volume one IN THE D U D L E Y C L A R K - Ohio Vine Tours

“You hold down his legs,” he instructed Boudreaux. Then he looked up
into the Young Cowboy’s frightened face.
“Son, you did real good tonight. I seen you, calm and coolheaded, shoot
down several them Indians. Now it’s time for more courage. We’ll hold ’im
down while you pull out th’ arrow.”
Reluctantly, the Young Cowboy knelt and achieved a tight purchase with
the pliers.
Oliver Loving leaned down and peered into Chet’s frightened eyes.
“You have any idea what today is, son?”
Tears swelled in Chet’s eyes.
“Why,” continued Loving, in an attempt to offer rough-hewed comfort,
“today is Thanksgiving. Somethin’ to do with Indians bein’ our cousins.
Ain’t that a hoot’n a half.”
Boudreaux chuckled as he took hold of Chet’s legs.
“Now, son, I’m not gonna lie to you—this is gonna hurt. But it’s your
only chance. You scream all you want, won’t nobody hold it agin yah. We
git this out’n you, I’ll personal ride you to my ranch an’ my wife, Mary, will
nurse you back to good. But first we gotta git it out. You ready?”
Chet, trembling with fear, face white and covered with sweat, managed a
nod. He squeezed his eyes together tightly and waited.
Loving looked back at the Young Cowboy and winked.
2 ROY ROGERS IN THE 21ST CENTURY