They ate together in the ranch kitchen, Mrs. Crockett doing the cooking. Eating was a solemn rite that seemed to dry up the wells of conversation. Before they had finished, people began to arrive. With one or two exceptions they were all related in some way to the Crocketts. “One or two others to come yet,” Dan told them. “We’ll wait a few minutes.” Quantrell was the last to arrive. He gave Jim a curt nod. His displeasure was evident on learning that Montana had injected himself into the fight and was now riding for the Box C. He had an excuse for his tardiness. Jim thought his horse looked as though it had been ridden hard. The meeting got under way at last . . . The day had been one to try tempers. A dozen men recounted their verbal clashes with Reb and his men. All agreed that they must stand together. Dan Crockett spoke at length, advising them to be patient and stay within the law.
