He heard James tell Rusty, “You can’t do much farmin’ from now ‘til spring. You and Andy could cow-hunt down yonder this winter like we’re doin’ here. Come spring, throw your gather in with ours and I’ll take them north. The bigger the bunch, the more buyers they ought to draw.”

Rusty acknowledged, “I’ve been thinkin’ about it.”

That pleased Andy. He had pictured himself wasting the winter days sitting in Rusty’s cabin, studying books, learning to read and do ciphers. He would much rather be on horseback chasing wild cattle. Living among The People, he had been considered too young to go on a tribal buffalo hunt. Only grown men were privileged to participate in the excitement. Andy had been compelled to remain with the women and children, watching the action from afar, then moving in to the killing ground for the unpleasant skinning and cutting of meat. Though cattle seemed a less dangerous challenge than buffalo, at least he could share in the pursuit.

Talk in the evenings often turned to politics, which did not hold Andy’s attention long. He understood little of it. He could tell that it meant a great deal to Rusty and the Monahans, however.

James said, “I’m hearin’ that the military has set up a provisional government for Texas. General Reynolds has appointed his own people to office ‘til the state can hold an election.”

Evan Gifford said, “But I hear they may not let us old Confederate soldiers vote—me and Macy and Lucas here.” He pointed to the men who worked for the Monahans. Lucas bore a jagged battle scar across his arm. Working, Lucas might roll up the other sleeve, but never the one that covered the mark. Andy thought that strange. Such a scar would be regarded as a symbol of honor among Comanche warriors. The more scars, the higher the honor.

James said, “They’ve been thrashin’ the vote question around. One time I hear that everybody can vote if they’ll take an oath of allegiance. Next time I hear that soldiers of the Confederacy are disqualified. Just goes to show why there ought to be a law against war. Maybe even a law against laws.”

That too gave Andy pause. Among the Comanches, war was highly regarded. Only battle and the hunt gave a young man the chance to gain honor and respect. He had heard older men discuss what a calamity it would be if they killed all their enemies and had no one left to fight.

James declared, “Local sheriffs and judges do the best they can, but nobody knows how much authority they’ve got under the occupation. Thieves and outlaws run free and nobody does much to stop them.”

Rusty nodded. “They need to organize the rangers again.”

James said, “No chance. Last thing the Federals want is to give guns and authority to old Confederates.”