Murdoch was brought back to the present by the sound of approaching hoofbeats. He turned and entered the house, said his goodbyes to Cora, and stepped back out onto the porch just as his sons and several cowhands reigned into the yard. "Bill, Jim, Rowdy, Squirrel, I want ya'll to stay here and keep an eye on the house an Cora." Murdoch ordered. "Seems there's been some trouble in town and it might just wander up this way. The rest of you'll ride with me."

"Where we headin', Paw?" Shane inquired.

"I figure first, we'll ride on over to the BAR-O spread and see if we ain't too late to ride into town with Joe Bolton when he goes ta get his son ready fer burial." replied Moose.

"Bury his son! What the hell's been goin' on?!" boomed Brazos Murdoch.

As they rode off, Angus related the story as Roberto had narrated it to him. Some of the cowhands swore, and muttered threats, as they headed out to the BAR-O ranch house. Murdoch glanced at his two sons with pride and admiration.

Both were huge men, dwarfing even himself. Actually, they were both only nineteen years old, but as far as Moose was concerned, they were men, and had been for some time. They had been raised well, and were no strangers to the perils that appeared to be awaiting them. After the ranch had been established, Zach Baynes would often take a few months leave and head into the mountains or down south into the Big Bend territory (where he was right now, as far as Moose knew). He still loved the wilderness, and felt like he needed to get away after getting fed up with ranch life every now and again.

Angus had begun sending his boys with Baynes, starting with Shane, by the time Shane was eight. Cora objected violently at first, but finally gave in. Angus would only allow one at a time to accompany Baynes on his excursions since he knew that there existed a strong possibility that they might be attacked and killed by Indians. However, he reasoned that the boys, Jesse included, would learn essential survival skills that would prove invaluable in their later years, and in that, he was proven correct.

One year, He'd actually let all three go with Baynes up into the Wind River country in Wyoming only after Baynes had assured him that the Indians were quiet at that time. He'd never regretted the decision, and all of the boys had learned valuable lessons. Both Brazos and Shane were regarded as gunfighters, each having killed their share of men in gunfights, and each had participated in several Indian battles.

Brazos, due to his overall build and general demeanor, was nicknamed by Baynes, "Grizzly." Moose noted that he certainly fit the moniker. He was covered with brown hair from head to toe almost, and wore a thick beard. He always seemed to those who didn't know him, to be in a foul mood, although that wasn't actually the case, merely the appearance. He was also known for his voice which was remarkably resonant and deep. He stood six feet six, and weighed just over four hundred pounds, requiring an exceptionally large horse to carry his tremendous bulk around. Actually, he owned several, which Moose had bred for the express purpose of carrying his sons, Shane, being himself over three hundred pounds, and six feet eight inches tall.

Shane, also had a deep voice, although not nearly so powerful. He was soft spoken most of the time, but his words always carried weight. Not quite two years previously, Shane had boldly walked into the camp of a Comanche war party that had been preparing to attack one of the line camps on the ranch. The Comanches were startled at first, but made no move against him out of respect for such courage, and partially out of curiosity as well. Shane had brought a rabbit with him which he proceeded to skin and cook over their camp fire. He refrained from speaking until he'd finished his meal, and then, in their own language, which he'd pretty well picked up over the years, he convinced them not to attack the camp. After that, he remained with the Comanche for four months, earning their respect and admiration through feats of strength and daring to the point to where he was even invited to the camp of Ten Bears himself.

Ten Bears at that time, was one of the most important chiefs of the Comanche nation. After a week of negotiations, he persuaded Ten Bears to order the Comanches to leave the Murdoch spread alone, and thus, for around two years, there had been no open hostilities between Murdoch's men and the Comanches (although they continued to have trouble occasionally with Apaches). Quite an accomplishment for a boy of seventeen.

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