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Don was up first bringing the team in . Steve made some coffee in a clean lard bucket and John helped with the horses . They were anxious to get to the ranch ! They should be there by noon easy , the horses were good and everything working fine . It didn't take long to drink the coffee up between the five of em and they headed north west to the ford . The going was a bit rougher for the wagon but the four hose team never slowed down . Don was thankful they had smoothed out the high and low spots when the Garcia's had came to the ranch .

They were going to be surprised to see a big freight wagon getting to the ranch . Don hoped he had made a good decision bringing the wagon and extra supplies . He would know soon enough .

Ed had reached the eastern rim of the canyon and rode north along it for about six miles with no sign of life in the canyon . The canyon was wide and if they weren't camped on the eastern side he could miss finding them . He rode on another mile and saw faint grey smoke in the bottom . He had found them , there were at least five hundred lodges set up and more horses in different herds scattered out than he had ever seen in his life .


It was early and they were just kindling their cooking fires and stirring around . He saw a party of around fifteen Comanche heading south down canyon most likely coming up to the Lano by the lower south slope . He had to get south quick or he would be cut off . He wheeled his horse and ran him a mile then slowed to a gallop .


He had to get on their south side to even have a chance to get away otherwise he'd have to fight his way through them !

The men had eaten breakfast and Wade scattered them out doing different jobs . Zeke and Juan were sent to the river with the black mule and cart to start gathering cattails . They took a corn knife apiece and both shotguns to maybe get some meat . Carlos and Tomas were cutting firewood and hauling and stacking it at the new cabins . Simon was putting up tools and straightening up from the cabin building .

Rosa and Lucy went to look at her new cabin . They were having fun talking about where everything would go and laughing . She had started a pot of bacon and beans hoping Zeke and Juan would bring back some meat . Wade worked on his logbook , at this time there wasn't much to write in it . All the Rangers were out in the field . He worried about Ed , he knew Ed was more capable than even they knew but he had taken on the impossible . Trying to trail the Comanche alone without being caught was more than a long shot .

Ed pushed his horse hard to be south of the east slope going into the canyon . He actually made it before they came out but they spotted him easy loping his horse a quarter mile off . All of them started for him at full speed , Ed's horse was starting to blow hard and labor .

Ed needed time . If he could hold em off to dark he could shake them off and put some distance between them . He saw a scrub chaparral bush ahead and dismounted pulling his long double barrel rifle out of it's boot and tying his horse letting him blow . Ed broke the top branches of the bush down , pulled out the ramrod and propped it on the chaparral . He put fresh caps on the nipples and let the Comanche get to about two hundred yards .

Ed drew down on an outside rider to his right and fired . The Comanche fell off his horse and the rider less horse ran sideways into the two horses next to him and they all went down . Ed put his sights on the left hand outside rider and fired , the horse and rider went down . Ed reloaded and shot two lead horses with horses and riders behind them piling up in a heap . The Comanche came to a full stop and Ed reloaded shooting rwo more horses . They turned and ran their horses back north . Ed reloaded stuck his rifle in the boot and took off at a gallop , the Comanche following at a very respectful distance .

Now Ed had to make his horse hold out till dark .

Zeke and Juan had hauled in a load of cattails and stacked them in the shed . They went to get another load but dropped off two ducks to lucy and her for lunch . Wade had finished doing figures on the ranch and Ranger business . He wanted to have a meeting with her and Zeke later this evening . He went to cutting firewood with Carlos and Tomas , it was piling fast .

They all stopped for lunch talking . Then the black mule brayed .

Ed walked his horse for two hours and even found a puddle deep enough to get a drink , water his horse and fill his lard bucket with muddy water . The Comanche were pacing him trying to wear him out . Ed stopped his horse to rest him even a little bit , if the horse went down he was done .

The Comanche stood far off , he knew they were talking or arguing what to do but didn't want to get in range of his big rifle . He couldn't outrun them , this was a waiting game . He bided for darkness to evade them and about now they were figuring that out ..at least the smarter ones were .

He stood in plain sight letting them see him as the horse rested up some . Finally they started easing up and he went to his horse and drew out the double barrel rifle . He got down on one knee and they stopped dead in their tracks , Ed smiled . He had them buffaloed right now . It was a Mexican standoff tilted his way , there were six riders still wanting to kill him .


He knew what they would do later ..closer to dark . He just needed to deal with it when it came .

Ed swung up on his long legged horse . He wheeled and stared at the Comanche . He said ;
Sustain me Lord .!

Don had Steve and John take the pack horses across the ford ..they were nearly to the ranch . They were to tie the horses up and be ready with ropes if the big freight wagon needed help . He was ready himself , he prayed the wagon didn't get stuck or hung up in the river ! They would have to unload it and hand carry everything they could to the north bank . Carl and Greg with the black dog eased the wagon down the bank . Greg was pulling on the brake as hard as he could not to have the wagon run over the wheel horses . They got it in the river bed and were going slow , if a horse went down it could be a real mess .

They crossed without a hitch ! Greg had to lay the reins to em pulling out but it went smoothly . They were nearly home !

Everyone scattered ! The Garcia's took off to the shed for their rifles , her and Lucy gave Ray and Claud their gun belts telling them ..DO NOT try to get up ! Zeke and Wade grabbed a rifle from the extra guns in the corner , she opened the front and back gun ports putting Nate behind the bed . Lucy got her shotgun . No orders were given , they knew what to do .

Zeke and Wade went out in the yard , the black mule was looking to the west with his ears pitched forward . Wade and Zeke looked and Zeke said ...What the heck is that ? Wade kept looking , it was a big wagon and men with it . Wade said ...I don't know . Zeke you stay here , I'm taking Juan and Simon to meet them before they get here . Wade hollered to the Garcia's forted up in the shed and they started saddling the horses . Juan and Simon lead Bud out when they came , Wade mounted and they took off west to find out who and what was coming to the ranch .

Ed walked his horse . The Comanche hung back , they might have a plan to take him tonight as well . Ed had to try and figure on that . This was a deadly game and so far he was winning by just still being alive . He just had to keep moving south . He needed another horse .

Wade , Juan and Simon rode hard to meet the group with the wagon before they got any closer to the cabins . He saw that Don , Steve and John were with the big freight wagon ! He wondered what in the world was happening here .


Don halted the wagon and let Wade and the Garcia's get to them . Don explained in a quick way how they had the wagon with them and all rode to the front of her cabin . Everyone was standing in the yard happy to see the young Rangers back and safe ! Lucy's old dog ran to her and Lucy was speechless for the first time on the ranch . Don introduced Greg and Carl to everyone from the back of his horse .


It was a celebration and reunion plus the fascination of a huge freight wagon making the crossing loaded with many things they needed . The Garcia's unloaded the packs from the horses on the ground in front of the cabin . Carl backed the wagon up to the cabin porch and they started unloading . Lucy and her saw the cookstove and were beyond excited . Wade saw the barbed wire and supplies brought and started envisioning all that could be done now . Lucy's black dog ran in the cabin , the pup pushed up against Nate on his pallet snarling at him . The old fat black dog wagged his tail . Blue quit growling and the black dog nudged Nate licking him . Blue wagged his tail back and let the old dog run around the cabin smelling .


It was a mess but a happy mess trying to find places for everything brought back but there were plenty of cabins to store it in till it was done . They all felt rich with what had been brought back ! The ranch just took a big step forward combined with the new cabins .

It was near dark when the Comanche made a move , two Comanche rode out far to the east and west of Ed riding fast . Ed was ready , they were going to try and surround and pin him down . He wheeled his horse east straight for the two on that side , he kicked his worn horse and he rode hard . The Comanche were obviously stunned by the move and just stopped , they knew his big rile was useless riding fast on a horse .

The two Comanche headed straight for him rifles in their hands . Within range Ed drew his Henry and shot ones horse , Ed never slowed . The rider still left turned to the north trying to reach the two Comanche there . Ed dismounted quick kneeled and fired three times knocking the rider out of the saddle . His horse stopped close to him . Ed mounted and rode hard , He passed the rider laying in the grass and caught up the Comanche's horses reins .


The other four Comanche just sat their horses in shock watching as Ed pulled his saddle and put in on the horse . They started moving closer and Ed pulled his big rifle out ...they turned and moved off north . Ed mounted the Indian horse held his rifle high sitting there on the Comanche horse staring the Comanche . He slowly turned south leading his horse . The Comanche still followed .

They got the wagon unloaded , the cookstove sat next to her work counter needing the stove pipe run out the roof . The barbed wire was stacked in the bunkhouse along with much extra supplies . Her cabin was full stocked with food , dry goods too much to mention . As they organized and stacked supplies she asked Zeke ...Do you remember when you came we were living on mush , cactus and catfish ? Zeke said ...This is all unbelievable ! Look at all this ! And now we have a ranch with all these people living here . I can't get my mind wrapped around all this ...GOD is here with us ! We didn't do all this . She said ...I know Zeke .


They had cooked beans , cornbread and the two ducks . It was a good thing because there were five more people than this morning . Everyone ate a late lunch and talked , Don explained everything they had done and said he hoped he hadn't overstepped in his decision to bring the wagon and added to the supply list . Wade put his hand on Don's shoulder and said ...Don you did perfect ! Thank you for taking control and making good decisions . And you even brought Lucy's dog ! You did well ! Wade told Steve and John in private they did well also and they were glad he thought so .


During lunch Greg and asked if they could use some extra hands and Wade hired them . He would pay them wages and if they needed another load hauled they would get the same they charged on top of their wages . Carl said ...Since the Comanche are out in force no one wants freight hauled ...we need the work ! Wade , her and Zeke saw a lot getting done fast in the next days .

The Comanche horse was good enough but not even close to being the horse his was . His horse was getting a break being lead . The way Ed saw it they had another twelve hours of heading south till they could take a good rest . He would rather ride the Comanche horse to death than his own . They would stop at sundown but travel all night .

As he rode he thought about Lucy . Lucy wasn't mean , she just used that to protect herself . She got attached to people quick and wanted to take care of everybody . She was a substantial woman , capable and protective . Most couldn't see it because she acted mean ..Ed laughed out loud . There was no meanness in her , it was all a smokescreen she used to keep people from hurting her . She was a woman to be considered .

He missed not working and being with them , these people were addictive . He rode and thought as he watched his backtrail and to the north the Comanche following . He turned east before sundown knowing it would confuse the ones following . There was no where for him to go anywhere east . He intended to confuse them quite a bit !

Carl and Greg were shown where to make a bed in the livestock shed and were impressed with the new cabins . Don had bought Rosa a thimble for sewing , rock candy , and a thick tablet . Writing pens and stationary for her and Lucy . He bought Wade and Zeke a new bible . He got the Garcia's a folding pocket knife . Everyone apricated that he thought of them and thanked him . He bought Ed a bible also but he was still out there , he still felt guilt over that . Don actually considered trying to find him but that would be impossible .


They split up and were setting the new outhouse , working on logs for her bedroom and splitting shingles behind her cabin . Now they had two more adz's and another froe so it would go quicker . They still had logs and boards left over to make a good start at the big bedroom . The Rangers were making beds for the new bunkhouse out of boards , shelves would be next . Don gave her the flour sack of letters from the post at the Staley's store .


When everyone got busy she sat down and looked at them wondering who could have sent her so much mail ! She started opening the letters and one was from Captain Jack coffee . It took her a long time to read them all sitting at the table . Lucy and Rosa were doing laundry on the porch as she read Captain Jacks letter , it was three pages long . Halfway through it her eyes got big and her hand flew over her mouth ! Holding the letter she ran to the cabin door and told Rosa ...Go quick and bring Wade ..NOW ! Rosa sprinted to the shed where him and Zeke were making boards .

Wade ran to the cabin with Rosa behind him . She told Rosa to keep helping Lucy . Wade asked what is wrong ! She said ...Sit down . After Wade sat down looking worried he asked again what was wrong . She said ...Nothing is wrong ...Zeke's mother is alive ! And she is coming here now on the stage ! Wade stood up in a confused daze !