land around them.
Rowdy, who had just walked up to the scene a few minutes before, muttered thoughtfully. "What I can't understand is what's a blind man doin' out here by himself." One hand rested on his holster where his hat hung from the stampede string.
"How is he, Wishbone?" Gil Favor asked.
Wishbone got up off of his knees and shook his head. "I can't find nothin' wrong with him, but he won't come to."
"Maybe he lives somewhere around here. You want I should go check out the area, Boss?" Pete asked.
Favor chewed his lip, looking at the man lying on the ground and thought for a moment. "I s'pose we can spare you for a day or two. Take Rowdy with you before he drives me crackers. And Rowdy?" Favor closed his eyes and rubbed his brow.
Rowdy quickly wiped the resentful look he had had on his face only moments before, and looked at the trail boss. I haven't done anything wrong…lately anyways.
Favor stopped rubbing and looked at Rowdy. "Do something for me. Once? Just stay out of trouble? Think you can do that?"
Rowdy clenched his jaw and said nothing. It wasn't that he liked getting into trouble and he never went looking for it but somehow trouble always seemed to find it's way to him.
Pete walked over next to Rowdy and put a hand on his shoulder. "I'll make sure he stays out of trouble, Mr. Favor. Come on, Rowdy, let's-"
Just then a groan came from the blind man lying on the blankets next to the wagon. Wishbone quickly knelt down next to him with a canteen filled with water. "Wait a minute, Pete. He comin' to." He muttered. Wishbone brought the canteen to the blind man's lips. He took a few swallows and then coughed. Wishbone helped him the man into a sitting position against one of the wheels of the chuck wagon. "How ya feelin, mister?"
"Who are you? Where am I?" The old man sat farther against the wheel and felt the side of the wagon with he hand. "What happened?"
"That's Wishbone. I'm Gil Favor, trail boss. You're in our camp and Pete Nolan found you just before you passed out." The trail boss put his hands on his knee and leaned down closer to the old man. "Now it's my turn to ask questions. What's you name and what do you mean by tellin' my scout that this is your land?"
"Well, I guess I do own the man who found me…" he paused.
"Pete Nolan." Favor said.
The blind man nodded. "I guess I do owe him an apology and an explanation."
Favor looked up at Pete then back at the old man. "You can tell him right now. He's standin' just in front of you."
"Mr. Nolan, I'm sorry for talkin' to you the way I did and for trippin' you with my cane. I wasn't exactly in my right mind on account of somethin' that happened today. Mr. Nolan…have you ever lost a child?" The old man asked suddenly.
Pete was taken aback by the sudden question and it was a few moments before he spoke. "No. Never had any children for that matter." But I lost my wife…and she meant more than the world to me. He thought silently to himself.
"Well, I lost my youngest daughter to pneumonia last year. That grove beside the stream was her favorite place. I've been tryin' to buy that piece of land for some time now." The blind man sighed heavily. "But today I found out that someone had made a higher offer than mine and bought the land. I thought you were the buyer. I had planned on talking to the buyer and maybe buying the land from him but I guess I lost my head and I'm sorry."
Pete shrugged. "That's alright, mister-"
"Cratcher. Jed Cratcher. I live on a ranch about a mile from that grove where you found me. I'd be much obliged if you could help me get back." He said hopefully.
Pete looked at Favor for permission. The trail boss nodded. "Sure thing, Mr. Cratcher. I'd be glad to. I'll go get the horses ready." Cratcher thanked Pete before the scout went for the horses.
Rowdy turned to go, but Favor stopped him. "Rowdy, I still want you to go with Pete. But, please, just for once-"
Rowdy sighed. "I know, I know. Stay out of trouble." He jammed on his hat and headed for the picket line.