Comanche Moon

Woodrow F. Call is a fictional Texas Ranger who appears in all four books of Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove series. Much of the books revolve around his relationship with his Ranger partner Augustus McCrae. The two are polar opposites, as Call is very task-oriented, with a passion for his work, but very little understanding of the complexities of human relationships, especially when it comes to women. Gus, while an able Ranger, is incredibly lazy and frequently complains about work. Gus is also a gregarious ladies man who in his youth spent much of his time courting Clara Allen, and in both his youth and old age frequently spent time with prostitutes. Despite their opposing personalities, Gus and Call remain close friends throughout the series from their late teens, when they first meet, until Gus's death.

In Comanche Moon

In this book, the action takes place at least a decade after Dead Man's Walk, the previous novel. Call (played in the movie by Karl Urban) and Gus are still Rangers, though their company now includes Joshua Deets, Pea Eye Parker and Jake Spoon. While out on patrol with their commanding officer, Inish Scull, the Indian Kicking Wolf steals Scull's horse. Scull had grown tired of being a Ranger and was looking for any excuse to leave his command, and the theft of his horse provided a perfect opportunity for him to desert. He sets out with Famous Shoes to find the horse, leaving the rest of the troop in the command of Gus and Call, who immediately receive ad hoc promotions to Captain.

Upon their return to Austin, Call receives word that Maggie is pregnant with his child. Call is not given much time to digest this information, however, as Scull's wife Inez puts pressure on Governor Elisha Pease to send Gus and Call to retrieve her husband.