Looking to the Future by Harvey Stanbrough

Author:Harvey Stanbrough
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: StoneThread Publishing
Published: 2023-12-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15: More Questions, and Old Friends

One of the newer men said, “If you don’t mind me askin’, Wes, were you really involved with a woman who had been the wife of a comanchero?”

“Well, not his wife. She was a woman he kind of took over, But yes, I was.” He paused. “She was killed too.” He shook his head. “Guess I’m bad luck for the ladies that way.” He poured himself another whiskey.

Billy Dramon asked whether the governor of New Mexico had really personally requested his assistance?

All the new guys leaned forward, anticipating Wes’ response.

The captain stood up, his glass in his hand. “I believe I’ll answer that one, if Ranger Crowley doesn’t mind.”

Wes raised his glass toward the captain and nodded.

The captain looked at the others again. “Gentlemen, the answer to that question will bring us up to date. So to put a cap on your interrogation of Ranger Crowley, yes, Governor Lew Wallace of The New Mexico Territory really asked me personally if he could ‘borrow’ Ranger Crowley.”

He paused. “We were severely undermanned at the time too. So normally I would have turned the governor down flat. But he wasn’t asking so much as calling in a favor. So I granted his request.” He gestured toward Wes with his glass. “To his credit, Ranger Crowley agreed, and so he’s been away from us for almost a year.”

He looked at Wes again. “And Ranger Crowley did an admirable job. But he’s back now, and it’s getting toward supper time. I’m sure we could all use some steak and potatoes and whatever else Manuel has in store. We will reconvene in the dining room shortly.”

He paused, and in a warning tone, added, “I hope the food will soak up some of the drink and perhaps numb your curiosity a bit. I recommend you learn about and from Ranger Crowley—and of course from the corporals and the other Rangers who have been here even longer—so that you might never have to leave us before your time.” He smiled, then lifted his glass. “To Company D, Texas Rangers.”

Enthusiastically, they all repeated “Company D” and drank. Then they all stood. They filed out of the saloon and across the lobby toward the dining room.

As he watched the Rangers cross the lobby, Manuel Ortega could only smile and shake his head. Quietly, he said, “What other man on Earth can say he has sons such as these?”

Then he turned and started for the kitchen.

Tonight, the meal would not be charged to the State of Texas.

Tonight the meal would be on Manuel Ortega.

* * *

The supper went well and was filled with laughter and conversations.

Just short of 9:30 p.m. the captain stood. “Well, that’s the day for me. You gents enjoy the rest of the evening, but remember tomorrow.” And he made his way past the table and left, either back to the office or to his small home.

Soon afterward, Wes, Mac, Court Edwards and Jim Connolly returned to the bar to celebrate their reunion.

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