Chapter 16 - Silas Learns the Price of Pride
Kansas prices had dropped twelve percent.
Nobody panicked.
Not publicly.
But the information traveled quickly.
Cattlemen understood numbers.
Two thousand cattle multiplied by twelve percent became a very large problem.
Boone's offer no longer looked absurd.
That was likely the point.
“He knew,” Silas said.
Cole nodded.
“Harlan had market contacts.”
Silas paced.
“If we sell now, we still cover company debt.”
“But not mine.”
Silas stopped.
“No.”
Cole's face remained calm.
Maggie watched both.
Weeks earlier, this conversation would have exploded.
Now it did not.
Silas sat.
“What do you want to do?”
Cole looked surprised.
“You're asking?”
“Yes.”
“Reach Kansas.”
“Even if prices fall further?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because that's the plan we made before Boone manipulated us.”
Silas considered.
“Pride?”
“Maybe.”
Cole looked toward Maggie.
“Or maybe I want one decision that isn't made because Harlan frightened us.”
Silas nodded.
“Fair.”
They continued north.
Every day brought new pressure.
A wheel broke.
Three riders became sick from bad water.
The herd lost weight.
Maggie's supplies tightened.
But something had changed in the camp.
Silas began appearing at breakfast early.
Not to inspect.
To help.
The first morning he carried a water bucket, everyone stared.
Maggie said, “Careful.”
“With what?”
“Your reputation.”
He grunted.
The second morning he chopped wood.
Badly.
Noah watched.
“Has he ever done that?”
Cole smiled.
“Probably during the Mexican War.”
Silas heard.
“I was not alive during the Mexican War.”
Cole nodded solemnly.
“History is unclear.”
The men laughed.
Silas glared.
Then, unexpectedly, laughed too.
Small moments repaired what speeches could not.
One evening Silas sat beside Amos Dyer.
“You really have six teeth?”
Amos looked offended.
“Six good ones.”
“I didn't know.”
“You didn't ask.”
Silas absorbed that.
The next day Maggie noticed Silas instruct Pete to soften Amos's biscuits.
She said nothing.
Neither did Amos.
But he ate three.
Meanwhile, Boone waited in Kansas.
Word reached them that he had arranged buyers.
If Whitaker arrived desperate, Boone intended to acquire the herd through debt leverage.
Cole's transferred note gave him additional power.
Silas wanted to hire lawyers immediately.
Cole refused.
“Not until we sell.”
“Why?”
“Because lawyers cost money.”
Silas looked personally insulted by the concept.
Maggie laughed.
“You two are finally becoming related.”
Five days from market, another problem emerged.
A cattle buyer named Samuel Price intercepted the drive.
He offered a fairer price than Boone.
Still low.
But enough to cover company obligations.
Silas wanted to accept.
Cole hesitated.
Maggie stayed out until Silas asked.
“What do you think?”
“About cattle prices?”
“About stopping.”
Maggie considered.
“How long to Kansas?”
“Five days.”
“Food?”
“Seven.”
“Men?”
Levi answered.
“Tired. But steady.”
“Cattle?”
“Could be better.”
Maggie looked at Silas.
“You hired all of us to reach Kansas.”
Silas smiled slightly.
“That's Cole's argument.”
“Then apparently he's right twice this month.”
Cole pretended shock.
They continued.
On the third day, Boone himself appeared with four associates.
Silas met him in open camp.
“Your offer is withdrawn,” Boone said.
Silas shrugged.
“Good.”
Boone seemed surprised.
“Market dropped again.”
“So I hear.”
“You'll lose more in Kansas.”
“Maybe.”
“Then sell now.”
“No.”
Boone's smile faded.
“You owe me money.”
Silas looked toward Cole.
“Technically, he owes you money.”
Boone turned.
Cole stepped forward.
“I'll pay after the sale.”
“And if you can't?”
“Then we discuss the note.”
Boone smiled again.
“I already know what I want.”
“The land?”
“Your company share.”
Silas's expression darkened.
Cole remained calm.
“No.”
“You may not have a choice.”
Cole nodded.
“That's possible.”
Boone frowned.
He had expected fear.
Instead Cole smiled.
“But I'm discovering choices are more common than I thought.”
Boone left angry.
That evening Silas approached Cole.
“I can pay him.”
“No.”
“You'll lose the ranch.”
“Maybe.”
“You're willing?”
Cole looked at Maggie across the fire.
“Yes.”
Silas followed his gaze.
Something in him surrendered.
Not to defeat.
To understanding.
He had spent decades teaching Cole that property was security.
Maggie had taught him security could also be a person who stayed when property disappeared.
Silas sat beside his nephew.
“Your father loved that land.”
“I know.”
“He'd hate seeing it sold.”
Cole looked at him.
“He'd hate seeing me live afraid more.”
Silas nodded.
Then he said quietly, “You're right.”
Cole stared.
Silas looked uncomfortable.
“Don't make me repeat it.”
Cole laughed.
Three days later the rooftops of the Kansas cattle town appeared on the horizon.
Two hundred men cheered.
Maggie stood on the wagon seat.
Noah beside her.
Cole rode ahead.
Silas behind.
They had reached the market.
But Boone was already there.
May you like
And he had convinced half the buyers not to bid.
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