THE BLUE FEATHER
365
that can drive a truck well, maybe ones with driver’s licenses?
Anyone?”
“There are two more men working today, they are out back
sorting cattle. You’re welcome to ask them for help, while Juan is
loading your saddle and other supplies onto your truck,” Bill said
looking disappointed in that he couldn’t be of more help.
Bardala and Tital walked around to the cattle pens, and caught
the two men sorting Black Angus bulls on horseback. Tital
thought to himself, it’s always the last person you ask that can
help. These two big, strong men looked very promising. He
explained what they needed for workers.
Then the first vaquero told him, “Señor, my brother and I are
quitting next week this work anyway. We are going back across
the border to Mexico. Our little sister, whom we love, is having
her quinceañera party on the tenth of next month. Our family
from all over the United States and Mexico are going to be there.
We cannot disappoint her, and our family that we have not seen
in three long years. We work here, but we live our lives, as you
must know, in Mexico. We hope you understand.”
“Yes, we understand, thank you,” Tital said, disappointed.
He and Bardala returned to the trucks empty handed. Driving
back to the main road, Tital hoped they could find the two men
they needed, and soon. The countryside started becoming hillier,
as the state highway curved its way through the valleys. It was
spring, and the giant trees had all their leaves on full display. Life
could be great, but it could also be difficult. In these parts of the
country you needed to help your neighbor. Too bad, thought
Tital, as he drove along that it was not this way everywhere. The
Mexican men working hard for little pay all showed their love of