Posted April 20, 2018
The stage driver handed over one shotgun then gave them the favorable news there was even a second one on the premises. Sure enough she located another weapon. He already had his own revolver. The newcomer was armed. Yeah, they should be fine against a handful of bucks, long as it wasn't a major war party. No sense worrying about you can't control though.
Everyone seemed finished eating so Ralph put the second shotgun down onto the table where it was in plain sight and easy enough reach should an attack come and someone else wished to arm themself. Hell, Matilda knew how to use a gun and at close quarters it didn't take a marksman to hit with a shotgun just had to have sand to be willing to use it.
"I don't need both shotguns, so putting this one here for the taking," he announced.
The driver was wanting to sleep in the barn with the stock, she gave another reason but he believed it more likely she wanted to protect the animals if the injuns came round to steal them. The newcomer started to accompany her.
"Hey, you two....if you do hear firing in the middle of the night, don't just rush out and head for here. Might be folks waiting on ya.....look around first. We'll be fine in here," he warned.
Actually he had heard many times injuns didn't fight at night, something about their spirits not finding their heaven or whatever they called it?
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted April 20, 2018
Speed laughed. "Not likely I'd do that. Too many skirmishes when we were supposed to be in a safe area." Shaking his head. "I suppose being in the infantry will do that to a man. Granted, it's been a while now, but you know, it sticks with you. "Likely as not they'll be after the stock, so it'll be us shooting, less' we can't."
Posted April 21, 2018
"Infantry eh? I was in the late war too. Mind if I ask what unit were you in?" Ralph was curious, he didn't bother asking what side, the answer would certainly tell him that.
And just so the man knew he himself was willing to identify his own personal experience in that unpleasantness, "I was in the 165th New York....we were Zouaves. I was young and dumb....joined because of that fancy uniform, wanted to see how I looked in it."
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted April 22, 2018
"Got it, then." Addy nodded, pointing out a few more things for the passengers, although the extra firewood was evident, and the good doctor had set out all the blankets, there was water and some biscuits still left from supper if anyone got hungry.
She glanced over at Mrs. Ford, who was decidedly pale, and grinned. "Not ta worry, Ma'am, we'll be fine." Then she looked at Matilda. "You can shoot, huh?" She did look like she had backbone and wouldn't shrink from a fight. "I can give ya one'a my pistols if ya prefer. Unless ya got yer own?" She seemed like the sort to have a derringer hidden away somewhere.
Posted April 25, 2018
Matilda turned away from Mrs. Ford and her infant at the sound of the driver's voice. Fair enough question.
"I can shoot. If you can spare the pistol, yes. I own a derringer but that's not exactly a weapon useful past a few feet," she answered.
She quickly turned back to the mother though, who no doubt was worried about all this talk and preparations for an attack.
"Don't you worry none, the driver is right. Everyone is just fussing so we can be ready just in case but I highly doubt any Indians will visit us tonight. They have an aversion to taking losses and attacking buildings just isn't something they normally do," she smiled sympathetically.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted April 26, 2018
On 4/21/2018 at 10:57 AM, Ralph Flandry said:
"Infantry eh? I was in the late war too. Mind if I ask what unit were you in?" Ralph was curious, he didn't bother asking what side, the answer would certainly tell him that.
And just so the man knew he himself was willing to identify his own personal experience in that unpleasantness, "I was in the 165th New York....we were Zouaves. I was young and dumb....joined because of that fancy uniform, wanted to see how I looked in it."
"I was a Captain in the 13th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, F Troop." Speed replied. "Harrowing experience. Saw action in every major battle of the conflict. You boys got your fill as well." Though the war was ten years past, it was something that hung with the men who were survivors of it.
Posted April 28, 2018
"Miz Devereau is right," Jonah tried to reassure the young mother, "there's little reason to worry, and all the preparations just make it all the more safe." He smiled and nodded to a mattress that was well-padded. "Now, Mrs. Ford, you just lay there and don't worry a bit. And if you need anything, you just let Miz Devereau or me know."
"Thank you." The woman nodded thanks, obviously exhausted and grateful to settle down with her child. "I'll be so glad to be in town," she commented, sighing. The trip had been long and grueling.
"I think we all will," Jonah chuckled, "even the horses!" He glanced at Miranda. "I have no doubt we'll be fine, but I agree that I'd feel better once we're in town." Then he chuckled. "And just another complex of inconveniences to see to...finding a place to live and set up practice, buying a horse and buggy..." Seemed like it never got easier!
Posted May 11, 2018
Early Morning, Cabin
After the long day, Jonah managed to sleep well, despite the less than ideal situation. Still, he'd slept in worse, it was warm and dry, no one snored too loudly, and the baby had only fussed a little, its irritable cries quickly comforted her mother.
The first hints of dawn were just starting to come through the windows when he finally decided to extricate himself from his blankets and go out to see to business, but when he got to the door what he saw stopped him in his tracks.
"Um...folks," he murmured, quietly closing the door and dropping down the latch, "we might have a bit of trouble..."
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted May 11, 2018
Early Morning
The night had been uneventful, and while it had been a bit chilly, Addy had been warm and comfortable in the barn, content with the nest in the hay and the familiar sounds that the horses made as they munched on grain or occasionally stamped a foot. There had been nothing out of the ordinary -- the horses would have warned her -- and now it was time to roll out and get things going for the day.
Breakfast would be coffee, cold biscuits and canned fruit, so the first order of the day would be getting the fire in the cabin stoked to heat water, then she'd come back out and start harnessing the horses.
Moving as quietly as possible so that she didn't awaken Speed, she pulled on her boots then got up and headed for the door, but stopped just as she started to pull open the heavy door.
Out in the yard between the barn and the house, was a group of Cree, four men and a woman, approaching the house.
"Speed," Addy hissed, moving back from the door, "hey, Speed, we got comp'ny."
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted May 11, 2018
He was on his feet in an instant bringing up his Henry rifle, earing the hammer back as he padded to the door. “What the . . . with a woman? Some sort of trick to draw the folks inside out to them?” Speed was no expert on Indians, that was for sure. He had learned to dodge them well enough, perhaps from his military training and experiences.
A fight with so few seemed unlikely so he whispered; “You see any weapons?” His head said they were either begging, something that was not uncommon, or, they were a diversion while others tried for the horses. Either way, he was prepared, except he wished for his boots which lay by where he had slept.