In a few cases, notes and addresses were met by promises to deliver messages discreetly to loved ones.
“How many head of cattle do you want?” Will asked.
The raiders looked at Benny, their eyes sharp in their drawn faces.
“You keep your cattle, Will. You boys gathered them.”
“Nope. I’m giving you cattle. Friend to friend.”
“Well, I sure do appreciate that, Will. All the boys do, I’m sure.”
Those close by nodded.
“When you’re a renegade,” Benny said, “it’s difficult getting enough to eat. And we don’t have the right gear or know how for a gather, either. A couple head of cattle would help us a lot.”
“I’ll give you four, then. You boys look pretty starved down. And next time we come this way, I’ll bring you some flour and such.”
Benny shook Will’s hand, and his men gathered around to thank him.
“Let’s cut out four nice head for these boys,” Will told his own people. “And in case any of you are feeling prickly, don’t. These cattle come out of my take.”
“No sir,” Rufus said, stepping forward. “You can give them two, and I’ll give them two.”
“No,” Fletcher said. He was the best, most experienced cowboy in the bunch. “Mr. Forester’ll pay his share, too. He’s been over the trail enough times to know the cost of doing business. Will, Rufus, you each contribute a cow, and we’ll take two out of Forester’s double share.”
“Works for me,” Will said. “All right. Let’s round up some nice cattle for these boys.”
Will’s men started for their horses.
Before Will could join them, Benny stopped him.
“Hey, Will, before you go, I want to show you something.”
He drew him away from the others in a private opening behind a rank of ragged pines.
“What is it, Benny?”
“You ever hear of Cullen Baker?”
“Yeah, been hearing his name a lot lately. Heard he’s been causing a lot of trouble.”
“Don’t believe it,” Benny said. “Well, don’t believe all of it. Old Cullen’s got a temper on him, that’s for sure. But he didn’t do half the stuff folks try to pin on him. I’ve ridden with him a few times down here, and he strikes me as a good enough man.”
“All right. What about him?”
“He taught me something.”
“What’s that?”
“Something you ought to know how to do yourself. Step back a second, and I’ll show you.”
Will took a step back and waited. He didn’t have to wait long.
Benny dropped a hand to his hip, brushing his coat aside in the process, and brought it back up in a flash… filled with shooting iron.
“That was awful quick,” Will said. “How’d you do that?”
“Cullen showed me. And I’ve practiced a lot.”
