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“I suppose” But it was very fresh for her now, too fresh to accept so philosophically

“A wo raised, her parents tell her what to do And after she’s married, it’s her husband”

“It isn’t fair,” Lorna replied, not truly realizing what she was saying

“Life isn’t fair, but it can be good” Mary sht

It didn’t seeht never see her parents again Married life wasn’t turning out to be what she thought it would be Froet any better It was so hard to think with the noise of bawling cattle and the clatter of the wagon ha at her eardruround

All her thoughts were turned inward Lorna didn’t notice that the Texas prairie was garbed in its best dress to see her off Spring had brought green grass to the land again, and the few trees were swelling and bursting with green buds Wildflowers gave color to the rolling hillsides Purpling blue patches of bluebonnets, yellow clusters of wild e stands of Indian paintbrush dotted the land

It was a season that reached out to the restless Benteen felt its call He’d answered it enough tih knoll he watched the Longhorns string out The brindle steer had already shouldered its way to the front, assu leadership of the herd It was characteristic for individual animals to keep the same position in a trail herd every day Some would always be in thebehind Noof a day’s drive, by the time it ended, they would have established their habitual position

Spanish Bill and Jessie Tru in the lead on either side of the herd to guide it in the right direction The swing, flank, and drag riders would rotate their positions each day, but not the pointexperience and skill Benteen had given the responsibility to the two men he trusted most

The herd wasn’t driven so ht direction—always at a leisurely walk The long-striding cattle could eat up ground without losing weight as long as they were kept out of a trot In ht on the trail north to the railheads if there was plenty of water and graze along the way

Ahead, the wagons were disappearing into a crease in the prairie Benteen watched the canvas-topped wagon that carried Lorna, until it dipped out of sight He hoped he’d done the right thing—having Mary Stanton ride with her He hadn’t wanted her to be alone, yet he had the responsibility of the herd

The trail boss of any drive had one motto that he lived by: Look out for the cows’ feet and the horses’ backs, and let the cowboys and cooks look after themselves That partially applied to his new bride as well These cattle represented their tomorrow She had to understand that He put the spurs to his horse and galloped to the point

Because of the late start, Benteen let the herd drift north an hour longer than usual, until the sun was straight up, before letting theraze on a on aiting with a light meal for the drovers The cowboys ate in shifts, a feays staying with the herd

Benteen carried his plate over to where Lorna was seated by the wagon Her cheeks were dry, but she still looked nus

“How about so his hat to the back of his head

“I’ry” She didn’t look at him