After the Bugles by Elmer Kelton

Author:Elmer Kelton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Published: 1995-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

The first thing they had to do was to place the wagons, for they would have to continue to live out of them until the crops were planted and the cabins rebuilt. The teams were maneuvered so that the Provost wagon and Quitman’s sat a few steps apart, not far from the stone house. Aaron Provost motioned for Dent Sessum to pull his into the same line, but Sessum hauled his team around and moved off down toward one of the sheds.

“No use us gettin’ our stuff mixed up with each other,” Sessum grunted. “Keep ’em apart, I say. Then there ain’t no chance of one of us gettin’ off with things that belong to somebody else and causin’ hard feelin’s.” He spat, his gaze touching the house, then falling on some of the Hernandez youngsters. “Besides, the further I stay away from them people, the better I’ll sleep of a night.”

Provost made no argument. When Sessum was out of earshot, the big farmer sighed in relief, “I’ll sleep a lot better knowin’ he’s that far away from me. He’d bust a gut if he thought somebody would get off with a tin cup or a piece of rope that belonged to him. I believe he’s the greediest livin’ thing I ever seen, outside of a hog pen.”

Quitman turned toward Josh. “Where do you intend to camp?”

Josh grimaced. “I had figured on the shed. But with Sessum down there, Muley and me will have to find us some other place. That arbor, I expect.”

Quitman frowned toward the door of the rock house, where María Hernandez had gone. “Kind of thought you might choose to camp with her.”

Josh’s voice sharpened. “You better get one thing straight, Quitman, and get it now. She’s as honest as the best you ever met.”

“If you say so.” Quitman paused. “Mind if I camp with you?”

“Suit yourself. I’m surprised you’d want to.”

“It’s either you or Sessum. There’s some things you do that I don’t care for, but at least you’re open about them.”

Josh stared at him, still surprised. “I’d have to say the same for you, Quitman. Times, I’d like to take a club to you. But I always know where you stand.”

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