CHAPTER 23
Two days later Hoot sent word there were parties of Comanche roaming around down there and for Long to send him some backup men. Hearing that, Long rode into town and found the boys or had others round them up. They said that Rex’s mother was improving so he’d be joining them.
He told them to find four more good tough guys for him to hire and they would ride to Hoot’s place and back them against any attack or whatever those red devils were up to. The men he needed had to be able to fight and shoot a Winchester or Colt. They would be paid twenty bucks and would be given a bonus for Indian fighting.
Long had a beer in the Longhorn Saloon and free lunch off the bar while he waited. Fresh rye bread, with sliced ham, cheese, and mustard. A big thick delicious sandwich washed down with draft beer. He had barely got the first bite down and they were back with four young men ready to ride.
He wrote down their names in his logbook so he could keep them straight.
Mickey Carr—freckles.
Heft Davis—face scar.
Tootie Morgan—always smiling.
Webb Yancey—big guy, stoop shouldered.
“Get lunch and a beer. We will head to the ranch afterward. Get a load of supplies, cooking gear, and packhorses and head out in the morning. My man down there says he has Comanche like some folks have ticks or fleas. We are there for Comanche control. It will be hard, fast riding. No place for the weak of heart. Anyone want out?”
They all shook their heads.
“Good. Eat well. It may be the last decent meal you have for weeks.”
The new ones thanked him. There was always day work around, but a salaried job was a real good deal to have in those uncertain times. He understood the reason the four men were excited.
Long hired a buckboard to take two of the new men, with their saddles and gear, to the ranch. The other two had horses the ranch would pasture. All were there at the cowboy supper that evening, and he told them to be up and have breakfast by sunup.
After supper, Boone and Rex got their supplies out of the adobe warehouse where they were stored. Low Me wasn’t going with them, so the cooking chores were to be divided up. They might not be able to get a wagon through some of that brush country they might have to go through to chase down the enemy.
Long felt good when he turned in—he had the men and the equipment to run down escaping Comanche. Action came next.