During the winter season all ranchmen on starting out for a trip of any length go prepared to encounter one of those terrible “northers,”[E] and carry with them a twenty-five pound sack in which are bacon, biscuits, coffee, a coffeepot and tin cup, a lariat and hobbles attached to the saddle.
[E] Norther: “Specifically, a wind blowing over Texas to the Gulf, following the passage of a low area or cyclone. The contrast in temperature is generally very marked, as the preceding winds are warm, moist, southerly ones.”—Standard Dictionary.
Three miles out of the valley where the stage road forked with the one leading to Fort Minard, Watson and Jack took a north-easterly course for the Llano District, following an old cattle trail. Almost every bush and plant in Texas has a thorn and, as they threaded their way through clumps of parched buffalo grass and weird cactus plants, Jack appreciated the value of “chaps.”[F] The soil was very dry and every step of the horses sent clouds of dust whirling; but the air, stirred by the warm breeze, was delightful, and Jack felt his lungs expand with a vigor heretofore unknown. That annoying cough had quite disappeared, and no one would dream of accusing him of being a prey to ill health. Like a new being, his pulse bounding and mind alert, he galloped over the plain beside Watson with the keenest enjoyment.
[F] “Chaps”: leather leggings.
They were now sixteen miles from Squaw Creek settlement and following the creek washes of the Llano River. Clicker had shown signs of uneasiness and occasionally gave an ominous snort.
“What can be the matter with this horse?” said Jack. “He seems determined to make for that streak of woods yonder.”
“Matter enough! He knows a heap more than we do! To the bushes!” Watson shouted, whirling his horse about.
Clicker needed no urging. Jack felt those powerful muscles quiver under him and with one bound the animal cleared the ground ten feet. Like an arrow he flew and, bending low in the saddle, horse and rider appeared like a cloud of dust.
In an incredibly short space of time, the haze in the north had wholly obscured the heavens and a biting north wind accompanied by sleet pitilessly drove them back; but twenty minutes brought them to a position of comparative shelter. The horses discovered a rude shed into which they dashed and, jumping to the ground, Watson and Jack endeavored to make their shelter more complete. Evergreen boughs were piled up around the more exposed parts and as the roof seemed tight, they congratulated themselves on having found this haven. Next, they brought in wood and started a fire.
“We want a powerful sight, my boy. A ‘norther’ means business. When we do get things here we get ’em hard,” said Watson.