Chapter II. Shepherd's Ferry

by Andy Adams

　　Within a few months after my arrival at Las Palomas, there was a danceat Shepherd's Ferry. There was no necessity for an invitation to suchlocal meets; old and young alike were expected and welcome, and a dancenaturally drained the sparsely settled community of its inhabitants fromforty to fifty miles in every direction. On the Nueces in 1875, theamusements of the countryside were extremely limited; barbecues,tournaments, and dancing covered the social side of ranch life, andwhether given up or down our home river, or north on the Frio, so theywere within a day's ride, the white element of Las Palomas could alwaysbe depended on to be present, Uncle Lance in the lead.Shepherd's Ferry is somewhat of a misnomer, for the water in the riverwas never over knee-deep to a horse, except during freshets. There mayhave been a ferry there once; but from my advent on the river there wasnothing but a store, the keeper of which also conducted a road-housefor the accommodation of travelers. There was a fine grove for picnicpurposes within easy reach, which was also frequently used forcamp-meeting purposes. Gnarly old live-oaks spread their branches likea canopy over everything, while the sea-green moss hung from every limband twig, excluding the light and lazily waving with every vagrantbreeze. The fact that these grounds were also used for camp-meetingsonly proved the broad toleration of the people. On this occasion Idistinctly remember that Miss Jean introduced a lady to me, who was thewife of an Episcopal minister, then visiting on a ranch near Oakville,and I danced several times with her and found her very amiable.On receipt of the news of the approaching dance at the ferry, we setthe ranch in order. Fortunately, under seasonable conditions work ona cattle range is never pressing. A programme of work outlined for acertain week could easily be postponed a week or a fortnight for thatmatter; for this was the land of "la manana," and the white elementon Las Palomas easily adopted the easy-going methods of their Mexicanneighbors. So on the day everything was in readiness. The ranch was atrifle over thirty miles from Shepherd's, which was a fair half day'sride, but as Miss Jean always traveled by ambulance, it was necessary togive her an early start. Las Palomas raised fine horses and mules, andthe ambulance team for the ranch consisted of four mealy-muzzled brownmules, which, being range bred, made up in activity what they lacked insize.Tiburcio, a trusty Mexican, for years in the employ of Uncle Lance, wasthe driver of the ambulance, and at an early morning hour he and hismules were on their mettle and impatient to start. But Miss Jean hada hundred petty things to look after. The lunch--enough for around-up--was prepared, and was safely stored under the driver's seat.Then there were her own personal effects and the necessary dressing andtidying, with Uncle Lance dogging her at every turn."Now, Sis," said he, "I want you to rig yourself out in somethingsumptuous, because I expect to make a killing with you at this dance.I'm almost sure that that Louisiana mule-drover will be there. You knowyou made quite an impression on him when he was through here two yearsago. Well, I'll take a hand in the game this time, and if there's anymarry in him, he'll have to lead trumps. I'm getting tired of having mydear sister trifled with by every passing drover. Yes, I am! The nextone that hangs around Las Palomas, basking in your smiles, has got todeclare his intentions whether he buys mules or not. Oh, you've got abrother, Sis, that'll look out for you. But you must play your part.Now, if that mule-buyer's there, shall I"--"Why, certainly, brother, invite him to the ranch," replied Miss Jean,as she busied herself with the preparations. "It's so kind of you tolook after me. I was listening to every word you said, and I've got mybest bib and tucker in that hand box. And just you watch me dazzle thatMr. Mule-buyer. Strange you didn't tell me sooner about his being in thecountry. Here, take these boxes out to the ambulance. And, say, I putin the middle-sized coffee pot, and do you think two packages of groundcoffee will be enough? All right, then. Now, where's my gloves?"We were all dancing attendance in getting the ambulance off, but UncleLance never relaxed his tormenting, "Come, now, hurry up," said he, asJean and himself led the way to the gate where the conveyance stoodwaiting; "for I want you to look your best this evening, and you'll beall tired out if you don't get a good rest before the dance begins. Now,in case the mule-buyer don't show up, how about Sim Oliver? You see, Ican put in a good word there just as easily as not. Of course, he's awidower like myself, but you're no spring pullet--you wouldn't classamong the buds--besides Sim branded eleven hundred calves last year. Andthe very last time I was talking to him, he allowed he'd crowd thirteenhundred close this year--big calf crop, you see. Now, just why he shouldgo to the trouble to tell me all this, unless he had his eye on you, isone too many for me. But if you want me to cut him out of your string ofeligibles, say the word, and I'll chouse him out. You just bet, littlegirl, whoever wins you has got to score right. Great Scott! but you havegood taste in selecting perfumery. Um-ee! it makes me half drunk to walkalongside of you. Be sure and put some of that ointment on your kerchiefwhen you get there.""Really," said Miss Jean, as they reached the ambulance, "I wish youhad made a little memorandum of what I'm expected to do--I'm all in aflutter this morning. You see, without your help my case is hopeless.But I think I'll try for the mule-buyer. I'm getting tired looking atthese slab-sided cowmen. Now, just look at those mules--haven't had aharness on in a month. And Tiburcio can't hold four of them, nohow.Lance, it looks like you'd send one of the boys to drive me down to theferry.""Why, Lord love you, girl, those mules are as gentle as kittens; and youdon't suppose I'm going to put some gringo over a veteran like Tiburcio.Why, that old boy used to drive for Santa Anna during the invasionin '36. Besides, I'm sending Theodore and Glenn on horseback as abodyguard. Las Palomas is putting her best foot forward this morning ingiving you a stylish turnout, with outriders in their Sunday livery. Andthose two boys are the best ropers on the ranch, so if the mules run offjust give one of your long, keen screams, and the boys will rope andhog-tie every mule in the team. Get in now and don't make any facesabout it."It was pettishness and not timidity that ailed Jean Lovelace, for apioneer woman like herself had of course no fear of horse-flesh. Butthe team was acting in a manner to unnerve an ordinary woman. Withme clinging to the bits of the leaders, and a man each holding thewheelers, as they pawed the ground and surged about in their creakingharness, they were anything but gentle; but Miss Jean proudly took herseat; Tiburcio fingered the reins in placid contentment; there was aparting volley of admonitions from brother and sister--the latter wastelling us where we would find our white shirts--when Uncle Lancesignaled to us; and we sprang away from the team. The ambulance gave alurch, forward, as the mules started on a run, but Tiburcio dexterouslythrew them on to a heavy bed of sand, poured the whip into them as theylabored through it; they crossed the sand bed, Glenn Gallup and TheodoreQuayle, riding, at their heads, pointed the team into the road, and theywere off.The rest of us busied ourselves getting up saddle horses and dressingfor the occasion. In the latter we had no little trouble, for dressoccasions like this were rare with us. Miss Jean had been thoughtfulenough to lay our clothes out, but there was a busy borrowing of collarsand collar buttons, and a blacking of boots which made the sweat standout on our foreheads in beads. After we were dressed and ready to start,Uncle Lance could not be induced to depart from his usual custom, andwear his trousers outside his boots. Then we had to pull the boots offand polish them clear up to the ears in order to make him presentable.But we were in no particular hurry about starting, as we expected to outacross the country and would overtake the ambulance at the mouth of theArroyo Seco in time for the noonday lunch. There were six in our party,consisting of Dan Happersett, Aaron Scales, John Cotton, June Deweese,Uncle Lance, and myself. With the exception of Deweese, who was nearlytwenty-five years old, the remainder of the boys on the ranch were youngfellows, several of whom besides myself had not yet attained theirmajority. On ranch work, in the absence of our employer, June wasrecognized as the segundo of Los Palomas, owing to his age and hislong employment on the ranch. He was a trustworthy man, and we youngerlads entertained no envy towards him.It was about nine o'clock when we mounted our horses and started. Wejollied along in a party, or separated into pairs in cross-countryriding, covering about seven miles an hour. "I remember," said UncleLance, as we were riding in a group, "the first time I was ever atShepherd's Ferry. We had been down the river on a cow hunt for aboutthree weeks and had run out of bacon. We had been eating beef, andvenison, and antelope for a week until it didn't taste right any longer,so I sent the outfit on ahead and rode down to the store in the hope ofgetting a piece of bacon. Shepherd had just established the place at thetime, and when I asked him if he had any bacon, he said he had, 'But isit good?' I inquired, and before he could reply an eight-year-old boy ofhis stepped between us, and throwing back his tow head, looked up intomy face and said: 'Mister, it's a little the best I ever tasted.'""Now, June," said Uncle Lance, as we rode along, "I want you to letHenry Annear's wife strictly alone to-night. You know what a stink itraised all along the river, just because you danced with her once, lastSan Jacinto day. Of course, Henry made a fool of himself by trying toborrow a six-shooter and otherwise getting on the prod. And I'll admitthat it don't take the best of eyesight to see that his wife to-daythinks more of your old boot than she does of Annear's wedding suit,yet her husband will be the last man to know it. No man can figure to acertainty on a woman. Three guesses is not enough, for she will and shewon't, and she'll straddle the question or take the fence, and when youput a copper on her to win, she loses. God made them just that way,and I don't want to criticise His handiwork. But if my name is LanceLovelace, and I'm sixty-odd years old, and this a chestnut horse thatI'm riding, then Henry Annear's wife is an unhappy woman. But that fact,son, don't give you any license to stir up trouble between man and wife.Now, remember, I've warned you not to dance, speak to, or even noticeher on this occasion. The chances are that that locoed fool will comeheeled this time, and if you give him any excuse, he may burn a littlepowder."June promised to keep on his good behavior, saying: "That's just whatI've made up my mind to do. But look'ee here: Suppose he goes on the warpath, you can't expect me to show the white feather, nor let him run anysandys over me. I loved his wife once and am not ashamed of it, and heknows it. And much as I want to obey you, Uncle Lance, if he attempts tostand up a bluff on me, just as sure as hell's hot there'll be a strangeface or two in heaven."I was a new man on the ranch and unacquainted with the facts, so shortlyafterwards I managed to drop to the rear with Dan Happersett, and gotthe particulars. It seems that June and Mrs. Annear had not only beensweethearts, but that they had been engaged, and that the engagement hadbeen broken within a month of the day set for their wedding, and thatshe had married Annear on a three weeks' acquaintance. Little wonderUncle Lance took occasion to read the riot act to his segundo in theinterests of peace. This was all news to me, but secretly I wished Junecourage and a good aim if it ever came to a show-down between them.We reached the Arroyo Seco by high noon, and found the ambulance in campand the coffee pot boiling. Under the direction of Miss Jean, Tiburciohad removed the seats from the conveyance, so as to afford seatingcapacity for over half our number. The lunch was spread under an oldlive-oak on the bank of the Nueces, making a cosy camp. Miss Jean hadthe happy knack of a good hostess, our twenty-mile ride had whettedour appetites, and we did ample justice to her tempting spread. Afterluncheon was over and while the team was being harnessed in, I noticedMiss Jean enticing Deweese off on one side, where the two held awhispered conversation, seated on an old fallen tree. As they returned,June was promising something which she had asked of him. And ifthere was ever a woman lived who could exact a promise that would berespected, Jean Lovelace was that woman; for she was like an eldersister to us all.In starting, the ambulance took the lead as before, and near the middleof the afternoon we reached the ferry. The merry-makers were assemblingfrom every quarter, and on our arrival possibly a hundred had come,which number was doubled by the time the festivities began. We turnedour saddle and work stock into a small pasture, and gave ourselves overto the fast-gathering crowd. I was delighted to see that Miss Jeanand Uncle Lance were accorded a warm welcome by every one, for I wassomewhat of a stray on this new range. But when it became known that Iwas a recent addition to Las Palomas, the welcome was extended to me,which I duly appreciated.The store and hostelry did a rushing business during the evening hours,for the dance did not begin until seven. A Mexican orchestra, consistingof a violin, an Italian harp, and two guitars, had come up from Oakvilleto furnish the music for the occasion. Just before the dance commenced,I noticed Uncle Lance greet a late arrival, and on my inquiring of Junewho he might be, I learned that the man was Captain Frank Byler fromLagarto, the drover Uncle Lance had been teasing Miss Jean about in themorning, and a man, as I learned later, who drove herds of horses northon the trail during the summer and during the winter drove mules andhorses to Louisiana, for sale among the planters. Captain Byler was agood-looking, middle-aged fellow, and I made up my mind at once that hewas due to rank as the lion of the evening among the ladies.It is useless to describe this night of innocent revelry. It was arustic community, and the people assembled were, with few exceptions,purely pastoral. There may have been earnest vows spoken under thosespreading oaks--who knows? But if there were, the retentive ear whichlistened, and the cautious tongue which spake the vows, had no intentionof having their confidences profaned on this page. Yet it was a nightlong to be remembered. Timid lovers sat apart, oblivious to the gazeof the merry revelers. Matrons and maidens vied with each other inaffability to the sterner sex. I had a most enjoyable time.I spoke Spanish well, and made it a point to cultivate the acquaintanceof the leader of the orchestra. On his learning that I also played theviolin, he promptly invited me to play a certain new waltz which he wasdesirous of learning. But I had no sooner taken the violin in my handthan the lazy rascal lighted a cigarette and strolled away, absentinghimself for nearly an hour. But I was familiar with the simple dancemusic of the country, and played everything that was called for. Mytalent was quite a revelation to the boys of our ranch, and especiallyto the owner and mistress of Las Palomas. The latter had me play severalold Colorado River favorites of hers, and I noticed that when she hadthe dashing Captain Byler for her partner, my waltzes seemed never longenough to suit her.After I had been relieved, Miss Jean introduced me to a number of nicegirls, and for the remainder of the evening I had no lack of partners.But there was one girl there whom I had not been introduced to, whoalways avoided my glance when I looked at her, but who, when we were inthe same set and I squeezed her hand, had blushed just too lovely. Whenthat dance was over, I went to Miss Jean for an introduction, but shedid not know her, so I appealed to Uncle Lance, for I knew he couldgive the birth date of every girl present. We took a stroll through thecrowd, and when I described her by her big eyes, he said in a voice soloud that I felt sure she must hear: "Why, certainly, I know her. That'sEsther McLeod. I've trotted her on my knee a hundred times. She's theyoungest girl of old man Donald McLeod who used to ranch over on themouth of the San Miguel, north on the Frio. Yes, I'll give you aninterslaption." Then in a subdued tone: "And if you can drop your ropeon her, son, tie her good and fast, for she's good stock."I was made acquainted as his latest adopted son, and inferred the oldranchero's approbation by many a poke in the ribs from him in theintervals between dances; for Esther and I danced every dance togetheruntil dawn. No one could charge me with neglect or inattention, for Iclose-herded her like a hired hand. She mellowed nicely towards me afterthe ice was broken, and with the limited time at my disposal, I madehay. When the dance broke up with the first signs of day, I saddledher horse and assisted her to mount, when I received the cutest littleinvitation, 'if ever I happened over on the Sau Miguel, to try andcall.' Instead of beating about the bush, I assured her bluntly that ifshe ever saw me on Miguel Creek, it would be intentional; for I shouldhave made the ride purely to see her. She blushed again in a way whichsent a thrill through me. But on the Nueces in '75, if a fellow took afancy to a girl there was no harm in showing it or telling her so.I had been so absorbed during the latter part of the night that I hadpaid little attention to the rest of the Las Palomas outfit, thoughI occasionally caught sight of Miss Jean and the drover, generallydancing, sometimes promenading, and once had a glimpse of themtete-a-tete on a rustic settee in a secluded corner. Our employer seldomdanced, but kept his eye on June Deweese in the interests of peace, forAnnear and his wife were both present. Once while Esther and I weremissing a dance over some light refreshment, I had occasion to watchJune as he and Annear danced in the same set. I thought the latteracted rather surly, though Deweese was the acme of geniality, and wasapparently having the time of his life as he tripped through the mazesof the dance. Had I not known of the deadly enmity existing betweenthem, I could never have suspected anything but friendship, he wasacting the part so perfectly. But then I knew he had given his plightedword to the master and mistress, and nothing but an insult or indignitycould tempt him to break it.On the return trip, we got the ambulance off before sunrise, expectingto halt and breakfast again at the Arroyo Seco. Aaron Scales and DanHappersett acted as couriers to Miss Jean's conveyance, while the restdallied behind, for there was quite a cavalcade of young folks going adistance our way. This gave Uncle Lance a splendid chance to quiz thegirls in the party. I was riding with a Miss Wilson from Ramirena, whohad come up to make a visit at a near-by ranch and incidentally attendthe dance at Shepherd's. I admit that I was a little too much absorbedover another girl to be very entertaining, but Uncle Lance helped out byjoining us. "Nice morning overhead, Miss Wilson," said he, on riding up."Say, I've waited just as long as I'm going to for that invitation toyour wedding which you promised me last summer. Now, I don't know somuch about the young men down about Ramirena, but when I was a youngsterback on the Colorado, when a boy loved a girl he married her, whether itwas Friday or Monday, rain or shine. I'm getting tired of being putoff with promises. Why, actually, I haven't been to a wedding in threeyears. What are we coming to?"On reaching the road where Miss Wilson and her party separated from us,Uncle Lance returned to the charge: "Now, no matter how busy I am when Iget your invitation, I don't care if the irons are in the fire and thecattle in the corral, I'll drown the fire and turn the cows out. And ifLas Palomas has a horse that'll carry me, I'll merely touch the highplaces in coming. And when I get there I'm willing to do anything,--givethe bride away, say grace, or carve the turkey. And what's more, I neverkissed a bride in my life that didn't have good luck. Tell your pa yousaw me. Good-by, dear."On overtaking the ambulance in camp, our party included about twenty,several of whom were young ladies; but Miss Jean insisted that everyone remain for breakfast, assuring them that she had abundance forall. After the impromptu meal was disposed of, we bade our adieus andseparated to the four quarters. Before we had gone far, Uncle Lancerode alongside of me and said: "Tom, why didn't you tell me you was afiddler? God knows you're lazy enough to be a good one, and you ought tobe good on a bee course. But what made me warm to you last night was theway you built to Esther McLeod. Son, you set her cush about right. Ifyou can hold sight on a herd of beeves on a bad night like you did her,you'll be a foreman some day. And she's not only good blood herself, butshe's got cattle and land. Old man Donald, her father, was killed inthe Confederate army. He was an honest Scotchman who kept Sunday andeverything else he could lay his hands on. In all my travels I never meta man who could offer a longer prayer or take a bigger drink of whiskey.I remember the first time I ever saw him. He was serving on the grandjury, and I was a witness in a cattle-stealing case. He was a strangerto me, and we had just sat down at the same table at a hotel for dinner.We were on the point of helping ourselves, when the old Scot arose andstruck the table a blow that made the dishes rattle. 'You heathens,'said he, 'will you partake of the bounty of your Heavenly Father withoutreturning thanks?' We laid down our knives and forks like boys caught ina watermelon patch, and the old man asked a blessing. I've been at hishouse often. He was a good man, but Secession caught him and he nevercame back. So, Quirk, you see, a son-in-law will be a handy man in thefamily, and with the start you made last night I hope for good results."The other boys seemed to enjoy my embarrassment, but I said nothing inreply, being a new man with the outfit. We reached the ranch an hourbefore noon, two hours in advance of the ambulance; and the sleeping wedid until sunrise the next morning required no lullaby.