Jonah Danforth | Posted July 24, 2019
"Ah, that bear...I hadn't thought about it coming so close to town," Jonah observed, but she was right, a bear as crazy-sounding as this one probably wouldn't be too put off by the scant populations on the fringes of town...tasty morsels that were a bit more isolated, with plenty of opportunity to get away. "I'll sleep with one eye open once I get back." He chuckled, then grinned. "Guess that's one advantage to being paid in chickens...any big predator like that comes around, I would think that they'd raise holy he...ck, give me warning. I suppose I should invest in a shotgun."
His pistol was a decent weapon, but against a bear, it may as well be a pea-shooter.
Posted July 25, 2019
"Perhaps we have a spare rifle or shotgun with suitable stopping power that we could loan you," Harriet answered and raised her eyebrows at Quentin.
She had found him very knowledgeable and for all their contentious behavior toward one another, he was also a very patient teacher. She now carried a rifle with her and, when dressed appropriately for riding, wore a sidearm as well. She supposed it was not very ladylike but it beat getting hurt or killed herself. Of course, since the bear had tried to attack Shade and the twins, she had an armed escort when she went riding or headed into town.
Quentin took a sip of coffee and looked over at the doctor. "I am sure we can arm the doctor so he could protect himself if he were to encounter our local monster..." He regarded the man levelly. "...Doctor, forgive my question, but have you ever had to use a firearm to shoot someone or something?"
Jonah Danforth | Posted July 29, 2019
"I've trained some, yes," Jonah replied, gauging his reply to be truthful, if not complete. "I shot a couple rabbits, and a turkey." He chuckled. "Buckshot does awful damage to the meat...Of course, I carry a derringer, and I have a Le Mat, but I'd be grateful for the loan of a shotgun. Even if not a bear, there are coyotes, badgers and such." Not to mention Indians and bandits!
Quentin nodded even as the quiet bells went off in his head. He could count on one hand the number of doctors he had met with much familiarity with weapons, even during the war, and he would still have fingers to spare. The fact the doctor offhandedly mentioned a Le Mat and a derringer as his personal weapons also pointed to someone with a lot more knowledge of firearms than his answer indicated. "Well, I am sure we can let you have one of the coach guns from our arms room..." Quentin gave a smile to the physician. "...It's easy enough to carry on a horse and would have plenty of range and power for any accidental encounters with our bear."
"Once I get settled I can look into getting my own, but for now I want to put my resources into the clinic, and I need to hire a woman..." another chuckle, "if I can find one who can cook and act as a nurse, but I'm not terribly hopeful on that!" It was a lot to ask of one person, but for now he couldn't (didn't want to) afford more.
Harriet finished her tea and rose to her feet, "Jonah, if you put a notice up at the general and maybe a help-wanted ad in the paper, you will probably get more interest than you expect. I need to clear up and go spell Laura so she can eat. Gentlemen," she smiled warmly at both men as she began gathering up the dishes.