Chapter 10

We sit on the riverbank to eat and Jack says not a word. I’m okay with this, content to let him lead, but by the time the food is gone, I can no longer keep quiet.

“Good eats,” I say.

All he does is nod.

Rummaging for something else to say, I come up with a question. “Isn’t there a railhead in Salida? You could have shipped the horses.”

“Could have, but this is cheaper and I don’t mind getting off the ranch now and again.” He rises as he says this, and minutes later, we’ve got the horses moving again.

With so few animals we can pick up the pace, which Jack does. The little herd becomes eager, as do I. Ned also seems happy to get moving.

I’ve no idea where we are when Jack stops, only that dusk is coming on. A stream is nearby, as is open space enough to rig a rope corral for the horses. Jack has brought stakes and extra rope, and when he sets to work, I jump in to help. In no time, the horses are corralled, grass plentiful underfoot, and we’ve got up a fire.