Their outpost on the Brazos had been attacked by a raiding party, their cabins burned to the ground. Female captives were stolen along with all the outpost’s horses.As second in command, Reed had readied the men and ordered a supply mule loaded, then he had stalled, waiting for Jonah to get back. For some reason the man had insisted on accompanying the sutler into Lone Star for supplies. At first Reed thought maybe government money allocated to the Rangers had been reduced again and that Jonah had gone in to haggle over prices. Then he remembered Charm was out at the ranch, less than an hour’s ride from town.It was nearly nine in the morning now, and there was still no sign of Jonah.New recruit Tommy Harlan, the youngest of eight strapping Harlan boys and the only one to leave the family farm and join the Rangers, left the picket line where the other men were sober as they tied gear and weapons to their mounts.“The men are ready to ride, sir. Any sign of Captain Taylor yet?” Overenthusiastic, young Harlan did everything but salute.Reed wanted to give Jonah another ten minutes.
