Ranger's Trail by Elmer Kelton

Author:Elmer Kelton [Kelton, Elmer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Revenge, Texas, Fiction, Western stories, General
ISBN: 9780765344793
Publisher: Macmillan
Published: 2002-01-02T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

Approaching a neat row of canvas tents lined beneath the protective branches of huge pecan trees fronting the San Saba River, Andy Pickard felt apprehensive. “We’ve come a long ways for me to get turned down. Are you sure the rangers aren’t lookin’ for somebody with more experience?”

Rusty had always said Len Tanner had the faith of the mustard seed, whatever that meant. Tanner declared, “They’ll be tickled to have you. How many fellers your age can brag that they’ve been as far and seen as much as you have? Time I get through tellin’ them about you they’ll be rollin’ out a red carpet and beggin’ you to sign up.”

That was one thing worrying Andy. Tanner never knew when enough was enough. He could take a good idea and talk it to a slow and painful death. “I oughtn’t to’ve let you get me into this.”

In truth, Tanner hadn’t used much persuasion. Andy had toyed with the notion of becoming a ranger from the time he first heard they might be reorganized. But the closer he got, the less confidence he felt.

Tanner said, “Too late to turn back. They’ve seen us already.”

Andy was aware that three men were watching them. He tried to brace up his nerve. “Which do you figure is the headquarters tent?”

“The biggest one, naturally. Officers always get a little the best of it.”

The best did not look much better than the others to Andy. Most of the tents were tepee shaped, lined evenly where the heavy foliage would provide partial shade in the afternoon. Beyond the tents and between the trees he could see sun reflected off the clear waters of the San Saba. An officer stood before the larger tent, talking to a couple of men. At least, Andy took him for an officer because his stance indicated authority.

The rangers had no official uniform. They wore what they would wear in civilian life as cowboys or farmers or town merchants. Tanner had told him they did not even have an official badge. Some men made their own out of Mexican silver pesos. Others did not believe they needed one. They expected boldness and a serious demeanor to cow most adversaries. The rest would be dealt with according to the demands of the moment.

Tanner said, “That’d be the captain, I imagine.”

The officer turned his attention to the two horsemen. Tanner made a poor excuse of a salute. “Private Tanner reportin’ for duty, sir. And I’ve fetched along a recruit you’ll be glad to have in the company.”

The officer frowned. “That is a determination I’ll make for myself. As for you, Tanner, your enlistment started over a week ago. If you expect to be paid for time absent, …”

“Couldn’t help it, sir. Things came up. But you don’t owe me no more than you figure I got comin’.” Money meant little to Tanner except in terms of what he could buy with it, usually as soon as he had the cash in hand.

The officer lowered his voice.

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