Tumbleweeds

[chuck j]

Zeke had finished the seats and took them to the cabin and sit the one on the porch back at the front gun port . He saw she had placed a bag of cartridges for the Henry by the port and thought ..smart girl ! She was cleaning and he knew better than get in a woman's way when they were on a cleaning rampage so he went and gathered the stock in and watered them putting them in the shade . He was arranging things in the shed to save room and clean up and he pulled the cover off a piece of equipment in the back and was amazed . It was a hand crank grain mill , it said ..Atlas Grain Mill on the side ! He wondered why it wasn't being used ! He had to question her about it because it could be so useful .

It was mid morning and warming up . This was the last easy day he had , the hay would be raked and rowed tomorrow . He was going to not do any hard work the rest of the day , there would be plenty of that tomorrow. He was walking to the cabin and going to make a pot of coffee and see if she was finished cleaning or could help her .


He was half way across the yard and the black mule brayed , he was looking around then he saw them .

[chuck j]

There were two riders coming fast just like the last time They had their horses at a lope following the outlaws trail to the cabin . He turned around and ran to the shed and grabbed the ones possible bag and checked it for balls for the Colt he was now wearing . There were a lot of balls and a powder flask . He grabbed it and broke and ran for the cabin .

He got to the cabin , she was bundling dirty laundry . He sat at the table loading the one ball the outlaw had shot at her and said … Riders comin ma'am ! Two of em just like last time , they are trailin those outlaw's tracks . Time ta fort up ma'am . Is that Henry full loaded ? She said ...Yes . Move Nate to the foot of the bed . He rammed the ball down and put the Colt in it's scabbard then picked up Nate and his pallet moving him to the foot of the bed . He looked around the door and they were coming in the yard . He told her ...Keep your head down all you can and let me do the talkin .

The Spencer rifle was by the door and loaded . The riders stopped in front of the cabin and looked the place over . They were abreast of one another , they rode fine looking long legged mounts . The horses were sweating in the heat but not used up . The rider on the inside closest to the door wore a grey Stetson , a blue shirt and Black vest . He had Levi pants and black boots . He looked to be about sixty years old and had a long mustache . The other rider was younger with a white shirt , black Stetson and Levi's . They both had an 1873 Winchester in a boot on the right side front on their double rig saddles and wearing gun belts .

The older man closest to the door hollered ...Hail the house ! Zeke said beside the door ...We have nothing for you here ! We had some bad happenins here lately with strangers ! Best you move on ! The two riders looked at one another then the older one said … We are Texas Rangers ! I am captain Jack Coffee and this is Sam Wallace , we are trackin two insane murderin bushwhackers and we have orders to kill em on sight ! Their trail leads right here and your going to tell me where they are or where they went !


Zeke stepped out of the door . They looked at each other a few sec and Zeke said … We killed em day before yesterday right where you are ! I ain't convinced your Rangers . The older one pulled his vest to the side and he wore a five pointed star made of a cinco peso Mexican coin . Zeke said ...You caint be Jack Coffee , everyone in the state of Texas knows that name and he retired ten or twelve years ago ! The old man said ...I came out of retirement to kill these bushwhackers , they have killed seventeen people we know of and no tellin how many they have killed we don't know about . If you folks killed em I want to see the bodies ...NOW ! Where are they ?


Zeke said ...I buried them in a shallow grave not far west , there's some rocks on it and I'll tell you how to get there . The old Ranger said ...You lay that Colt on the porch and we are lookin in the cabin to make sure your not hidin em before we check out that grave . Get everyone out and to the end of the porch . NOW ! Zeke told her to come out . She came out on her crutches and they stood on the porch with the old Ranger with his hand on his pistol while the other dismounted and went in . When he came out he looked at her and said ...That's a pretty baby ma'am .

The old Ranger said ...Who killed em ? Zeke said ... We both killed one each . The old ranger leaned on the pommel of his saddle and in a min said ...It's dang hard for me to believe you two killed these outlaws . I will see the bodies ..NOW ! You (He pointed at Zeke) saddle a mount and get a shovel ...I WILL SEE THOSE BODIES ! Zeke saddled the black mule and took them to the grave .

[chuck j]

They got to the grave and dismounted . Jack Coffee said to Zeke as he threw his rope on the grave ...Dig em up and drag em out so we can see em ! Zeke stared at him and said ...We done your job for you ! You wanna see em YOU dig em up ! And Zeke threw the shovel at Coffee's feet still looking him in the eyes . He was tired of being ordered around .


Coffee bent over and picked up the shovel slowly then asked … Which end are the feet ? Zeke pointed and stood there , he said ..They ain't but six inches a dirt on em . Coffee started digging and didn't take but a few min to expose the top one's legs . Sam had dallied his rope on the horn and pitched the loop to Coffee . Coffee put it around the top set of boots and Sam pulled the body out a ways . Coffee pulled the loop off and jerked the second set of legs out of the dirt then Sam pulled the second body out .

Coffee and Sam looked them over and Coffee stood up and said ..It's them ! This is over, they will never kill anyone again . He looked at Zeke and said ...Let em rot on the prairie , they don't deserve being buried ! Zeke said ...I didn't care if they are buried but I'll not have her find this trash one day out riding , she don't deserve any reminders of that day . You will put em back and cover em ! Coffee asked ..Did you find any money on them ? Zeke said ...I wouldn't go through a dead man's pockets ! You can if you want to . Coffee found a wad of bills on both corpses .

Coffee stood and thought a min then started cleaning the loose dirt out of the grave then Sam drug the bodies and stacked em in the hole . Coffee covered em up then they threw the rocks back on top . They mounted up and silently rode back to the cabin .

[chuck j]

When they got to the cabin Coffee asked ...May I see their horses and gear ? Sam took their horses and the black mule to water them . Zeke took him in the shed and showed him their saddles and packs . Coffee went through the packs and found more money and some jewelry. Zeke said ...We have their guns and a possibles bag in the cabin . We were going to use the guns .


They went to the cabin and looked at the guns . Coffee found more jewelry and a wad of money wrapped up in paper in the bag . He took his hat off and asked her ...Ma'am may we sit down and hear your story of that day ? She said ...Certainly ! I will make some coffee .

[chuck j]

It was mid afternoon , they hadn't eaten lunch so she mixed cornmeal she had ground and made fried cornbread while they talked . Her and Zeke told how they met and they both gave their account of the encounter with the outlaws . She fed Nate while they talked . Afterwards she set the cornbread on the table and they ate . She apologized that it was not fluffy but she didn't have baking powder . Captian Coffee said ...I will leave you a can ma'am . We mix flour and baking powder and wrap it on a stick to cook it for a quick meal at times . It tastes bad but will keep you going . She said … You can stay for supper . Your horses need rest and you can bath , Zeke sleeps in the shed and there's plenty of hay to make a bed . I know your tired . If you stay we will have fried jackrabbit , catfish , corn and fried Polk greens . The Rangers looked at each other and Sam said ...Ma'am we ain't ate in two days . This cornbread is GOOD ! We would thank both of you for a good meal and a stay to rest up . We been in the saddle chasin these two for over a month with no rest and little to eat . Ya'll are a blessing to us . Captain Coffee said ..Indeed you are ! Thank you for your hospitality , . They went out and staked their horses on grass and each made a bed in the shed filling a bucket to bath later .

[chuck j]

Zeke walked to the river and fetched two of the three catfish leaving one for tomorrow . He stopped at the cornfield and gathered a sack of corn . Coming back a jackrabbit ran out in the open and he whistled and it stopped . He slowly drew the Colt and shot it . He picked it up and walked on to the cabin .


The Rangers were on the porch . Captain Jack said ...We heard a shot but looks like you just added to supper Zeke . They all laughed and Sam said … Give me them catfish and I'll clean em while you dress the rabbit . They talked as they worked and the Captain fetched water to wash the meat . She put the meat in lard buckets with a wet towel to keep it cool . She was busy at the table pitting dried plums and grinding cornmeal for two meals . She started supper , she sill moved slow on her crutches but worked steady at it while they all talked .


Captain Jack said … The people of Texas owe you two a great debit . These two murdering scum have killed men , women and children all across west and north Texas . Me and Sam have been on their trail from west Texas across the Llano Escudo to here . They knew we were right behind them . Forty mile west of here they killed a man and his wife then beat the two little girls and tied them in the sun after burning their cabin . They knew it would slow us up having to go back west twenty miles to the last cabin we knew of to leave the little girls with the folks there . We have spent sixteen hours a day the last four days in the saddle only stopping to rest our horses and grab some sleep . We were prepared to follow em up in the Indian Territory and ever how long it took to get it done . You two saved us more work and time than you know plus a shoot out at some point . At lest one of us would have got shot .


Zeke got up and went to the outside door frame and called them out . He told her lean up against the frame . She did and Zeke showed them the ball still in the frame inches from her head . Captain Jack stared at it and said … God's hand saved you ma'am !


They went back in and just talked . Zeke told them to rest and take care of their horses a few days . He told them he had to windrow the hay tomorrow but they could stay to rest up . Captain Jack looked at Sam and Sam nodded his head . Captain Jack said … Rowing hay is small work compared to chasin outlaws , we will help you .

[chuck j]

While she started the meal they talked till it was ready . Captain Jack talked about his farm down south in the hill country . He talked about his two boys that were grown and running the place . Sam talked about his wife and son down on the Concho and that he would get a leave to spend time with them . He said he wanted to buy a farm down in the Valley and have two more children . They just talked .


Her and Zeke put supper on the table when it cooled in the evening and the two Rangers ate for a long time . They bragged on her continuously as they ate . Before sundown they went out to bring the horses in and told Zeke they would take care of all of the horses and cow . Zeke stayed and put a bucket of water to warm in the fireplace then helped her clean dishes and pick up . He told her how much he enjoyed the meal , he hugged her and told her to get some rest because she had to feed them again tomorrow as he laughed . He sat the bucket of water by her bed to bath and went to the shed . They had already bathed and were asleep . He was quiet and got to bed .

[chuck j]

The next morning the Rangers beat Zeke getting up . They were staking the stock out , he milked the cow and took her the milk . She was already cooking breakfast . Then Captain Coffee and Sam came in and she gave them a cup of coffee then continued cooking the mush and bacon . Captain Coffee said ...I slept well last night , a great burden is lifted from me , I was determined to kill those murderers .

Zeke started putting food on the table . She said ...We have bacon , real fry bread with dried plums in it and cornmeal mush with plums and sugar . The rangers really tore into the food . They kept complimenting her cooking , Sam said ...I never had mush with plums in it and it's dang good ma'am . I'm gonna get my wife to make it ! Captain Coffee said ...This fry bread is wonderful ma'am !

Zeke told them ...Let your horses rest . You can ride my black and sorrel horse to the field , they just been standing around doing nothing . Captain Coffee said ..You have the prettiest farm on the Salt Fork of the Brazos here . It's a beautiful place ! It's going to be a good farm , you have prairie , water , timber and plenty of game . In ten years this part will be settled , the Comanches are just about under control , we have already run the Kiowa out of the panhandle and west Texas . The outlaws are hard put and mostly gone up in the Indian Territory . The yankee army don't do squat but the Rangers have every man out cleaning out this part of Texas .


It was getting light so they saddled up and each carrying a rake went to the field . Sam started raking first , he bent down and picked up a handful of hay . He said … This hay is cured , it don't need anymore drying . We could rake and pile it then load and haul it tomorrow ! Captain Coffee agreed and said ...With the three of us working this isn't going to take long at all . They started raking and piling .

[chuck j]

They worked the hay and had it raked and piled a little before noon . They left the rakes and went back to the cabin and brought in the stock watering and putting them in the shade . Captain Jack commented their horses were looking better , Zeke told him there was some whole corn in the shed and to give them a little morning and evening . Captain Jack thanked him and said they would !''


She had made them sweet tea for when they finished , put in a metal bucket and out in the well to get cool . They really enjoyed the tea after the hard work . Sam said ...I'm enjoying the work , it takes my mind off my problems after a chase like we had . Captain Jack said he completely agreed . The men pulled the gun port seats out on the porch and talked while they enjoyed the tea . They asked Zeke a lot of question about his travels in Texas and he gave them a lot of information about different areas they didn't know about . They were impressed at how much ground he had covered .

[chuck j]

She asked Zeke if he could fetch the last catfish and pick some lambs quarter . They would eat light for lunch and have a good supper . Sam offered to go with him and maybe they could get more meat . Zeke said sure and they saddled up and went to the river . Zeke told him where the lambs quarter was by the plum thicket and he went on to the river and got the catfish . He was going to the thicket to help pick lambs quarter when he heard a shot . He sped up the mule and got there , Sam had shot a big armadillo . Zeke said ...Dang ! I love armadillo , that's some good eatin there ! Sam agreed !


They picked a big bag of lambs quarter in no time and rode back to the cabin . They dressed the meat and she put it in lard buckets to cool . She told them to come in and eat . She said … I wrapped the last jackrabbit with thin bacon and slow cooked it in my Dutch oven till it was real tender then fried it to make it crispy . There is fry bread and fried mush with sugar and plums in it plus the last of the polk greens .

They ate every bit of it and Captain Jack said ..Ma'am I have never eaten this good while chasin Indians or outlaws ! You are an amazing cook ma'am ! Zeke and Nate are lucky to have you ! After dinner they all took turns holding Nate and enjoying him laughing while waving his arms making sounds . They all bragged on him and Captain Jack and Sam talked about their boys when they were little . They all sat in the shade outside drinking sweet tea and talked while she started slowly cooking supper to be ready later . It was a good time .

[chuck j]

Zeke , Sam and Captain Jack were talking as she cleaned after lunch and started making more bread . Sam said … The Captain and me hope she recovers from her sickness , she is one heck of a woman . We'll help get the hay in but we wanted to do something for her to help her . Zeke what could we do ? Zeke thought a second and said ...She wants a clothes line out back , it would save her a lot of work having to spread clothes to dry . And I wanted to build her an outhouse , I know she would love that . They talked and figured on getting that done after getting the hay in .

[chuck j]

Sam sat there thinking ….so did Captain Jack and Zeke . Sam said Heck ! If we started now we could have it done by tomorrow evening !Zeke and Captain Jack agreed . They started for the livestock shed with Zeke telling what material was on hand . In just a bit hammering , sawing and pounding noises were coming from the shed with a lot of laughter . She stepped out on the porch wondering what in the world was going on .

[chuck j]

She worked hard on the supper . She knew all the men were working hard to get the hay in , it was hard work in the heat . She made a plum pie , real cornbread , slow roasted armadillo and sweet fry bread . She stepped out on the porch and called them to eat . The hammering was still going on and she couldn't figure out what in the heck they were doing !


She had to holler for them again and the hammering stopped and she saw them washing their hands . They all came in being unusually quiet and sat down , Zeke helped her put the food on the table and she said Sam would you give thanks for our food ? Sam said ...Sure ma'am I'd be honored . He gave a very sincere prayer and praise . They all said ...Amen .

Captain Jack said ...Ma'am this armadillo is perfect ! How did you get it so tender ? She said ...I slow roasted it a long time and threw some hickory tender on the fire several times to give it some smoke taste . They all agreed it was good . She apologized that there was no butter for the cornbread . But they all shook their heads and said it was great without ! Zeke said ..If ya'll are gonna eat any of this sweet frybread you better hurry up or I'll eat it all ! They all talked and enjoyed the meal . Then she brought out the plum pie and they all got a big piece . They really bragged on her for the pie !


After the good supper they were just talking and Zeke asked ...Ma'am why have you not been using the grain mill to grind cornmeal ? She said ...We tried it but we couldn't get it adjusted to grind it fine enough , my husband was building the cabin so just covered it and said we would figure it out later . I have got use to using the little coffee grinder and never thought about the mill . Zeke said . Well you don't have to anymore ! He stepped out on the porch and brought back in a ten pound bag of cornmeal . She was excited and said ...Oh ! Lord have mercy ! That's going to make things so much easier ! Thank you ! Zeke said ….Captain Jack figured it out so thank him . She got up , went around the table and thanked him and kissed him on the cheek . It embarrassed him and Sam and Zeke laughed . It was a good supper and a good time .

[chuck j]

Next morning Zeke rolled out of bed . He was still halfway tired from the rowing and piling plus building the outhouse , clothesline poles with helping getting the grain mill to work . When he started dressing Captain Jack and Sam rolled out and also got dressed . They started putting the stock on grass and Zeke milked the cow . There was no moon so had to wait till first light to harness the team for the wagon . Zeke already had the double and single trees on the wagon and the soaked wheels had looked good and tight when he put them back on .


They all went to the cabin and she was finishing up cooking . She had made fry bread , thick cut bacon and plum mush with a lot of sugar and coffee She told them she was out of coffee that this was the last pot but Sam quickly said he had more in his packs . She said ...Thank goodness , we had none all last winter and I missed it so !


At first light Zeke and Sam harnessed the black mule and his black horse . They both lead one to the wagon behind the shed and were backing them in to hook up the traces . The black mule bared his teeth , layed his ears back and reached over the wagon tongue biting the black horse on the neck . Sam asked ...Do you think they are going to fight ? Zeke laughed and said ...Naw ! That black mule is just showing who will be the leader . They adjusted the carriers then Sam and Captain Jack got in the wagon with two forks and their rifles as Zeke got in the box and picked up the reins . He slapped em on the back and the black mule leaned into the collar , the black horse skettered to the side a bit but Sam slapped him on the back again and he fell into the collar . The trip to the field was an easy one but bumpy . Zeke took his time .

[chuck j]

When they got to the field Captain Jack and Sam got on either side and started pitching hay . When they raked and piled the hay they made piles so they would be even for two men to load on each side . They would spell each other off pitching and take turns leting one drive the wagon to take a break . They really fell into it wanting to get most done before it got bad hot .


Back at the cabin she was taking care of Nate and cleaning , washing dishes from breakfast and decided to start sewing up the new dress she had cut out . She needed to make her and Zeke new socks , flour sack material wasn't that great for socks but would have to work . She needed to wash clothes badly . All of her and Zeke's were dirty and there was no telling how long Captain Jack and Sam had worn theirs ! She would care of that today . She was able to do more and her strength was getting better , she knew she had to push herself but not do too much or she would regret it in the hot part of the day . She knew Zeke watched her and worried about her doing too much .