Valley of Bones

by Dusty Richards

  The third day on the road, crossing the open rolling grassland, they turned north onto wagon tracks in the prairie. The forage was belly deep on the saddle horses. This land had never held buffalo like the eastern plains had. Spencer shot two fat antelopes; they had brought along enough wood to cook them.

  The women complained that there weren’t even dry cow pies out there to use for fuel.

  When they came over the last rise they saw, spread out, the place Spencer bought. It was a huge log house set by two moon lakes. Everyone stopped their horses to admire the panorama of the storybook look of the sprawling headquarters. There was a profusion of good, large corrals, well-constructed barns, and even hay in the mows. Two dug wells that Spencer said held sweet water and a windmill filled a house reservoir. Then they all moved down to the house and dismounted.

  “What was the story about this place?” Chet asked. “You bought this for five thousand dollars?”

  “That was the price. A rich man in Kansas City sent a man out here. His boss said he wanted two lakes close by, a great view, and plenty of country to build a large hunting lodge. Then barns and corrals for a great ranch. He wanted the mows filled with hay and a cowherd of Hereford cattle. The man couldn’t find any cows. The owner got mad and brought two surreys out here to buy them himself. He found nothing and went home disgusted. Never came back. A real estate man in Joseph City said I could buy it for ten thousand dollars. I offered five and he sold it to me. There are two sections of land here, and it is five miles from Arnold’s location.”

  Chet stood on the porch holding the post and shook his head.

  “It’s gorgeous, boss man,” Lucinda said, so very excited she hugged him.

  Her action impressed him. Oh, hell, she’d finally become family.

  Josey came out of the house and stopped. “I can’t believe this place, but Lisa is right. I will come back to Prescott to have my baby.”

  “Where did the big pile of firewood come from?” Chet asked.

  “Two Navajo boys who have strung wire for me wanted work. I’ll have a huge stack before fall. That’s ten dollars’ worth. They are going to plant some trees later.”

  “Good. We can afford the boys.”

  “There are two Navajo widows who need work and a place to live that are coming, and there are several small houses scattered around for help to live in. They won’t be alone here.”

  “Five thousand dollars? I can’t believe it.”

  “Chet, what do you think it cost to build?”

  “Those logs came from Flagstaff and the lumber, the mill, and the labor had to be imported. I would say two hundred fifty thousand dollars.”

  “The man said with the land and all, it was four hundred thousand dollars.”

  He nodded. “But no one could afford to own it. Even if they gave it to someone there was no way to make a living here. Like the horse rustlers’ place we cleared up. It is now a cow ranch but we drove cattle over a reservation of wild Indians to stock it. Most fools wouldn’t have done that. You and Fred did one hell of a wonderful job here.” He hugged Lisa, who bumped his hip with hers.

  “Time to eat supper, you land barons. Neat nice place but I like Prescott Valley.” Spencer added, “We have lots of dust to clean up, but it is gracious and I told Lucinda very fancy. There are even crystal glasses in the cabinets and you will eat off English dishes and honest-to-God silverware. There are eight bedrooms. They have been shut up, but dust has crept in.”

  Spencer continued, “It has a water heater like my house and water in the faucets, two large fireplaces, one in the dining room and the other in the front room. There are also fireplaces in each of the bedrooms. It should be toasty in the winter.”

  “And you won’t hear the trains going by.”

  “It is like finding a perfect ship floating at sea all equipped and it only needs a crew.”

  “He must have had the hardwood flooring shipped out here from Missouri,” Chet told them.

  The antelope was perfect. The canned green beans were good and the frijoles were well cooked.

  In bed with his bride in one of the large eight bedrooms with its own fireplace, he said, “That idiot could imagine his rich buddies coming out here, hunting game and having a high time on his ranch, but, until the train comes, it would be a helluva long ride.”

  “It was an unbelievable dream for them, just like you were to me six weeks back. You tired of loving me yet?”

  He laughed. “Not yet. You sore?”

  “Not that sore.”

  * * *

  The next day Chet and Fred covered lots of country on horseback. Water development and windmills would make it a great ranch. Riding through the meadowlarks and the killdeer was entertaining. Screaming red-tailed hawks protested their presence.

  “Hey, thanks, Chet,” Fred said. “You and Lisa did wonders talking to my wife. She told me what you said, and she took it to heart. We are not going back to those alleys. But when it’s been your life for so long you think you can never escape that hold.”

  “She will be fine. We simply reminded her.”

  “You look like you are having a great time with Lisa?”

  “It is always different. A new relationship. We’ve both been burned by deep losses and then we became, cautiously, involved. I tried hard and know she did, too. We are doing what Elizabeth wanted us to do. She gave Lisa a list of things she wanted me to do if I didn’t get back in time.”

  “You have done some different things. I was curious about that. Selling the Oracle Ranch?”

  “I made a profit with it and was able to buy this bargain and Arnold’s ranch. I sold the stagecoach line so I wouldn’t have to sell it at auction when the train came. They wanted the telegraph line so badly they bought the stage line, too.”

  “What about today?”

  “I have nothing for sale. Will you and Josey stay here and help Spencer build this ranch?”

  “I’ll do anything you need for me to do. I like riding with you, but I understand Spencer can use my help. I can learn a lot from him.”

  “No one will ever believe this happened. Bo will die when he hears. I might have given the full price, so Spencer did a wonderful job getting him down.”

  They laughed about it and rode on. They saw that they needed a well driller, and Tom needed to make more windmills so cows could better graze this place, but it was going to be a great grassy ranch.

  The girls got the men to fire up the water heater, and Chet took a bath and changed clothes.

  He and Lisa talked about his day and the things needed there.

  “They need two sheepherder showers for the men to use,” she said.

  “We need mattresses for the bunkhouse. The bunks are built. They have woodstoves in there, and the doors can be open on the hot days so they have a breeze. More brooms, mops, a sickle cutter to mow some weeds and grass. Those trees Spencer has coming will make it great if they’re watered. There is a kitchen for the help, but until they get to be large numbers, Lucinda and Josey will feed them at the house. The two Navajo women are coming today. The men brought another big wagonload of wood and unloaded it. He said Spencer already paid him. We will also need a well driller and lots of windmills with tanks.”

  “Tomorrow you ride to where they are working cattle?” Lisa asked.

  “We’ll stay overnight and come back the next day.”

  “Fine. I can’t believe how he did it. Can you?”

  “It was the buy of the century. If there had been tracks laid south of here, it might have brought half a million dollars. We are getting set for that next rush of people, and a market as well with what the trains will bring in and ship out.”

  “Will you build pens at the tracks to ship cattle in and out on?” Lisa asked.

  “If they realize this is Arizona and not KC or Saint Louis. We own land beside the tracks at Flagstaff. We can have them built when the tracks arrive, but we need a shipping rate we can afford. All they have done so far is cut the pa
y and raised the costs. Stagecoach ticket prices have tripled since they bought it.”

  “Being married to you is sure exciting,” she said.

  “A lot different for you?”

  “I taught kids English. I took women to the doctor who were afraid to go. I planned parties. My late husband, bless his heart, came home and told me all you had been doing. I listened but it was not part of my life. Now I am riding with you and it is. And you talk to me. Like my list of needs is important.”

  “Let’s go to bed. I need to be up early. Spencer wants to show me a lot tomorrow.”

  “I’ll get up, too. Like you say, this is our outfit, and I feel a part of it because of how you take the time to tell me all the things that are going on,” Lisa smiled at him.

  Thanks, Lord, for sending her to me.

  Chapter 22

  There were enough men at the ranch for them to leave it for a day. Chet, Spencer, and Fred rode for the herd before the sun began to peek over the horizon. They trotted their horses southward in the cool air. They crossed the Marcy Road, a glimpse of pink on the horizon to their left, and flushed quail in their path. They spooked two large antlered mule deer bucks who bounded off on stiff legs as they rode on.

  Two hours later, as they came over the last rise, Chet heard cattle bawling. Branding iron fire smoke filled his nose as they reined up. There were lots of cattle assembled and men were working them from horseback. This bunch was serious. They’d already been at it a while that day.

  A man under a sombrero rode out to greet them. His name was Dobe Quantrill. His mustache was trimmed and his smile genuine. “El patrón, at last you come to the cow camp. So nice to meet you.”

  “I’m Chet. You have a grand bunch working here. How much more is left to do?”

  “I want it over in four days. Those are my plans.”

  “Have you seen the new headquarters?”

  Dobe smiled. “Sí. I never thought such a place existed. I have been working on ranches up here three years. I heard about the big lodge, but I never thought no more. I was busy working for the Bar 99 and they came from south Texas. They didn’t like it up here, so they sold out to Arnold. I didn’t like Arnold, so I quit him and went to work for the Three T’s. They are farther east.

  “I met Spencer in St. Joseph and he asked if I wanted work. I told him I won’t work for Arnold and he said he worked for you and you’d bought Arnold out. I brought three good men with me. Some of the men here work for you at your home place, some work for the man drives the cattle to the Navajos for you. Two work on the Verde Ranch. There are others, and we all work hard. The men from your ranches want to go home, and I know more vaqueros that would love to work here. So when we get them all branded they can go home, and if you approve, I will have others here.”

  “Pay everyone a month’s wages as a bonus. If you need help, send word to my ranches and they will come to your aid.”

  The man looked stunned. Then nodded. “You know these men well, don’t you?”

  “Is there a house for you over there at headquarters?”

  “He never said but I think one would do.”

  “How many kids do you have?”

  “Five and one more coming.”

  “Spencer can build you a casa. I’ll tell him.”

  “He said you were a generous man” He stuck out his tough, callused hand to shake with Chet.

  Dobe rode off and Spencer came by. “He is a young Raphael.”

  “I agree. He will need a bigger house. Build him one.”

  “He has five and soon six kids. Maybe one more. His wife’s sister lives with them. I never asked him any questions but I think she is his second wife.”

  “Build him a bigger house.” Chet chuckled.

  “Yes. All these hands work hard.”

  “I told him to pay the men an extra month’s wages and if he ever needs help, our other ranches will come. There’s some riders coming,” Chet said. “Wonder what they want?”

  “Beats the hell out of me. Maybe just to talk?”

  Fred slid his pony in beside them. “Who are they?”

  “We’re asking ourselves the same question.”

  The dozen riders reined up in a line. Dobe joined Chet and the others. “That is Fred Holcomb. He owns the Tepee Ranch.”

  Chet nodded and stepped forward. “I’m Chet Byrnes. What can I do for you?”

  The man wearing the clean white shirt spat tobacco sideways then poked his stud horse forward. “I’m Frank Holcomb. How many of my cattle you got held up here?”

  “Dobe, tell the man.”

  “Not one. We are branding Wagon Wheel and K Bar ones.”

  “By God, I want my men to ride through them and check. There are too damn many cattle here not to have some of mine.”

  “You can leave a couple of men to check what we brand. But we are holding these cattle and a bunch riding through would spook them and we could lose some. We worked too damn hard getting them up.”

  “By damn, my men will ride through them or I’m starting in to shooting your asses off.”

  By then, a large number of Dobe’s own hands came to back him. Chet said, “When that shooting starts, you will be the first to die. Get your hand off your gun butt, leave two men, and we will feed them and let them check, but you damn sure ain’t busting through those cattle and ruining all our hard work.”

  “Get off that damn horse. I’ll whip your ass and wipe up the blood with you.”

  “Stay right there, boss man, this one is mine.” Spencer, off his horse, tossed his hat aside, unbuckled his gun belt, and handed it to Chet.

  Holcomb jumped out of the saddle with his fists raised high and made a run at Spencer. But he met the fastest array of punches Chet ever saw, and Holcomb was soon on his back with Spencer telling him to get up. Six Winchesters were cocked and ready on his ranch hand’s side.

  “The fight’s over.” Chet booted his horse in close. “If you doubt me, I told you to leave two men. We won’t hurt them. But don’t ever come threaten my men or my outfit again, because more than likely you won’t go home alive.”

  “I ain’t leaving shit here. I’m going to find the law and have you arrested for rustling.”

  “You do that. We have nothing to hide. But don’t come back to bully us around.”

  Holcomb mounted his stud that one his men had been holding and rode off. They followed.

  “Well,” Spencer said, “We just met our neighbor. Real nice guy. When he’s sitting on his ass. Where’s the damn cactus? I want him to sit on some of that next time.”

  If that was a sign of the other ranchers, it would probably happen again. Chet hated the vision.

  Chapter 23

  Things were settled. The wagon folk were ready to go home. They decided the wagon wheel would be the brand they’d use in the future. It would be the hardest for a rustler to work over. Spencer planned to scatter the cattle after the branding was complete, but he planned to use line riders to keep the cattle on the range around him and other cattle off it. He intended to use tents, a corral, and hay if they got snowed in.

  With over a thousand market steers, they’d start shipping them with Sarge. Some were three years old and larger so they’d be accepted at Gallup. Spencer and Fred got busy contracting hay. They would have fifteen hundred mother cows and springing heifers when they made the count final.

  * * *

  Back home, Chet shook his head. Wagon Wheel would be the largest operation they had. And the first-year cattle sales would pay for the entire deal.

  Tom planned to double his blacksmith shop output of windmills. Spencer found a broke well driller family and hired them. They rebuilt his equipment and had him poking holes. His name was Hugo Smith, his wife Alania, two teen boys, Ruff and Tumble, and a daughter, Claudia. They lived in a sheepherder’s wagon when out with the rig and draft horses hauled the tower around on wheels. They pounded the ground nearly every day and found lots of water. Two were artesian, and Spencer hired Nav
ajo rock masons to make some large tanks for them.

  Tom bought eighteen young Hereford bulls in Kansas and had them shipped to the end of the railroad tracks over in New Mexico. Spencer hired two Navajo families to drive them carefully from there to the Wagon Wheel headquarters. They had a hay wagon and a water wagon. They made it there with sixteen. The man in charge said two broke their legs in prairie dog holes and had to be shot and eaten. Expensive food was Spencer’s reply.

  Fred bought ten young shorthorn bulls from a Mormon farmer who had brought them hay and the man had a brother south of there who had ten more. They were even larger but cost the same price, $100 apiece. Spencer and Fred felt that that should cover the Wagon Wheel’s bull needs. It snowed over two feet deep on most of the Wagon Wheel range, the third week in November.

  They only got a dusting at Prescott. Chet was pacing the living room floor and Lisa stopped him. “Whatever is wrong?”

  “I have not gotten one new lead on Arnold, that man who plotted Miguel’s murder. I thought by now someone would have located him unless he died of snakebite, off by himself, in the desert somewhere.”

  “Start over. You always get leads on those criminals.”

  “You’re probably right. Spencer said in his wire they were going to be all right. Toby and Talley I have to trust to have their matters in hand. Shawn and Lucy know—”

  She slipped in and hugged him. “I think they all will make it fine. Let yourself relax. Go upstairs and we’ll make love.”

  “I guess you are right.”

  “Oh, Chet, I know I am right. I know you will solve it.”

  * * *

  He, Tom, and Jesus planned to go elk hunting. Anita had a spell and Jesus stayed home. Cole went with him and they picked up Tom. A cowboy named Hank Moore drove a supply wagon with tents, camp gear, and a way to get the racks, meat, and hides home. They made camp up on the rim and the bull elk were bugling.