Soon enough, the other cowboys follow Randy Oldman's lead, getting as much shut-eye as they can. The second night herd is woken by Rojas; they take to the saddle and relieve the first four.

The beeves remain quiet during the chilly night. When the sun rises and the men rub the sand from their eyes, they can see just how far the herd has spread north and east among the hills. After a quick breakfast the men begin to round up the herd and move north.

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OOC: It seemed as if most of the conversation had run its course. The Judge is pausing here to allow for any further conversation or preparation before the day's travel toward Abilene.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #32):

So JEB what did the Major have to say?

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #33):

"Nothing .... and everything."

Having settled Caliber and leaving Silas to his conversation with Edwin Art finds a place not too far away to get some rest.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg #34):

"I don't mean to eavesdrop, fellers, but I always seen the Major's plan is the right one.  I tells you what I gots on my mind -- my money.  Ain't no way of getting paid if we don't get them beeves to the pens.  I figgurs the less we jaw and the more we drive is how we gets our money."  Randy swigs some water from a tin cup.  "I don't knows if we is gonna get our bonus money 'cause we ain't done much before we found the herd."

Randy holds up one of his hands in a pugilist's pose.  "Besides, I wants to get into a good bout in Abilene, if there's time."

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg #34):

Thank you for clearing things up.  I'm sure you'll let me know who to shoot when the time comes.  .

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg #34):

Cole chuckles at JEB's comment.

Sounds like you might have taken a lesson or two, about speakin' your mind, from the Major, yourself.

Cole then motions toward the horses.

JEB, while looking over the horses last night, I saw that Diablo is looking a bit beat up. He's a fine horse, and I reckon he'll still ride. But I'd be surprised if you don't notice that he's not all there, if'n you find you need to push him.

Just sayin'

When Ayasha wakes up, men are talking. Her night has been shortened by the night herd duty, and she has a hard time getting up. There is quite some yawning, stretching and eye-rubbing before she lifts her head from under her blanket and blinks into the new morning. Wrapping the blanket around herself, she finally stands.

She listens to Cole's last words, then she says: "Lemmeta'aloo"

Shaking her head, she takes a sip of water, clears her throat and tries again: "Let me take a look."

She then walks over to the horse named Diablo and inspects the animal.

OOC: Ayasha rolled 25 using 1d20+8. Handle Animal Diablo.

"Let's round 'em up and move 'em out," orders the Major, speaking to anyone who hasn't already set out to herd the beeves. He himself mounts Virginia and gets to work.

The members of the No Buffalo Outfit choose their mounts on the crisp September morning.

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OOC: Please indicate today's mount. If choosing a horse other than owned by the PC, and the player doesn't know a name to choose, the Judge will assign. First-come, first-served. The Judge will note that most of the PCs gave instructions to the Judge about horse rotation early in the adventure. A typical rotation was riding one's own mount 2 out of 3 days, which means a rotation is in order for most; however, each PC is free to choose as he sees fit, as always.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #40):

Travis saddles up Horse.  He looks forward to the day with great indifference.  Too many private conversations.  Too many words unspoken.  Travis never minded dying but dying ignorant doesn't seem to sit well with him.  This is not much different than the great war, though. His feelings on the matter don't distract him from the task at hand, which he tries to execute to the best of his abilities.

Ayasha has to agree with Cole, the horse named Diablo is tired, nothing worse. "I agree with Cole, this horse could use a day's rest.", she says.

Having made that point she looks to see if Amitola is available. If that is the case, she will happily mount the steed she trained herself.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #40):

JEB keeps Cortez and gets to work.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:13, Sun 10 Apr 2011.

After choking down the dry sourdough biscuit, and the sarcastic words of Travis, he sets off to find his Fanny.  Since he's given a good bit of rest for his horse, there shouldn't be any ill-effects from the travel.

"Boss, you wants me back on the remuda or tend the herd?  I don't cares which, just needs my riding orders."  Randy snorts a small laugh.  "I is betting Edwin could use a break."

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #40):

Coffee and grub, whatever it may be start Art's day. He saddles up Caliber with as much TLC as possible

In reply to Ayasha (msg #42):

Cole glances at Ayasha and inclines his head, clearly appreciative of her skill with animals.

He then leaves to find Buck, saddle up and get ready to go.

Jack! Let's go.

"Same as yesterday, Randy. Keep the beeves from strayin' west."

The Major turns to Ayasha.

"You are with me," he adds, riding past the Cheyenne as she mounts the horse she calls Amitola.

The cowboys resume their positions and before long the herd is forming into one long column. Just like the day before, a group of beeves gets a notion to split off from time to time; the fellers on the west flank find themselves--and their horses--working hard to keep them in line.

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OOC: HA check, please. Ayasha may ride to help if she desires.

In reply to Major Gray (msg #47):

Travis just can't get things together.  Nothing he tries seems to work.  The Beeve's just won't cooperate today.

Great now the Beeve's want to get me killed. 

Travis Sunday rolled 3 using 1d20+2. Handle Animal.

"Of course! I love another day of the silent treatment.", Ayasha mumbles as she follows the Major, silent enough so that the Major won't hear it but some of the cowboys in her vicinity can.

While she is riding behind the Major, she wonders if anyone has given some thought about what might happen when they reach the white man's town. She is just about to ask the Major, when she notices Travis being in trouble. She just yells to the Major: "Travis is in trouble", then she speeds off to help.

The Major would have ignored her question anyways.

OOC: Ayasha rolled 14 using 1d20+8. Handle Animal.
Ayasha rolled 4 using 1d6. AP for Handle Animal.

Show time. Should be an interesting day.

In reply to Major Gray (msg #47):

Nothing spectacular, but should get the job done.

Today: James E. Beauregard rolled 14. Handle Animal.

As he sees cowpokes from all directions trying to wrangle the renegade longhorns, Randy decides to stay on position.  He assesses that the cowboys in front and behind him are rushing to manage the breakaways -- he needs to keep other animals from drifting westward.

Art tries to work the herd in the proximity of Travis and JEB. He’s distracted by looking for Fielder’s men or other which may partially explain his troubles.

20:40, Today: Artemus Carson rolled 9 using 1d20+2. Handle Animal.

23:01, Today: Randy Oldman rolled 20 using 1d20+2. Handle Animal.

Randy feels smug that his herding skills seem to be improving.

Herding the beeves into their traveling line takes patience and skill on any morning; doubly so when the beeeves are spread as wide as they are today. Not to mention that the trail boss has put limits on their westward movement. The first hour involves getting the beeves back to the trail and following General Washington, without crossing the trail farther than a man can throw a rock.

Seeing the ornery mood of the longhorns, the Major sends Ayasha to help on the west side. Cole forms the front of line with ease, with the assistance of JEB and Quirley, while Randy handles the center of the line. Travis Sunday, dealing with a small group that splits to the northwest, appears to need help, as does Art when the herd threatens to split around low but wide hill. Fortunately, Randy and Ayasha are near and they provide support to their pards, pushing all the beeves onto the trail.

Before noon, the beeves have fallen into line and so have the cowboys. Like most of these nearly ninety days on the trail, the plodding column of more than a thousand longhorns pounds the earth, inexorably making its way to Abilene, Kansas. The men who comprised the advance party recognize these hills. This is the section where the terrain started to flatten out. Hills are spaced further apart and the tall grass carpets the land.

Around noon, a half-mile in front of the herd, a small group of riders appears atop one of the hills. Everyone can see them, although no one can make out detail from this distance, at least not without additional effort. The Major and Ayasha have rejoined General Washington at the point.

Without a word, the Major continues his ride north alongside General Washington.