Invincible, page 5
“What do you do since you don't tell me those conditions? Cried Bud desperately.
"Calm down and don't let your inner beast show up, because that's the first one you have to tame." I will explain them to you, but I have already warned you that they will be harsh. My daughter, in case she lacked something to distance herself from you even more financially, has just inherited a ranch. It was left to him by his uncle Ben, his mother's brother, but that ranch is something like if he had inherited a cobra and had to feed it on his breasts. If there is something demonic in this world, it is Ben Hays' ranch, located in Whitebills, near the Wilson Mountains ..., do you know Gambling?
“Something. It is not a highly recommended part of the region.
“No, it is not. If you add to that that Ben's equipment is rougher than a wild horse, that there are cattlemen who "dent" cattle with almost impunity and that this needs to be straightened out and cleaned up, you will understand that inheritance is a gift from God.
"Well then, there is the bone to crack We can honestly value the ranch at what it is currently worth, and if within a year you commit to restore it, have a decent team, put an end to the cattle rustlers and double the value of The cattle, all that surplus, apart from the salary assigned to you, will go to your benefit to bring you to the level of my daughter and to be able to aspire to her hand. This is the material part; the spiritual part is in your charge, well understood that In order to earn your love, I do not have to give you advice, but rather take it yourself.
Bud, who was listening to the words of the rancher like one who listens to pleasant music in his ear, got up calmly asking:
“When can I leave for the ranch?
"I think as soon as you are ready." I have prepared all the papers for you to take possession of it on behalf of my daughter and a power of attorney of yours, so that no one doubts your authority. The rest is your responsibility.
Bud stepped forward, asking:
“Is it in my powers to be able to take Fred Sanders with me?
“Well. If it gets in your way and wishes you an early death, take it away; but warn yourself before.
“Needless. Fred is looking forward to finding someone who can break the lump out of his nose and I am more looking forward to this than he is. If you are not extorted, this afternoon we are going there.
“None. From this moment you are free to do so.
Bud was puzzled for a moment and then asked:
“Do you give me permission to give these same assurances to your daughter and say goodbye to her?
Big hesitated for a moment and finally said:
“I would not do it. It could be a disappointing farewell. Leave her with the memory of the other night and let her savor it, to see if she digests it well. Perhaps in a while, when she learns of her work and the sacrifices you are making for her and her interests, the interview will be more enjoyable for you.
"Well, I understand your idea and I abide by it." Say goodbye to her and assure her that I will do everything in my power to turn it into an earthly paradise, where only flowers bloom in its path and where the value of each foot of land is something that makes the most powerful pale with envy.
And shaking the rancher's hand effusively, he left the office like a madman, his eyes full of laughing landscapes of love and happiness.
When he got to the shed where Fred was waiting for him bored and melancholic, he gave him a terrible push that threw him on the mat and shouted:
“Get out of my sight, you piece of ass! ... What are you doing standing there?
"Waiting for your return ... Where have the slaps been that you don't notice?"
"Nowhere yet, but they will come." Get ready, we're leaving.
“Wow ... Have you already convinced yourself that you can't walk around the world without a babysitter?
“No: I'm going to take you to a place where I'll have to be your babysitter.
“I'd like to see it!
"Well, you will see it and, what is worse, you will feel it." We're going to a place where bullets will rain like hail and where your fists won't do the damn thing.
“I'd like to see it! Repeated stoic Fred
“Am I not telling you that you are going to see and feel it, you little yearling?
"Well, where are we going to eat the foremen like you without seasoning?"
"To Whitebills."
Fred whistled through his teeth and grumbled:
“To that accursed corner of hell, where we went out on horseback that famous Christmas night?
“Justly.; but with the particularity that now we are going to throw all those who are not welcome there.
“Is Mr. Big the one who sent you?
“Yes. I'm going to run the ranch of her brother”in”law Ben, who has died and left it to Nancy.
“To Nancy! ... But what familiarity is that, Bud? So Mr. Big lacks the courage to kill you and sends you to have others do the work on their own? Let me go upstairs and pinch his nose, for miserable!
Bud had to make heroic efforts to restrain his partner. He understood that this was a despicable task and intended to avenge her in advance.
At last he managed to convince the pawn, assuring:
"Be still, ass." What do you know the favor he's going to do me with that?
“Favor? Not that he was going to grant his daughter's hand as a prize!
Bud, unable to control the joy that overflowed in his soul, exclaimed:
“What if it were?
Fred shot him a direct shot that nearly hit him and muttered:
“Ah, indecent pig! And did you keep it quiet? And for that you looked so desperate and so closed? You deserve to have your chin broken off for a scoundrel.
"Come on, Fred, don't be spiteful." I swear it was something as great as it was unforeseen, I'll tell you about it.
The pawn scratched his head and then sheepishly asked:
"Hey, really, if you don't get jerked there, that could be your prize?"
"That's what the boss has assured me."
“You want to do me a favor?
“Tell me.
"Ask him if he extends it to me." I too am biting the halter for Rosa, Miss Nancy's maid; but she...
"Well, maybe his influence will come to that." Although it seems to me that you must be too violent for his character. If you were a calm and sensible man like me!
Fred threw a header at him, but Bud deftly dodged it.
By mid”afternoon they had everything ready for departure, and Bud went up to Big's office to say goodbye to Big.
The rancher gave him his liquidation, all the papers concerning the ranch, the authorization naming him his only representative in it and a duplicate copy of the contract that both had to sign to formalize their commitment.
"You don't have to sign it right now," Big warned. Study it and, if it suits you, sign it, and if there is a clause to discuss ...
“So that? Neither you nor I are rustlers. If we agree on the basics, on the secondary we will not disagree.
He shook old Big's hand and went down to the patio, where Fred was waiting for him on horseback.
Bud got into his and stepped off the fence. The sun was pouring down the flown gallery of the ranch and the flowers in Nancy's pots were ablaze with light and color.
The boy raised his eyes to the railing looking for the beautiful silhouette of the young woman, but he could not discover her. No doubt he held a grudge for what had happened that night.
Melancholic, he set off down the valley.
Fred wryly asked:
“Didn't you see her, Bud?
“How was he going to see her if he didn't show up? Bud replied sadly.
“No, you piece of ass. What happens is that it was leaning on the other side of the facade. I saw her looking through the glass. You're a blind man, Bud, and I'm afraid you'll never know how to win her over.
CHAPTER V
AN ENTRANCE TOO LOUD
Bud and Fred's entry into the "Cruz Alta" ranch in Whitebills was not exactly as apotheosis as the one Washington had one day in Annapolis when it returned victorious from the English. Lowell Winant, ranch foreman, came out to meet them at the fence, and when Bud asked who was in charge of the ranch, he boastfully came forward to answer:
"I am the manager, stranger, what was offered to you?"
"Just taking over the ranch on behalf of Miss Nancy Big, from whom I bring written powers."
Bud made as if to show his documentation, but the foreman, rejecting the gesture, said:
"I'm sorry you took such a troublesome walk from Grand Canyon; but here you have nothing to do. I await the visit of that young lady to understand myself with her and the rest does not satisfy me.
Bud calmly dismounted from the horse, being followed by Fred, and going over to Lowell, said:
“And do you think that Miss Nancy has such bad taste that she takes this walk to see you that "rustler" face that you have?
Lowell stiffened at the insult and fiercely replied:
"Listen, stranger." You are an operetta cowboy who comes here believing that you are going to swallow the earth, and it is easy for that to happen if it takes five minutes to disappear all the way. You need men of my size to run this ranch, and I'm not one of those who will give up the job to the first guy who comes forward to claim it.
"That means you will only give it up by force ..."
"You sound like a fortune teller."
“Oh well! In that case there is no more to talk about. Fred, would you please show this gentleman the documents that accredit you as foreman of this ranch. Fred, very amused, asked:
“Which eye do you want him to swallow: the left or the right?
"Since he's myopic, I think because of both of us."
Fred took a step forward, and Lowell, very conceited at the show he was planning to give his team, who surrounded him laughing in advance at the failure of the two strangers, arched his legs, clenched his fists, and prepared to greet Fred with dignity.
He started some odd turns with his arms, and suddenly, before Lowell had time to realize it, he was hit in the mouth, knocking out half a dozen teeth.
The foreman let out an impressive roar and leaned back, overcome with pain, while Fred, addressing Bud, excused himself by saying:
"Sorry I covered your mouth a little earlier." I am annoyed by chickens that cackle so much before they know if they are going to lay their eggs. Now I will make you "see" my credentials in due form.
Lowell, spitting blood, recovered somewhat, for he was a man of extraordinary toughness, and launched himself like a blind bull at Fred, but it did not take long to acknowledge the proper reception.
Fred's fist, like a mace, searched his right eye and with a terrible impact, he left it closed for a long season.
Despite the harsh punishment, the foreman did not give up. He knew the end that awaited him and he was making one last effort to get rid of that exceptional being, the only way to expel them from the ranch and continue to rule in it as was his project.
But Fred, who was annoyed by such obstinacy, decided to end the fight, and looking for the hard chin of the cowboy, he dealt him a final blow, which left him lying on the ground like a bundle.
Then he smiled at Bud, who had had a lot of fun admiring the strength of his friend's fists, this time at his expense, and asked:
“Is it understood that I should do the same with all this rabble, one by one, or is it enough as a small sample?
"That, they will say, Fred." You are the foreman of this ranch, by my designation, and I will not be the one to teach you how to treat your men. In any case, ask them to see what they think.
"Well, the question is asked."
The pawns looked at each other with infinite rage, until one, seeming to interpret the feelings of his companions, came forward, saying:
"We don't recognize a foreman other than Lowell."
"Which means you're leaving here immediately, doesn't it?"
"It doesn't mean more than what I said," said the menacing pawn.
Fourteen tough and determined men grinned sinisterly with their hands resting on the butts of their 'Colts', ready to support their claim, weapons in hand, but before they had time to draw them, two revolvers appeared in Bud's hands with the speed of a machine gun and ten hats of as many peons they flew through the air, torn off by the ten well”aimed bullets.
Bud, not showing the slightest tremor in his hand, warned:
"To talk to me, the first thing you have to do is discover yourself." Fred, please discover those other four.
Fred, also wielding his weapons, fired quickly. Three hats flew through the air; but the fourth had worse fortune, because he fell, his forehead pierced by a bullet.
It was the pawn who had dared refuse to follow Bud's orders.
"Sorry, Bud," Fred said, "I got out of hand."
None, faced with that test of skill and speed, dared to move a hand. Bud had already reloaded his revolvers and was waiting for the answer.
The peons, humiliated, limited themselves to heading towards the door ready to march.
"Okay," said one. There you stay with the ranch, and we will see if in a month you will retain those fumes and that ability to shoot.
Bud let them go. He had a bitter problem when he ran out of equipment to tend the cattle; but he hoped to supply him with the help of the sheriff, to whom he was well recommended.
The ranch was left with nothing but a lame old farmhand, whom the late Ben had made cook when he broke his leg in a rodeo.
Bill, who was called the peon, professed great affection for the deceased in spite of his peculiarities and his acidity of character, and had never made common cause with Lowell and his men, who did not give him great importance either.
Bud, thinking he was left alone, turned to Fred, saying:
"Try to tie me tight to this bird so it doesn't run away before I realize what it's done at the ranch since the old man's death, and then peek around the kitchen a bit to see what you can find to eat."
Fred was about to carry out the order, when a grotesquely moving bundle emerged from one of the sheds, and Bud, spotting it, stepped forward, saying:
“Who the hell are you?
"I'm the cook, sir." He was hiding there while the fireworks were going on.
“Well. What do you do that doesn't follow everyone's path?
"I have no interest in it." I was old Ben's cook and I was very fond of him. I serve the ranch, not Lowell.
"Which means he stays."
"And delighted that you wiped that leprosy off the ranch." If you took fifteen more days to come, you would not have found even the smell of cattle here.
“Very well. I will consider this act of loyalty to you, and your decent attitude will not weigh you down. See if there is anything out there that you can put in your mouth.
"Of course there is." I was preparing to prepare dinner for those lazy people, and don't think they were not living the good life.
The cook retired to his post, and Fred set about solidly binding Lowell, then locking him in one of the sheds.
“Well. He said, "That one's already saved." What the hell am I doing with this other guy now?
"He will have to be buried as God intended." Take care of that and also take care of opening an extraordinary expense account to pass it on to Mr. Big at the end of the month. There are things that must go at your expense.
“What the hell do you count as extraordinary expenses?
"Well, the value of fourteen bullets we used this afternoon and what a decent crown is worth for that guy." I like to do things methodically.
“Devil! ... It seems to me that then what the ranch yields will be spent on gunpowder.
"That's your account." I have come to run your farm, but not to spend my salary on gunpowder and bullets. Do not forget.
“Well well; it will be done as ordered by the pattern.
While the cook was preparing dinner, Bud went up to the ranch and set about examining it with Fred. The building, very abandoned and dirty, looked like a pigsty, and everything indicated that its owner, who had been held in an armchair for many months without being able to move, had been at the mercy of those rascals who had made their farm what they wanted.
"This sucks, Fred." I'm afraid you have to do a lot of work with the broom and the buckets.
"And hell with your soul, Bud." Why have you brought me here: to be a maid or a foreman?
“But don't you see how this is?
"Find a maid to take care of it." Ah ...! and see to it that he has a slightly more attractive face than that horrible foreman. I like the decoration in the rooms.
"For you to make love to her, isn't that it?"
“Me? Do not delirium. I am a decent man. For me there are no more women in the world than seven. One is Rosa and ...
"The others are already dead, Fred." I'll hire a witch and keep an eye on you just in case. I don't trust much of your scruples when it comes to skirts ...
Fred grimaced with resignation and the two of them went into the office.
Bud took out a small key that Big had given him. This corresponded to the drawer of Ben's table, where he kept his books.
Bud sent Fred to find out if dinner was in order, and in the meantime he looked through the books.
Ben kept things up to date and carefully. His illness, which kept him sitting in an armchair with paralyzed legs for more than two years, allowed him to deal only with the ranch accounts, and these were well ordered.
From them Bud learned that there must be three thousand bulls in the pasture; twelve hundred cows and that the calf for the season had amounted to nine hundred calves. In the sales books, the last games from six months ago were listed. The last, of five hundred cattle, had been awarded to a cattle dealer in Nedles, California, at the rate of $ 48 per head.
That was what the books threw out. Now it was necessary to know what reality accused after two months of finding the ranching in the hands of Lowell and his team, and this had to be ventilated with that ganapán before giving him freedom of movement.
