Riding all night I made it to Fort Worth and though I was dead tired and hungry I was full of energy as the lights of the town called out to me. I had never been to Fort Worth, or for that matter, any big town. There were people all about and music in the air. A gun shot just about caused me to fall off my horse. Everyone seemed to be having such a good time. Some of the gals were even calling to me but I acted like I didn’t hear them and kept riding.

The cowboy told me to ask for a man named “Red” and so that is what I did. It took awhile but I finally found him. Well, I should say he found me. He had heard a young boy was asking for him and having a son about the same age he wondered who I could be.

I told him about the bully, the cowboy and my story. He listened without saying a word but never took his eyes off mine. When I was done he asked me if I was hungry and I told him I was. We went to a restaurant and there I met his son. We hit it off and I began to feel a lot less scared. Next morning I found myself headed to Abilene, Kansas.

By the middle of the August and after three months on the trail I got my first glimpse of Abilene. The cowboys, who have been dog tired for some time, were all of a sudden hooping and hollering. Even the cows seem to have picked up the pace. They sure don’t know what’s in store for them.

Once the cows are delivered Red has us (his son and me) get cleaned up for we are going into town. Red paid me off so I have a pocket full of money and a burning itch to buy something, anything!

As we ride into town the sun is setting and the street lights are being lit. We pull up next to a saloon and get off. I am both excited and a bit fearful as we walk towards the doors. Once inside I can’t believe my eyes. There are people everywhere. Music is playing and dancing is right out there in the open. You hear a constant chatter and smell the smoke that fills the place. I just can’t believe my eyes.

In a far corner men are gathered about and much excitement is evident. I wonder over to see what is going on and learn that men are playing a gambling game called ” Faro”. Someone points to a man who is the most fancy dressed man I have ever seen and says his name is Dick Clark and he gambles for a living. I think to myself, he is the luckiest man in the World. I stand there for the longest time and watch as the game is played. I don’t know the rules of the game but after awhile I begin to understand what is happening. I even decide that I could play this game.

Next morning we head to the store and I buy a new hat, boots, a heavy coat and a deck of cards. As we walk out of the store Red asks me what am I going to do with the cards. I tell him I’m going to learn to gamble. He laughs and says, “Boy you need money, nerve and some luck to gamble and not lose all your money”. He then says, ” Speaking of money, what are you going to do now, Luke ? ” I told him I hadn’t really thought about it and I’m not sure. Red offers me a job on his ranch back in Llano and I jump at the chance. Not long after that we are headed out of town in the general direction of Texas.

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