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Don reached Fort Graham midevening , he rode straight to headquarters . People stopped watching him as he lead two horses with dead men on them . On reaching headquarters he went in and talked to Captain Tom , describing all that had happened . Captain Tom and a few that were there helped unload the...

The riders stood there on their horses . Wade looked at Ed and motioned for one to come . They talked and finally one walked his horse in . Wade stopped him with his hand up at twenty yards . Wade said ...What do you want ! The rider was a young man and said ...Is this the Black Mule Ranch ? Wade sa...

Wade and Katy jumped up and went out on the porch . There were three riders coming at a lope from the river bottom . Lucy grabbed her and Willow Mae a rifle from the extras in the corner . Katy's Henry was already by the gun port with a box off cartridges . Wade took off for the shed to get his 1873...

The East Texas Rangers left . They had a lot of food to take with them . There were many handshake and well wishes . Wade lead prayer for their safe return home to their families . All the ladies hugged them and cried . Wade told all of them they were always welcome here at the Black Mule Ranch . It...

People came running in from the café with guns drawn . Don went outside , the robbers horses were tied at the rail in front of the store . He went back in and everybody was looking at the dead men on the floor . Don asked if anyone knew them but everyone shook their heads no . Things settled down an...

Don waited till the sun was coming up to go down for breakfast . They had all stayed up by lamplight after supper and talked having a good time with the Staleys . John , Steve , Carl and Greg were still getting dressed . Don stepped out and shut the door gently and took a few steps to the landing to...

Katy told Zeke to take one of the beds from the bunkhouse to his and Willow Mae's cabin so they could both have a bed and him not to sleep on the floor . Him and Willow were enjoying being together after being separated so long . Zeke told Willow Mae ...Mama ! Wade is a real preacher , he can baptiz...

Come evening Don , Steve , Tom , Greg and Carl ate with the Staley's . Hearing how Zeke had been treated at the café they would just have jerky before eating there . There was much talk and exchange of information as was usual . Don told of Ed and Lucy getting married . The Staleys nearly went crazy...

Come evening Don , Steve , Tom , Greg and Carl ate with the Staley's . Hearing how Zeke had been treated at the café they would just have jerky before eating there . There was much talk and exchange of information as was usual . Don told of Ed and Lucy getting married . The Staleys nearly went crazy...

It was the third day and the wagons rolled into Eliasville midevening . The weather had cooled and water had not been as much of a problem this trip . They had made good time hauling empty ! Don parked the wagons beside the Staley's store then sent Simon and Juan to their families . He went in the s...

Wade was very satisfied with progress made considering so many of the ranch people were gone to Eliasville . The East Texas Rangers had really pushed things along helping with the cabins . Wade was walking to the cabin and Ed was carrying a Henry rifle walking toward the river with Willow Mae . He w...

It had been three days since Don and the others had left . The walls were a third up all around the three connecting cabins . A wall and door would be made connecting them inside , each would be two big rooms each . One cabin was floored , beams being made for the roof . There were still many boards...

Cliff and the east Texas Rangers hurried the work . Most of them were tired of sitting . Two of them were good working with the logs and with Carlos , Tomas and Wade walls were going up fast . Carlos and Tomas started doing the floors , Katy came and started to plane boards . They had Lucy's extra h...

The morning came . Katy had been up early making food , salt crackers , quick bread , cookies , jerky was bagged and lard buckets with dried meat and dumplings . The wagons were ready with water barrels filled . she could hear the men getting the teams harnessed and loading their bedrolls and gear ....

The celebration continued till dark . Everyone was having a good time with all you wanted to eat . At last Ed and Lucy said goodnight and thanked them all ! They left for Lucy's cabin . Ed and Lucy sat on the side of the bed talking about the evening . They were getting ready for tomorrow and all at...