The General was beginning to like the tall, brash kid from Missouri. There was something amusing in the audacity of the young Corporal.
You a Bald Knobber? General Crook asked.
Who, me? Oh, no sir, not me. I aint itchin to get my hide peppered with no buckshot. Not that Im scared or anythin like that, Billy Joe added quickly.
The General smiled.
Felicia came from the kitchen and filled Billy Joes coffee cup. General Crook didnt drink stimulants of any kind. Felicia turned and gave Billy Joe a dimpled smile on her way back to the kitchen. Billy Joe smiled and watched her until she disappeared around the door.
General Crook motioned toward Billy Joes rifle with his fork. Yellowboy, he said.
Yes, sir. 10 shot 1866 .44-40 Winchester Carbine. Pa won it at a turkey shoot. He give it to me when I left for Riley to join the cavalry.
You know mules corporal? General Crook asked.
Who, me? Well, yes sir, but I like horses bettern mules. I tol that to Grandpa James once and he said why didnt I join the Cavalry then. So thats what I done. Went out to Fort Riley, and they sent me here to Camp Grant. Got to Grant five years back, and Ive been chasin Apaches ever since.
Chasing Apaches?
Yes, sir. Apaches and Comanches, too.
Ever hear of an Apache called, Geronimo? the General asked. General Crook looked up from his plate, and was surprised at the Corporals answer.
Who, me? Why, yes sir. I seen Geronimo at San Carlos when he was there. I took his food to him and some others in the guard house where they was at. I liked Geronimo. We got along real good. They come to San Carlos while I was there and turned theirselves in. Geronimo was friendly enough until some Mexican Rurales killed his mother, his wife and his three kids. He walked out of Carlos one night with some others and went on the war-path agin. He set out to kill ever Mexican he could. We chased Geronimo all over Arizona and down into Mexico.
Mexico? the general said, eyebrows raised.
Yes, sir. Mexico. Geronimo went there a lot. He hid out in the Sierra Madre down in Mexico.
The General smiled. What is your impression of Camp Grant, Corporal?
Corporal James lowered his head. Well, Sir, its a dismal place. Hot all the time. Corporal James came down hard on the word, all.
Dust covers everthin. Bugs? Hunards of em. Red ants as big as a horse. Rattlers? Yes, sir. Big ones too. Some longer than a broom handle.
James, Sergeant Craddock said. Found you.
Holy cow, Craddock. Didnt hear you come in.
Sergeant Craddock was a tall lanky Texan from Del Rio.
James, why did Crook make you a sergeant?
I dont know. He just did.
Ive been a sergeant a lot longer than youve been a corporal. Why did he make you a sergeant?
I dont know. He just did.
James, when youre done here Captain Cushing wants to see you.
What fur?
I dont know. He just does.
Sergeant James, Billy Joe said aloud as he ambled across the dusty parade ground to the headquarters building. It would take some getting used to, but it sounded good.
Sergeant James was nervous when he reached the door to Captain Cushings office. He tried to think of something he might have said to cause him to be reprimanded.
Billy Joe pushed open the door and entered. Captain Cushing was seated at his desk reading papers. Billy Joe was surprised to see General Crook standing near the window.
Captain Cushing held papers in his hand. Sergeant, he said.
Sir? Billy Joe said. His throat was tight.
Sergeant, Captain Cushing said. You know General Crook, I believe.
Billy Joe gave the general a fleeting glance. Yes, sir.
Billy Joes throat was so tight the words were barely audible. Yes, sir, Billy Joe said again, louder this time. He turned to look at the general. Billy Joe James saw a glint of amusement in the generals eyes. The general smiled.
Sergeant, you know Fort Riley in Kansas Territory. Is that correct? Captain Cushing said.
Yes, sir, Billy Joe said. Fort Riley. Thats where I went to join up. Its about a hunert and fifty miles from where we lived.
On Bald Knob, General Crook said.
Billy Joe turned, and General Crook smiled.
Sergeant James, Captain Cushing said.
Sir? Billy Joe braced himself for bad news.
Billy Joe found Sergeant Craddock in the barracks.
Craddock, where is Langtry, Texas?
Langtry?
Langtry, Billy Joe repeated. Aint you from Texas?
All my life. Born and bred. Why do you want to know?
Ill be goin there in about a month.
Langtry? You going to Langtry? Sergeant Craddock asked. Why are you going to Langtry?
Orders from the captain, Billy Joe said. Taking horses to Fort Riley. Billy Joe explained to Sergeant Craddock the particulars regarding his assignment.
Well, James, listen up. When you get to Langtry watch out for old Roy Bean.
Whos Roy Bean? Billy Joe asked.
Judge Roy Bean. Everbody knows Roy Bean. Claims hes the law west of the Pecos. Hes a rough old rooster. Hell look for a reason to hang you.
Hang me? Billy Joe said. What fer?
Hang you for whatever reason. Hell think of something. He holds court nine days out of ten in his saloon.
The ride on the new steam train would be exciting, and it would be good to see ma and pa and Uncle Dell again, but leading horses through six-hundred miles of Indian country would be dangerous. North in Kansas Territory he might encounter border ruffians, Bloody Bill Anderson, the Daltons, the Clantons, or even John Wesley Hardin. Billy Joe had heard that John Wesley Hardin was the most notorious desperado to ever come out of Texas. He didnt want anything to do with John Wesley Hardin.
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