The lectures were embarrassing because they were delivered in the presence of Elmira's son, now his stepson, a twelve-year-old named Joe Boot. Still, the chance of settling near Clara and her family appealed to him more than the thought of following Call into another wilderness. The Irishmen and the boys had to take what was left after the more experienced hands had chosen. Usually three or four of the Hat Creek cowboys would be there by that time.
That's on the Platte. Pockets of mist would linger on the water for an hour or more after the sun had risen and the sky turned a clean blue. He was a rough old cob. Jake had only come back to Lonesome Dove to use them for support, and no doubt he would try to do it again if he got in trouble.
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