Story Homestead, Sweet, Homestead

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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#24b

Mark and his band of rescuers kept a punishing pace as they headed southward. A rapid trot ate up the miles and gave the riders sore and weary backs. Posting in the saddle helped some until finally Bruce and Chuck played out the second afternoon.

"I can't go any further," Chuck gasped, "my back has give out."

Secretly, Bruce was delighted that the newcomer gave in when he did. He had slightly better conditioning, but he had aches and pains on his aches and pains, and they all centered in his lower back.

"We are going to push on," Mark gave the two injured men a shuttered look, "keep to this trail and head South. We need to get there as soon as possible, and get back to the group."

Both Bruce and Chuck agreed and stood beside their horses as the rest of the band rode away. No one had mentioned to Chuck that Mark had the opportunity to have insight to future events, so he was somewhat mystified by the hurried rush.

"He's like that," Bruce had ventured his opinion. "Always in the biggest hurry to get things done. He HAS mellowed some," the doctor stressed and then laughed, "but obviously, not much. I'm gonna walk for a while, I need to stretch my back and we can talk while we get a mile or so. Frankly my backside would be very happy if we didn't get in the saddle right away."

"I say AMEN, to that," Chuck added ruefully. "Tell me how ya'all got together to be a family?" Chuck asked the magical question. that started Bruce talking for an hour.



"Pap, you gonna let us take the mule when we go huntin the scum thet kilt Rolly?" The whining tone grated on Pap's nerves.

"No," the old man snapped, "ya got feets, 'n thet mules shoes er wearing out and I ain't got any others."

"But Pap, I done got lumps on my feets on account of them three cornered thorny bushes."

"I've tole you and tole you, go around them thorny bushes, it's yer own fault if yer not smart enough to go around. You boys need to go git Rolly's gun, somebody e'll git it and use it on us."

"Oh Pap, do we have to go back there, it jest tears me up to be around where he was shot. We tole him not to be so jumpy, but he was all lathered up about a youngen woman, and he called dibs on her. That ain't fair Pap, we should get a chance too." the whiney now oldest boy was reluctant to give up on the matter of fairness.

"Yer gonna get what I say you kin get, and that's what yer gonna get," Pap thundered, causing the pathetic young man to recoil back out of hitting range.

A new thought struck the cowering man. "I'll go get Rolly's rifle, kin I have it; it shoots truer than mine."

"I'll think on thet, jest you two go get it back here where it belongs." Pap needed quiet, while he thought out a plan for coming even.
Make no bet on it, he would come even,
 
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ted

ted

Veteran Member
Goin out to meet up with Dog huh? Don't sound to smart to me even if it was only a slight chance of it.

Thank you!
 
Texican

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
They's hunting will not have the outcome that they seek....

Thanks Pac for the chapter....

Texican....
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#25

Rolly's brothers slunk back to approximately where Rolly had been killed. "This heres the place where we begun dragging him back to the cabin, but I don't see Rolly's gun. You stand right here soes I know the middle of it; I'm gonna start walking a circle," the now oldest told the youngest.

Nose to the ground like a Cane Courser, the man circled and circled the spot. There simply wasn't a rifle to be found. "Somebodies been here and done took Rolly's gun. It just ain't here." The oldest said mournfully, knowing what was in store for them.
"I ain't sure 'bout goin back soes Pap can whup us," the youngest leaned on his rifle, looking out into the distant sunlight along the road. "I ain't never been furtherest than old Baldy Mtn., but I don't cotton to getting beat either."

"How many bullets ya got?"

"Twenty some," the youngest felt in his pocket.

"'bout the same as I gots," the oldest gauged the weight in his ragged jean jacket pocket. "If I go, I ain't goin back toward Pap's, I believe I'd like to go visitin over toward the river," he said pensively.

The youngest nodded. "Pap 'ud beat us for sure somethin fierce, fer loosen Rollys gun; if your a mind fer company, I'd go." The two brothers took a deep breath and turned their backs on the ramshackle shack and headed West toward the river.

Pap, alone in the cabin, smoked his pipe. The later it got toward night and no idiot sons showed up, Pap got to thinkin dark thoughts about his progeny. Slowly he came to the realization that Rolly's gun was probably gone and his boys lit out rather than take the thrashing they deserved.

Now he had to rethink his matter of revenge. Without those two, no good for nothing boys, he had to change the way he was gonna come even. There was no supper and the fire came close to dying out, before the old man roused himself to go get wood. There were three split pieces, and that wouldn't be enough to keep him warm overnight, and now it was too dark to see and split more.

There was a rustle and disturbance in the air, a 'hooo' as an owl flew over head and the old man instinctively ducked. He shivered with the implications; the Indians thought the hoot of an owl was mighty bad luck, foretelling a death. He hustled as fast as possible back to the cabin and let himself in, locking the door behind him. If those two stupid fool boys showed up, they could take what they deserved before he would let them in.


At first light, Corbin started harnessing horses and filling the hitches, while Clara and Judy put breakfast together. They ate, and Clara did dishes and Judy helped sort out the horses. "I don't see the dog, I wonder where he went too?" Judy commented as she backed the mares into the proper position.

"I guess he comes and goes according to his own notions," Corbin picked up the heavy harness and put it over the Roan. Corbin and Judy got done about the same time as Clara, and Corbin called out, "if we hustle, we can make the farm by dark." that's all it took, there was extra urgency in the rush to be on the trail.


Mark and his crew pushed on hard using the entire day and not stopping until almost dark; when they spotted fires in the distance.

Toby was using his rifle scope to peer into the distance. "nope, no good, we need binoculars. Anybody got a pair?" Mark did, and he watched the flickering firelight.

"I see wagons grouped together, I would say I'm 89% sure that's Seamus and family. Shall we keep on riding and find out?"

Everyone agreed, so they let the horses pick their way toward the fires, understanding the horses had senses that man didn't have. Coming closer, they started singing a hymn, to tell Seamus they were close. He let loose with a caterwauling wail from his bagpipe, and Mark said grimly, "it's Seamus allright. Lord help us, I was hoping he had lost that bagpipe. You're in for a treat Chuck, Seamus is like no other man you will ever meet." Mark addressed the mountain man on his left. Horses grouped together, they walked steadily toward the welcoming camp.
 
Texican

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
The two boys are smarter than realize by leaving the old man and find new lives....

The guys found the rest of the clan which is good....

Thanks Pac for the Chapter....

Texican....
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#26

Phoebe was excited to think that they had been found by friendly people. Seamus seemed certain that he was big, strong and confident enough to get them back to the main group; but caring for so many small and weak people was a burden, and more of a heavy load than he realized.

Then there were the small boys. They were trying so hard to be responsible and help with all their abilities, but they were still small children being exercised beyond their small body's ability to recuperate. And Hattie. Phoebe was disgusted at the lack of participation by the former school teacher. Hattie had simply 'checked out' of life, and as much as Punky and Max tried to bring her into the day to day work, she simply chilled out.

Mark called out to still the great gusto Seamus was treating his bagpipe music. "Seamus, it's Mark and men to give you a hand."

The bagpipe gave a agonizing groan as the last air was squeezed out of it. "Oh, I hope that's not human," Chuck said to no one in particular. "A bag pipe, who would have thought that we would hear that, out here in the wilderness?"

"Just wait, you haven't seen or heard all of the surprise," Toby chuckled. "It can either get better or worse, it's your call."

"Why?" Chuck asked innocently, bringing a chuckle from all the men.

"Patience grasshopper," Toby said with a wise tone, imitating the famous movie line, "it will be revealed in due time."

"Mr. Mark Granddad," Punky sang out, "it's really good to see you. See Miss Hattie, Mr. Mark is here." His childish enthusiasm cut no ice with Hattie, she remained in blah land.

The incoming group walked into the firelight circle, Mark going right over to Seamus and shaking his hand. Seamus returned the shake and turned to the newcomer Chuck and spent a couple of seconds inspecting the fur clad man. "Hoo be ya Sir, bonny clothes you are wearing."

Chuck, to his credit, didn't bat an eyelash as he extended his hand for a shake. There was a slight tightening of strong hand muscles as the two men sized the other up, and by mutual consent, it was called a draw. The two men were talking as quietly as two large and strong opinioned men could; Phoebe watching both of them with quiet measure.

Mark shook hands with Calvin, Punky and Max, noting that the three youngsters were gaunt looking and yawning with tiredness. "Hey guys, why don't you head for bed; we grownups will be talking for a while, and we will have guards tonight so you can sleep soundly."

All three boys mumbled their thanks and slowly turned and went to Phoebe's wagon. Tiredly they opened the door and went in. Next Mark looked at Hattie, and shook his head, drawing Phoebe's glance and was able to perfectly understand Phoebe's disgusted look.
Phoebe walked close and told the leader just exactly her estimation of the spaced out woman.

"It's a cryin shame it is, her neglecting her boys like shes doin. Why those poor tykes need to eat and sleep better than we kin do for them, Punky and Max try to get her to eat, and she just sits there. Well, I for one have stopped begging her to do the right thing, but honestly we don't know what to do for her, how to help her in any way we can think of."

Mark was thinking that Phoebe obviously didn't get a chance to talk much, as fast as she was unloading on him. Phoebe asked questions about Chuck, asking who he was and how he came to be riding with them.

"Well, you know Clora," Mark said in lieu of an explanation, and was happy that Phoebe accepted the words as they were. Phoebe nodded and then smiled at Mark, "To be sure," she smoothed.

Coffee was poured and men hunkered down around the fire and discussed the upcoming travel. Time was set as first light in the morning and the men gathered up bedrolls and put themselves to bed.
 
Texican

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Mark was thinking that Phoebe obviously didn't get a chance to talk much, as fast as she was unloading on him. Phoebe asked questions about Chuck, asking who he was and how he came to be riding with them.

"Well, you know Clora," Mark said in lieu of an explanation, and was happy that Phoebe accepted the words as they were. Phoebe nodded and then smiled at Mark, "To be sure," she smoothed.

Clora knows who the good ones are....

Thanks Pac for the chapter....

Texican....
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#27

At first light, Mark was up, rousing Chuck in particular. Mark wasn't friendly when he snarled, "all right, I want the truth before I cut your throat. Why did you leave Bruce and catch up with us? I'm listening," his impatience came through loud and clear, also the implied threat.

Chuck looked him straight in the eye, unwavering when he said, "Bruce made me go on. He turned back, said his back was so bad he couldn't go on. I am very uncomfortable but still capable of riding. So I caught up with you."

It was almost plausible, but to Mark,his chin and back of his neck were itching. He nodded at Chuck, to let him know he understood, and then casually went for a cup of coffee.

When he was able to speak to Jerry undetected by any of the others, he had the man take Punky and Max and bug out with a horse. "Find Bruce, if he's still alive, and get him back to the group along with these kids. Don't stop, ride your horse into the ground if necessary. High alert at every thought," the commander emphasized strongly. "Something's not right here. I don't think Bruce would have sent Chuck on alone."

Jerry nodded, gathered up Punky and Max swung up on his horse in the shelter of Hattie's wagon and lit out like the hounds were after him. At that precise moment Hattie started shrieking in a frenzied fit, she had seen Punky and Max being carried off, and she used the only method she had of attracting attention.

Mark tackled her from behind, before she could start pointing and announcing that her boys were being kidnapped. "Stop Hattie," Mark growled low in her ear, pinching her arm to get her attention. "I'm saving the boy's life," then he pinched her harder and she yelped and started crying anew.

Naturally her antics drew all the attention, and Toby covered for Mark, once he had figured out what was going on.

It only took a moment to get Phoebe in on the ruse, one woman helping another in the throes of a breakdown, and soon Seamus was involved, roaring and speaking in his strong dialect. Thank goodness no one could understand him or the setup would have been ruined.

Calvin was almost the undoing, but Toby got to him in the last split second and clamped his hand over the boy's mouth. "You've got a bloody nose," Toby roared, "have you been fighting?"

Fortunately, Chuck had his back to Toby and Calvin, and Toby got to drop a word to the child. By the time Chuck swung around to see what the new commotion was all about, Mark had swept Hattie to the side and he had his pistol jammed in Chuck's back.

"Seamus, shut up and get me some rope," Mark roared, startling the giant into silence. Seamus looked around with suspicion and confusion, wondering what the rope was for. "Now!" Mark's voice was loud and forceful, causing Phoebe to race to their wagon for rope.


In the early morning coolness, Corbin trotted the horses for several miles, the jarring trot taking them to the foot of a steep grade. "Ok, we need to unhitch the extra wagons and take one wagon up at a time. This will take us above the fault line that runes through here, so let's get started."

There were three steep switchbacks to maneuver, and the horses stood sweating and heaving deep breaths at the top. Corbin tied them to a post, and walked back down to bring up the next wagon. When he had the three main wagons up the grade, he unhitched the first team and took them down the steep road to bring up the first of the second wagons. It was late in the afternoon by the time they were back on the trail, and Corbin was disappointed.

At dark they stopped, "we have to camp here, it took a lot longer to get up the hill than I expected, so ladies I am sorry to report that there will be no comfy bed tonight." Corbin was so downcast and apologetic, that Clara patted his shoulder, kissed his ear and whispered that it was 'entirely alright. It wouldn't hurt to be out another night."

Corbin reached up and squeezed her hand. "I don't think I deserve you, you're a peach." and Clara laughed, and handed him a bowl of stew.

"I am very sick of eating stew," Corbin sighed deep, "you're food is delicious, but my goodness, we have eaten stew for three months at least once a day, and often two times a day. I'm dreaming of a huge beef roast with potatoes and carrots, onions and a stockpot of gravy."

"Oh," Judy breathed out, "real meat, I mean cow type meat?" she asked hopefully.

"Yes, I have Herfords and more than a roast, I enjoy a thick steak smothered with onions and mushrooms."

"Oh stop," Judy pleaded, "I'm getting so hungry, and it's all your fault. And we have stew," she sighed and dipped her spoon in the brown gravy coated vegetables.
 
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Freebirde

Senior Member
" I'm dreaming of a huge beef roast with potatoes and carrots, onions and a stockpot of gravy."

To me, a good stew is beef chunks, potatoes, carrots, and onions, cooked in brown gravy. Simple, filling, comfort food.
 
Texican

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Pac,

Stew is good, but three months of stew once or twice a day, stew will become survival food....

Texican....
 
P

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#28

Robert hustled his considerably smaller group at a trot. No one said a word and endured the bone jarring pace. Gary thought he had bounced a thousand miles by the time they stopped for the night. His innards hurt and he had cramps in his legs from bracing himself against the wagon footrest.

Gary wasn't hungry when it came time to eat, but Robert shoved the bowl in his hand and growled "eat." He numbly nodded, and played with his spoon in and out of the barely cooked tough and stringy meat. Gary picked up a chunk of the meat with his fingers and raised his eye brows in Robert's direction, asking wordlessly what in the name of food, was this.

"Coyote, and you're damn glad to be eating it," Robert spit out in anger. "If you don't like what's offered, get your head out of your rear and go hunting."

Gary shrugged, maybe tomorrow he thought, maybe I'll feel like it then.

Mason looked on with interest, this was an almost strange group, the other two boys seemed pretty normal, but those older brothers seemed on the verge of a fistfight, at the drop of a hat. Mason didn't know anything about Robert's background but the other dude just lost his wife and kids and he didn't look like he was handling it well.

The water they were camped next too, was not all that appetizing and Mason had hoped to take a wash up, but he wasn't going to get in that water. When he watched as Robert scooped up pond water to fill the coffee pot for the next mornings coffee, he quit drinking coffee on the spot.

Mason understood there was a great difference between 'roughing it' and being down right stupid with your survival. True, the coffee water was going to be boiled, but he wasn't sure that would destroy the green ribbon of pond slime that he watched being sucked into the graniteware boiler.

Robert disappeared and Mason sidled over to Andy and Donny and warned them quietly about the potential problems with the next mornings coffee. Donny gagged and turned green, holding his hand over his mouth. "Really?" he muttered against the pressure of his fingers. "For two cents I'd kick the can on this outfit and head back to Mark and Clora's. We're gonna wind up dying with the slipshod way those two are preparing our grub. I don't fancy getting dysentery just because they don't give a damn."

Andy looked thoughtful, and looked at the other two and shrugged. "I suppose this is fish or cut bait time, isn't it. I know I said not more than a couple of days ago that I was firmly fixated on going West, but not to the possible end of my life. I gotta think on this tonight, I'll let you know in the morning."

Mason nodded, "just don't drink any coffee." he said ruefully.

All three young men thought long and hard about their situtation during the night. It was a restless, uncomfortable, soul searching time that precluded sleep.

Mason was still interested in going West, so he determined that he would flip a coin in the daylight. He went to sleep after that momentous conclusion.
 
Nature_Lover

Nature_Lover

Wait! What?
Thank you Pac! I just caught up after reading the whole Saga again. From "For Pete's Sake."
Thank you again, for sharing your gift, your stories, and your insights. You have done this without politics, or prejudice.
I have learned so much from these stories.
I hope you and Mr. KC are happy and healthy. Thanks, Pac!
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
Thank you Nature Lover;

but every word written has been an inspiration from my Heavenly Father. Even the hard episodes, the dangerous ones and those that celebrate life....and the taking of it.

I sit down, open the laptop and pray that God will guide my mind and fingers to His glory. I can and will do this, as long as I am able to glorify Him. I can only say, when it is a God thing in your life; it is so very easy.

Thanks to everyone that reads and puts up with my chaotic life. (we have been moving feeder calves, and that takes time and ear plugs to listen to the mama's and babies bawl.)

I don't like to brag, but Mr. KC had two ultra superlative pens of calves that shipped, to the top of the market. He is a good steward of his land and animals...……….and me too! LOL. Pac.
 
ted

ted

Veteran Member
That last part about taking care of you is what we want to hear. We want you to stick around to write for us...LOL!
 
P

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#29

Reticent Donny surprised them all the next morning by announcing that he was turning back to join the group going to Iowa. Even Andy was shocked to hear his brother speak out.

"I've changed my mind," he announced without smiling. "I've decided to not go West, I want to continue learning under Mr. Mark, I value his opinions and experiences ."

"Well, I ah, guess I'll go with him," Andy said in a puzzled voice, not sure what was causing Donny to act so contrary. Andy was so sure that they both wanted to go West, he had made up his mind with no problem.

Andy, being the older brother had no intention of letting his younger brother go traipsing around the country without supervision, so he hid his disappointment and made the split second decision to follow Donny.

"I'm with Donny," Andy said actually unnecessarily, "if he wants to go, then so do I." Andy would have really liked to have had a cup of strong coffee to bolster his courage; but then he remembered the warning to avoid the coffee. Swallowing hard, he spoke in a deeper more adult sounding voice, hoping that made his decision sound more mature and well thought out.

Andy and Donny looked at Mason, and all they got was a casual, off hand shoulder shrug. "Either way, don't make no difference to me, but I think I'll go back and hit Corbin up for a job. I don't like having no money, I don't have enough money to buy a loaf of bread."

"Can we get a coffee pot and skillet?" Andy was busy thinking of what they would need beside their clothes.

"Yeah," Gary growled before Robert could intervene. He just wanted rid of any extra responsibility, and those three kids were problems waiting to happen. "Take mine, there's plates and forks and some coffee. If you go, go now and we ain't lettin you reconsider. Get gone and stay gone, no touchy-feely crap."

It took Andy to saddle the horses and Donny to get the camp outfit stowed in his saddlebags. While he was in Gary's wagon, Donny filled his pockets with boxes of 30-06 ammo, he was peeved at the way the man was pushing them out at such a rapid pace. Besides, he figured they were entitled to some of the ammo, it had been originally divided up to include the three boys in Robert's part of the ammo stash, so he got one side of the saddle bag filled.

Mason was kind of dawdling, so Andy and Donny rode away before Gary or Robert demanded to inspect what they had taken from the wagon. They had their bedrolls, slickers and weapons. Andy happened to think that they hadn't taken any ammo, and stopped up short. "We'd better go back and get ammo."

"Got it," Donny beamed brightly, "I helped myself when I was getting the frying pan." He patted the side of his saddlebag. "Have you turned around, is that worn Mason coming? If you don't see him, lets make tracks and put miles between us,"

"Not coming," Andy twisted in the saddle. "Let's go," and they started a rapid canter. Andy and Donny rode hard for several hours, retracing their previous days travel. They went quite a distance because their horses were well conditioned, walking when they figured it was close to noon.

"I'm starving, what'a we got to eat?" Andy was rubbing his belly as it gurgled.

"I've got a couple of chews of jerky, that and some water. I'm sure glad you got a coffee pot without extra slime, that is the grossest thing I have ever seen."

"I don't want to stop, we can get way past where we stayed night before last, and how far back do we need to go before we turn North?" Andy supposed they should go back as far as that little settlement to get directions, and he said so.

"Hey, as good a reasoning as I've heard. I've been thinkin about what Mr. Mark would do, and that sounds like good direct action. Let's ride again, put more distance between us and that Mason. I don't much care for him, he makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up and Mr. Mark always said to pay attention to those feelings."

Andy agreed with a nod, and they started out at a fast run, letting the horses take them away from the strange uncertainties of Robert and Gary, and toward the good common sense and security of the Iowa bound clan.



Mark was one angry man. "I outta take my knife and skin you alive," he threatened Chuck. "You don't ever leave a man to be by himself, no matter what he tells you. You get on that horse and you get back to where you left him. If I see you without Bruce, I'll shoot to kill," he threatened coldly.

Chuck looked at the furious man with a strange expression. "Hey, I'm not a babysitter. If a man wants to be by himself, I don't argue, I leave him to his own thoughts. When I left that Bruce dude, he was headed back toward the wagons. You might be the head honcho here, but I'm not under your command, so I refuse. I'm no coward, I'm honorable man, so you're going to have to have better reasons than what you're telling me."

Mark drew a deep breath, he didn't want to seem like he was loosing his cool, but the thought of Bruce out wandering around loose was enough to give him the shakes. Since Bruce's due process of detoxing, Mark had always kept close tabs on the man, never totally believing that the good doctor wouldn't relapse if given the opportunity.

"Let's get these wagons hitched and on the road," he said briskly, "I want you driving one of the heavy wagons with a second wagon behind. We have to get moving and get back to the clan."
 
Texican

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Chuck and Mark will sand toe to toe before this is over....

The clan can not make up it minds which way to go....

Spells trouble....

Thanks Pac for the chapter....

Texican....
 
P

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#30

Bruce hurt so bad he could barely stay in the saddle. He headed his horse in the direction of the wagon encampment and talked to the horse like the animal was human and capable of understanding. "Good boy, just walk nice and slow and take me back to your buddies." Bruce had a sneaking suspicion he knew what his problem might be. He would have to get Clora to touch his back for confirmation; but the pain was the same as when he had his cancer. Bruce hadn't noticed the full extent of the pain, until he climbed on this thunder pounding plate footed horse.


Jerry had to stop out of sight of Seamus's camp, the two boys were continually leaning one way or the other and ready to fall off. With Max in front and Punky behind, he continued at a running walk, the slower pace easier on the horse and the humans.

"When 'er we gonna get there?" Punky had to shout to get Jerry's attention.

"When we get there," came the man's calm response.

"Well I KNOW that," Punky snapped right back. "I want to know how much time is this gonna take us?"

"Don't know," Jerry said outright, "I believe we are at least a day's and a half away from the main group. It really depends on how many times we have to stop."

"I believe I know why that Abby lady lit out without ya, yer a jerk." Punky muttered just loud enough for Jerry to hear.

"You want to walk or shut your mouth, your choice?" Jerry was reasonable, and very firm.

Punky shut his mouth and rested his head against Jerry's back. He was so tired that the clopping swing of the horse was putting him to sleep. Jerry put his right arm back and around the sleepy child, while holding his left arm around Max and the reins. Max bobbed and swayed and went to sleep and Jerry made the most of the quiet interlude.



Andy and Donny made it back to the first road intersection, where they were hailed down by a wacko looking man in a tall beaver hat and a coat of red with gold epaulets and buttons.

"I say, good chaps, would you be so kind as to lend us a hand? We have a most distressing circumstance to overcome." the man had a strong British accent and his arm in a sling and a piece of broken harness.

Andy and Donny were sitting on their horses marveling at the pair of steers that were pulling the wagon. Tall as a workhorse with an astonishing spread of horns, the steers stood quietly, chewing their cud.

"I guess we have time to look at the harness," Andy allowed, "we are on a tight schedule however and can't stay long."

"Jolly well appreciated men, I have tried to hammer the rivets to mend the line, but my arm is out of commission for the moment. My name is Cedric; Cedric Worthingham from London, England with the most terrible of beasts for your viewing pleasure." finishing his spiel, Cedric half bowed and swept his good arm toward the canvas shuttered set of wagons.

As if on cue, there was a nasty sounding snarl from behind the grey weathered canvas, and the wagon rocked back and forth under the weight of the pacing animal.

"What is that?" Donny rested his hand on his pistol, frowning with suspicion.

"One of the most magnificent tigers you will ever have the pleasure of resting your eyes upon," Cedric bragged. "Straight from the savage wilds of Africa, this noble animal can rip flesh, claw with death claws and jump astonishing measures of length. I would be proud to show him to you, as soon as the harness is mended," the showman nudged his agenda to get his equipment repaired.

"No thanks," Donny smiled as he denied his curiosity, "we've been to the zoo many times. What's in the second wagon?"

"Alas," the ringmaster said sorrowfully, "that was the cage of my most magnificent lion," hanging his head, he was the picture of despondent misery. Donny was just getting ready to ask what happened to the lion, when Andy finished hammering the set of rivets to join the two lengths of leather rein.

"We gotta go," Andy urged, "we have a tight schedule. If you need more help, there should be another rider along about five hours behind us."

"Jolly good chaps; my appreciation to you." Cedric waved at them, as the two brothers rode away at a trot.
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#31

A nagging unease had Clora climbing up in the wagon, standing on the floorboard and looking toward the very distant mountains that were roiling with purple black clouds. Faintly, flashing lightening could be seen and the wind started rising.

"Milo, come look at the approaching storm and the dust cloud coming our way," Clora snagged her son as he walked the perimeter in a security move. Climbing up to stand by Clora, Milo sniffed the air.

"Ma, I don't think that's dust, I think that's a prairie fire headed our way. Can you smell it?"

"I can now," Clora admitted, "I think we should go across the creek and start a back fire, otherwise we are going to go up in smoke."

"I agree, let me get everyone working on gathering up the wagons and teams. The wind is still slightly from the Northwest, so you go get started from a couple of hundred yards up the creek. Go for a narrow ribbon burned out, naturally extinguishing itself at the creek bank. I'll come help as soon as I get everything started."

Clora nodded, got down and went to the firewood pile for a length of branch. Hurrying across the creek, she began firing a small strip of the waist high grass. It torched up instantly, burning to the muddy bank. Clora carefully had control, burning a long strip on the far side creek bank. Hurrying back up to her starting point she torched back about ten feet. The increasing wind raced the new fire to the burned out strip, where it sputtered and died.

Milo was shooting orders right and left. "Rennie, you and Abby bunch the wagons as tight as possible in a circle and bring the horses in. We are going to have a bad thunderstorm and possibly a prairie fire."

The ladies sprang into action. "Millie you gather the kids in one wagon so they aren't hurt by the milling horses. Fire is going to make them very frightened. Tricia, you get buckets and fill them with water. Put them under the front of every wagon. Honey, you put out our cooking fires, we are going to have wind, then help the gals move the wagons and horses. I've got to help Ma burn a wider firebreak." Milo shouted the last over his shoulder as he loped for the creek with a dry branch.

Honey and Tricia worked together and got their projects done. The scent of smoke was floating in wisps of blue tendrils. Rennie and Abby used one team to back the wagons solidly together, and Honey and Tricia went for the teams that were staked out grazing.

Drill sargent Millie had to spank Tess's three boys because they wouldn't mind and stay in the wagon; and Tess flashed her a thumbs up sign as she went to help Ma and Milo.

As quick as they were, the fast moving fire was now a wall of ten foot high flames, gaining momentum in the tall, dry grass.

"Get to the wagons," Milo ordered, "I have to know where you are, I'm going to run out and do a wider fire strip. Ma, you had better start praying," and he was gone.

Thunder was booming and lightening sizzling, the wind tearing into the gathered wagons. Milo came running in to stand doubled over panting, "we've got a firebreak, but I don't know if it's wide enough, we have to pray."



Clara looked at the solid mass of Corbin's house, and was astonished. It was a huge, a three story with an attic and a high veranda. If Clara on her wagon seat was impressed, Judy was flabbergasted. Corbin's teams were antsy, wanting to reach the shelter of their home barn and they wanted to prance and trot. Corbin let them out a little, and all three sets of horses started hurrying.

Corbin could see Dufus coming out to meet them on his horse, and he waved.




Bruce continued back to the encampment. More and more he began smelling smoke and finally made his way to a hillock to face into the wind. He could see the storm, the wall of fire and wondered where in the world he was going to find a safe place.



By this time, the fire was miles wide, devouring everything in it's path. Jerry smelled the smoke carried miles ahead of the fire by the rushing wind.

"Whatcha sniffing the air for?" Punky demanded.

"Smell for yourself," Jerry replied, "what do you think it is?"

"Smoke," Max replied from the front, "something's burning."
 
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