CHAPTER 24

Summary

Newt is still so excited about leaving that he finds he can't rest even though they won't begin the ride until the heat of the day is over. All the men are in the process of resting or seeing to their equipment. The time has actually come. The hands are all surprised to see Lippy, and Dish Boggett reacts scornfully when Captain Call at once puts Lippy in charge of the horses. There is a little multi-colored bull that Call had brought back on one of the raids across the border. Everyone laughs at him, but is afraid of him at the same time, because he's so aggressive. Call is determined to keep him, because they'll need bulls in Montana

Call speaks with Deets and gives him the duty of being their scout. He can move ahead of the herd, and find them water and good bedding ground each night. Deets modestly nods his acceptance of this job, but feels proud that Call assigned such an important duty to him. He also asks Gus if he's counted the stock yet. Gus has a unique ability to see a glance approximately how many cows are in a herd. Call wants to know the figure, because he knows they'll be lucky to make it to Montana with 90% of the cattle.

Then, Call moves off to eat by himself. The men know not to sit with him, because he hates to listen to their talking when he wants to be alone. He had never enjoyed the idle talk of cards and women that the men would constantly engage in. Call also observes that Bolivar's decision to go along takes some of the burden of the trip off his shoulder. Yet, he feels uncomfortable about the fact that Bolivar hasn't even informed his family that he's leaving, especially since it's a journey from which he might never return. Gus tells Call that they are living a funny life: nine-tenths of the cattle and horses are stolen and they were once respected lawmen.

Notes

Again, the author takes time to develop his characters more deeply. We see the little aggressive bull whose characteristics echo those of Captain Call. The man is so taken with the little guy that insists on taking him even though the other cowboys would sooner leave him behind. He is different, set apart from the other cows by his nature and his appearance. This is true of Call as well, who prefers to sit alone and not take part in the idle chatter of his men. He makes the men just as nervous as the little bull does.

We also see the deep sense of morality that Call exhibits. He is in reality a thief, but he has a sense of honor when it comes to responsibilities for family and those under his command. That's why Bolivar's decision to leave without telling his wife and daughters bothers Call so.

Call is also the first to acknowledge someone he can rely upon and respect. That's why he gives the job of scout to Deets. It doesn't matter that the man is black. It only matters that he can do the job well. It also can be seen in his decision to put Lippy, a man who has an open wound in his stomach and has been for the last ten years the piano player at the Dry Bean, in charge of the horses. He knows that Lippy has the skills to do the job and be a good horseman.

CHAPTER 25

Summary

By late afternoon, each man has each chosen four horses as his own set of mounts. Also, positions are assigned by Captain Call. He tells the men to let the cattle string out, because they are in no hurry. They have approximately 2600 cattle to worry about. Lippy and the Spettle boys are assigned to the wagon and decide to keep a fair distance behind the herd to avoid the dust. Bolivar drives the wagon with his ten-gauge shotgun on his lap. He feels that trouble usually comes quickly, and he wants to be ready.

Newt has heard the men talk about the dust, but had paid little attention to it. However, before they have gone a mile, he is white with and often feels lost, because it is so thick. He comes across Sean O'Brian who is trying to spit the mud out of his mouth. Then, he notices that twenty or thirty cattle have gotten behind them, because he had ridden past them in the dust. When he turns to round them up, two little heifers spook Mouse, his horse, who jumps some chaparral brush and causes Newt to be thrown. He's very nervous as he climbs back on, because he doesn't want to shirk his duties.

Call and Gus ride along together some distance from the herd, searching for any trouble ahead. They know that the terrain will change when they reach the brush country, an almost impenetrable band of thick mesquite between them and San Antonio. Call is not worried about the cattle going through the brush; he's worried about the hands, most of whom have little experience with it.

By mid-afternoon, they have come to a ridge where they can see all of Lonesome Dove and the river. Call is somewhat uneasy at the responsibility he's taken on. He doesn't feel the sense of adventure he's has experienced in the past, but he knows he might before it's all over. Gus, who seems to be able to read Call's mind, notes that Call's problem is that he doesn't know how to live. In fact, Gus insists that he's led 100 lives to Call's one. Call just rides away, tired of Gus' incessant talk. However, he sees that Gus isn't following him. Instead, he's still sitting on horse watching the sunset and cattle herd.

Notes

And so the cattle drive begins. We see each character dealing with his duties in different ways. Bolivar is wary, Newt is nervous, and Call is uneasy about this great undertaking. However, it is Gus who is the most interesting. He observes that Call doesn't know how to live life and believes he's lived 100 to Call's one. Then, he shows us what one aspect of really living is all about: he takes the time to see one last sunset over Lonesome Dove as if observing the end, not only of the day, but of a part of their lives.