Re: Chapter 3: The No Buffalo Outfit
Travis unfolds the letter as he walks toward the telgraph office.
That was awful kind of Chance to copy this and forward it to me.
He reads it again...
To: Osterfeld Homestead, Marshfield, Missouri
Chance, Jeb
It has been a long time, hasn't it?! Boy do I have an offer for you and the fellers! I'm hopin', you know how to reach Jeb, Silas, Meri, Art and Travis? I bet all of 'em could use some time on the range. The whole lot were an awfully soft bunch! If you have trouble locating Travis, I seem to recollect him saying something about the telegraph and the San Francisco office, just before he left Marshfield? Silas just up and disappeared one day, so I don't rightly know how to find him.
I'm down here in San Antonio running cattle with some good men. We call ourselves the No Buffalo Outfit. The trail boss told me that he is looking for some ol' boys to hire on for the next cattle next run to Abilene. Pay is 'bout $75. Maybe more, depending... When I heard that, I thought who better than my old trail 'pards? Y'all gotta be here by mid-June, though! So, get your asses movin' and come on down! Hell, it has been a LONG while. I think it's 'bout time we all hit the trail, again! I just hope you broke-ass cowboys have horses, this time! Me, Buck and Bart got damn tired of walking everywhere with you sorry excuses for cowboys! Ha!
If you're interested, come on down and ask for me or Randy Oldman. Randy is in the Outfit and is a good man on the trail. You can't miss 'im, he's a biggun'.
Cole
No Buffalo Outfit
San Antonio
Travis steps into the office and sends the following.
WESTERN UNION SAN ANTONIO STATION
TO: MR C TRAYNE, NBO
I ACCEPT OFFER <STOP>
WILL ARRIVE 2ND WEEK IN JUNE <STOP>
EMBRACED SOBRIETY? <STOP>
GIVEN UP GAMBLING? <STOP>
CONSIDERING MARRAIGE? <STOP>
T SUNDAY <END OF MESSAGE>
He pays the man and exits the office.
To no one in particular he says. Next stop San Antonio.
He climbs up on a beautiful paint, nudges its flanks and rides hard out of town.