Story Homestead, Sweet, Homestead
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#51
Chuck got dragged through the tall grass. over hidden rocks and stones. Refusing to let go of the halter rope, he flailed and tried to stand and dig his heels in, to stop the panicked horse.
Yelling at the top of his lungs, he demanded the mare stop, and every time he was drug over whatever was battering him, he hollered a few choice cuss words.
Andy tried to stay aboard his plunging gelding, spurring the animal to circle around so he could spot the tiger, before it pounced.
It seemed like the commotion went on for long, long minutes. There were no more sounds from the tiger, and eventually the horses tired and slowed down. Sides heaving, head down, Moss stood breathing heavily. While she was still, the colt danced in for a quick meal. That motherly duty calmed Moss more than anything, and she stood still as Chuck tried to figure a way to get back on top of the large economy sized Moss, with his hurt leg.
"Hey, wait a minute. I'll get off and boost you up," Andy offered. "You got stepped on?" he questioned.
"Yeah," Chuck panted, " the colt, he didn't mean too, but he's no light weight." he stood beside Moss as Andy bent to cup his hands for Chuck to step in.
"You're no light weight either," Andy grunted as he strained to lift Chuck high enough for the older man to scramble across the broad backed Moss.
"Boy, that took away any dignity I ever thought I had," Chuck strained to smile down at Andy, "thanks, I'd never had made that by myself. What do ya think we should do, keep on keeping on."
"Yeah, I want to pick a more favorable place to spend the night. Like a place that doesn't have tall grass for a half mile around it. That blasted cat has been following us and how he gets so close without us catching sight of him, I don't know." Andy swung up on his horse, whirled the animal in a circle as he checked the surrounding area.
"I believe we have about a short couple of hours until dark, so lets get going," Chuck said between gritted teeth, "I'll try to keep up, but if I can't, I want you to go on without me. No sense in both of us becoming tiger bait."
"We'll cross that problem when we get to it," Andy said, with absolutely no intention of leaving Chuck to the mercy of the stalking tiger.
Trotting against the remnants of the unusual wind, the duo went hard across the prairie.
A full hour's worth of the jarring movement took them Northeast, and the wind kept blowing.
"I smell smoke," Andy stood as tall as he could, scanning the horizon. "There's a fire ahead, and it looks like trees, I think we might have found people and a camp. Keep on Chuck, it looks like less than a mile away."
Mark sighed hard, that man and his blasted bagpipe. Seamus was a good man, had connections with God that he Mark, didn't have. But Seamus's penchant for shrilling that terrible noise had to stop.
Getting the animals under control, and digging out the wagons took hours. Tedious work, backbreaking at best for already tired men. Phoebe rushed around bring drinking water, checking on her 'children' as Calvin babysat with Suisan. Punky and Max kept up a running commentary between them, concerning the progress.
"I'm guessing that supper will be late," Punky was saddened by his discovery.
"They's doin a powerful bunch of work, I wouldn't be mouthing off about eatin." Calvin advised. "There's a time to be whining about things, and this ain't it."
"How come you got to be so smart, you ain't that much older than me," Punky challenged his friend.
"I'm smarter cause I keep my mouth shut soes my ears can hear better. All you think about is yerself, and it ain't always about you. Sometimes it's about others, an ya just got to keep yer mouth shut and go with the flow."
Max was nodding his head up and down, without saying a word. He looked over at the baby and smiled. Suisan babbled back, her baby voice strong and deep like Seamus's. "She's gonna be a biggun," Punky said to Calvin; "she looks heavy to carry."
"Yes Sir, she shore is. I ain't supposed to lift her, she wiggles hard. Miss Phoebe Ma says to just play with her gently. No sticks or such like that, it's gonna be a couple of years before she can play with us." the boys laughed when Suisan blew bubbles with her spit.
"I think she's gonna be Ok, for a girl that is." Calvin opinioned. The other two boys agreed.
There was a cheer outside, the last wagon was pulled out of it's muddy prison, and Mark was yelling for drivers to grab the reins. "We've got a couple of hours of daylight, let's head north."
Chuck got dragged through the tall grass. over hidden rocks and stones. Refusing to let go of the halter rope, he flailed and tried to stand and dig his heels in, to stop the panicked horse.
Yelling at the top of his lungs, he demanded the mare stop, and every time he was drug over whatever was battering him, he hollered a few choice cuss words.
Andy tried to stay aboard his plunging gelding, spurring the animal to circle around so he could spot the tiger, before it pounced.
It seemed like the commotion went on for long, long minutes. There were no more sounds from the tiger, and eventually the horses tired and slowed down. Sides heaving, head down, Moss stood breathing heavily. While she was still, the colt danced in for a quick meal. That motherly duty calmed Moss more than anything, and she stood still as Chuck tried to figure a way to get back on top of the large economy sized Moss, with his hurt leg.
"Hey, wait a minute. I'll get off and boost you up," Andy offered. "You got stepped on?" he questioned.
"Yeah," Chuck panted, " the colt, he didn't mean too, but he's no light weight." he stood beside Moss as Andy bent to cup his hands for Chuck to step in.
"You're no light weight either," Andy grunted as he strained to lift Chuck high enough for the older man to scramble across the broad backed Moss.
"Boy, that took away any dignity I ever thought I had," Chuck strained to smile down at Andy, "thanks, I'd never had made that by myself. What do ya think we should do, keep on keeping on."
"Yeah, I want to pick a more favorable place to spend the night. Like a place that doesn't have tall grass for a half mile around it. That blasted cat has been following us and how he gets so close without us catching sight of him, I don't know." Andy swung up on his horse, whirled the animal in a circle as he checked the surrounding area.
"I believe we have about a short couple of hours until dark, so lets get going," Chuck said between gritted teeth, "I'll try to keep up, but if I can't, I want you to go on without me. No sense in both of us becoming tiger bait."
"We'll cross that problem when we get to it," Andy said, with absolutely no intention of leaving Chuck to the mercy of the stalking tiger.
Trotting against the remnants of the unusual wind, the duo went hard across the prairie.
A full hour's worth of the jarring movement took them Northeast, and the wind kept blowing.
"I smell smoke," Andy stood as tall as he could, scanning the horizon. "There's a fire ahead, and it looks like trees, I think we might have found people and a camp. Keep on Chuck, it looks like less than a mile away."
Mark sighed hard, that man and his blasted bagpipe. Seamus was a good man, had connections with God that he Mark, didn't have. But Seamus's penchant for shrilling that terrible noise had to stop.
Getting the animals under control, and digging out the wagons took hours. Tedious work, backbreaking at best for already tired men. Phoebe rushed around bring drinking water, checking on her 'children' as Calvin babysat with Suisan. Punky and Max kept up a running commentary between them, concerning the progress.
"I'm guessing that supper will be late," Punky was saddened by his discovery.
"They's doin a powerful bunch of work, I wouldn't be mouthing off about eatin." Calvin advised. "There's a time to be whining about things, and this ain't it."
"How come you got to be so smart, you ain't that much older than me," Punky challenged his friend.
"I'm smarter cause I keep my mouth shut soes my ears can hear better. All you think about is yerself, and it ain't always about you. Sometimes it's about others, an ya just got to keep yer mouth shut and go with the flow."
Max was nodding his head up and down, without saying a word. He looked over at the baby and smiled. Suisan babbled back, her baby voice strong and deep like Seamus's. "She's gonna be a biggun," Punky said to Calvin; "she looks heavy to carry."
"Yes Sir, she shore is. I ain't supposed to lift her, she wiggles hard. Miss Phoebe Ma says to just play with her gently. No sticks or such like that, it's gonna be a couple of years before she can play with us." the boys laughed when Suisan blew bubbles with her spit.
"I think she's gonna be Ok, for a girl that is." Calvin opinioned. The other two boys agreed.
There was a cheer outside, the last wagon was pulled out of it's muddy prison, and Mark was yelling for drivers to grab the reins. "We've got a couple of hours of daylight, let's head north."
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
"I'm smarter cause I keep my mouth shut soes my ears can hear better.
Calvin is learning for his young age....
The Tiger is still out there....
Thanks Pac for the chapter and the time you spend bring the Moar Hounds story after story....
Texican....
Calvin is learning for his young age....
The Tiger is still out there....
Thanks Pac for the chapter and the time you spend bring the Moar Hounds story after story....
Texican....
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Very nice, thank YOU
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Folks,
I am up to my ears in work. We filled our last two deer tags Sunday, and today and tomorrow I'm processing deer. Thanks, Pac and Mr. KC
I am up to my ears in work. We filled our last two deer tags Sunday, and today and tomorrow I'm processing deer. Thanks, Pac and Mr. KC
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Two more deer to put in the freezer and maybe can some....
How great....
Texican....
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
More work. We had two tags apiece for the first week of January doe season. Praise the lord, we filled them. I have 3 and a half deer processed and wrapped. The last will be finished tomorrow. Sorry Folks, I have not forgotten, I'm just not as fast as I once was. Thanks for understanding. Pac.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#52
"Dad, there are two fires I can see from here. One off to our right, since we are headed East. But the other one is really a blaze and a half on the left. Do you think we should investigate one, or both?" Toby was standing in his stirrups, staring off to his right.
Mark had to chuckle. "I'll lay you odds that the fire on the left belongs to your Mother. That would be her signal, all right. Now that the wind has cleared the smoke, we seem closer to the fire on the right, want to go satisfy your curiosity and check them out?"
"Yeah right, not like you don't have your own," Toby jested. "It's pretty hard to miss that glint in your eye, sure,...let's head over there to see who survived. I think we can get there before dark."
The Seamus group headed by Mark, started their lumbering crawl toward the smaller fire. The closer they got, Mark used his binoculars to check out the camp.
"I believe I have spotted Donny and an unknown couple. There are two riders coming in from the southwest and one of them looks like Chuck. They have a colt with them, so I'm guessing that's who it is. Have a look, and see what you think." Mark passed his glasses to Toby. and the younger man stood up in the wagon to get a better look.
"Yup, that's who it is. I'd say it's Andy riding with Chuck, that's an unusual thing; they went off with Robert and Gary." Toby sat back down and leaned over to pass the binos back to Mark.
"Well, Ma did say she didn't think that group would last, and I guess she was right."
Andy and Chuck got to the camp in the trees, before Mark's group. Andy and Donny clasped arms as the Linderman's did, taking quick measure of the other. Andy shook his head no; to Donny's unspoken question. "It's following us, so we haven't had any sleep for a couple of nights. Let me grab a couple hours of sleep and I'll stand guard tonight." Andy offered.
"You can try," Donny said quietly, "Dr. Bruce is here and he wakes up with screaming fits. He said he has cancer and Andy, it must be pretty bad."
Andy looked over at the man in the lump under the canvas. "There's a group of wagons coming toward here, and I'd bet that's Mr. Seamus's group of wagons. If so, Dad is probably with them, from what I've gathered by talking to Chuck. He'll know what to do," Andy said in evident relief.
Mark's wagons got within hailing distance when Bruce let out a volley of brutal sounding screams.
"Dad, there are two fires I can see from here. One off to our right, since we are headed East. But the other one is really a blaze and a half on the left. Do you think we should investigate one, or both?" Toby was standing in his stirrups, staring off to his right.
Mark had to chuckle. "I'll lay you odds that the fire on the left belongs to your Mother. That would be her signal, all right. Now that the wind has cleared the smoke, we seem closer to the fire on the right, want to go satisfy your curiosity and check them out?"
"Yeah right, not like you don't have your own," Toby jested. "It's pretty hard to miss that glint in your eye, sure,...let's head over there to see who survived. I think we can get there before dark."
The Seamus group headed by Mark, started their lumbering crawl toward the smaller fire. The closer they got, Mark used his binoculars to check out the camp.
"I believe I have spotted Donny and an unknown couple. There are two riders coming in from the southwest and one of them looks like Chuck. They have a colt with them, so I'm guessing that's who it is. Have a look, and see what you think." Mark passed his glasses to Toby. and the younger man stood up in the wagon to get a better look.
"Yup, that's who it is. I'd say it's Andy riding with Chuck, that's an unusual thing; they went off with Robert and Gary." Toby sat back down and leaned over to pass the binos back to Mark.
"Well, Ma did say she didn't think that group would last, and I guess she was right."
Andy and Chuck got to the camp in the trees, before Mark's group. Andy and Donny clasped arms as the Linderman's did, taking quick measure of the other. Andy shook his head no; to Donny's unspoken question. "It's following us, so we haven't had any sleep for a couple of nights. Let me grab a couple hours of sleep and I'll stand guard tonight." Andy offered.
"You can try," Donny said quietly, "Dr. Bruce is here and he wakes up with screaming fits. He said he has cancer and Andy, it must be pretty bad."
Andy looked over at the man in the lump under the canvas. "There's a group of wagons coming toward here, and I'd bet that's Mr. Seamus's group of wagons. If so, Dad is probably with them, from what I've gathered by talking to Chuck. He'll know what to do," Andy said in evident relief.
Mark's wagons got within hailing distance when Bruce let out a volley of brutal sounding screams.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
How awful for Bruce. Thank you Pac.
RememberGoliad
Veteran Member
Bob the Builder
Contributing Member
Mrs Pac you are such a prolific (and terrific writer.........I don't know how you manage to keep your place running so smooth and still write as much and as well as you do.
I have been reading your amazing stories from the beginning, hope to see many more.
Enjoy the deer, missed mine this year.
moar please as you are able.
Bob
I have been reading your amazing stories from the beginning, hope to see many more.
Enjoy the deer, missed mine this year.
moar please as you are able.
Bob
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#53
In an instant, there were more guns drawn and rifles leveled than at a Knob Creek Shoot off day. Mark rode boldly into camp with his trusty rifle leveled at the frozen in place campers.
"What's going on?" he demanded, looking steely eyed at Andy for an explanation.
Donny turned to face Mark. "It's Dr. Bruce, he says he has cancer, and Dad, it's really bad." The young man's voice wavered as he held himself in tight control. "I'm so thankful you're here. We don't know what to do for him, we don't have anything to give him, and his screams are getting worse. They just tear at ya, almost inhuman sounding."
Mark shook his head when Bruce screamed next, hoping to clear the sounds from his ears. The patriarch looked at the lump of Bruce twisting and thrashing on the ground. "We don't have anything with us, unless Phoebe has something, I'll ask."
Mark turned around and cantered back to Phoebe's wagon. "It's Bruce, he has cancer, do you have any painkillers?"
Phoebe looked sorrowful and shook her head no. "God have mercy, let's get settled and Seamus will sit with him." Phoebe had them all circling the wagons and already Seamus was with Bruce, praying.
When the wagon members went to stake their teams outside the protective circle, Donny remembered to stop them and tell them about the tiger.
"You're kidding," Jerry stood staring at Andy with a considering look. "Have you been drinking?"
"No, we killed the lion; but the tiger has been stalking us. We have to be on super alert tonight. Well, any time really. It's jumped at us during the day, but sneaks in awful close at night." Andy spoke up loud enough for Mark to hear.
"A tiger, report the situtation." Mark demanded. Andy told all he knew as Donny came to stand with his brother. "It bothered us, well we had to kill the lion and the guy that used him as some kind of an extortion scheme when he set the lion on us."
Donny was nodding, "we came on over here, to get away from the smoke and fire and met us with Mr. Silas and he had Dr. Bruce, caring for him."
Mark looked at his oldest. "Toby, I'm going to go for Doc Tricia, hang tight here and I'll be back as soon as possible."
"Dad, it's not smart to go off in the dark, and this business with the tiger is worse," Toby objected with genuine concern. "We've worked hard all day and you've got to be tired. Please wait and go in the morning. You could get there just as fast, or faster in the daylight."
Opening his mouth to refute Toby's notion that he was a tired old man, Mark closed his lips and nodded. Dang, he was tired. Seamus seemed to have calmed Bruce, so Mark tiredly unsaddled as he looked for his blanket in the wagon.
Clora waited until Tricia got her young ones settled for the night and went to talk with the doctor. "Tricia, Mark is coming for you in the morning, he needs your medical services."
"Sure, but isn't Bruce with them. He should be able to handle anything." Tricia sat down and rubbed her forehead. "I'm so thankful we are out of that smoke and fire," she said absently, "the kids all have coughs." Tricia seemed oblivious to what Clora intended her to know. Suddenly it hit her.
"Dear God, something is wrong with Bruce, isn't there?" The wife and doctor colliding with concern.
Clora nodded, watching with her own concern at Tricia's anguished face.
In an instant, there were more guns drawn and rifles leveled than at a Knob Creek Shoot off day. Mark rode boldly into camp with his trusty rifle leveled at the frozen in place campers.
"What's going on?" he demanded, looking steely eyed at Andy for an explanation.
Donny turned to face Mark. "It's Dr. Bruce, he says he has cancer, and Dad, it's really bad." The young man's voice wavered as he held himself in tight control. "I'm so thankful you're here. We don't know what to do for him, we don't have anything to give him, and his screams are getting worse. They just tear at ya, almost inhuman sounding."
Mark shook his head when Bruce screamed next, hoping to clear the sounds from his ears. The patriarch looked at the lump of Bruce twisting and thrashing on the ground. "We don't have anything with us, unless Phoebe has something, I'll ask."
Mark turned around and cantered back to Phoebe's wagon. "It's Bruce, he has cancer, do you have any painkillers?"
Phoebe looked sorrowful and shook her head no. "God have mercy, let's get settled and Seamus will sit with him." Phoebe had them all circling the wagons and already Seamus was with Bruce, praying.
When the wagon members went to stake their teams outside the protective circle, Donny remembered to stop them and tell them about the tiger.
"You're kidding," Jerry stood staring at Andy with a considering look. "Have you been drinking?"
"No, we killed the lion; but the tiger has been stalking us. We have to be on super alert tonight. Well, any time really. It's jumped at us during the day, but sneaks in awful close at night." Andy spoke up loud enough for Mark to hear.
"A tiger, report the situtation." Mark demanded. Andy told all he knew as Donny came to stand with his brother. "It bothered us, well we had to kill the lion and the guy that used him as some kind of an extortion scheme when he set the lion on us."
Donny was nodding, "we came on over here, to get away from the smoke and fire and met us with Mr. Silas and he had Dr. Bruce, caring for him."
Mark looked at his oldest. "Toby, I'm going to go for Doc Tricia, hang tight here and I'll be back as soon as possible."
"Dad, it's not smart to go off in the dark, and this business with the tiger is worse," Toby objected with genuine concern. "We've worked hard all day and you've got to be tired. Please wait and go in the morning. You could get there just as fast, or faster in the daylight."
Opening his mouth to refute Toby's notion that he was a tired old man, Mark closed his lips and nodded. Dang, he was tired. Seamus seemed to have calmed Bruce, so Mark tiredly unsaddled as he looked for his blanket in the wagon.
Clora waited until Tricia got her young ones settled for the night and went to talk with the doctor. "Tricia, Mark is coming for you in the morning, he needs your medical services."
"Sure, but isn't Bruce with them. He should be able to handle anything." Tricia sat down and rubbed her forehead. "I'm so thankful we are out of that smoke and fire," she said absently, "the kids all have coughs." Tricia seemed oblivious to what Clora intended her to know. Suddenly it hit her.
"Dear God, something is wrong with Bruce, isn't there?" The wife and doctor colliding with concern.
Clora nodded, watching with her own concern at Tricia's anguished face.
Last edited:
Siskiyoumom
Veteran Member
Thank you!
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you very much.
Nature_Lover
Wait! What?
Thank you, Pac! ❤
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#54
The tiger smelled the choice horse aroma and licked it's chops in anticipation of a meal. The small colt would be the just right snack he needed. He was hungrier than just the small tidbit of horse, those riding had kept him tracking and bounding almost all day long. Using energy that begged to be replenished, he inched forward toward the human circle of wagons. All the horses were contained inside the enclosure and it made him wary to be so close to humans that undoubtedly meant him harm.
Silas and Chester and Donna watched in admiration as the super efficient group of wagons and teams circled, unhitched and went into the business of preparing supper.
Silas was happy to stay out of the middle of the activity, he stuck close to Donna's fire and the coffee pot. The longer the pot warmed by the fire, the stouter the brew became; and it was almost perfection to Silas's taste. He couldn't rightly recollect the last time he had the pleasure of drinking coffee, but it had been a long dry spell for sure.
Phoebe kept a sharp eye out for Andy and Donny; when she couldn't find them, she sent Calvin, Punky and Max to scout them out. "You tell those boys to come to supper, and it's ready right now. You can eat as soon as you find them," Phoebe didn't misinterpret the look that Punky gave the bubbling stewpot; that and it was hard to miss the appreciative sniff and small tongue that whipped out to lick his lips.
Max politely offered to stay and keep Suisan company, but Phoebe shooed him off to go run out some of his energy. "You boys git now," she commanded, "come back hungry."
"I'm hungry now, before we ever leave," Punky complained under his breath, drawing a sharp stare from Calvin.
"Wadda I tell you," Calvin demanded, "I swears yous got a real thick head for remembering. Let's get busy and find them boys." starting out at a trot, the three kids started to circle the interior of the group.
Andy and Donny and Chuck were in conversation with Mark and Toby. Any bit of information the three could remember was passed to Mark. Toby was in and out of the discussion, as he made sure all the horses were taken care of and people were established for the night.
Toby walked over to introduce himself to Silas, and watched out of the corner of his eye as Chester and Donna sidled closer. Friendly, and eating his own bowl of stew, gave Toby an approval from the original three people. Donna had been in a panic about her ability to help feed that many extra people, and when Toby showed up and then mentioned the two hungry teens were eating with their Dad, the atmosphere suddenly got much friendlier.
"Silas Eugene Peachtree," Silas mentioned as he stuck out his hand to shake Toby's. "Pleased to meet'cha. You any kin to that sick feller? The young ones said he was a doctor, but we never found any doctorin tools with him. He's been mostly outta his mind ever since I found him, 'cept maybe fer all that screaming. You got any thing that kin help him? Kin you take him on, I gotta get to movin South, I been here almost a week,...I think. My days kinds run together, but I know I cain't stay here forever."
Toby had to blink his eyes, that Silas fellow was a talker, Toby started to talk and was cut off by the very real, and very near, and very loud growl of a large cat.
Whipping around to face outward toward the darkness and the sound that rumbled into the quiet of the night, Toby had his pistol out and aimed.
"Oh, I can't stand the idea that there is another lion out there," Donna was shrieking, and Toby yelled at her to shut up. Nothing seemed capable of stopping the screeching tirade.
The tiger roared, sending the horses plunging and crowding across the circle. Calvin, Punky and Max did a quick dive under the nearest wagon to prevent being stepped on by the frightened horses.
The tiger's roar accomplished what Toby could not. Donna shut up as she fainted in fear.
"What's out there, a lion or a tiger?" Toby yelled at Andy as the young man rushed up.
"Tiger, we killed the lion." Andy yelled above the noise created by the milling horses.
"OK, she called it a lion, and I thought you said it was a tiger. Too much mis-information in this place." Toby was perturbed with the state of affairs. "Find those little kids and get them in Phoebe's wagon;...… I want everyone armed. Seamus, get Bruce inside the circle before he becomes tiger meat. Chuck, get your rifle and position yourself across the circle from me. Andy and Donny, position yourselves across from one another. Stay alert folks," Toby called out.
The tiger roared again and then there was deadly silence, the night broken by the equally unearthly screams from Bruce.
The tiger smelled the choice horse aroma and licked it's chops in anticipation of a meal. The small colt would be the just right snack he needed. He was hungrier than just the small tidbit of horse, those riding had kept him tracking and bounding almost all day long. Using energy that begged to be replenished, he inched forward toward the human circle of wagons. All the horses were contained inside the enclosure and it made him wary to be so close to humans that undoubtedly meant him harm.
Silas and Chester and Donna watched in admiration as the super efficient group of wagons and teams circled, unhitched and went into the business of preparing supper.
Silas was happy to stay out of the middle of the activity, he stuck close to Donna's fire and the coffee pot. The longer the pot warmed by the fire, the stouter the brew became; and it was almost perfection to Silas's taste. He couldn't rightly recollect the last time he had the pleasure of drinking coffee, but it had been a long dry spell for sure.
Phoebe kept a sharp eye out for Andy and Donny; when she couldn't find them, she sent Calvin, Punky and Max to scout them out. "You tell those boys to come to supper, and it's ready right now. You can eat as soon as you find them," Phoebe didn't misinterpret the look that Punky gave the bubbling stewpot; that and it was hard to miss the appreciative sniff and small tongue that whipped out to lick his lips.
Max politely offered to stay and keep Suisan company, but Phoebe shooed him off to go run out some of his energy. "You boys git now," she commanded, "come back hungry."
"I'm hungry now, before we ever leave," Punky complained under his breath, drawing a sharp stare from Calvin.
"Wadda I tell you," Calvin demanded, "I swears yous got a real thick head for remembering. Let's get busy and find them boys." starting out at a trot, the three kids started to circle the interior of the group.
Andy and Donny and Chuck were in conversation with Mark and Toby. Any bit of information the three could remember was passed to Mark. Toby was in and out of the discussion, as he made sure all the horses were taken care of and people were established for the night.
Toby walked over to introduce himself to Silas, and watched out of the corner of his eye as Chester and Donna sidled closer. Friendly, and eating his own bowl of stew, gave Toby an approval from the original three people. Donna had been in a panic about her ability to help feed that many extra people, and when Toby showed up and then mentioned the two hungry teens were eating with their Dad, the atmosphere suddenly got much friendlier.
"Silas Eugene Peachtree," Silas mentioned as he stuck out his hand to shake Toby's. "Pleased to meet'cha. You any kin to that sick feller? The young ones said he was a doctor, but we never found any doctorin tools with him. He's been mostly outta his mind ever since I found him, 'cept maybe fer all that screaming. You got any thing that kin help him? Kin you take him on, I gotta get to movin South, I been here almost a week,...I think. My days kinds run together, but I know I cain't stay here forever."
Toby had to blink his eyes, that Silas fellow was a talker, Toby started to talk and was cut off by the very real, and very near, and very loud growl of a large cat.
Whipping around to face outward toward the darkness and the sound that rumbled into the quiet of the night, Toby had his pistol out and aimed.
"Oh, I can't stand the idea that there is another lion out there," Donna was shrieking, and Toby yelled at her to shut up. Nothing seemed capable of stopping the screeching tirade.
The tiger roared, sending the horses plunging and crowding across the circle. Calvin, Punky and Max did a quick dive under the nearest wagon to prevent being stepped on by the frightened horses.
The tiger's roar accomplished what Toby could not. Donna shut up as she fainted in fear.
"What's out there, a lion or a tiger?" Toby yelled at Andy as the young man rushed up.
"Tiger, we killed the lion." Andy yelled above the noise created by the milling horses.
"OK, she called it a lion, and I thought you said it was a tiger. Too much mis-information in this place." Toby was perturbed with the state of affairs. "Find those little kids and get them in Phoebe's wagon;...… I want everyone armed. Seamus, get Bruce inside the circle before he becomes tiger meat. Chuck, get your rifle and position yourself across the circle from me. Andy and Donny, position yourselves across from one another. Stay alert folks," Toby called out.
The tiger roared again and then there was deadly silence, the night broken by the equally unearthly screams from Bruce.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
They need to give Bruce a Blessing of healing. I think they like boring, better then what they usually get 
thank you.
thank you.They need to give Bruce a Blessing of healing. I think they like boring, better then what they usually get
I was thinking the same thing.
WAB
Shooter
Veteran Member
I think that right now there more concerned with that big cat.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#55
The night was the most nerve wracking experience any of them had ever been through. Every rustle of leaf, every loud chirp of cricket, every sigh of the wind that whipped the grass, had the men on guard tensing and tightening their hands on their guns.
The darkness held at bay by the generous fire that illuminated the circle with flickering shadows. added to the tension as men with tightly drawn nerves startled with over active imaginations.
The tiger, with or without cleverly calculated intentions, was silent. The unknowing and the uncertainty was worse than having an attack. By morning, the men were piano wire tight and drenched with sweat.
Jerry, Chuck and Toby stood close together, enjoying a cup of coffee. Silas came wandering by with Donna's coffeepot, refilling the emptys.
"Hey you old coot, get back here with my coffee. Wadda think, …. that coffee grows on trees?" Donna was yelling at the top of her lungs. Irate from the lack of sleep and nerves, Donna was sick and tired of that old man coveting her coffee pot and acting like he was the money that provided it.
Donna's yelling was what was needed to break the brittle as glass noose that gripped the clan. It was like a flood of normalcy washed over the camp, the spell of danger was broken. Suddenly the business of finishing breakfast and getting ready to move was the most important thing at hand.
Phoebe had the kids lined up, washing hands and faces after breakfast, shooting orders and helping Seamus get Bruce as comfortable as possible in his wagon. "Mr. Mark, we need to be underway, we have miles to go."
Mark nodded, he was of the same opinion and since Phoebe had given the word, all the men busted energy to get going.
The night was the most nerve wracking experience any of them had ever been through. Every rustle of leaf, every loud chirp of cricket, every sigh of the wind that whipped the grass, had the men on guard tensing and tightening their hands on their guns.
The darkness held at bay by the generous fire that illuminated the circle with flickering shadows. added to the tension as men with tightly drawn nerves startled with over active imaginations.
The tiger, with or without cleverly calculated intentions, was silent. The unknowing and the uncertainty was worse than having an attack. By morning, the men were piano wire tight and drenched with sweat.
Jerry, Chuck and Toby stood close together, enjoying a cup of coffee. Silas came wandering by with Donna's coffeepot, refilling the emptys.
"Hey you old coot, get back here with my coffee. Wadda think, …. that coffee grows on trees?" Donna was yelling at the top of her lungs. Irate from the lack of sleep and nerves, Donna was sick and tired of that old man coveting her coffee pot and acting like he was the money that provided it.
Donna's yelling was what was needed to break the brittle as glass noose that gripped the clan. It was like a flood of normalcy washed over the camp, the spell of danger was broken. Suddenly the business of finishing breakfast and getting ready to move was the most important thing at hand.
Phoebe had the kids lined up, washing hands and faces after breakfast, shooting orders and helping Seamus get Bruce as comfortable as possible in his wagon. "Mr. Mark, we need to be underway, we have miles to go."
Mark nodded, he was of the same opinion and since Phoebe had given the word, all the men busted energy to get going.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#56
Silas, Chester and Donna relaxed around their fire, enjoying the last of the coffee before they busted into action and got moving.
"Why shore, I'd be plumb honored to ride with ya. Thankee fer askin me. I'm pleased to have yer company. I ain't got much in the line of grub, but yer certainly welcome to all I got.." Silas stretched his neck to watch the Linderman wagons roll North.
"I'm shore glad they took that sick'in with'em. I waz about half crazy with his hollering; felt real bad, I did, fer not bein able to help him noways. I waz sad to see those two fine youngins go with them, they would'a been good help fer usen."
Chester nodded, "Yeah, I agree on both counts. Those boys were mighty pleased to see their father, I was wondering plenty about that. That old man is older than me, I'm guessing, but those boys called him Dad. Have you ever seen a bigger fella that that Black guy with the skirt? He looks like a mountain."
The three of them sat, relaxed and gossiping, and in no particular hurry to get moving South.
It was an idyllic morning until the scream of a horse shattered the silence. The tiger had been lying in wait for Chester's saddle horse to graze a few feet further away from the protection of the now broken circle of wagons.
Jumping up, both men drew their pistols and fired at the huge cat. Front claws dug deep into the horse's side, the hind feet raking frantically as the horse bucked and tried to dislodge the gold and black terror on his back.
Several shots later, Chester's saddle lay dead, along with one of the front team. The cat had been wounded in the front foot and had disappeared.
"I hit him, I hit him," Silas crowed with glee, jumping up and down in banty legged excitement. "Did'ja see that, I hit him."
"Well which one of you sharpshooters killed the two horses?" Donna demanded, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Never mind that now we're down to three team horses, no saddle horse to scout with and a wounded tiger that's probably a hundred times more dangerous that he was before. Do you two dim bulb wonders have an explanation?"
Chester and Silas exchanged a non-plussed look, how were they to know which one of them hit the horses. They had reacted with reflex to the clear and present danger, spraying all the cartridges from their pistols toward the cat.
"We waz protectin us'ens," Silas said contritely, "he shore took us by surprise. We kin use my horse to fill the hitch, that is if'en your still of a mind to have me." Silas was looking at Chester, waiting for the man to come to a decision.
"Well snap to it," Donna yelled as a way to ease some of her fright, "don't stand there looking stupid, let's get out of here pronto."
Chester and Silas sat on the wagon seat as they headed out of the grove. Chester driving and Silas riding shotgun. Donna was in the back sitting in her rocking chair, still fuming over the injustice of it all.
Clora scouted for wood with Millie's help. "We will need you to drive a set of wagons," Clora spoke as if it were the most natural thing for the frail looking Millie to teamster a set of wagons.
"Oh my, I don't know Clora, I could do that in a pinch to help out. But all day, every day, oh my that's a heavy responsibility. What will Tessee do with her boys?" Millie dithered, as she picked up branches.
"She will mother up," Clora said tartly. "Millie you have been a fantastic help to both Tess and myself; the way you have taken to the boys. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. But Tess, well Tess needs to stop moping and finding excuses, and take charge of her life. You too Millie, you're still a young woman and there will be men looking for a good woman that has as much life experience as you do."
"Me?" Millie squeaked, dropping the armload of wood close to the fire. "Not surely Clora, I'm old and I've been sick." her hand fluttered, creating the impression of a frightened bird.
"Yes you 'have been'," Clora continued in her no nonsense manner. "But this is a different time and place, now people have to have a partner or they are not going to be able to exist in this new world. It takes both, working to help each other. I just want you to consider all this Millie, we aren't close yet to where we intend to homestead, but Tess will need a good man to be her husband, and so will you."
"hum, I have to admit that I never considered another partner. You won't be upset, if I were to find a husband. I mean, Wayne was your brother and all."
"Wayne was an idiot the last years of his life. The way he treated your boys was criminal. No, I won't be upset if you marry again; I will be more upset if you waste your remaining years acting like a martyr." Clora was feisty in her reply.
"Phew Clora, calm down. I'll think about it, I promise." Millie soothed.
Clora stood up and turned South. She could tell Mark was coming to meet up with them. There was no reason for Tricia to go to meet them. But, they needed to figure out a place to have a surgery, so Clora waved her good bye to Millie and went hurrying to find Tricia.
Silas, Chester and Donna relaxed around their fire, enjoying the last of the coffee before they busted into action and got moving.
"Why shore, I'd be plumb honored to ride with ya. Thankee fer askin me. I'm pleased to have yer company. I ain't got much in the line of grub, but yer certainly welcome to all I got.." Silas stretched his neck to watch the Linderman wagons roll North.
"I'm shore glad they took that sick'in with'em. I waz about half crazy with his hollering; felt real bad, I did, fer not bein able to help him noways. I waz sad to see those two fine youngins go with them, they would'a been good help fer usen."
Chester nodded, "Yeah, I agree on both counts. Those boys were mighty pleased to see their father, I was wondering plenty about that. That old man is older than me, I'm guessing, but those boys called him Dad. Have you ever seen a bigger fella that that Black guy with the skirt? He looks like a mountain."
The three of them sat, relaxed and gossiping, and in no particular hurry to get moving South.
It was an idyllic morning until the scream of a horse shattered the silence. The tiger had been lying in wait for Chester's saddle horse to graze a few feet further away from the protection of the now broken circle of wagons.
Jumping up, both men drew their pistols and fired at the huge cat. Front claws dug deep into the horse's side, the hind feet raking frantically as the horse bucked and tried to dislodge the gold and black terror on his back.
Several shots later, Chester's saddle lay dead, along with one of the front team. The cat had been wounded in the front foot and had disappeared.
"I hit him, I hit him," Silas crowed with glee, jumping up and down in banty legged excitement. "Did'ja see that, I hit him."
"Well which one of you sharpshooters killed the two horses?" Donna demanded, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Never mind that now we're down to three team horses, no saddle horse to scout with and a wounded tiger that's probably a hundred times more dangerous that he was before. Do you two dim bulb wonders have an explanation?"
Chester and Silas exchanged a non-plussed look, how were they to know which one of them hit the horses. They had reacted with reflex to the clear and present danger, spraying all the cartridges from their pistols toward the cat.
"We waz protectin us'ens," Silas said contritely, "he shore took us by surprise. We kin use my horse to fill the hitch, that is if'en your still of a mind to have me." Silas was looking at Chester, waiting for the man to come to a decision.
"Well snap to it," Donna yelled as a way to ease some of her fright, "don't stand there looking stupid, let's get out of here pronto."
Chester and Silas sat on the wagon seat as they headed out of the grove. Chester driving and Silas riding shotgun. Donna was in the back sitting in her rocking chair, still fuming over the injustice of it all.
Clora scouted for wood with Millie's help. "We will need you to drive a set of wagons," Clora spoke as if it were the most natural thing for the frail looking Millie to teamster a set of wagons.
"Oh my, I don't know Clora, I could do that in a pinch to help out. But all day, every day, oh my that's a heavy responsibility. What will Tessee do with her boys?" Millie dithered, as she picked up branches.
"She will mother up," Clora said tartly. "Millie you have been a fantastic help to both Tess and myself; the way you have taken to the boys. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. But Tess, well Tess needs to stop moping and finding excuses, and take charge of her life. You too Millie, you're still a young woman and there will be men looking for a good woman that has as much life experience as you do."
"Me?" Millie squeaked, dropping the armload of wood close to the fire. "Not surely Clora, I'm old and I've been sick." her hand fluttered, creating the impression of a frightened bird.
"Yes you 'have been'," Clora continued in her no nonsense manner. "But this is a different time and place, now people have to have a partner or they are not going to be able to exist in this new world. It takes both, working to help each other. I just want you to consider all this Millie, we aren't close yet to where we intend to homestead, but Tess will need a good man to be her husband, and so will you."
"hum, I have to admit that I never considered another partner. You won't be upset, if I were to find a husband. I mean, Wayne was your brother and all."
"Wayne was an idiot the last years of his life. The way he treated your boys was criminal. No, I won't be upset if you marry again; I will be more upset if you waste your remaining years acting like a martyr." Clora was feisty in her reply.
"Phew Clora, calm down. I'll think about it, I promise." Millie soothed.
Clora stood up and turned South. She could tell Mark was coming to meet up with them. There was no reason for Tricia to go to meet them. But, they needed to figure out a place to have a surgery, so Clora waved her good bye to Millie and went hurrying to find Tricia.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Oh bot wounded tiger.