Albert fidgeted with his hat as he stood before his father wondering if he was in trouble. He was sure if he was, it was his little brother, Howard who put him there, dad-gum him anyhow.

He tried to remember an incident recently that would have made his Pa call him on the carpet. He looked up to see his father studying him with a grave expression. I’m in for it he decided. Pa’s blue eyes held him and the sinking feeling in his stomach was powerful.

“Al.”

“Yes sir” he stood straight, shoulders back and looked him straight in the eye. His father smiled,”Relax boy.” Albert could feel the sweat pop out on his brow and his nose itched. He blinked and licked his lips.

Pa leaned against the polished desk and reached for his pipe. He took his time firing it up and puffing to get it going good. All the while Al was dying a little bit inside thinking of the punishment coming. He never wanted to disappoint this man standing before him. To Albert he was nine foot tall. He wanted to be just like him someday.

“I have a job for you to do Albert.” He let the words sink in.”It’s a man’s job.” His father studied the look of relief on Albert’s face and hid his smile by raising the pipe to his mouth. ”You’re twelve years old, a young man now, you have been on the herd drives many times so you know how it’s done. We have fifty head ready for market. I want you to take them in to the holding pens.” Standing he walked behind his desk and pulled a packet from the desk drawer handing it to the stunned boy.

”It’s a big responsibility but I know you can handle it. You will leave at first light; you should get there around dark, the stock’s ready to go. You can take Ole Cap with you. He knows the ropes and will do a good job.”

“Ole Cap? That old flea-bitten mutt? Just the two of us?” He protested jamming his hat on his head then yanked it off remembering where he was.

“You think you’re not the man for the job?” his father questioned. Albert caught that word ‘man’. He blinked and swallowed hard, did his Pa think of him as a man now? Yesterday he was a kid getting in every-ones hair and today he’s a MAN. Pa just said so. Standing tall and hooking his thumb in his pocket he answered with confidence,

“Yes Sir, I am the right Man for the job.”

“Fine, that’s settled. Stay at the hotel and have yourself a good meal. Be sure and bring some hard candy for Howard and your Mother. She will give you a list to pick up at the mercantile. There’s money in that packet to pay for your purchases.” On a more serious note he added,”Do a head count along with Mr. Paxton, he will give you a receipt, bring it to me.”

“Yes Sir Pa. You can count on me.” Turning he swaggered out of the room and into the yard. Once there thinking about the chore ahead his shoulders drooped. He kicked at the dirt with his scuffed up boot. Could he do it? He wasn’t so keen on being a man yet, when would he have time to do the things he liked to do?

Making his way down the hill to the creek he studied on going for a swim but it was near suppertime, picking up a handful of pebbles he skimmed them over the water watching them bounce half way across the creek.

”Can’t nobody beat me skimming rocks, less’en its my brother, Ben.”

Feeling a presence beside him he turned to see Ole Cap plop down in the shade of the cottonwood. He looked downhearted. “I suppose Pa told you about the drive tomorrow. Just you and me.” he sat down beside the dog and leaned back thinking Cap wasn’t too excited about going either.

He heard the dinner bell ring but his stomach felt really bad. Maybe he would get sick and couldn’t go... He didn’t think Pa would fall for that, maybe he could break a leg or arm? Naw... that would be too painful, maybe the Indians could kidnap him and...”The bell sounded again, “better get up there or Ma will have me by the ear.”

His feet were heavy as he made his way to the house and washed up for supper. His appetite was gone. His Mother watched him from across the table. When she asked if he was feeling ill Pa cleared his throat and shook his head. It was no use, he had to go. He spent half the night figuring out how he could postpone the drive but when he heard the rooster crow before the sky in the east lightened he was up and dressed.

Joining the hands at the cook-shack he grabbed a biscuit smothered in jelly and put a couple more in his pocket for later. Cook handed him a bag with beef jerky and two more biscuits as he went out the door. The men had welcomed him as one of them and slapped him on the back as he headed for the corral to saddle up Blue-Boy. They knew it was his first trip out alone.

His big brother Ben met him at the corral and placed a rifle in the fringed scabbard on the saddle and checked out his gear as Albert put on his chaps. Albert eyed the rife and looked at Ben,

“A Gun?”

“You never know when you might need one little brother. Better to be prepared on the trail. You got water in the canteen?” He worried, “And your money?”

“I’m not a baby Ben.” But he was glad Ben was there. Next to his Pa, Ben was the best. Pulling his hat down tight on his head he mounted his horse. Ben pulled open the gate and drove the cattle out of the pen. Ole Cap immediately started working the herd, running back and forth keeping the mossy-horned cows bunched.

Albert looked up to see his Pa standing by the fence watching him. He nodded as Albert passed. Scared as he was Albert made no show of it as he rode by waving his rope and herding his charges down the trail to the railway.

A ways down the trail he suddenly felt exhilarated and let out a yell that made the slow moving cows start and roll their eyes. ”Ghee—Haw!” Blue-boy bolted forward, Albert reined back on him and rubbing his neck, spoke softly to settle him down, no more of that kid stuff. The sun came up hot. Before long Albert shed his coat slinging it across the saddle horn. It was slow going; he just hoped they would get there before dark.

He moseyed slowly back and forth pushing the herd forward. He had to admit Cap did most of the work. Remembering the bag with the biscuits and jerky he decided to get down and stretch his legs while he ate a bite.

Swinging off the saddle he opened the sack and shared some with ole Cap. As he sat there in the shade he eyed the rifle. Ben had taught him how to shoot and take care of a rifle but he had never had one of his own. Putting the last bite of meat in his mouth he got up and walked to it. Taking it out of the holster he hefted it, checking its weight, then held it to his shoulder and aimed around the perimeter of the clearing. It fit just perfect, just the right size for him.

The cattle were grazing peacefully on the tall grass. Cap was laying in the shade of the mesquites watching him. As he lowered the rifle his finger closed on the trigger firing into the herd. Albert stood stock still watching as one of the big heifers sank to the ground and the others took off in a dead run Cap racing after them.

Albert couldn’t believe what he had done. Grabbing the reins to Blue-Boy he shoved the gun into the scabbard and jumped astride him rushing to help Cap bring the herd under control. They were scattered everywhere. How was he ever going to get them bunched up or even find all of them in the brush? He would never get them to the rail head in time. And what about the one he killed? How could he ever face his Pa? They searched the mesquites, but try as they would he could only find thirty-nine of them, forty counting the one he shot. He was shy ten. Wondering what he should do, take what he found on into town or keep looking, he looked to Ole Cap,

“What do you think we oughta do Cap?” Cap cocked his head to one side, tongue hanging out, and barked. Albert watched the dog turn toward the herd, “Okay, lets head ‘em out.” Giving Blue-boy a kick they started down the trail. They had lost a couple of hours he was sure. The sun was leaning to the west. Checking it out he noted dark clouds had built up in the north and the wind had picked up stirring the powdery dust from the trail into stinging gusts that peppered his face and arms. Donning his jacket and tying his neckerchief across his face helped but the dirt still got in his eyes.

The storm was moving in fast. He started looking for a place to hold the cattle and provide some shelter from the wind. There was no way he could hold them if lightening struck nearby. Knowing there was a creek bed off to his right he turned the herd in that direction down the embankment and out of the biting wind. The creek curved at this spot and the cattle bunched together.

Albert dismounted and got as close to the steep embankment as he could with the big blow whipping up debri around him. Big drops of rain began to fall. Al pulled his broad brimmed hat down tight on his head and hunkered down to wait out the storm, Blue-Boy on one side and Cap on the other. The rain came in sheets.

He could hear the herd but  couldn’t see them.  But when the lightening flashed and crashed around him he saw the other side of the creek was running water. “That’s not good.” He said aloud. He put his arm around Ole Cap. He had never seen water in this creek. Cap suddenly stood up uneasy and whined.

A bolt of lightening lit up the sky and what it revealed to Albert was scary, the creek was running swift and rising fast. They had to get out. They were on the high side and to get out they would have to go into the water and find a place to climb out. The herd had started milling around fighting to stay out of the swift moving current that swept around the curve of the creek. What Albert thought was a perfect pen for them was fast becoming a trap. He had to get them out.

One look at the swirling water and he knew it was too late. He would be lucky to get out himself with Blue-Boy and Cap. He would have to depend on his horse to swim and find a place to climb over the ridge. Heart pounding he got in the saddle. Turning to Cap he yelled, “Come on boy, ya gotta swim for your life.”

And he plunged into the foaming water Cap following. The reins were of no use now he thought as he wrapped his arms around the horse’s neck and held on tight. He could feel the strength of Blue-Boy as he fought the pull of the water. He hoped the cattle would make it to safety. He lost sight of Cap right off; all he could do was hang on to Blue-boy. The swift current tugged at him. With great effort he clamped his knees to the saddle ,worrying that the weight of the saddle and himself would drown the valiant horse, as he fought to stay afloat. It seemed they traveled a great distance when Blue-boy found a footing and began the tedious climb up a slippery slope to level ground. Albert slipped off his back to lie on the ground, the cold rain slapping against him. Exhausted from the ordeal he rolled onto his stomach, drawing his arm over his face and fell asleep thinking of his Pa.

 He woke to a cold nose pressed against his neck and Cap urging him to wake up. Opening his eyes he was surprised to see the bright sunlight. It was morning! He sat up looking around, Blue-boy was grazing on a tuft of grass and a dozen or more of the cattle were right past him. Cap looked at him expectantly. Getting to his feet he wondered where they were. He knew he had never been there before.

Brushing away some of the mud from his clothes he reached out and gave Cap a hug. “Boy am I ever glad to see you.” Picking up Blue-Boys reins he stroked his neck and wrapped his arm around him. “You saved my life Blue. You are a hero.” he leaned against him. The horse cocked his head around looking at him. Albert was sure he understood what he said.

”Think you can find our way home Blue?” Putting his foot in the stirrup he swung his leg over and sat high in the saddle looking in all directions. He could find his way home or he could try to find his way to the railhead. He studied on it. He had told his Pa he could count on him. “Round ‘em up Cap lets get these ‘doggies’ to market.”

He knew market was somewhere East so they headed in that direction following the creek bed picking up strays as they went. Soon he had all thirty-nine gathered up. It was a miracle he didn’t lose any more, it was going to be hard enough telling his Pa about the ten that were missing, and the one he shot!

When they reached that dreadful bend in the creek he knew where he was. The water had subsided and now only a trickle remained where once a flowing torrent of water had been. He drove the cattle across and once more they were on the familiar trail.

Albert could see the boxcars on the railway, smoke billowing from the waiting engine. He pushed the herd forward whooping and swinging his lariat. Cap joined in barking and nipping at their heels. The workers at the station saw them coming and watched the boy bring them into the pens. “Drive them on into the cars Albert.” the loader called out. “The trains ready to pull out. You just made it.”

A stocky man met him on the platform with pen and paper in his hand. “What was your count son?” “Thirty-nine sir.” “What happened to the rest of ‘em?” Thinking quickly he answered, “Lost in a storm.” “Well here’s the receipt. You’re Pa is waiting at the hotel. He came in this morning looking for you. Better hustle over there and let him know you made it.”

Surprised that his Pa was there he dreaded the meeting. It didn’t give him much time to think up a good story. How could he explain about the gun and the dead cow? But wait, he really could have lost them in the creek because of the storm. No-one would ever know the difference. It wasn’t his fault the storm came up and flooded the creek. He was safe as long as nobody discovered the dead carcass.

He knew he was a sight, no hat and muddy wrinkled cloths. His Pa was standing on the porch of the hotel with Ben and several men when he rode up. The look of relief on his Pa’s face almost made him cry. He fairly jumped down the steps and dragged him off the horse. “Albert, what happened to you son?” He hugged him tight. It felt good but then he was a little embarrassed, after all he was getting to big to be hugged by his dad.

”We were about to go look for you. Tell me what happened.” Taking him into the dinning room of the hotel and ordering him a big breakfast they all listened intently as Albert told them how the storm came up and his attempt at seeking shelter, then washing down the creek and how Blue-boy saved his life and what a good dog Cap was...Albert was a good story teller, always had been.

His Pa reached out and laid his big warm hand on Albert’s arm. “The main thing is you and Ole Cap are okay and most of the cattle made it, we picked up ten of them coming in this morning and with your thirty-nine...we only lost one. I would say all in all you did a fine job and I am proud of you.”

Albert sat there listening to his Pa’s praise. He suddenly felt sick to his stomach. He looked at his Pa’s hand on his arm and looked up into his blue eyes. Pushing his plate back he cleared his throat. ”Pa...about that missin’ cow...” © Bodrury 2008