WL_58

WACO’S LUMMOX
Waddie Greywolf

Chapter 58

Despite the stench, Shane didn’t hesitate to crawl up into the camper. He felt Bobby's pulse, and it was low. “You done the right thing, Mrs. Biddle,” he said quietly to the large black women who was holding the small frail boy whom she was trying with all the strength of her considerable might to will him to fight for his life, but she was growing weary and losing ground. She knew she needed help. She smiled, wiped away another tear and nodded to Shane knowingly. “He be burn’n up wid’ ‘da fever, healer-mon. You gots to git his temperature down,” she spoke with conviction.

Essmee Fay Biddle watched in astonishment as she saw an aura of radiant light come over Shane which completely changed him from a meek and mild mannered humbled ex-slave into a man of commanding strength and focused purpose. In an instant, Ms. Biddle watched the big man shed all his inhibitions and transform into a powerful entity. She, above all others, could see the glow that surrounded his physical persona. The brown-dirt cowboy before her was plugged into the omnipresence powers of the universe; no longer was he just an ordinary man of lowly station. Shane Goodnight became far more than just her healer-mon; he became a representative of the greater consciousness of the goodness and knowledgeable wisdom of the ages. Like a giant cat fixed on his prey, Shane turned, jumped down from the camper and started barking orders like a Gatling gun to everyone around him like it was the most natural thing for him to do, and he did it hundreds of times before.

His aura was a commanding presence that left no doubt he was in charge and his every word laced with strength, love, and compassion was to be obeyed without question. His calm but strongly aggressive action left no doubt in anyone's mind there was no separation of master, guests, or slaves. He addressed them all as one conjoined unit, his family, in an attempt to accomplish the impossible by standing in the way of death. Shane's unconditional love was in command, and he demanded no less of his family. They felt it, understood it, united behind him, and responded in kind. What Shane accomplished on Venus for his brothers and the whales he would repeat for Bobby and Gil Morris. Mrs. Biddle was right, he was given the gift. He had the power and at that moment no one doubted Shane would see to his young friend's recovery and patch Bobby's old man's heart as well.

“Cole, bring our truck around!” he loudly demanded. Shane tossed him the keys way into the air over the heads of the others like a quarterback making a forward pass, Cole caught them in midair and ran for the truck. Boss-man, I need two old blankets, a wash cloth, and two of them big towels!" he barked at Judge Potter.

“Right away, Son!” Potter exclaimed and was on his way. Potter knew exactly what Shane wanted and hurried away to the big house. By the time Potter returned, Cole arrived and was waiting in the cab for further instructions. Shane let the tailgate down and hollered to Mrs. Biddle to bring the boy to the door of the camper. He took Bobby in his arms and laid him on the tailgate. He climbed into the bed of the truck and ordered Gil Morris and several cowboys to get in with him. Boss Potter returned to the truck with his arms full. Shane thanked the old judge, told him to give the quilts and towels to one of the cowboys, and to see to Mrs. Biddle; take her to Shane's house; show her to the bathroom so she might clean herself; get her a big sheet to rap around her to wear and show her where the washer/dryer are on the back porch.

“Get up here, Mr. Morris, and hold your boy!” Shane barked with the voice of man in charge. Morris jumped like he was shot at and sat with his back to the cab of the truck. Shane gently transferred the boy to his dad. “Drive us slowly to the swimming hole, Pa!” Shane hollered to Cole. The cowboys smiled at each other at Shane’s slip. Morris was so worried about his boy he didn’t notice. Shane started stripping as they were traveling until he was stark naked sitting in front of his cowboy slaves and Gil Morris. He pulled his boots back on. “Get his clothes off of him, Mr. Morris!” Gil didn’t even bother to ask why. Shane’s command was strong with enough authority it didn’t require explanation nor did it leave room for any. Morris had the boy stripped by the time they arrived.

Shane jumped down from the tailgate, walked around the side of the truck and opened his arms for Mr. Morris to hand him the boy. Morris didn’t hesitate and lay Bobby across Shane’s massive arms. Shane walked to the water’s edge, kicked off his boots, and waded into the creek. He gently lowered Bobby into the cool water and slowly washed the shit and vomit from him. One of the cowboys threw him a wash cloth, and he began to use it to gently clean Bobby’s face. Shane began to bark more orders. “Otis, you and Lester find that roll of heavy duty plastic we used to cover the tractor in the new barn. Take enough of it to cover that big bed in the downstairs back bedroom of our house. Go in the backdoor so’s you won’t disturb Mrs. Biddle. Cover the bed with it, put a mattress pad over the plastic. Put the sheets and covers back on.” The cowboys took off on the run.

Shane continued to wash Bobby. The frail boy started coming around. He saw Shane holding him, and started crying. “Shuuu, you’re gonna’ be all right, Cowboy. You’re just frightened right now. Don’t chu’ worry none, yore’ cowboy-bubba ain’t gonna’ let nothing bad happen to you,” Shane said firmly and gave him a kiss on his forehead, “Mrs. Biddle and yore’ daddy done the right thing when they brung you to me,” he soothed.

“The cool water feels good,” Bobby said, “It makes it easier for me to breathe. I know you can heal me, Mr. Goodnight. I have faith in you, Brother. I trust you. I love you, Shane,” Bobby said from the depth of his small heart.

“I love you, too, Bobby. We's bubbas, you'n me. Hold on to your faith in me. Don't never let go. Your trust in me only makes me stronger for what I need to do. I’ll do my damnedest for you, Son,” Shane promised him. Gil Morris was watching Shane and marveled at the big man’s tenderness and empathy for his boy. He somehow knew he did the right thing. Shane barked more orders. “I need to get his temperature down, but when I bring him out of the water, one of you cowboys have my boots ready for me to step into and have one blanket folded in half on the bed of the truck. The other is to throw over us.”

The cowboys jumped at his order and got everything ready. Shane floated Bobby in the cool water for a little over an hour until he felt the boy begin to shiver. He knew it was time to get him out of the water. Phil Pie was right there waiting for him when he stepped out. He helped Shane with his boots then took a towel and tried to dry Bobby as best he could in Shane’s arms. When Phil was finished Shane told him to put the towel between the boy’s legs and wrap it like a diaper. Phil knew about diapers. Shane got into the bed of the truck and lay down with the boy holding him close to his body and his faithful cowboys threw the other blanket over them.

“Get in the front with Cole, Mr. Morris. Tell him to take it slow and drive us to our house. Have the backdoor open for me. You cowboys get in the crew cab,” Shane ordered.

“I’m gonna’ ride back here with you, Master,” Phil Pie stated flatly. He raised Shane’s head and set it in his lap. Shane grinned at him. “What’s that grin for, Cowboy?” Phil demanded as the truck took off.

“You smell good enough to eat, Slave. I could use me a big-old taste of Poppa Pie right about now,” Shane said and chuckled.

“Don’t! Just don’t! You’re gonna’ make me git a hard-on if you start talk’n shit like ‘at, and I jes’ might have ta’ stick ma’ dick in yer ear,” Phil grinned.

“Glad you’re here, Daddy Bull,” Shane said sincerely and smiled at him.

“Wouldn’t wanna' be no-wheres else on this planet, Master fun-buns,” Phil chuckled. "After all, 'iss is what chu' picked old Eli and me for, ain't it?" Phil smiled at Shane.

"Exactly. I need your love right now, Buckaroo – all you men can gimme,'" Shane said firmly.

"You got it, Son!" the rough talking cowboy spoke with affection as he gently caressed his master's brow and lovingly smoothed his hair with is big calloused hand.

As the big truck slowly pulled away from the creek, the big cowboy happened to look back at the place where Shane walked barefoot into the water and exited. He did a double-take. He was stunned. Why didn’t he noticed before? In the exact spot, running down and into the water was the most beautiful clump of calla lilies in full bloom. How could he have missed them? He convinced himself his mind was playing tricks on him.

They arrived at the foreman’s house and everyone was waiting for them. Mrs. Biddle was there, dressed in a large, dark blue Hawaiian style Muu-muu, with vivid, electrically iridescent yellow and red hibiscus flowers. Her hair was done up in a big towel. Shane learned later it was one of several dresses Potter got out of his wife’s closet and set out for her. In fifteen years since her death he never had the heart to clean out her closets. Shane was still naked as he got down from the truck with Bobby in his arms wrapped in a towel. He saw Mrs. Biddle turn so she wouldn’t look upon his nakedness. He smiled to himself and wondered. Only a few days ago, she looked into the very depths of his naked soul, yet now she turned her eyes away from its temporary container.

The cowboys did a good job fixing up the big bed as he instructed. He lay Bobby down and got in next to him. He called for the blanket to be put over them and the cowboys did as they were told. He positioned Bobby so he would face him with his chest up against Shane’s. Now they were covered, Mrs. Biddle came into the room. Shane spoke to her, “Mrs. Biddle, you will find some old torn sheets in a cabinet on the back porch. They’re clean. Tear them into diapers for the boy. He won’t be able to use the bathroom for a while, and I need them to protect him and me if he needs to go. Thank you, my faithful cowboys. You done good. I want you to return to the bunkhouse except for Phil. Stick around for a while, Poppa Pie, I may need you.”

The cowboys wished him well and went off to the bunkhouse. Only Cole, Potter, Mrs. Biddle, Phil, and Mr. Morris were left in the room. “Mr. Morris, do you believe in the Code of the West and the Cowboy Way?” Shane asked boldly in a quiet but demanding voice.

“Absolutely! I try to practice it in everything I do, sir,” he replied.

“I know that to be true from my dealings with you. You told me earlier you would become my slave if I saved your boy,” Shane put to him.

“I give you my word. I will commit it to paper if you wish, sir, and sign it wiff' my blood,” Gil Morris said firmly.

“I will hold you to your word, Mr. Morris. Your word is good enough for me; however, make no mistake, I require your absolute trust, dedication, and your solemn oath you will never reveal to anyone outside this room what you are about to witness. If you agree, swear it for everyone to hear!” Shane said with such force there was no doubting the seriousness of his intent.

“I, Gilbert Morris, so swear my life, trust and total dedication to you, Mr. Goodnight. No one will ever hear from me what goes on in this room or anything pertaining to you healing ma’ boy. I promise, so help me God,” Morris said.

“You don’t need God’s help to be a good man or do the right thing, Mr. Morris. You’re perfectly capable of knowing right from wrong. It is with that thought in mind I accept your sworn oath,” Shane continued, “Phil, you’re already my slave, and I know your heart. I know you love me, and I know you’re savvy enough to know when to keep that big cowboy pie-hole of yorn shut,” Shane said, winked at him, and smiled.

“Whatever you’re talking about, Master, you got my word as a cowboy what loves you and is your devoted slave,” Phil Pie assured his master.

“Kyron?” Shane spoke.

“I’m here, Captain Shane. I have seen all. I have alerted Jesse and Utah, Indigo/Blue, and Basil Troubadour. They are here with me awaiting your command,” boomed Kyron in his best voice-of-god imitation. Kyron loved doing his voice of Oz routine. He loved to see the look on people’s faces who didn’t know about him. Potter and Cole looked at each other, grinned and stifled laughs remembering only a short time ago their first response to Kyron. Now his booming voice seemed almost comforting. Phil Pie looked like he was about to drop a big one in his Wranglers. Gil Morris looked all around but couldn’t see anything.

Mrs. Biddle got the biggest grin on her face. “I know’d ju’ be more than you appear, Healer-mon,” she accused while shaking a finger at him. Shane ignored her.

“Please send ma’ brothers, Kyron, I need them. I’m not yet strong enough to do this alone,” Shane pleaded.

Shane no sooner got the words out of his mouth when the room was filled with a bright light. Instantly, there were four handsome men standing before them. They were dressed in long flowing white robes. Utah took on human form at the request of his master. Phil moved in close behind Cole because his ramrod didn’t seem frightened of the men. Cole stood like a rock; he didn’t even flinch. Mrs. Biddle moved behind Judge Potter. Gil Morris pissed his Wranglers, and it ran down into his boot.

Indigo/Blue and Basil moved around the bed to the other side. Jesse and Utah took the opposite side. The four men knelt by the bed. Shane adjusted Bobby so he was lying flat on his back on Shane’s massive chest. He pulled Bobby up so his head was lying on Shane’s shoulder next to his head. Jesse turned down the blanket to Bobby’s waist. He instructed Utah and Basil to place their hands close to his on the boy’s chest. Indigo/Blue took his hand and held it over theirs. A strong, bright blue light began to emanate from beneath his hand and flooded the area. The light seemed to set up a harmonic resonance and the three men’s hands began to glow and pulse at the same harmonic frequency.

“The rest is up to you, Captain Goodnight. You can do this, Son,” Jesse said quietly to Shane. Shane placed his hand next to the three to close the circle and his began to pulse at the same harmonic level. They remained that way for a little over an hour. He could feel Bobby’s body slowly starting to respond to the repairs taking place within his heart. Shane could feel the oxygen rich blood begin to surge through the boy’s body as the valve assumed its original shape and purpose. As his blood pressure rose so did Bobby’s color. He turned from a light pale blue to a deep rosy pink and his lips became the color of a summer’s rose.

“‘Lordy, Lordy! Dis’ be a miracle I be see'n wid’ me own eyes,” Mrs. Biddle said quietly.

“No, Mrs. Biddle,” the judge corrected her, “It’s a misunderstood form of a natural science of which we have no concept or understanding; therefore, it appears miraculous to us. These men know what they’re doing, and it is far less invasive and safer than our present day medicine can provide. From what I’ve observed recently, it is neither a trick nor is it divinely based. It is as basic a part of these men's nature as the turning of a leaf in the fall of the year,” Judge Potter said eloquently.

“Well said, Judge,” Jesse Watkins said quietly, “I think we have done all we can, Gentlemen, the boy will be all right now,” Jesse said to Utah, Basil, and Indigo/Blue. They removed their hands and stood. Shane kept his on the boy’s chest over his heart. It was still pulsing but beginning to slow. “You know what to do from here, Captain?” Jesse asked almost like it was a rhetorical question.

“I do, Master Jesse,” Shane replied. He forgot for a minute he wasn’t still a slave.

Jesse smiled at him and said, “Forty-eight hours, Son. We check in on you often, and we're only a quick request away if you need more help.”

“Yes, sir, thank you men for coming. The ancients have spoken to me. Bobby is special. He is like the Coyotes. He will help lead the next generation. Because of his heroism, he will be given the honor of being the first man to set foot on the new world. His name will be recorded in the annals of a thousand races and remembered in the hearts and on the tongues of thousands more, as the son of Gilbert Morris and the brother of Captain Shane Goodnight,” Shane said.

Gil Morris marveled at Shane’s words to the attractive men who seemed to come from nowhere. Who spoke to Shane? Why did he compare Bobby with coyotes? How could this man know of Bobby’s future? What new world was he talking about? He remembered his oath to Shane and his admonishment he didn’t need help from God. It came over him, if he was meant to know these things, his new young master would tell him.

Everyone watched as Indigo/Blue, Basil, Utah, and Jesse put their arms around each other. There was another bright flash of light, and they were gone. Gil Morris didn't bothered to clean himself he was so engrossed. He knelt by the side of the bed and looked onto the healthy colored face of his boy and wept. He lay his head next to Shane and Bobby, and as he sobbed his heart out he felt a small hand on his head. He looked up into the eyes of his beloved son. “Don’t cry, Daddy. I’m gonna’ be all right now. Angel-like men came to me and told me they would repair my heart, but Captain Shane, my big brother, will have to do the rest. You must leave me with him for two days. Mr. Goodnight has given me a part of himself to save me. He has given my life back to me, Dad. We have become brothers because he have shared our lives. As you gave me life, so did he. You and me, we now belong to him, but he also belongs to us. We owe him a great debt,” Bobby said weakly.

Gil Morris broke down and cried again. Cole and Phil took Gill away to get him cleaned up, a cup of coffee, a bite to eat, and to wash his Wranglers. Cole told Phil, before he poured the piss out of Morris’ boot, to be sure and read the instructions on the heel. Phil didn’t think that was very funny, but it got a laugh out of Gil Morris.

Mrs. Biddle allowed Mr. Potter to pull her away and walk her up to the big house. She got busy in his kitchen and fixed a wonderful supper for the men. Shane dismissed everyone and said he would have to stay in bed holding Bobby for forty-eight hours. Bobby’s diaper would probably have to be changed, but Shane would use a bedpan and a piss bottle Potter found which Mrs. Potter used when she was dying.

The cowboys took turns sitting with him and taking care of Bobby and Shane’s needs. Shane refused food for the entire period, so he wouldn’t have to void. They began to feed Bobby spoonfuls of strong broths Mrs. Biddle made for him. She was staying in three large rooms in the downstairs off the kitchen which were originally meant for a housekeeper or maid. She immediately made a good friend of Maxine, and they fell in love with each other. They became best girlfriends. They had coffee klatches together, shared sticky buns Essmee made, and talked for hours.

Shane thought about sending for Jack and Jill to give him and Bobby a shot of their wonderful relaxing sleep pheromone which always left him refreshed, had no side effects or sleep hangover the next morning, but he needed to be alert in case anything began to go wrong. He wished he called his nephew and had him bring Ox with him. He could sure go for some warm Lummox milk straight out of the tap. He knew if Bobby could stay awake long enough he would benefit greatly from some Lummox milk.

* * * * * * *
An hour later all Hell broke loose in the kitchen of the big house as Waco Goodnight, followed closely by his giant lumbering Lummox slave, walked into the kitchen. Mrs. Essmee Fay Biddle began to yell at the top of her voice, “Oh, Sweet Jesus, Dear God in heaven, protect us, ‘der be monsters in my kitchen,” she yelled. Judge Potter heard the commotion from the dining room off the kitchen. Essmee fixed Potter a nice pot of tea to drink while the judge went through his mail. He smiled to himself and remember how he felt the first time he saw a Lummox. He got up from his chair and started for the kitchen.

“No, no, Miss Essmee!” Maxine shouted to her, “Ox is Master Waco’s slave and my personal friend. He won’t do us no harm. He’s come to visit his brother, Captain Shane.”

“Don’ chu' be joking with Essmee Fay, Little Girl,” she admonished Maxine.

“I wouldn’t lie to my friend, Essmee. Watch!” Maxine ran full out to Ox and leaped into his huge arms. He caught her in mid flight, and she proceeded to give him multiple kisses. Ox moved his head about and laughed.

“Dear Lord, what a’ my gonna’ see next? One healer-mon; four angel-mon come from de’ realm of glory to heal my sweet baby boy; a dog what talks better’n me; and a furry monster wid’ a mon what be the spit’n image of one a’ ‘dem angels,” she declared clasping her hand to her breast, rolling her eyes like it was all too much for her and moaned. Waco laughed.

Potter came through the door to the kitchen with a big grin on his face. He went directly to Waco and shook his hand. “Captain Goodnight, welcome to my humble home,” he said, then he took Ox’s huge hand in his and shook it, “and Ox, it’s so good to see you again. Welcome, Gentlemen.”

“You must be Ms. Biddle,” Waco said, “I’ve heard good things about you. I’m Waco Goodnight, Captian Shane’s nephew. My dad is his older brother, and this huge critter, I call Ox, ain’t no monster a’ tall, but I affectionately call him my beast sometimes. He’s my slave, my friend, my brother, and my protector. You must have been visited by my cousin, Indigo/Blue. He may be my cousin, but I count him among my brothers. Folks say we look enough alike to be twins, but I consider him much better looking than me. Unfortunately, I don’t possess the healing powers of my brother.”

Essmee Biddle calmed down and decide it must be all right. They were talking with her like it was an everyday thing, and she was an old friend. She introduced herself and returned to her cooking. Boss Potter and Maxine volunteered to show Waco and Ox to the foreman’s house where Shane and Bobby were. When Waco and Ox came through the door to the downstairs back bedroom, Phil stood to pay homage to Master Waco’s boots, but Waco waved him off. Phil met Ox several times before. Gil Morris looked like he couldn’t decide to bolt for the nearest window or piss his pants again. Instead, he just froze. “It’s all right, Mr. Morris, they be friendlies. They come to help,” said Shane, “Waco Goodnight is my brother Charlie’s son. He’s my nephew and his handsome slave is, I’m proud to say, one of my many brothers. Welcome, you handsome creature” Shane addressed Ox and stuck out his hand for him to come to Shane. Ox mouthed a friendly growl at Shane, walked over to him took his hand in one big hand and placed his other on his brow. He knelt by the edge of the bed, moved his hand behind Shane’s head and positioned his mouth right on his huge tit. Shane didn’t need a second invitation and began to suck away.

“What’s he doing?” Gil Morris asked in amazement.

“Taking nourishment, Mr. Morris," Waco explained, "Lummox milk is the most wholesome, completely nutritional food in the universe. Captain Goodnight needs his strength to continue the healing process for your boy. It will give him the strength to do what needs to be done for Bobby. After he drinks his fill, my slave will crawl into bed with Captain Shane and offer your son some of his milk. It will heal him twice as fast and give his brain and body the knowledge to aid the healing process.”

Morris felt helpless, but Shane must have known that’s how he would feel or he never would have demanded he swear an oath to have complete faith in him. He wouldn’t betray Mr. Goodnight’s trust. He could already see great progress with Bobby. He was only coming around for a little while at a time, then lapsing back into a deep sleep, but his color was much better, and his breathing was almost back to normal. Shane pulled away from Ox’s teat. The big critter slowly walked around to the other side and got into bed with Bobby and Shane. Shane kept his arms around the boy at all times holding him as tightly to his big chest as possible. Shane maneuvered Bobby where he was facing Ox’s massive chest with one big teat close to his mouth. Shane gently squeezed Ox’s teat and got some milk on his finger.

“Bobby,” he whispered gently, “Wake up, Cowboy. Taste this.” Shane put his finger to the boy’s mouth, and Bobby licked the warm liquid from Shane’s finger. He suddenly engulfed Shane’s finger with his small mouth trying to get more. “We got us one a’ the biggest damn teddy bears in the universe in bed with us, and he wants to feed you some of his milk. It will heal you faster. Can you suck on his big teat for me, Cowboy? If you’re very good he might even sing to you.”

Bobby replied weakly, “I think so, Shane. Just suck on his teat?”

“Don't bite! Just suck! That’s right. ‘At a boy,” urged Shane. It didn’t take Bobby long to get the hang of it, and he was like a new born shoat sucking at his momma’s teat. He couldn’t drink fast enough. It was so good.

“Damn, look at him go,” Phil Pie said softly.

“Yeah, it’s pert-damn good stuff. I drank it for years. Still do,” declared Waco, “Once you taste it, it seems like you can’t never get enough. It’s probably the only addictive thing what’s good for you.”

“Is it addictive like a drug?” Gil Morris asked.

“Naw, sir, it’s just so good you’ll never pass it up if a big male lummox is kind enough to offer you some. My daddy drinks it regularly. All my brothers were raised on it,” Waco said.

“The males produce milk?” Morris asked.

“Both males and females of their specie produce milk, but the male is, by far, the major producer, because the last several months, before he’s fully born to the world, a baby lummox lives in his father’s pouch and only comes out to feed from his daddy’s teats twice a day.”

“Are they like Bigfoot?” Morris asked.

“They’re the same species, sir,” Waco replied.

The room became very silent when the giant creature began to sing to Bobby. It wasn’t a recognizable tune, but anyone who heard it could understand it was a song. It was a lullaby. It rumbled deep in Ox’s gut and rolled into higher pitches as he went along. It was mesmerizing to the people watching, but to Bobby it was a personal message of healing and well being. It told him to gather his strength like a young warrior and concentrate it on the weakness in his body. Last but not least the song spoke of giving up his discomfort and illness; let it go from his frail body and let the giant’s milk fortify his courage. Shane gently rubbed Bobby’s tummy as it began to fill up like a balloon. The boy sucked and drank until he could drink no more and collapsed back into Shane’s arms in exhaustion.

“Thank you, my friend. It was so good,” Bobby said, then promptly dropped off to sleep. Shane could tell by Bobby’s breathing, his sleep was more relaxed and deep. He was healing. Waco and Ox returned several times in the forty-eight hour period as Bobby grew stronger. Shane had many well wishers, from cowboy slaves to Shane’s brothers. Charlie held his baby brother’s hand and cried at his heroic effort to save the boy.

Angus was nervous but deeply moved by the actions of his younger brother. “Kyron let me see the videos of your rescue and repair of them bladder whales, Boy,” he spoke softly so no one else could here, “I’m sorry I ever laughed at you, but I was right about one thing. You’re more like Charlie than me. You deserve all the good things what come your way, Little Brother,” Angus said like it was ripping his heart out to say the words. It told Shane just how deeply Angus loved and missed him.

Later that evening Phil Pie, Cole, and Gil Morris were sitting around the bed quietly visiting with Shane when Kyron spoke to him. “Captain Goodnight?”

“I’m here, Kyron.”

“The Kryscellians wish to offer their help. They’re asking your permission to come to you, sir,” Kyron said.

“I would be deeply honored, Kyron. Their help would be greatly appreciated. They will speed Bobby’s recovery and give me more strength.”

“I am sending them now, sir.”

There was another bright, almost blinding flash of light and the traveling home of the Kryscellians appeared in the room. Shane was one of the designers and builders of their mobile case. “They are with us, Kyron. Thanks for your assistance,” Shane said.

“You’re very welcome, Captain Shane,” Kyron replied.

Once again Gil and Phil were gobsmacked. Cole just smiled. He met the Kryscellians on several occasions and marveled at their beauty. “Come, Gentlemen. Let’s us move back so they may get nearer the bed,” Cole said.

“What are they?” Gil Morris asked.

“Another life form, Mr. Morris,” Cole told him, “We humans are carbon based as you know. The Kryscellians are a silicon based life form. They are basically highly intelligent crystals, but they possess great healing powers for us carbon critters.”

The beautifully ornate case designed by JR and built by his cowboy brothers including Shane slowly floated beside the bed. Shane lowered the covers so he and Bobby could most benefit from their rays. The men watched in awe as the beautifully colored crystals began to glow and spread their rays over the bed, dancing on the surface of Bobby and his big cowboy brother’s bodies. They heard what sounded like singing. It was singing but in a language they never heard before. It was strange because the longer they listened the more words they began to pick up meanings for until they were understanding more and more. Shane could feel Bobby responding immediately. He awoke and tears began streaming down his face as he watched and listened to the beautiful creatures sing him back to health.

Gil was moved beyond words. What had he gotten himself into? He had no idea. It was almost beyond his comprehension. Shane was living up to his end of their bargain, and he swore by all the angels in heaven, he would live up to his. When they were done, Shane thanked them graciously, and they departed the same way they came.

“Remarkable,” Morris said.

“Are there more wonders, Master Goodnight?” Phil humbly asked.

“More than you can imagine, Cowboy,” Cole answered for Shane.

“You’ve seen more, Ramrod?” Phil asked Cole.

“Not everything, but a Hell of a lot, Phil. Enough to knock this old cowboy out a’ his boots and saddle. I’m more amazed every day,” Cole replied.

“One day soon, it will all be revealed to you, Poppa Pie,” Shane said and smiled at him, “Until then, be happy being my cowboy slave. Let it be enough for now to know I love you. I know you and Eli will work hard for us, and trust us to take good care of you. We’ll share more with you as time goes by. How could we keep anything from you and Mr. Morris? We done flung wide them barn doors. Ain’t no git’n them critters back in now,” Shane said and grinned.

Forty-eight hours passed and Bobby was staying awake for longer periods. Shane got him up, out of bed, and started walking him around the room. When Bobby got tired, Shane would pick him up and put him back into bed. Shane carried him to the shower and sat with him in his lap on a stool as Cole and Phil bathed them, while other cowboys changed the bed. By the third day Shane didn’t have to be in bed with him anymore, but Bobby told his dad he missed Shane holding him. Shane still slept with the boy for several nights and held him close. By the fifth day he didn’t need his diapers anymore. He was still weak but with assistance he could walk to the bathroom and use the facilities. Gil Morris was beside himself with joy. Shane saved his son’s life. He was ready to sign anything, to even become Shane’s slave for life, if he would only take his boy and raise him as his own. “No, Mr. Morris, I won’t do that,” Shane stated flatly.

“You won’t, Mr. Goodnight?” Morris looked perplexed.

“No, it won’t be necessary, because you’re going to raise him yourself. Bobby needs his dad. I never had me no dad, and it cost me ten years of my life as a slave. I know what having a good dad can mean to a boy. We need us a man in our family with your education and abilities as an accountant, procurement, and purchasing agent, tax accountant, ranch management consultant, and all round man Friday. We got us several projects we want to get underway, and it will fall under your responsibility to estimate the cost, see to it they get funded properly, and we have the materials necessary to start a project and get it running smoothly. You will be working closely with me and my partners. It’s a job a slave can’t do, so you have to be a freeman. I know you’re a man of your word and a handshake would be enough to bond you to any verbal contract, but this is business, Mr. Morris, and I want it spelled out for your commitment to work for our outfit for a minimum of five years. If you’re happy here we’ll renegotiate after that.

"Now, here comes the slave part. You will basically be working for slave wages for the first two years. I can only afford to pay you a thousand dollars a month, but a two bedroom cottage comes with the job, plus you and Bobby will take your morning and evening meals, family style, in the big house with us. I think Boss Potter has hammered out a deal with Mrs. Biddle to live in his maid’s quarters and be his housekeeper and cook for the management staff on our ranch. For lunch you’re on your own and Mrs. Biddle may get one day a week off. So we’re on our own for one day, but we can pitch in and make it a family affair. Me and my partner will be joining our cowboy slaves for slave chow most days for lunch. We’re both used to it. It’s reasonable and nutritious. You and Bobby are welcome to join us in the slave’s mess if you like.

"We’ve come to believe meeting in an informal atmosphere over breakfast, lunch, and supper will keep everyone up to date on what’s going on at the ranch and what we need to consider or reconsider. If we turn a profit the first year, which, as you know, is almost an impossibility, we will guarantee you five percent of the net profits over and above your salary. The same for the second and third years, but if you work hard and make money for us, we’ll guarantee you ten percent of the net profits for the last two years. Oh, yes, and did I mention – you and Bobby will live rent free in your own cottage, your utilities are paid with the ranches', and you get free health care for you and Bobby. Are you interested, Mr. Morris?”

“Am I interested? You’re offering a man who has practically no options in life, who is facing homelessness with a young boy, to become a member of your extended family? You’re offering me an oasis in a desert of nothingness, when I was sincere about keeping my word and becoming your slave? Hell, yes, I’m interested! A thousand a month slave wages? Not to me it ain’t. Bobby and I have learned to get by on a lot less than a thousand a month. I’ll gladly accept your offer. Where do I sign, Mr. Goodnight?” Gil Morris said with great enthusiasm.

“I know you were sincere about becoming my slave, but you’re more valuable to us as a freeman. Besides, I need to protect our investment in you and Bobby. As time goes by, you will see more strange things like you witnessed with the healing of your boy. What better way to secure your loyalty than to make you and Bobby a part of our family? This job will require you to live two lives. A life as a member of an up and coming young ranch family, and the other part you just don’t talk about with anyone outside our ranch. Part of our deal is you must join our Grange. I promise, there are a number of advantages I won’t go into right now. There will be a few times when Boss Potter, me, and my partner Cole will be gone from the ranch for short periods of time. We need a freeman here to watch things for us while we’re away. And we need to get you settled in, up and running because we may be away for three days, week after next.”

“How do you know I’m the man for the job, Mr. Goodnight?” Gil Morris asked.

“My cowboy brothers can find out anything about anybody in a matter of minutes on the web and the Free-net. I have a folder on you an inch thick," Shane said and grinned at him, "I know you graduated with honors from Texas A & M with a degree in ranch management and accounting. I know you went on to get a master’s degree in agricultural husbandry and product development. You did your thesis on ranch consulting techniques. I know you’ve been published several times in prestigious agricultural journals. One article I remember ‘Advanced Cultural Techniques In The Care Of Apis Mellifera.’ I had to look that one up. I thought surely the man weren’t training no apes to be cowboys.” Shane laughed at his own nonsense. “I know you were a successful rancher yourself until family health problems sucked you dry, and if that weren’t enough, I have the sworn word of two fine cowboy slaves and one Mrs. Essmee Fay Biddle you be an honest, good-hearted, dear, sweet mon,” Shane said and grinned. The men shared a laugh.

“It would be great to be working with Mrs. Biddle, Jack Hamil and his mate, Spencer Gaether. As you saw at the funeral, they’s about the only family Bobby and I have. Essmee has become like a godmother to Bobby. I think she wouldn’t hesitate to lay down her life for my boy, Mr. Goodnight. Jack and Spence took care of Bobby when I had to be away so much with my wife in the hospital for so long. He loves them and looks up to them like big brothers. They practically ran the ranch by themselves. Bobby and me ain’t no strangers to slave chow, Mr. Goodnight, and we ain’t too proud to sit down and eat with cowboy slaves neither. I learned a lot from my slaves, and I would never deny my boy the experience of learning from them. I hated to go off and leave my little Apis buddies behind. Damn, I’d give my left nut to bring them here. Sometime the food they shared with us was all Bobby and I had to eat, and many times they provided us with pocket money by selling their work product,” Gil said.

“Why can’t you bring them? Them real estate vultures don’t give a rat's ass about no bee hives, no ways. How many are there and how many trucks would it take to transport them?” Shane asked.

“There’s about thirty-five or forty hives. It would take two, maybe three pickup trucks,” Gil replied.

“Wait a minute. I got me a better idea. Let me speak with my nephew,” Shane said.

That night Shane and Cole went through the gate in the old barn directly onto the Buttercup. Waco and Lucas were waiting for them. Waco cleared a little journey with the Admiral earlier in the day, and they were off. In a great flash of light, forty apiaries disappeared from the old Morris ranch and within ten minutes reappeared in a flash in the meadow on the Potter ranch. They returned to the Bandersnatch and docked. Shane and Cole went back through the gate to their old barn. Round trip was under an hour. The next morning at breakfast in the big house, Gil asked Shane if he’d given anymore thought to collecting the bee hives. Potter and Cole got big grins on their faces. “Oh, I’m sorry. Yes, I did, Gil, I took care of it last night for you, before we went to bed. Yore’ little buddies are waiting for you in the meadow beyond the bunkhouse.”

“No!” he exclaimed, “You’re...” Gil was going to say ‘shit’n me’ but remembered he was at a family table, and his boy was sitting right beside him.

“He ain’t josh’n with you, Son,” Potter said, “If Captain Shane tells you they’re waiting for you in the meadow, you can take it to the bank.”

“Is this one of them things we ain’t suppose to talk about, sir?” Gil asked.

“Yes, I’d say this one definitely qualifies, Mr. Morris. Now, I’d like to talk with you about that left nut you promised me,” Shane said, winked at him, and laughed.

* * * * * * *
When Shane, Cole, and Potter showed Gil the old foreman’s cottage he broke down and wept. It was too wonderful to be believed. If he had the slightest doubts of accepting Shane and Potter’s offer they disappeared completely. It was perfect for him and Bobby. They would have their own separate rooms. There was a small kitchen but a large living room/family area with a good size study off the big room. It would be a perfect office, a place for him to work and keep records. He and Bobby moved in immediately.

Everything they owned or could take with them was in the camper. The camper was on hydraulic jacks. Gil could park anywhere, jack it up off the bed of the truck and drive away. He decided to move everything out of the truck and let it air out from the stench and clean it up later. He immediately went to work getting organized and finding out what records the men already had. Gil Morris was no novice to hard work and his efforts began to pay off for them. Gil liked Shane’s ideas of the cowboy slaves becoming self-sufficient and cooperatively working together to better their lot in life. He was a big champion for the humane treatment of slaves and worked closely with Shane, Cole, and the slaves to see to their needs.

They did the best they could with the limited number of cowboy slaves they had, but slowly started gathering slaves from many different sources. Hoot Austin and Cotton Daniels always had their ears open for a good deal and knew how to get the best bargains for other slave owners. Somehow they managed to purchase two slaves whom they were not only willing to give to Shane, but because the men were new to slavery, they would throw in two more of their best slaves if he would only accept the first two. One was several years younger than Shane by the name of Louden Austin and the other was only a couple of years younger named Faustus or Fuzzy Daniels. They were the younger brothers of Hoot and Cotton.

Since Hoot and Cotton were close relatives of the men, they couldn’t legally own them so they needed someone they knew to accept ownership whom they could trust to be decent to their little brothers. To sweeten the deal, they offered two of their finest seasoned cowboys they knew would keep their little brothers in line, Bart Swinson and Telly Ferguson. Shane knew Bart and Telly well. They were huge men. They looked like lumberjacks from the far North. He worked with them many times and knew them to be honest, respectable, hard working cowboys. Their size was more than a little intimidating, but for the most part they were gentle, soft-spoken, peaceful men until you did something incredibly stupid and got them angry. If any men could ride herd on Hoot and Cotton’s little brothers, Shane knew it was them. He accepted the four men immediately, made Bart and Telly his final two lead cowboys, gave them the room across from Phil and Eli’s, and gave Loud and Fuzzy the first cowboy slave room next to theirs.

Loud and Fuzzy were young and full of piss and vinegar. There were a few incidents with them, but Shane or Cole never had to worry. Bart and Telly gave the boys major attitude adjustments. Phil Pie laughingly told them later, after big Bart and Telly got through with them boys they began to settle down right nice-like. For a year or more them boys wouldn’t take a shit without Bart or Telly’s permission. Phil slapped his knee and laughed.

Four more cowboy slaves came from a most unexpected source. There were four men, two couples, who were cowboys before they got shipped off to a Cheney work camp who weren’t happy in the colonies on board the Bandersnatch because they were cowboys at heart, but there was no work for them. The men begged them to let them hang out and work with Charlie’s cowboy slaves. It was dangerous for them to be outside the protection of the Bandersnatch without proper identification chips implanted in them, but with Lazarus as their ramrod they could get away with it for periods of time. With robo-cams on them around the clock, Lazarus could instruct Kyron to transport them back to the Bandersnatch at a moment's notice. During those times, for all practical purposes, they lived the life of a cowboy slave for weeks at a time, but still they weren’t satisfied or happy. They just didn't feel like they belonged. Once a cowboy, always a cowboy was one of Lazarus’ firm beliefs. He based his opinion on two thousand years of trying to deny his own past and his love of the cowboy way, but he was never fully successful.

Finally, they came to him with their plight and asked if there was someway they could become cowboy slaves? Time and again, Lazarus tried to talk them out of it, but they were persistent. Finally, Charlie got on Lazarus’ case to intercede for them and told him he thought it could be done. He told Lazarus to ask their new member, the Judge, what it would take to make everything appear legal. The old Judge was a fount of information for Lazarus and even helped him obtain some documents in a questionable manner to ‘process’ them without leaving a suspicious paper trail. Lazarus was firm with the men and told them he would only go along with their wish to become slaves if there was a time limit involved like an indenturement. Lazarus based their time, five years, on the amount of time he thought the Grange had left on the planet.

Furthermore, to protect the Grange and the men’s past association with the Bandersnatch, they would have to go to another ranch and work for Captain Shane and Judge Potter. The cowboys readily agreed and everything was made to look as legal as possible. They were chipped and given to Shane and Judge Potter. They became four of their best cowboys. Two were fine cooks and took over the kitchen in the bunkhouse. There wasn’t much to cook for the first couple of months, but as the slave’s garden began to produce and different foods became available, Potter, Shane, Cole, Gil, and Bobby could be found taking their meals in the bunkhouse with the men on Mrs. Biddle’s days off. Most days, Gil and Bobby joined Shane and Cole for a lunch of slave chow and nutrient biscuit with the cowboy slaves.

In the early days, Shane, Cole, Gil, and Bobby would be out in the gardens working along side the cowboys to make their first garden plot successful. Even the old man would walk over the hill and pick up a hoe to help from time to time. He was feeling better and had more strength and energy every day. When it came time for the trip to Venus the men went with no trepidation about leaving the ranch in Gil Morris’ capable hands.

* * * * * * *
The trip to Venus was yet another eye opener for Boss Potter and Shane’s pa. They enjoyed themselves enormously from attending a Visallian warrior Tao'mac and watching Shane along with his cowboy brothers perform as excellently as the huge warriors. They particularly liked the coyote cowboys. Potter mentioned to Shane and Cole how much he wished Bobby could have come on the trip with them and met the coyotes.

Venus was another experience in culture shock for the men. Shane’s family marveled at the bladder whales and couldn’t believe how popular their cowboy foreman was on another world. Shane’s appearance at many functions skyrocketed the sale of his action figure and Darryl had another million to give him. Darryl already gave Shane two more briefcases with half a million in each. Captain Goodnight had two and a half million socked away on his ship. Likewise, the coyote cowboys made their parents and themselves very wealthy.

On the trip over, Shane had a chance to take Judge Potter and Cole to the large theater. Their was no one there and Shane could call up any video or film he wanted to show them. They expressed a desire to learn more about lummox/human bondings and reproduction. Shane showed them the Trong-Fielding video which had them squirming in their seats, but they didn’t want it stopped. He then showed them the video of Arlen Jones giving birth to the coyote twins and them crawling into Strom’s large pouch. When the video came to an end and the house lights came up they suddenly realized they weren’t alone. The place was filled with people who came to watch the videos with them.

When it came time to return, the new gate worked perfectly and they simply stepped through to ‘Goodnight Station’ at Mars port, and from there took another gate back to the Bandersnatch. The men were happy to get home. Potter left Maxine behind with Mrs. Biddle. Ms. Essmee didn’t want to be alone even though she was still cooking for Mr. Morris and Bobby. After they returned, Potter, Shane, and Cole were enjoying a lazy afternoon at the swimming hole by themselves when Potter spoke, "It’s really gonna’ happen, ain’t it, Son?” he asked Shane quietly.

“‘Afeard so, Boss,” Shane replied.

“I’m amazed with the extended family we have. They don’t seem to have come together for any purpose other than to live and work together to survive. In all our dealings with the colonies and the recognized leaders like yourself, I’ve never heard or witnessed a militaristic or jingoistic word from anyone against our government, but in a more free society the people ain’t afraid of hurting your feelings by letting you know their dissatisfaction and disappointment with the current regime. Mostly, I’ve seen passionate displays of fidelity and brotherhood, but never anything that might suggest a threat to the government of Earth. I’m convinced Admiral Long ain’t the least interested in confronting our government, but is here to save as many good people and as much of the flora and fauna of this planet as he can. If anything, he has an attitude of resigned passivity toward our government. I’ve heard him say many times, 'Render unto Scudder what is Scudder’s.'

"As long as they leave him alone, he could care less what they do, because he and powers greater than him have given up hope for Earth’s salvation, and you know what? I think they’re right. I saw it coming years ago but never wanted to admit it to myself. I always thought the pendulum would swing the other way and we would once again become the great nation we once were, but it never happened. The pendulum got stuck on its swing to the right and never returned. It’s a sad commentary on man’s religions when he has to go underground to hide his true beliefs in himself and humanity. I feel so fortunate to have met you and Cole and be given a chance to join your greater family,” Judge Clarence Joe Potter said to his ranch partner.

Shane smiled at him and nodded his understanding. Cole took Shane’s hand, raised it to his now toothless mouth and kissed it. Both Cole and Potter’s teeth began to drop out about the same time as their new set of teeth began to grow in. Ms. Essmee Fay had a devil of a time cooking for them because they could only eat soft foods and soups for a while. She became more accepting of the unusual happenings around the ranch and would simply roll her eyes, shake her head, and grin. She regularly gathered arms full of calla lilies from the banks of the small creek where they seemed to grow in great profusion. She would make simple but stunning arrangements and place them around the big house. They were lovely and brought a softness to the place. Boss Potter told her he had no idea where they came from; he never planted them, and he knew his wife didn’t. Mrs. Biddle smiled sweetly at him. It was no mystery to her from whence they sprang.

Slowly, the men included her, Mr. Morris, and Bobby in the wonders of the Grange. Mrs. Biddle began to see them ‘angel-mons’ at different social gathering held at the Potter ranch. The one with the longer hair and scruffy beard she just knew was Jesus; but, he was dressed like any other buckaroo and accompanied by his faithful companion who was now a beautiful Collie dog. Maxine brought Utah to Mrs. Biddle to explain why he was in human form the day he and his master appeared to help Bobby. She slowly began to put the pieces together and feel more comfortable around them. She became a fixture at the ranch. She could cook creole food which, according to cowboy legend, would have the men crawling on their hands and knees, barking like a pack of dogs for a taste of her Filé (Fee-lay) Gumbo.

Maxine and Bobby became great friends and when she wasn’t busy with her main squeeze, Judge Potter, she was with her girlfriend, Ms. Essmee Fay, her boyfriend, Bobby, or her cowboy slave buddies. She found her family, her place in the sun, where she was wanted, needed, and appreciated. She was happy and would only return to Charlie’s ranch or the colonies when Judge Potter went and requested her presence. She always went with him every week to visit his cousin who would have treats for her as well as her cousin Clarence Joe. She would exchange pleasantries with Ms. Estelle, have her treat, thank the sweet lady, then curl up on her nice carpet and snooze until the judge was ready to return.

She would still make brief, weekly visits to see Cable, David, and Jonathan. They were always thrilled to see her, and if they weren’t busy would sit down to hear about what was going on in her world. Boss Potter would take her once every three months to visit and be checked out by Cable and his staff. They couldn’t believe how much she improved on her sixth month visit. She gained most of her weight back and was as full of life as ever, but they noted she now seemed to have a maturity about her she never had before. She carried herself with a new pride and dignity as she felt befitting the companion of a great man. Maxine was another matter Gil Morris reckoned was not to be talked about, but he came to love and appreciate her as much as anyone.

Once Bobby’s heart was repaired he began to grow like a weed after a downpour on a hot afternoon. Waco and Ox were frequent visitors to the Morris cottage and Gil opened his arms to Captain Waco and his slave. Ox would always offer Bobby more of his lummox milk and sing to him as the boy nursed at his big teats. There was no denying the beneficial effects it was having on his boy. Bobby was developing in ways Gil could only wonder about. He would find the boy walking in the meadows naked, wearing only his cowboy boots, petting and talking with the horses of the remuda. He would talk his favorite pony, Stardust, into letting him climb onto her back and ride for a while.

Stardust would do something Gil never saw another horse do before. Standing, she was too tall for Bobby to pull himself up onto her back without a saddle. She would drop to her knees on her front legs to lower herself so Bobby could pull himself onto her back; then, she would gently and smoothly get up being careful not to upset his balance. Gil never worried about Bobby when he was on Stardust. Bobby rarely used his saddle anymore. He could talk any horse into doing whatever he wanted. Gil would watch as he walked back to the house, the horses would follow behind him to see him safely home. It was like they accepted the boy as one of their own.

Gil missed his wife, but he saw so much of her in Bobby and felt she was with him in spirit through his boy. Gil’s job at the ranch was just what he needed to keep him from going into a depression tailspin. He didn’t have time to be depressed. He was busy from sunrise to sunset. There was always something that needed his attention. Shane was right about Bobby and him taking their meals at the big house. It gave Gil a sense of belonging and a greater sense of family. These men, as mysterious as they could be at times, quickly became his and Bobby’s family. Potter and Cole had to admit Shane chose well when he picked Gil Morris to become a part of their family and ranch management. It was only natural Shane and Bobby developed a close relationship. Bobby worshiped and idolized Shane. He loved his dad and respected him, but Shane became his role model. He wanted to be just like him. Gil didn’t see it as a threat. He came to think the world of Shane Goodnight.

As time went on Gil received a knock on his door one afternoon, and a fine looking young man he never met before was standing on his porch, but he knew the man from somewhere. “Good afternoon, Mr. Morris, I’m Basil Troubadour, and this is my companion, Mr. Brett Jones. Mr. Jones is the famous Holy Temple Guard you've probably seen on television from the National Cathedral.”

“But... ain’t chu’....?” Gil asked.

“One of the four men who came to Captain Shane when Bobby was ill? Yes, sir. That ‘ud be me,” Basil replied.

“Of course it was. Welcome, Gentlemen. Come in. You are welcome in my home anytime,” Gil Morris said.

“Thank you, Mr. Morris. We’re here at Captain Shane’s request to see Bobby,” Basil said.

Bobby was in his room playing on his computer and heard voices in the living room. Maxine was with him. She came running into the room ahead of him, took one look, and recognized her friends. “Basil! Mr. Jones! Oh, this is great! It's so nice to see you again,” she gushed. They made over her and called her by name. “Mr. Jones don’t get to visit from the Holy City very often, Mr. Morris,” she said.

“Bobby do you remember this gentleman?” Gil pointed to Basil and asked his son.

Bobby recognized him immediately, went to Basil and slowly put his arms around his waist, and hugged him. “Thank you, Mr. Basil for saving me. I’d know you anywhere,” Bobby said.

“It was my pleasure, Bobby. I’m glad to see you looking so much better, but it’s been almost six months now and we’d like to check you out to make sure your heart is still working properly. There are a lot of folks around here who love you and want to make sure we done a good job,” Basil said.

“Fine. What do I have to do?” Bobby agreed without first checking with his dad.

“Mr. Morris, my partner and I are evolving into another species of human. It would take a day or so to explain how it all came about, but we both have healing powers. Mr. Jones, Brett, has another property that is unusual. He can meld into another person and see the workings of their body without invasive surgery or harmful scans. Do we have your permission to check out Bobby’s heart?” Basil asked.

“I guess so. Sure, why not? I saw what you done for him. While I don’t pretend to understand the methods, I can’t fault your results. I don’t think a man what saved his life would be here to cause no harm to my boy,” Gil said.

“Certainly not, sir, but your reasoning is sound. Okay, Bobby, all you have to do is close your eyes and breathe naturally,” Basil told him.

Bobby closed his eyes and heard his dad gasp as Brett Jones vanished in front of him and his clothes fell into a heap on top of his cowboy boots. It was like he dissolved into thin air leaving only a trail of dust particles behind. They floated gently, but purposely toward his boy. Bobby continued to breathe naturally and Gil watched as the dust began to enter Bobby’s body through his nares.

“Incredible!” Morris exclaimed to Basil, “Is that him?” he asked.

“Yes, sir. I’m learning, but I ain’t as good as Brett,” Basil replied.

Soon Bobby heard in his head, << Can you hear me, Bobby? >> Brett Jones asked.

“Yes, sir, I can hear you jes’ fine,” Bobby replied.

<< I’m inside you, but your dad can’t hear me, just you, >> Brett Jones said.

<< I don’t need to talk out loud then. I can talk with you like I do with them ponies? >> Bobby projected to Brett Jones.

<< Either way is fine. You hear the ponies? >> Jones asked.

“I been talking with the ponies in ma’ head ever’ since I recovered. I can also talk with Captain Waco’s lummox slave, Ox. I ain’t told ma’ dad. I didn’t wanna’ worry him none. I think it has something to do with the lummox milk I been drink’n,” Bobby spoke out loud. He heard a laugh in his head.

<< Well, Son, he knows now. You jes’ spoke out loud, >> Bret said.

“Ooops!” said Bobby. He heard Basil and his dad laugh.

“My partner is communicating with him in his head, Mr. Morris,” Basil told Gil.

<< I’m entering your blood stream right now, Bobby. Woah, what a rush! You got good strong flow, Boy. Excellent! I’m just about to your heart. Weee, I’m through. Damn, that thing is snapping. It’s like a little mouse trap. You’re heart is strong and sound, Bobby. Ain’t a damn thing wrong with it. I’ll be withdrawing from your body now. You can open your eyes and watch me reform if you like, >> Brett invited him.

“Mr. Jones said my heart is in great shape, Dad. Said it snaps shut like a mouse trap. He said I can open my eyes and watch him reform. What did he mean by that? Where did he go?” Bobby looked around and saw Jones’ clothes in a pile. The boy watched as the particles left his nose and mouth with every breath he took. When Jones extracted himself completely he reformed in front of Bobby and his dad. Before them stood one of the finest looking humans either one ever saw. The man was handsome in Western clothes, but naked he was breathtakingly stunning. Everything about Jones’ body was perfect. He smiled, bowed to them and began to put on his clothes.

“Wow!” Gil Morris exclaimed in awe, “I seen me some strange things since we come to this ranch, but that was, by far, the strangest. If you’re evolving into a new species what do you call yourselves?” he asked.

“Homo Evanescent,” Basil replied with authority.

“Like the Steele’s kids, Adam and Eve?” Gil asked. He was told they were another race of people, but he never saw them dissolve.

“Very similar, sir. That’s how Mr. Jones, here, became contaminated with their DNA when Adam saved his life,” Basil explained.

“Will it happen to Bobby?” Gil asked.

“Naw, sir. Mr. Jones and I are relatives, meaning we’re biological cousins. We have genetic markers in our DNA which allow us to absorb or mimic others DNA sequences. It’s what makes us healers. We can mimic any persons DNA, repair them and restore their natural balance. Normal humans like you and Bobby don’t have the marker. Brett, unwittingly picked up Adam’s DNA sequence, and his body started replicating it. Within weeks he disappeared one day, and we had to get Adam and Eve to find him and teach him how to reform. Because of certain activities we won’t bore you with, I became infected by Brett. We are the only known carriers of the special marker. Our people are working with highly advanced computers to find out if this is an anomaly or if we were in the right place at the right time for this evolutionary change to take place. Captain Shane told us you would understand if we explained the concept to you. He said you were a learned man of science.”

"Amazing!" Gil said, " I like to think I am, but this is way beyond me. On the other hand, what you say makes a lot of sense. Working with bees, I’ve noticed certain jumps and leaps in some hive’s survival rate over another with nothing to account for it but stronger genetics. One day I’d love to take courses in advanced genetics. I’d like to help my little buddies find resistance factors to certain mites and viruses what plague them.”

“We have some scientists you would probably benefit from meeting, Mr. Morris. Men who could teach you what you want to know in far less time than you could learn at a university or research facility. We’ll speak with Captain Shane and his boss. I understand they just haven’t had the time to stop long enough to bring you and Bobby fully on board with the Grange. I think they plan to do so soon. You must have many questions.” Brett Jones said.

“Many,” Gil replied, “I’ve never asked anyone, because it weren’t my place, but why does everyone call Mr. Goodnight, ‘Captain?’ Is he part of some secret military?”

Brett and Basil smiled. “Naw, sir, there’s other kinds of ‘captains’ besides a military rank.”

“Like a captain of a ship or a captain of a team?" Gil asked.

“Yes, sir, but you’ll find out about that soon enough. It will all become clear to you.” Basil wasn't giving him anything. Morris didn’t push for more.

After Basil and Brett departed, Bobby went to his dad and crawled up into his lap, gave him a hug and a kiss on his cheek. “Guilty conscience, Boy?” Gil asked and grinned at him.

“Naw, sir. Jes’ wanted you to know how much I love and appreciate you. I thought I was doing the right thing, Dad,” Bobby replied.

“I know I been running my ass off since we been here, but you can come to me with anything, Son, and I won’t never turn away from you. I want you to know that,” Gil said.

“I do, Dad. I jes’ thought you might think I’s making it up to get attention,” Bobby replied.

“I watch you, Son. I seen what you can do with them ponies. The cowboys git a kick out of you running around without chore’ clothes. I think it’s kinda neat, too, but I know you do it for a reason,” Gil said as a statement of fact.

“Yes, sir, the ponies are less threatened by me. They's more comfortable with me when I don't wear no clothes. They accept me more as one of their own that way,” he explained.

“I watched you talk with Maxine without using words. I can tell when you and her are deep in conversation, ‘cause you laugh at the same time,” Gil said.

“Yes, sir, sometimes Maxine and I talk late at night when I can’t sleep. She sings to me from Boss Potter’s bed, and it always makes me sleepy. Sometimes I talk with Captain Waco’s slave, Ox, and he sings to me. I’m learning his songs. I can sing some of them, but I ain't sure what they mean yet. I will in time,” Bobby said, sure of himself.

“What have we stumbled into, Son? Does the strange going ons around here ever bother or frighten you?” Gil Morris asked his boy.

“Naw, sir, not a bit. Why would they, Dad? I trust them men completely. If Maxine knows ‘em and loves ‘em, they’s good enough for me. Beside, like you said, a man what saved your life ain’t too likely to do you harm,” he replied.

“I suppose you’re right, Son. All in all, for what we lost, we’ve had a good half year together, ain’t we?" he asked.

“It’s been the best six months of my life so far, Dad. I miss mom some’um fierce sometimes, but I’m happy here,” Bobby replied.

“I know you miss her. I miss her, too, but I’m happy here myself. Don’t you think she’d be happy for us?” Gil asked.

“Ain’t no doubt, Dad,” Bobby replied.

* * * * * * *
Shortly after the visit by Basil and Brett Jones, Bobby was naked one afternoon except for his boots, playing in meadow with the ponies near the old barn, when he saw Maxine running for the barn like she was on a mission and her tail was on fire. He knew Maxine didn’t see him, so he followed her. He hid to see what she was up to. He watched as she scratched a four by four post next to the rear stall in the back of the old barn and spoke her name. Suddenly, a strange, watery looking door sprang up and Maxine disappeared through it. Bobby didn’t even stop to think about what he was about to do. He just reacted. Like Alice down the rabbit hole, he ran for the gate and passed through just before it shut down. He found himself in a big room that smelled like a hospital and had equipment in it he knew doctors might use. Before him was Maxine jumping around, getting hugged, kissed, and petted by three beautiful, naked men; three of the most handsome, perfect men he ever saw. They were even more perfect than Officer Jones of the Holy Temple Guards. They stopped abruptly and looked at him. Maxine turned and saw him. A look of horror crossed her usually happy face. “Bobby! What are you doing here? How did you get here?” Maxine sounded surprised.

“I saw you run through a wall of water and disappear. I was worried about you and ran after you. Did I do something wrong?” he asked like he was worried.

“No, not at all, Son,” said the most perfect and handsome of the three naked men, “I’m sure Maxine didn’t know you followed her, but it was awfully brave of you to go through a strange gate you never saw before.” The man’s words made him feel a little better. Somehow he didn’t feel the least self-conscious being naked in front of these men.

“I’m sorry, Maxine, don’t be mad at me," he pleaded.

“Don’t be silly. I ain’t mad at you. Only a little surprised, but I love you for thinking I might be in trouble.” Maxine ran to him and gave him a big wet one.

“Where am I?” Bobby asked her.

“In sickbay on a wonderful ship, Bobby,” she replied, “These men are my friends and doctors. Mr. Cable, David, and Jonathan, meet my friend, Bobby.”

“Welcome aboard, Bobby. You must be Mr. Morris’ boy,” the largest man said.

“Yes, sir. This ain’t no ocean ship. This is a spaceship,” he said.

“Smart lad,” Cable said as he took Bobby’s hand and shook it.

“And you men ain’t like me,” he said.

“Right again, Bobby. We’re bio-mechanical men.”

Kyron alerted Captain Waco, and he came on the double to sickbay with his faithful ubiquitous lummox. “Captain Waco! Ox!” Bobby exclaimed, happy to see them.

“Hey, Bobby. Heard you found out about our little secret. Good for you, Son!” Waco hugged him and chuckled.

“Am I in trouble, sir?” Bobby asked.

“No! Not at all. It was time your daddy and you knew about the rest of what was going on with the Grange anyway. I notified yore’ big bother, Captain Shane, and he, Boss Potter, and Mr. Jenkins are on their way right now to talk with your dad. In the meantime, come with us, and we’ll show you around,” Waco invited him.

“I’d like that. Do I need clothes, Captain Waco?” Bobby asked.

“No, would you be more comfortable if I took mine off?” Waco offered.

“Naw, sir, that’s okay. I jes’ didn’t wanna’ offend nobody. On the ranch, ain’t nobody to see me but those what love me, and I can go all day without my clothes and play with the ponies,” Bobby said.

“Before you show our handsome young visitor around, Captain Waco. May we run a quick test on him?” Cable asked.

“If he’s a mind to. Bobby, these men are our ship’s medical team, and I think they’d like to take a picture of your heart. Will that be all right with you?” Waco asked.

“Sure, but Officer Jones said I was okay,” he replied.

“We know, Son, we just want a picture for our files in case we might need it for future reference,” Cable said.

“Okay,” Bobby replied.

Bobby did what Cable asked and lay still on the table. He made a quick scan and shook his head. “Them men do damn good work,” Bobby heard him say. “Thanks, Bobby, you can jump down now,” Cable told him.

Waco and Ox showed Bobby the huge ship and then took him to the bridge and introduced him to Kyron. He was thrilled to meet the evolved intelligence whose voice he heard several times. Kyron was pretty impressed with Bobby. As they returned to sickbay, Captain Shane accompanied by Mr. Jenkins, Boss Potter, and Bobby's dad came though the gate. Bobby ran to his dad. “Dad, dad! You won’t believe what I seen. Oh, Dad, it’s so wonderful. This is better’n all them sci-fi movies you and I watched. I hope you ain’t angry with me, Dad," Bobby said.

“Easy, Son. I ain’t angry with you. I have to say this is bringing all the pieces of the puzzle together. I never suspected anything like this, but I knew damn well these folks had some secrets we didn’t know about. I’m proud of you, Son, for trying to help your friend,” Gil Morris said.

It was that day Gil Morris and Bobby were brought into the Grange as full members. Gil and Bobby got the Long-shot. When asked if he wanted a new, full set of teeth, Gil asked if that was why Boss Potter and Cole’s teeth fell out and new one’s miraculously grew in? They assured him he was correct. They developed a perfect set of new teeth. “Can I take a rain check?” Gil asked Cable. Cable never heard the expression before. Waco explained.

“Sure you can. Anytime you want,” Cable assured him.

“You people are so advanced. No wonder you want to keep quiet about it," Gil said.

* * * * * * *
The end of their first year the ranch didn’t make a profit, but no one really expected it to. Even successful ranchers planned on little or no profit for the first three years of operation. It didn’t bother Gil Morris because he had more time to work with his bees and did a good business on the side by selling organic honey and royal jelly. He could’ve made more money, but a portion of his honey he donated to the cowboy slaves to make their lives a little sweeter. In return, he and Bobby had a steady supply of fresh vegetables. Shane and Cole were working their butts off with their farrier business. They were gone from the ranch sometime two to three days a week and would spend a couple of days a month taking care of Shane’s brothers’ horses. Those were usually short days because they kept them in good order and most of the time they only had four to six ponies who needed their attention. Shane ran their farrier business as a separate enterprise from the ranch, but Gil kept books for them and made appointments.

Shane’s deal was only with Angus, but he took care of Charlie’s horses, too, and would only bill him for materials. He figured since Charlie and Lazarus were so good to him he needed to give back something. He and Cole also took care of Waco’s giant Shire horses. Waco loved the big horses and slowly built up a family of twelve. At the end of his Uncle’s first year in business as a rancher and farrier, Waco gave Shane a pair; a colt and a filly. Not to mix bloodlines, Waco gave him one of Ranger’s colts and a filly he bought from a man in another county. One more of Judge Potter’s dreams came true.

On the anniversary of the death of Gil’s wife the men drove with him and Bobby to the cemetery with Mrs. Biddle and Gil's fromer slaves, Jack and Spence, to put flowers on her grave. Gil and Bobby hadn’t been back since the funeral, and they were pleased to see the headstone was set into place. They didn’t pray or say any words, but Gil and Bobby seemed to appreciate his extended family cared enough to come with them. Gil made a small speech in which he thanked Mrs. Biddle, Jack and Spence who faithfully stood by him and Bobby’s side during his wife’s illness and death, and to Boss Potter, Cole, and especially Captain Goodnight for saving his boy’s life and giving them a second chance. He said he and Bobby talked and decided to tell them they loved them. They also decided they were very happy at the ranch and looked forward to another year.

* * * * * * *
The old farrier truck was nickle-dimming them to death and was growing increasingly undependable. They were looking at replacing the engine and transmission. It was Gil and Jack Hamil’s opinion they would be throwing good money after bad. Jack worked miracles keeping the old truck running as long as he could. Shane certainly had the money to buy a brand new truck, but he was worried about a large display of personal wealth. Leave it to Hoot and Cotton to come through again. They heard of a plumber who was going out of business due to a bad divorce and had a one ton Ford truck he bought only three years before with a service bed they could adapt to a farrier truck. He was only asking four thousand cash and for the buyer to take over payments. He owed three thousand on it.

The men went to see it, Jack Hamil checked it out mechanically, and he and Gil encouraged Shane to buy it. Boss Potter agreed. Cole liked the truck. It was just too good a deal to pass up. The man threw in all his plumbing tools he had in the truck with the deal. Shane paid off the note, and they had a fine newer truck to work from. Everything worked including the air-conditioning. Shane decided if they were going to get a new truck, they may as well invest in some dependable new tools. Their old portable forge was on its last leg and Cole had to baby and pray over it to get it working. Shane invested another thousand in some new tools for them. They decided to returned the old truck with the old tools to Angus. Shane and Cole talked with Jack Hamil and Gil Morris. "Look, Gentlemen, in all good conscience I can't return that clunker to my brother in such bad shape. It would be like returning a dead horse. You men got any suggestions?" Shane asked.

"I can't promise you no miracles, Master Shane, but I know me some tricks what'll get it running so's it'll last maybe another six months to a year depending on how it's treated. You know we been babying old Beulah May along now for a year or better. You get me the parts what I'll need and I can do a partial rebuild on her and I know me some other tricks to keep the transmission working for about the same period of time."

"I don't knows they'll even use the old truck since we're gonna' still be taking care of their horses. My brother ain't got no farriers among his slaves no how. How much you guesstimate it might cost, Mr. Hamil?" Shane asked.

"Between three to five hun'nert," he said.

"How long would it take you?" Shane asked.

"After work or full time?" Jack asked.

"Full time with Spence as your gopher and helper," Shane replied.

"A week, two at the most depending..." Jack said.

"Let's do it. Mr. Morris you get him anything he needs and that includes any special tools," Shane said.

It took Jack and Spense a bit longer than Jack estimated only because they discovered the universal joint was shot and the rear gear box was almost gone. They replaced those parts as well, but when they finished it ran and sounded better than when Shane and Cole first drove it to the Potter ranch almost two years ago. Shane was pleased and happy with his men. Shane asked Gil to keep a running list of repairs and photocopies of all receipts for parts in a folder to give to Angus to show they didn't just run the truck into the ground and returned a wreck to him. They drove the truck back and Angus signed off on their Gentlemen’s agreement, but told Shane he still expected them to take care of his remuda for another year. They assured him they would.

Angus pushed Shane to sign another agreement, but he refused. “It’s about time you started trusting my word, Brother. I ain’t no lying, sneaky, conniving, untrustworthy slave. If'n I was, I wouldn't have gone to a lot of trouble and expense to refurbish that old truck we just returned to you. How or what shape I returned it to you was never discussed in our agreement. Besides, that's a long-standing lie about slaves anyway. My slaves are all good, honest, hardworking men who would never lie to me, and I trust ever' damn one of them men. Maybe you didn't hear him the day of my emancipation, but Judge Potter told me I's a free man, just like you, with all the rights and privileges of one. Me and ma’ pa's been working hard to become honest, respectable, reputable businessmen. We already done told you we’d live up to our end of the bargain, and by God, we will. I already done checked with the Judge and our original contract is still valid. That’s enough!” Shane said in a tone which firmly told Angus to back off and not to push him further. He didn’t. He never said another word about it, but later apologized to Shane.

Shane made damn sure he kept his word. Cole laughed. He’d come to know Shane so well, he knew when he saw his jaw tighten he was not to be fucked with. He had every bit as much of a stubborn streak as Angus, but Shane’s was tempered with the patience and compassion he learned as a slave. He would show his brother his word could be trusted, and he did. For the next sixteen months, he and Cole never missed their scheduled appointed time to be at Angus’ ranch. Besides, it was like a homecoming holiday for them every time they went. Most of the time, if they weren’t real busy at the ranch, they’d holler to Phil and Eli to jump in the crew cab to go with them. They would visit their buddies and spend the day prepping the horses to be shod.

Angus wanted to know if Shane was spending his ‘freedom fund’ too fast. Shane laughed and assured him, other than the check he wrote Angus for Cole, and one to Gil Morris for the Potter Ranch remuda, he hadn’t touched a penny, and he hadn’t. He told Angus he bought the new truck and tools from money he and Cole made from their farrier work for the first year. They expanded their service to the four adjoining counties and they did better than they expected. Shane never told Angus about his other financial windfalls and the two and a half million dollars he had stashed away on the Bluebonnet.

“I think you got the idea me and my slave live high on the hog, Brother. You couldn’t be more wrong. I bought ma’ pa a couple a pair of fine new boots, some new Western clothes, and I bought myself a couple of things to make myself look like a presentable rancher and businessman. Beyond that we live close to the bone.” Shane grinned. Angus picked up on Shane referring to Cole as his pa, grinned to himself but let it pass.

* * * * * * *
Bill Birdsall insisted he didn’t try to commit suicide. He said he was drinking, got confused, would wake up from the sugar in his system from excessive alcohol intake, and took more pills to make him go back to sleep. He did it several times and just didn’t realize how many he took. No one believed him. It was his word against the prosecutors, but he had enough men from the Grange stand up for him. Angus swore he was a good man, and it was his and the members of the Grange’s opinion he would never do anything like that. He barely got out of becoming an indentured slave for five years. Birdsall returned to the ranch and tried to resume his duties, but none of the cowboy slaves had much respect or faith in him anymore. They did what he told them, but he knew they didn’t care to be working for him.

He would stay in his house or plan to be gone on the day when Cole and Shane paid their monthly visit to the ranch. He would be miserable to get along with for the rest of the week. He lost his temper several times and took his rage out on one cowboy slave or another. He deliberately hurt one of the baby slaves for no good reason. He almost beat him to death with his belt. Angus talked with Bill until he was beginning to lose faith in the man himself. Unknown to Angus, Birdsall put in an application to a small state run Ag college in Brownsville to teach slave care techniques and ranch management. He accepted the job, dissolved his partnership with Angus, took a big loss, and left to join the world of academia again. The next time Shane and Cole came to work on his remuda, Angus sat them down to tell them Birdsall dissolved their partnership and left to teach.

“I don’t suppose you men would be interested in the job?” Angus asked with a wry grin.

Shane looked at Cole and almost fell out of his chair onto the floor. Cole had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing. “You know we got family, Brother. We's solidly entrenched where we's at. Ain't no way we could jes' up and walk away from what we got. We wouldn’t even think of leaving them good folks, but it was awful damn nice of you to think on us.” Shane managed to get out with a straight face.

“Yeah, well, I just hope you men make it on yore' own,” Angus added as a kicker like he had doubts about their abilities. Cole saw Shane’s jaw set. It was not a good sign. Shane wasn’t going to take it until he felt Cole’s hand on his arm. He understood his pa’s tacit message: ‘Don’t go for his throat, Son. You know how I hate the sight of blood.’

“We ain’t worried, Brother,” Shane responded in a relaxed tone, “We got family, and we got each other. We’re growing ever’ damn day. It's slow and steady, but we'll get there. We got all the farrier work we can handle, but most of all we’re happy. We ain’t where you are yet, but when we go to bed at night and lay our head’s down, we can sleep peacefully. I just wish the same for you,” Shane said in a slightly condescending manner. That said it all, and he felt his pa gently pat his arm in approval.

“Nice new set of choppers you got there, Cole,” Angus said referring to Cole’s perfect set of new teeth. “You shore’ are looking a lot younger these days. What’s yore’ secret, Son?” Angus asked and grinned real big.

“Oil of Olay,” drawled the big cowboy. Shane couldn’t hold it anymore and burst out laughing. Angus wasn’t expecting such a quick comeback from the usually stoic cowboy and bellowed with laughter. Cole nailed him to the barn-door.

“Ah, fuck!” he exclaimed, “I knew you two would make it, and by God I’m proud of you, but if you hear of anyone who might be interested in the job, send him to me,” Angus said.

“We will, Brother. That’s all you had to ask in the first place,” Shane said and laughed again. Angus just grinned.

Shane laughed all the way back to the Potter ranch. He would look at Cole and break up. “Oil of Olay?” he asked. He started Cole laughing until he had to pull the truck over to the side of the road, and they held each other until they got it out of their system.

“God, I love you, Pa,” Shane told him.

“No more’n I love you, Boy,” Cole assured him. They stole a quick kiss and continued on their way.

* * * * * * *
Angus felt out Charlie about Blake Tindell becoming his foreman. Charlie told him while Blake was living and working out of a small place on Hoot and Cotton’s ranch, he was being salaried by Lazarus. He was still the boss-man for the Stamper boys, and they were working sometimes two and three projects at a time. They even took on more slave apprentices to work with them. Blake was running three crews, and they were planning a fourth. Charlie said he even had to wait six months to get Blake and the boys to start work on his new bunkhouses. He didn’t think Angus could offer him near as much as Lazarus. Charlie indicated he paid Blake handsomely. “Besides, the Admiral and me, we’s still slowly weaning him away from slavery,” Charlie said.

“Yeah, I’ll bet. You weenie him on one end while yore’ ramrod weenies him on the other,” Angus said and laughed, “‘Sides, he’s been a freeman for damn near three years now. If’n he ain’t learned to be a freeman by now he should seriously consider giving his ass to some good master for life. What you’re doing is agin’ the law, Little Brother,” Angus accused him.

“I know, but what a’ you gonna’ do when a handsome young cowpoke comes to your door with his hat in his hand with a needy look in his eyes, drops to his knees, cries and begs for your help? Is compassion against the law? Charity begins at home, Brother. Jesus said to clothe the naked and feed the hungry. Believe thee me, between me and ma’ ramrod, Blake Tindell never walks away hungry or naked for that matter.” Charlie laughed. Angus knew when he was licked. He gave up on the idea of Blake Tindell.

* * * * * * *
Shane, Cole, and Boss Potter developed close friendships with Hoot and Cotton. Potter saw them as uniquely gifted entrepreneurs of the new Theocratic America and the newly formed republic of Jesusland. (Formerly the lone star state of Texas) They knew how to wheel and deal but stay just above the law. He found them fascinating and so did Gil Morris. He enjoyed the men’s company. They began to socialize quite a bit between ranches, and it was never a dull evening when the men got together. Hoot and Cotton were addicted to Ms. Biddle’s creole cooking. They shamelessly brought her little gifts and trinkets to show their appreciation for her talents. Essmee Fay learned what the men most liked and what they shied away from. She set her menus according to the day. Friday was always Creole day and no one missed it.

Hoot and Cotton were sitting at the table laughing with the men at a story Boss Potter was telling about Bobby bringing a crawdad up to the house to ask Ms. Biddle what it was. He said she took one look and damn near went crazy wanting to know where he got it and was there any more? “She talked me into promising Bobby a quarter for every crayfish he could catch for her. Damned if he didn’t go down there to that creek and spend all afternoon catching them things and brung back two big buckets full a’ them bugs. He had to put ‘em in his wagon and haul ‘em up to the house. There was over a couple hundred in them two buckets.” Potter laughed, then continued, “But like any good businessman, Bobby gave me a break and only charged me forty bucks for the lot of ‘em.” Potter was having a good time. “So enjoy your supper, Gentlemen. Tonight you’re having Crayfish Etouffee.”

The men cheered and complimented Bobby. Ms. Biddle’s Etouffee was the stuff of culinary dreams. Every man at the table had tears in his eyes. It was so damn hot with spices they had to chase each bite with a liquid, but there was no denying the flavor and texture was like indulging in a sinful activity and getting away with it. They loved it. They gave Ms. Essmee Fay a standing ovation. Ms. Biddle was a happy camper. Much like her little sister, as she had come to think of Maxine, she too, found a home where she had a purpose and her talents were appreciated.

Over coffee the men sat and talked ranching. Bobby went off to be with Ms. Biddle and Maxine. The subject came up of Angus looking for a foreman. Hoot and Cotton heard Birdsall left, but just assumed Angus hired someone immediately. “He asked if me and pa would be interested in the job,” Shane said, and laughed shaking his head. “I was polite with him, ‘cause I knew if’n I weren’t, ma’ pa would gimme’ a good lick’n when we got home.” Shane broke everybody up. “I hear tell he approached ma’ brother Charlie about Blake Tindell but didn’t git very far,” he added.

“Naw, Blake’s too wrapped up in Ramrod Long and Master Charlie. Besides, he and Bryce Cannon are as happy together as two ticks on a hound dog. Blake’s a loyal cuss. He goes out of his way for us, and we’d do anything for him,” Cotton said, “He looks on them Stamper boys as his own family. You gotta’ admire him though, he’s practically raised them three younger boys single handed. They’s at the top of their class in school ever’ damn semester and they's fine athletes,” Cotton finished, but Hoot continued, “We got us a man what’s coming up for manumission in a month. He was sentenced fifteen to twenty and was up for manumission with probation five years ago. He fell in love with the oldest Stamper boy, and the good Judge, here, granted his request to remain our slave for the rest of his sentence.”

“Damn, has it been that long? Twenty years? It seems like only yesterday he was standing in my court,” Boss Potter said.

“Yes, sir, come next month, Jimmy Joe Russell will be a freeman,” Hoot said.

“He’s one Hell of a cowboy,” Cole said. For Cole to say that about a man was rare.

“We been working with him, trying to motivate him to git excited about becoming a freeman," Cotton said, "As slave owners we understand it’s hard for a master to let go of a good slave, but Hoot and me have been slaves and we know what it’s like for a cowboy slave to get lulled into a sense of complacency. If we didn't have a good master we would’ve never made it on the outside. If nothing else, we’re gonna’ try to keep him on as a paid employee. Ramrod Long’s already done told us he’ll underwrite anything we wanna’ do for him to see he makes it. Trouble is, him and Burt Stamper are joined at the hip. Jimmy Joe is hung like a Shetland pony and jes’ loves to give old Burt rides on his horsey. For a slave what was so adamant he weren’t never gonna’ git fucked as a baby slave, Burt can’t seem to get enough of old Jimmy Joe's pony rides. Since he’s a short timer we have Jimmy Joe run a lot of errands for us in our old truck. Hell, Jimmy Joe will find some excuse to drive by the job site at lunchtime where ‘em boys is working, and Burt won’t git no lunch. He follows Jimmy Joe like a puppy dog on a leash and they go off to a storage shed so’s Jimmy Joe can fuck him or have Burt suck him off.” Everyone laughed. Shane looked at Cole and winked. They had their share of afternoon delights in the hayloft.

“Burt’s awful damn jealous of his partner and git’s madder’n a old wet hen if’n another cowboy even looks at Jimmy Joe, and a lot of ‘em do. Ain’t no doubt about it, he’s a fine looking mature buckaroo. He's every young slave's image of a slave-daddy,” Cotton said.

“We’re worried Jimmy Joe may ask the judge to make him our permanent slave, and while that would be jes’ fine with Cotton’n me, we don’t want that for him," Hoot said, "Cotton and me, we got us a little different attitude about our slaves. We sort of look on ‘em as our kids. If we got one like Jimmy Joe who’s a damn good cowboy, worked hard for us, what’s made it, and about to ‘graduate’ from slavery, we wanna’ do ever’ damn thing in our power to see he makes it. ‘At’s what Master Charlie done for us, but he didn’t have to. If’n it weren’t for him, we’d still be slaves. We wanna’ give any slave his chance to make it if he can,” Hoot said firmly.

“Good for you men,” Judge Potter said and was seconded by Gil Morris.

“Wish there were more men like you and the Goodnights in the world,” Gil added.

“I can take care of the Judge’s decision,” Potter said, “Anderson will listen to me and tell Jimmy Joe he ain’t gonna’ let him become a lifetime slave until he makes a try as a freeman. After a year or so, if he feels he can’t make it, that would be the time to reconsider. A lot of judges are doing that these days.”

“Jimmy Joe would make a Hell of a ramrod for Master Angus,” Cole said quietly. Hoot and Cotton agreed.

“I gotta’ agree with ma’ pa on that one,” Shane said, “Have you talked with Ramrod Long? Maybe he would allow Burt his manumission to go with Jimmy Joe and get started in the world working for my brother? Or maybe he’d allow Burt to live on the ranch with Jimmy Joe and commute through the gates? Better yet, maybe he’d give Burt to Jimmy Joe as a manumission present under the condition Burt still works for Blake. I learned it’s a big responsibility to own a slave, but once you do, you wanna’ make damn sure you stay on the straight and narrow, treat him right, see to his needs so's you deserve to keep him. I ain't make'n no comparisons, but any cowboy worth his salt would do the same for his pony,” Shane said.

“Amen to that, Brother,” Hoot agreed. Cole just smiled at his young master.

Hoot and Cotton did talk with Lazarus, but he was firm he wanted Burt to remain a slave for right now. He didn’t think it would be a good idea to give Burt to Jimmy Joe as his slave. He explained it would be different if it was like Shane and Cole where they were starting a business together and the slave was an important part of the equation. He didn’t mind the idea of Burt living on Angus’ ranch with Jimmy Joe and commuting through the gates if Angus would go along with it. He said he would approve the plan, but he wouldn’t tolerate Burt being late or not showing up for work. “It would sort of be like Jimmy Joe having a wife who was home every evening, but went off to work every day,” Lazarus said. He didn’t mean to be funny, but Hoot and Cotton laughed at his analogy.

Shane told Cole he didn’t think his brother would go along with the idea, but Cole thought different. “How long has Angus been without a ramrod?” he asked but didn’t wait for an answer, “‘Bout nine months. Right about now, I’ll bet that old man would sign on a dance’n bear if’n he wore a cowboy hat and could ride a damn horse,” Cole allowed and the men shared a laugh.

* * * * * * *
Clarence Potter’s dreams came true, but he continued to have more of them. There seemed to be an explosion of prophetic dreams and signs coming from all sorts of people and critters. Maxine had several she described in detail which were quite unusual but contained a certain ring of truth. After Gil Morris and Bobby met the Coyote Cowboys, Gil was able to associate the mysterious words Shane told the men who saved Bobby’s life. These were the ‘coyotes’ he was referring to, not an animal. Bobby enjoyed the coyotes, and while they were crazy about him, he never seemed to have much interest in running with them. He had his own vision of the world and the Grange with all the wonderful advantages it had to offer. He was three years older than the coyotes and when you’re that young it makes a difference in interests and communication. With the extra fortification from the lummox milk, Bobby’s scope of the world tended to be just a bit more mature and little ahead of theirs. He continued to grow and study the natural world around him.

Shane and Cole grew closer as the months and years passed. They rarely had a disagreement. Cole transformed and regenerated until he looked a good solid, mature thirty-six to thirty-eight years. His teeth were perfect, and he was no longer afraid to smile. Potter leveled out to look about forty-five to fifty; just about the age Shane said he would achieve. The ranch continued to slowly grow into a larger operation. The second year they actually made a goodly profit. It wasn’t great and no one could retire on it, but it make them proud and happy. It put a few more coins in Gil Morris’ pockets. The third year they made a substantial profit. From then on, Potter’s dream came true; everything they touched made money.

* * * * * * *
Cole was right, Angus gave Jimmy Joe Russell a chance, but Jimmy Joe wasn’t a dancing bear. He was a damn fine cowboy and knew how a ranch was suppose to be run. Angus had some trepidation about having Burt live with him, but it worked out better than he imagined. Jimmy Joe took to the ranch like a duck to water, and he made Angus money the first year he worked for him. Angus wasn’t a miserly man or stingy when it came to his employees. He rewarded Jimmy Joe handsomely. The only problem was Burt had to get used to Jimmy Joe as foreman/ramrod being the dominant, alpha-male cowboy and fucking or having every slave suck him off.
Jimmy Joe was much like Cole. He was quiet and stoic. He didn’t talk a lot about business. He was cool and never discussed his work with Burt, but continued to reassure his love for him by fucking him regularly and feeding him all the good hot, rich, thick, ropey cowboy cream Burt could suck out of him or ingest in his lower anal tract. Angus’ cowboy slaves allowed if Burt didn’t get pregnant, it wasn’t from lack of trying. They gave their ramrod Jimmy Joe the cognomen ‘Master Dr. Pepper,’ because on their days off, he fucked Burt regularly at ten, two, and four every day.

End of Chapter 58 ~ Waco’s Lummox
Copyright ~ © ~ 2006 ~ 2017 ~ Waddie Greywolf ~ All Rights Reserved
Mail to: Waddie Greywolf <waddiebear@yahoo.com>
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05/31/2009
01/27/2017