“I told them I recognized them, but I didn’t. Nobody except Fowler Gaskin and his nephew.” He purposely neglected to mention Farley Brackett, for the man’s father had a generally favorable reputation around the community even if he was extreme in his feelings toward the Union.

Blessing considered. “I’m not the sheriff anymore, not since the carpetbaggers took over. There’s not much I can do. Not officially, anyway.”

The Unionist state government had fired Blessing and appointed a new sheriff from among its own ranks. That gentleman had disappointed his sponsors by leaving between two days, taking with him several thousand dollars in Federal specie. They had appointed another who did not steal but seldom ventured beyond the town limits for fear of tangling with someone who did not appreciate the majesty of the law. To talk to him about Shanty’s situation would be a waste of time.

Blessing said, “Let’s mosey up to the house. My wife’s gone to see some of the grandkids, but me and you ought to be able to brew us a pot of coffee.”

Blessing’s cabin was of a standard double type. An open dog run separated the two main sections, a common roof tying them together. A loft above the dog run had been sleeping quarters for the Blessing boys until they came of age. They had to remain hunkered down to keep from bumping their heads against the low ceiling. As they grew up to their father’s height, that became a considerable problem. One by one, they had left home.

A longtime neighbor to the Shannons, Blessing had been with Daddy Mike and Preacher Webb as part of the Texan force that struck a huge Comanche raiding party at Plum Creek in 1840. They found there a small white boy, barely old enough to talk and unable to tell them anything more than that his name was Davy His red hair had soon earned him the nick-name Rusty. As far back as he could remember, Blessing had been an important part of his life.

Blessing said, “After I heard the rumor, I rode by Shanty’s cabin to make sure he’s all right. Didn’t see hide nor hair of him.”

“He’s over at my place. I thought it was best if he stayed with us ‘til this foolishness is done with.”

Blessing’s wrinkles deepened. “That could be a long time. The way things are goin’, with the Unionists and the Freedmen’s Bureau on one side and a lot of hardheaded rebels on the other, I wouldn’t be surprised none if the war busted out again.”

“Sure makes me wish we had the rangers back.”

Blessing said, “That’s one reason Austin set up the new state police force. They’re supposed to take the rangers’ place, only with a different name and with Union people headin’ them up.”