1 comments/ 4830 views/ 0 favorites Longwood Fifth Hunt By: emap This one is posted complete since it's not really all that long. The next one will be epic in length, which is so not true. Did make you think I would for a second though. :p ** Hear train come middle of vittles, look up at Dan who look back and point at plate. Am nervous on this day. No real reason for on account Martin and Gwen went back with no ask Dan and me. Wait for Balik able walk on own, so no miss first steps. Am nervous on account train arrive with more wish listen to me speak in theater. Theater get built right quick, had a fella move with an order in place for the building. Right fancy building, got lanterns and signs, a ticket booth right out front. Mess of chair inside and then balcony seating, cost more to get up there. Got fancy carpet all over, balcony has carpet all over floor, main hall has carpet run between the chair. Got a mess of people to move with so now we got our own little theater company. Bowling hall being built right now, gambling hall was built. Another eatery being built and a whole eighteen new house. So we got new street go up, Mr. Johnson mind on closing up town so only four entrance to town like we only have four street. Even ponder on a second hotel, got fifty rooms and they tend be full. Reckon on a right proper idea though seem nobody want to pay. Then vittles are finished, take short spell to round up Balik, he like crawl, and we head to meet train. Bonita take Balik and Sashi to saloon, she mind with Bipin, Dan and Chad mind gambling hall. Dan like joke that mind the ice cream. Been have often instead of sandwich, mostly on account Chun and Amanda no sell much as make. Rest of folk been joining me on this now start get warm. They even been selling blocks of ice, wave at wagon go past with ice, they deliver and put on ice box for a gal so all nice. Reach spot am stand to meet folk get off train and stay there. Dan and Chad go over to stand farther over to direct folk on where go. Mess of folk come spewing out of the train and to a fella they come at. Am getting a little nervous, seem none have a pistol, though easy to hide, then am joined by Andrew. "Janet you look a mite scared there." Sigh and look up at Andrew. "No use so many get off train, no wish speak but shall." Andrew nods then the mess of folk is there, all stop and look. Seem they all look at so am little lost. Is not normal to have folk just look at like this. "Are you really Cherokee Janet?" Nod then no have idea what say. "If'n you got a pistol and fixing on go in town drop your pistol in the sheriff office. Get a piece of paper with a number, remember number on account that is what your belt is. Janet will do her speaking at the theater tonight." Andrew save then most head on past aside two fella. These two fella are tall as sky to me, one on right has big old mustache, big nose and broad shoulders. Man on left is taller and seem bigger somehow though smaller mustache. "Janet I am Buffalo Bill Cody and this is Texas Jack. We are looking to put together a play of sorts to show the city folk what it's like out here." He pause there so open mouth to ask why speak to me on when other opens his mouth. "We're both possessed of a fair amount of name recognition, you on the other hand are spoken of from one coast to the other. Fact beyond, we spent good portion of last year showing around dignitaries from Europe and they have heard of you." Well now am shocked and no have word to speak. "What we are taking our time in saying is we would like it if you were to join us. All it takes is getting up in front of folk and speaking to them, maybe show a little of your skill." Dan has come over while Bill is say this and snort. "Janet doesn't do well with speaking to crowds. She is a bundle of nerves today, said flat out once she will do this." They look at me so nod. "No like all attention, am happy being good wife to Dan, mom, and make vittles." "Suffragettes won't be happy, they got a good showing in Chicago." Am lost at this. "Suffragettes?" All the fella snort. "Women who say women should be able to vote, get paid the same as men and refuse a fella wanting a roll." Snort and shake head. "Vote no good, only bad men to vote on. Out here seem gal get paid better than the fella. Refuse fella, best way refuse is simply have knife or pistol. Fella try just go on and shoot or kilt." Dan snort. "Janet you are one of the few gals who could do that no problem." Shake head. "Any injun gal could, we taught early on how use knife for more than cut meat. No hard do, any gal reckon could if feel like." Andrew snort. "Back east gals are taught different. Get taught to listen to husband, father, or preacher." "Listen to Dan, no mean allow to have roll when no want." Jack and Bill trade a glance. "Reckon on that not going over well, though seems like it should. Little better way to put it than what they are saying." Jack nod and shrug. "Can tell them, reckon won't be put in what they say but worth a shot. Janet do you mind if we take some of what you say and put in our play?" Shake head. "No mind." Dan usher off to saloon and have Bill and Jack come along with. No mind and then he called Buffalo Bill so perhaps know where can find buffalo. "Bill where would go see buffalo? Wish paint one on account no see." Jack and Bill trade a look as we go in saloon. "They are still all over the place. Getting harder but still easy enough to find them. Just head west for about five days then look for a hide town." "Shall get on overland train. Is coming to town day ride south." Bill nod and smile. "Well then, Wyoming and Montana are good spots to find them, still fairly thick there. Believe there is a connecting train that goes to Wyoming. Once there just ask the town, folk will know and guide. Do ask for a guide, the buffalo will attack folk so you want a fella that know them since you want to paint not shoot." Nod and shrug. "Was no mean get close but shall get guide." "I got to look at the painting you gave to the courthouse, great painting though am curious on what it means." Look at Jack and smile since he ask, mean different to injun. "Many injun are forced to reservation and kept by soldier. Get meat so no hard but still mean injun lose way. Injun stand there is chief with big say to none, say that injun die out as injun. New way better in many way but also make injun round eye, round eye no good at most thing." Ishmael snort behind. "Janet that is not true, aside that injun are being rounded up to reservations by us white folk." Bill and Jack snort so toss up hands. "Injun get round up by round eye on account we had bow, round eye get rifle, cannon, and Gatling gun. Also more fella to use, tribe no stand up division which use to round up. Cochise and Geronimo still resist on account round eye big lie, able to since round eye no good at track. No shoot what no there." "Earth speak to injun, they know how to listen." Ishmael say this so turn to look, Jack and Bill are chuckling. "Heard that one afore, what does it mean?" Look up at Bill and grin. "Mean when this injun feel like hunting a fella she find, no get shot but fella hunted is. If injun wish could sweep land of round eye. Two step outside town round eye lost. Injun no lost, no wish find no find. Wish shoot dead, shoot dead, there no life against mad injun." Don whistle and wave so go that way, Jack and Bill no have say after my say. "Janet can you mind the table." Look at table and giggle, whole two players. "Reckon they no mind you use outhouse fast." Don and the two fella there snort. "Sally has said there is always a dealer here." Sigh and toss up hands. "Fine, reckon they no mind cheating injun." Fellas are chuckling as I take dealer spot, am about to start take cards out and two more fella sit down. Look around at them then pull cards out. Get to collect chips for all but one fella so am all smile as they complain about cheating injun. Do up next hand and pay out to most aside the one winner last hand. Am complaining about cheating round eye when Don get back. Fellas demand one more hand so pull cards and get half the chips. Give dealer spot back to Don then and get tossed a couple chips. Check pockets on account have a hankering for some poker so go back over to Ishmael and toss him a dollar. Chips collected Jack and Bill follow me over to the poker table. We even get the big table on account a few fellas get up. First hand I get shows promise so I bet a little higher than normal and a full three fellas just up and quit right then and there. Do win the hand as well though break even for most of the day. Pause a couple times, to feed Balik and help Bipin stop a fight. All in all a right fine day, and then the sun go down. I am nervous on this, Dan has to come help on account I am not good with just talking to so many folk. Get outfitted the way we decide on with help from Mr. Bugiardini. He say is proper, though took nigh on a week to get his name right. Mostly on account he always laugh when try and no correct right. Dan enjoyed me trying just as much I warrant. Still no sure is proper opening of theater to have me speak on matters. Dan swear is proper, though why we no open yet is odd. Theater been finished for three week now, the crew as Mr. Bugiardini call is doing rehearsal most every day. Then Mr. Bugiardini is doing the speak on me afore I get out there and speak. He say my name, then go on about what I am. Finally he is calling for me to come out and many of the fellas are laughing on account I am dressed as a whore. Course my hips are extra wide since I have on my tracking pants and belt on under. "This is what spend much of time doing on account of round eye. Round eye decide to have as wife afore was ready, passed off to his men after having a son. Broke me a little so had strong need for fella. Still best tracker and hunter known to round eye." Work on getting the camisole off and grab up leather shirt. Get the shirt on then hat, on account always have hat. With the hat on get the skirt off and fella can see my pistols, along with big knife. "Am Cherokee Janet. You get bounty big enough get handed to Dan. Dan get bounty you get me hunt after bounty. No bounty life after hunt." Bit of wood is held up, throw knife at. I throw one of the good throw knife that David make. These cut into wood far enough to be seen other side. "Break law Longwood am hunt. May life, may no life. Up to Dan on if can get to afore no life." Go to get off just bid stay on by Mr. Bugiardini. Dan right there and signal stay so reckon may as well share a tale. So tell of biggest shoot we have for bounty. When finish a fella stand up. "Tell us about Black Hand." Look over at Dan to get nod so turn back to look at all those fella. "Black Hand no interesting. Was only three of them in camp. Rode up on camp they was just set up, hop down off horse Dan stay up. Dan say we bounty hunt and two reach for pistol. Pull mine and shoot both afore both can clear leather. Black Hand put hand up and Dan shoot. We had bounty on dead only. Was no happy on account we had to ride three dead fella for two day." "Newspaper and the novel said there was twenty fella there." Dan come out with his hands high to get fellas to shush on account some are arguing over this. "The newspaper had the numbers wrong from the telegraph. There was a small battle reported on the same day and the numbers got switched. Novel company went with the bigger number on account it is more interesting." "So Janet isn't as good as people think?" Dan look at me, grin, and wink, then call for shooting targets. I shoot some eye daggers first then pull my pistols and shoot two. No fellas seem to think I no good as say any longer and Dan usher off stage. When try to go see how Balik doing Dan usher me instead for home. Also get left there with a bid to collect what want bring. If that don't beat all, can get a roll out of my husband and instead am packing. Doesn't take that long to get to the next town. Still Dan said to pack so I pack and get everything to the sitting room. That done I go check in kitchen and collect the sack. We bag up sandwiches and a big mess of jerky, though hopefully we get to get off and eat at town we pass in train. Luckily is still not big heat so sandwich last longer than would in summer. Back to sitting room and Dan come in finally to look at what get. "Three canvas really?" Sigh and swat Dan. "First time go that way not hunt. Reckon on never go where Bill said neither." Dan ponders a moment and sighs. "Get three more, we can go a little slower and let you paint as we go." "How long take get there?" "Looking at about four days on the trains. At least two days to get to a hide town and day or maybe two to find a buffalo." Sigh and get three more canvas, may not get much in the way of rolls out of Dan but can paint. Also have chocolate, perhaps will be enough. Would rather have Dan buried where belong and close to when ready for babe. Help Dan get horse loaded with all we take, make sure have boxes of bullet loaded. Then collect Balik and have in carry wrap. Happy there is enough cloth that Dan can carry Balik. Is boy and should spend time with father after all. Does make tough hop atop horse, need use one hand to hold Balik there. Then we under way with few notice. Is night time and most asleep or in saloon, though many in gambling hall as well. Just ride on a spell, not fast since is dark and horse no see good night. Especially Dan new horse, seem little jumpy even though we make sure horse know Dan and pinto. Never seem matter if horse know me, they seem think am foal for them to protect. "Dan, am close to ready for babe." "I know Janet, Mr. Gladstone suggested we take a few days between rolls. It seems to help and maybe you can give me a daughter this time." Am all smile at idea. "Great Spirit may decide am better mom of boys." Dan snorts. "Never no mind on that, a second son would be nice. Soon as they both can talk I may get a word in edgewise with you." Snort and giggle for a spell. "Dan you chief, what you say is what happen." Dan moves closer and give half hug. "I know that Janet, I probably give you too much leeway but not a soul says I let you run too free. I reckon the fellas are afraid of getting on your bad side." "Are we leaving enough deputy?" Dan nods and smiles. "I had Bipin go to the tribes and select out two more warriors. Both without a wife afore you ask. Gives us four deputy with knives and three with a pistol still in town. All accounts have that as better than any town. Not to mention you are practically a legend and everybody shares tales of you." Sigh and shake head. "No like that Dan, folk are question if am good." "Janet fellas always think you can't be that good, small, a gal, and injun. Most assume that means you can't do anything." "No like that neither, just cause injun no mean nothing." "I think it's closer to you are a gal. Most are not stupid when it comes to injun." Am unsure on that one, the new recruits tend to assume injun are not worth spit. Course they are cavalry and Dan has said the dumb tend to be cavalry. Well sergeant isn't dumb but for the most part the soldiers captain gets seem to be dumb. Least Balik is sleep, no help bounce, we move at good speed. Just ride on, seem no more speak on though there is one thing. Look over at Dan to see he is droop little. "Dan snake." Dan jerks and looks around then shoot some eye dagger at. "Janet that was cruel." Can't help giggle. "Want ask on street light." "Fella came and looked over the town. Wasn't sure we can add lights without paving the streets. They have some available but they are not the most stable." "So we pave street?" "Mr. Johnson did decide to pave our streets, you swear is no bother to you. We will add a light at each intersection. Have some extra for when we expand again, seems we received letters on adding in another eatery and a small number of families have asked after safety." "So can add courthouse?" "Well no, need to be larger to do that and with the train we can run the accused to a courthouse and have a proper trial. We are not in need of a courthouse unless we get bigger by a large degree." "Can we?" Dan sighs and shakes his head. "We are hard pressed to have work for the folk we have." "Nice have big town." "Would be nice, but we would find it hard to keep it safe. Most fellas get full of drink and fly off the handle at most any thing. Town that big and no chance of watch who ride in so don't get all of the guns. Would not be able to have no guns in town law and that is when you can be shot." "Dan many try, no stay shot." Dan comes over and swat on head moving hat around. "You may not be in any actual danger but the rest of us do need to worry on it. I still don't know how you got to that gambler without him shooting." "Dan was not that far." "I know but still, it was like you were there one moment and not the next. Honest there are times when I am not sure there is no injun magic." Giggle as fix hat. "Janet magic Dan." Dan snorts and shakes his head. "God's truth there, I reckon Great Spirit and God have looked down on us and said Janet had it bad enough she ain't joining us yet. Heck for all we know they decided you are better off down here and are staying." "No wish life after husband." "You seemed all fired ready to stay alive when you thought I was shot down." Shake head. "All set to kill all then would sit and wait for Great Spirit to take me up with you." Dan is silent for a bit. "You know, that was almost a full sentence." Roll eyes and look at Dan. "Know round eye, no reason use all." Dan sighs and shakes his head but no say more. Reckon on he figure is better to just not worry on me use round eye proper. Is fun to say wrong, get funny look off fellas when first meet them. Do wish could get some shut eye with Balik. Can't on account I may lean and that bad for keep him in wrap. No desire to no have son any longer so no shut eye for this gal. Finally we get to town afore the sun has come up. Sky lighting so is a soon on that but we are afore. Also afore most folk are aware with us, especially in eatery. There is only one eatery here though store is big, and big saloon which is what we head for. Rather need water for me and horse, lucky for horse is easy get water, full trough right there. Going in saloon we find a number of fellas asleep at tables or floor, but no barman. This is odd so Dan go looking for him. Come out of kitchen with fella who get behind the bar and we have water along with whiskey for Dan. "Sorry I was not out here to meet you two." Look over at Dan and he grin. "Found him asleep at table." Snort and giggle. "Get stool that side of bar." Bartender snorts and puts finger to mouth. "More comfortable to go park at the table. Mark when he is night watch sleeps on the bar. We had a bell but some of the folk sleep in here got annoyed and it stopped working." Giggle a little at that one. "Would whistle to wake just have Balik sleep." Barman leans over the bar and looks then smiles. "Handsome boy you got there." "Dan wish put daughter in this time. Get cruel on since no roll for few day." Get two snorts and Dan shake head. "Our doc suggested it on account it is shown to help. We are not young any longer so seemed a good idea." "Still cruel and when train?" Barman scratches his chin a time or two then looks outside. "Can't rightly say, due to come in today though the when is variable. Eatery should open any moment now. You did bring a basket for him or something?" Nod then look at Dan who have big eye so swat few times. "Ouch Janet cut that out we packed the basket." Bartender is chuckling now. Longwood Fifth Hunt "To think all those articles and novels saying you are bloodthirsty." Sigh and shake head. "No like slaughter, just good at." "Oddest part is simply there is little mention of Dan." We both look at Dan who sigh and toss up hands. "I don't get mentioned often because Janet does most of it. Since we don't bring back prisoners any longer I reckon I'll get dropped out of the articles and novels entirely." Just giggle a spell. "Dan is fella long to meet need." Both are chuckling then hear door open outside so we all turn to look. "The eatery is open, may as well go now, plenty of folk squeeze in to eat so best get a table first." Look at Dan to get nod so we hop up and collect horse. Pinto little upset at switch post so hand over licorice to get snort out of white horse. Give white horse licorice then pulled in the eatery by Dan. Also have basket for Balik so get him in with wrap under and over on account is not hot yet. At Dan direct we get table so can see pinto. Give order and gal leaves with smile, reckon on seen Balik. He is such the handsome boy and am all proud is from me. Even a good brown, not as dark as me but still a right proper color for injun. Get surprise then, extra chair to perch Balik on. Not high chair but just a chair to put basket so we put Balik there and he wake hungry. End up feeding Balik while new folk come in. The younger fellas are stare at since pull shirt up to give access to breast for Balik. Plenty of head smack to follow the stare and smile out of the mom folk. Get left alone for a spell, need feed Balik and then our plate come so Dan does his cut then my cut. Able to eat vittle cut just not cut on account of holding babe. Give smile to Dan and seem a few husband no do same since some more smack. Dan is chuckling a little now, not that pay attention am feeding Balik as proper and enjoying vittles. Train no come when finish so we go back over to saloon and just sit around a spell. Finally train come so we get to get up and head for it. Balik gets back in the carry since we need to get to the train and he no like basket now. Kick Dan at the train on account am tasked with carrying saddle bag and rifle with Balik. Course Dan gets help with the horses while get to walk for one of the passenger coaches. Not the best of arrangements on account went with Dan for the freight coaches. The one for horses is rather far back on the line from the passenger so it's something of a long walk. Suppose have a mad face on account pass three porter and not a one offer to help. Plenty of folk on the coach get on, every single one of them looks at me. Reckon not often they see a gal toting a babe and rifle on the train. They see more often farther west they go, know that. Seem many places not have good sheriff or not have sheriff. Dan share, he got letter asking for me to go be sheriff in a town. Bonita laugh hard when say to her on, suppose is funny. Dan finally sit next to as man yelling about all aboard. Plenty of folk are rushing on after Dan though am only looking at Dan. He notice after moment and scoot away so swat him few times. "What took long?" Dan rolls his eyes so swat more. "Ouch Janet cut it out, I had to make sure the horses were fine, your pinto was not a happy horse." "No give licorice?" "I did give him licorice, and mine. Ended up handing some licorice to half the horses." Just stare at Dan moment then giggle. "Horse go in heat, on train or town." Dan snorts then we both laugh as train lurch and we on way. First bit of time spent play with Balik, then he get tired of me so pass to Dan. Dan do what he call raspberries on Balik belly, Balik enjoy this and is laughing and cooing. Am giggling along since what Dan do make weird sound. Next town Balik decide want nap so load him in basket then Dan get off to pick up books. Hand me another one on fellow lawman Wild Bill so read that a spell afore Balik want eat. Feed Balik then Dan hand over sandwich so eat that. To go with Dan hand over jar of milk though do share. Day progress so we eat again and finish off milk, keep Balik busy with play and keep eye off train. Mostly on account want see something good to paint. Night on train is hard to read so do paint about only choice. Course no spot anything good aside plenty of grass, bushes, and some hills. Not a thing to paint appears afore it gets dark sadly. Course when the porters are coming along to turn on the lights I get an idea so turn to Dan. "Do I have to?" Snort and giggle then poke Dan. "Is simple Dan, fix hat stand up and look down. Want do cowboy. No see nothing so make up." Dan stares at me a moment then sighs and stands up. Lucky us that Balik is tired and just laying in basket. Get ready with canvas and charcoal then look at Dan. He got lazy a bit on account he is leaning against bench but can do this. Direct Dan move over farther so can draw cowboy on train, perhaps round eye appreciate this better. Once Dan is in good spot I sketch him out, then get in the coach and a few of the folk sitting here. Happy with what have I put away charcoal stick and get out paints. About the time have paints ready Dan has sat back down to look at sketch. He no say anything but point at canvas when look so get to work on painting. Would paint the whole thing through the night if Dan had not made stop. So curl up on him and get some sleep with Balik. Dan is mean and get off train at next town, middle of night so bade go back sleep. Least next morning we have more milk, also more cloth for diapers. Swat on account he no have dirty ones cleaned but otherwise he do good. After feeding Balik and self Dan has work on painting. So sit there and work on painting for good portion of day. Balik watches paint most of the time, along with a porter. Of no concern, the train is rolling along and no bandits or nothing. In the afternoon we come up on another town, look at Dan to get sigh then he hops up and goes into town. Not what meant, was wondering if where we get off but guess not on account he bade stay here. Luckily Balik sleep at time so Dan get to go shopping for us again. He return with another novel for me, and he has a future book. Want to swat Dan for this on account what he got me is a past book, there are swords and bows, no guns, and no injuns. Course after reading it a while find it is interesting. A bit like how it was for us injun afore the gun toting round eyes come. Course we mostly had no towns and definitely did not use swords but we had plenty of warriors pining for a gal and other way around. Which this novel has so get a little lost in the story, it is turning powerful on me. Get a little disturbed when Dan has eat dinner, another sandwich. Also get out a chocolate bar and break it up to share with Dan. He chuckle but take piece now and then. Mostly lose track on account the story is quite powerful now. Find a desire to have Dan where belong so look at him with needy eyes and get chuckle. "No Janet, we will get a hotel and wait for the other train. Will do roll then." Sigh and poke Dan. "Dan is mean husband, giving wife this powerful book that make want give roll then say no." Dan just stares at a bit then sighs. "I didn't know it would do that. The clerk said it's a good read, I find I do like these future books as well so will have to read the ones you have." Smile at Dan. "Yes they good, course also like Jules Verne. The latest one is quite good, must borrow from Mr. Johnson." "Oh the one about going to the center of the earth?" Nod and smile. "No sure why wish do that but is powerful read." Dan snorts. "What do you think of Wild Bill?" "No like his shoot injun but seem nice in novel." "Janet you shoot injun." Just shoot some eye daggers. "Injun shoot first." Dan roll his eyes. "Maybe he shoots injun for the same reason." "No think so, he boast about in novel. No boast of what shoot." Dan pulls me close so lean on him and sigh. "Perhaps he was attacked by injun plenty when younger, he is older than us." "Not by much but true, reckon is good thing am Cherokee, other tribe have same history reckon would go on shoot spree." Dan is silent a spell then lean down and kiss on head. "Janet you do shooting sprees, every time we get a bounty." "Dan you no shoot enough so must shoot more." Dan snorts and chuckles. "You shoot enough for two or three people. Honest if you were Apache with what McCalbane did you would have kilt a state afore anybody notice." "Dan, Apache no do what can do." Is darker now so no read any longer, at least not easy. Dan push at paint again so get it all ready and work on the cowboy on train paint. Am coming along good on this paint. Have the train painted in background, little lost on the windows then decide on make dark for night. Once finish those am working on adding in the folk sitting in train on account they are easy, cowboy will be hard. Finally get to cowboy and have difficulty, Dan wear brown pants while most cowboy have cheaper corduroy pants that are blue. Not sure can do the corduroy pants until look around and notice porter have same pants. So bid him stand in better spot to see and paint in his pants how see. Dan is just watching me paint away. Rather think he let me paint longer than should have. Am quite tired when finish, have cowboy all painted in and paint look good though miss something. Decide to worry on later so set paint down to dry and curl up on Dan. He put arm around and we just sit there a spell. Want sleep just not able relax enough to get. Get to sleep finally and seem like close eyes then train lurch to stop and Dan urging to get up to get hotel. Look around and notice is night still so not sure hotel will let us get room. Still get off with Dan and Balik, have plenty in hands and tossed over shoulder as well so not good time. Am tired as well so perhaps am cranky so make hard get help. Eventually manage get horses off train and saddled so get to hop up on pinto. Least Dan guide to where want be, reckon on he asked the sheriff standing over to side. Hotel we go to is fine hotel, tall building, least seven stories. Look quite dark in night though everything look dark in night. Collect everything off pinto so stable hand can take our horse to stable. Dan finally let go inside, to find that inside is stained dark with dark furniture though everything red. Red padding on chairs, red carpet, curtains are red. Looking around can't help the giggle and mutter about how want to read novel outside. Dan is chuckling as we get over to the admittance area to find we have a clerk. "Well howdy folks, how long you wishing to stay?" "We are fixing to take the train north. According to the porter on this train it is heading south now." She nods and smiles. "That be the right of it, should come back in two days. I'd like to tell you a room number and hand over keys but need to share the lay first. Step out that door and turn right you have the store and just past is a saloon. Across the street from the saloon is one of our eateries. Go farther across the other tracks and there are two more eateries. Most everything else I reckon you two no care on so kindly sign in here and you can pay now or when you head for the train." Dan leans over the book indicated to write in our names. "Now is as good a time as any, how much do we owe?" "Two dollars, know is a mite expensive though economy getting better. We don't provide food but there will be a water jar in the room, with a wash bowl. We provide clean towels, the sheets are cleaned regular. Like to say the only way to have a cleaner room is to be in your own home." "Can get crib or leave in basket?" She leans over the counter to see us better and smiles. "We have a small number of cribs for guests with babe. Just suspecting that we have given them out already, will check and if have one will run it up in a few minutes." Dan pays so we get a key then head for the stairs. Am still tired but no longer drooping at least. Reckon will sleep little while after get in bed, unless Dan mean to roll now and not later. Luck find the room we got is on third floor. Dan moves about lighting the lanterns so we can see, just set Balik down in good spot and get out of tracking leather. Ponder perhaps getting in dress so go through saddlebags. Do recall bringing it out to pack just not finding until Dan come over and pull out of his saddlebags. Look at dress, then look at Dan and this is a question moment. "Why dress in your bags?" "Put all of the things you will want in your bags. You wanted to bring that but didn't think you would want it on the train or riding so packed in mine." Mind back on what had in saddlebags. "So you no bring ammo?" "I did, have four boxes, two for Winchester and two for pistol. You got six boxes, four for pistol and two rifle." Stare at Dan a bit then sigh. "So you reckon on needing to do slaughter?" "Nah, just going with what you always say and packed a bunch just in case." "So why only four boxes total for Winchester?" Dan sigh and look up. "Because if we do a slaughter you don't reload your Winchester. You drop it and pull pistol. Aside that when you hunt you shoot once and bring back meat." Just stare at Dan a spell to get sigh. "Fine later we will go buy two more boxes of Winchester ammo." Smile at Dan now then get knock on door so go open. "Oh heavens I hope I didn't interrupt anything. Have a crib for you." Beam at the clerk gal and step out of way. "No interrupt, discussing lack of Winchester ammo." Get a snort out of her as she lugs the crib in. Is big crib, dark stain and have plenty of blanket in bottom. Reckon on fit two babes in the one crib if put in sideways, also barely fit in past door. Makes one ponder how she got it up the stairs. "How get up stairs?" "There is a dummy elevator, goes all the way up." No idea what that is so open mouth to ask and get hand up from Dan. "Janet a dummy elevator is a hunk of wood in a shaft with rope hooked to it. She got the crib on the wood and pulled it to the right floor then came up and got it off." She points at Dan. "What he said, get to go put it back on the first floor now." She leaves the room so shut the door after then go make sure Dan got Balik in right. Balik look fine so cover him up a little better then turn to Dan. Dan smile then pull over to bed so climb right on in and make room for my husband. Seem no roll yet, he climbs in and pulls me over to him. "Big dummy elevator they got in this hotel." Look at the crib and giggle. "What else they use those for?" "Well most hotels with a dummy elevator serve food. So you arrange to get meals and they bring them to your door." "Even when no there?" Dan snorts and shakes his head. "There are not many ways out of a hotel. Most of them means you walk by the staff so they know when you are there and not. Usually you will be asked if you are returning by the next meal and they make a note if not." "So hotel like ma to guests then?" Dan chuckles for a bit now. "Basically, most hotels have maids who come up and clean the rooms, put in clean sheets. Back east there are hotels that put a mint on the pillow. They clean daily, have fine eateries in the building. Expensive to stay at though, five dollars a day and this was back during the war." Twist to look at Dan. "You been?" "No, one of the marshals had gone out there. I don't remember why, said he stayed in one for a night." Just lean on Dan for a spell then look up at him. "Dan if economy get better, that mean get paid more to whore?" "Maybe, it's still not that strong but if it does keep going prices will likely rise for many things. Gambling will bring us in more money as well." "My gambling, you no good." Dan snorts then grabs my nose. "I'm passable at poker. You are so good at it because you don't bluff, when you put down more chips everybody else knows you have a good hand, anybody with a bad or fair hand folds." "Still make money." "You do, some say there is injun magic on you since you get good hands fairly often." "Dealer cheats with me so I get the good cards." Dan stares at me a bit then laughs. Dan doesn't say anything next, just rolls us over so is above. Moan on account he surprise, is good surprise least so work on spread legs. Not that Dan come to as husband yet, his hand squeeze in between and finds my equipment so am now being handled. Is good feeling so move against Dan and work hand down to handle Dan. Hand is greeted with a grin then Dan move a little and we handle each other. Feel good like this then remember the powerful story and get more excited. Dan seem notice since come down and kiss so get to moan out the stars when they come. Whimper then cause hand pull away, though Dan is moving atop. Moan when Dan comes to as husband and is buried where belong. Wrap legs around Dan and move with him, then find am going faster on account have strong need. Dan come in for more kiss then hands on breast. Find stars just jumped right on top now so am moaning and trying hard to move faster on Dan, then Dan speed up. Am liking this, coaxed Dan into hard fast roll so bouncing about under. Is how spend most time under Dan until recent and miss a little. Least Dan is still kiss on account not stop moan since the stars fell on sudden like. Notice somehow the bed is moving about and making noise then Dan shove extra hard and groan into kiss. Just moan at this on account am getting warmth and is right time for a babe. Hold on to Dan to keep where belong so get all of him. Move as well, getting all his warmth where belong is what supposed to do when ready for babe. Finally though get all of Dan where belong and he roll us over so snuggle up with my wonderful handsome husband. Wake up with the birds so little late, though window no face rising sun enough. Reckon on Dan no help with the leave to paint too long then head for hotel. Course the roll after was all worth, though means wake late. Balik is wake as well, work on getting stand upright so poke and push on Dan until he wake and we watch our son. Until he is upright and voicing annoyance at no milk yet so hop out of bed and work on feed Balik. Dan get up to get dressed then collects what will wear to put on bed. Finish with Balik so he get on floor to explore while head for the bed. "Dan belt?" Dan nods and smiles at me. "In Longwood you can wander around without your pistols, here best to have them, asides you pay better attention." "Reckon on no matter with big knife." Dan snorts. "Like as not that is true. Still wear the belt, though I reckon we won't need the coats during the day." Just to check head over to the window and open it, little chill though is still early so reckon on same. "Reckon so." We collect Balik and get him in carry wrap, Dan decide to carry Balik. Am liking this, his son is getting toward walk around so soon Dan is important side of raising. Make sure got everything where supposed, they have a cabinet for rifles in room, we head down the stairs. Get joined by plenty of folks so little worry on getting in eatery. Get outside and find eatery is open and seem to have line. Dan look at so nod farther down street across the train line. So we head that way along with mess of other folk. End up going to last eatery and would not get table except town sheriff is in here, he wave us over. Seem eatery has law table which is new. "Never seen a law table afore." Sheriff and Dan are chuckling as we sit. "Not my idea, they sprung it on me one day two years ago. Course I suppose is cause I'm an ornery cuss when I don't get to eat right quick. Oh pardon me, name is Benjamin." He reaches out to shake Dan hand. "I'm Dan and this is Janet. We are going out to look at buffalo so Janet can paint one." He look at us a moment. Longwood Fifth Hunt "Cherokee Janet?" We both nod and he slaps his knee. "Hot damn, never expected to see you two. Good time to go look at buffalo, still cold so they got the winter coat and they are sure impressive with one." Smile at that. "General idea, figure on best to get out and paint one afore they all gone. You round eye kill too many." Benjamin just sit there pondering on what said a bit then turn to Dan. "Doesn't she know English better?" Dan snorts and nods. "Janet knows just about all the words. Doesn't use them, reckon on she likes making people think she doesn't. Mind about like a steel trap though, doesn't miss much of anything." They both look at then we get our food. Don't recall ordering but what we get looks wonderful. Couple sunny side eggs with bacon and sausage patties, and two biscuits. Have a container of butter and honey right at the table so fall to on getting the biscuits buttered. "Reckon I got you two for a spell, mind sharing some tips?" Look up at Benjamin then over to Dan who is eating sausage patty so shoot some eye daggers. "Dan better to get tips on sheriff from. What know is slaughter and scare. To scare pull pistol fast, no need shoot just pull and point. Most will give up on account they move aside hand up you can shoot dead. Work on group as well, pick out leader or just closest pull pistol, point, demand stop." Dan nod and put down sausage. "Janet forgot one, she has a look like you is a bug she mean to stomp." They both look at me so shoot some eye dagger and Dan grin. "That's it. See if can look just as mean and most fellas will need the outhouse with a pistol pointed at them." Benjamin is chuckling now. "See what you mean just how do I pull it faster?" Both look at me so sigh. "When I learned to shoot a pistol I aimed to shoot all the men there. Reckon how I managed to pull fast then and since. I knew if I do not pull fast as lightning I am dead and not wanting to be dead so move just as fast as possible. Have gotten better since, so seem like blink and pistols are pulled and pointing." Both are gawking at me so look down at plate and put sausage patty in a biscuit. "You know, that is the most words I've heard her say at once outside when she did that speak at the theater." Benjamin snorts and shakes his head. "Get the feeling Janet doesn't like to talk much." Look up and nod then go back to munching on sausage biscuit. "Janet is a singular woman, slow to trust, experienced hell on earth, better than any ten men combined, and one hell of a good cook." Look over at Dan, not often he say hell so much. "Forgot good roll." Both of them chuckle a bit. "Did you are right and I am sorry Janet." Dan and Benjamin lean together to talk over sheriff stuff so I pay them no mind and munch on vittles. Sausage patty better combined with biscuit but still eat second patty outside biscuit. The biscuits are good and make a good follow to everything have. Even get a glass of milk so am all smile over the morning vittles. Finally though we all get up and head out of the eatery. Dan leads over toward the store, there is no gun store here. Inside we go and look around at everything. Plenty of good things here so spend a bit looking over everything, even get a toy for Balik. He like on account if you twist it about it make noise. Luckily he not so good at twisting about so not much noise though he like try. Luck on my side, Dan still toting Balik so can find interest apart. Mean no hear toy clank and clunk so loud, man behind counter is grin on this. Also showing books have for sale, mess of the weeklies as well, not all these do we get in Longwood so looking over all. "Any good ones in there?" Look over at Dan and shrug. "Most of the weekly are daring tales of injun attacks." "This one here has a tale on a cougar attack. Most time though it has injun attacks as well." Dan snort at clerk. "I always wondered why we never got the weeklies." Both fellas are chuckling now so kick Dan. "No say round eye cause of all injun attacks, usual reason." Both look at me and chuckle more. "We know that Janet, most of these are something the kids buy to have some excitement." "Sell a number to the older fellas, they read them and then laugh about how it wasn't like that." Well this funny so laugh some then move over to candies. Run low on chocolate, also has licorice not sweet. Happy to find he has the caramel on account no sweet but good taste to, Dan like as well so get much as fella will sell. Dan pick out two more novels though no read the future he got let alone finish the powerful one for me. Both novels are big so reckon on be long while to read. Exiting the store we run our fresh bought things to the hotel and stow in our room. Then decide on get lunch so try the closest eatery on account is after lunch time for most. Get menu this eatery and all sound nice though decide on have steak with Dan. Course Dan seem surprise on take steak and tease about how not ask for sweet thing. Kick Dan few times then get surprise when they bring us a high chair for Balik. No try yet but figure on so we get him apple sauce. Make Dan do on account been all me on feed our son, Dan do and surprise when Balik like him to do it. Figure on Balik would, he is no old enough to ask me on all thing. Not that see this, at least not that remember. Hear about from most all gals in Longwood how fellas fixate on mom once they get old enough to notice gal as gal. No sure be good help on this to Balik, am not fella. Was raise different than reckon Balik run in to in the way of gals as well. "Dan true fellas ask ma how do everything?" Dan stop feeding Balik for a bit, until Balik fuss at least. "Well yes and no. Asked Pa how to do rolls and what did on the farm. Ma I asked on how to do everything else." "No sure can do same for Balik." "Sure you can, honest you are better at shoot, track, and you do have idea on what gal would want hear to give out roll." Just look at Dan a spell. "Dan, you forget aside when made to be wife to McCalbane would go around asking fellas to roll. Until go to brothel then it is if the fella have the monies. No think most gals will give roll after being offered monies." "Oh well that is true. Still we got all those gals in Longwood, most are not whores. Reckon Balik will grow up with gals as well so they can figure it out together." "Dan you forget how talk nice gal?" Dan sigh and nod then shrug. "You were not my first but definitely my last gal. You offered a roll to me and after that all a matter of being nice to you." "So am just good roll?" Dan roll his eyes then shake head. "No Janet, you are the best gal a fella can ever hope to find. To start you were just a good roll and a tracker but you went past rather quick like. I fell for you before you figured out you had fallen for me." Am all beam now, though there is one thing. "Why marry after get McCalbane?" "I made us wait on account I was not sure we both would live. I knew you would but that attack was different than any of the others we had done afore." "Honest, would not mind more like. Perhaps why injun attack farm, easy, fast." "Reckon is closer to how many we had with us. Plenty of rifles along with knives and not as many of them. Our hunts have been easy of late anyway." No have thing say on so focus on fine lunch. Is good vittles make here though admit the far eatery quite good. After lunch, with Dan being spit up on so giggle plenty, we go back to hotel. Naught for us to do so we go back to our novels, Balik want nap little after lunch anyway. Do keep eye on him, apple sauce is new for vittle and worry little. Dan tease some on how pay more attention to Balik. So tease back with Dan just good roll so get tickle for a spell. All in all is good time spent just being wife to Dan and mom, no seem get to do that much and enjoy when can. Supper roll around so we collect Balik from under bed where he try to do toy and head out to the eateries. Find the close eatery is full, same with next so head for the far. This eatery full as well, mess of folk hurried down the stairs ahead of us. End up sitting with Benjamin again, also have Dan look for a high chair. Reckon on being proper, Balik like apple sauce and he is getting in teeth, much longer and would teach how eat regular vittles like us big folk. "Seem that half the town knows you two are here." Snort and giggle as Dan come back with high chair. "They offer be posse help run off?" Benjamin and Dan snort. "Had a few fellas offer to be on the posse you two need. Little crestfallen when explained what you were doing. Reckon on losing a few of those fellas west, they want excitement." Sigh and shake head as make sure Dan has good apple sauce, is darker than mind on it being. "Rather just be wife and ma." Dan looks over at. "So you want to stop wearing your belt?" Ponder that for a moment then shake head. "No wish leave husband in danger alone. Just wish mind Longwood." Vittles come now, we get a rather nice looking stew with a whole mess of bread slice. Butter still there in the tub so butter bread and fall to on quite good stew. Help Dan butter his bread after moment of him try while still feed Balik. Surprise on how much he eat of apple sauce but no give milk yet. "Train tomorrow?" Benjamin looks up for moment then shake head. "Day after, in the morning little afore lunch." Dan nudge so look at him. "Reckon we will stay in the hotel tomorrow. Got a mess of reading to do." Benjamin snort. "I'm jealous, get to spend most of the day walking around the town." "Best mind saloon, most fight start." "Not here, we got a number of bad sorts I suppose. Being robbed is a danger so I walk around and mind the town. Am trying to talk them into allocating funds for a deputy salary." "Me no pay, whore most night and make most of monies." Dan shakes his head. "Most of our monies comes from the bounties. Course Janet makes good monies, whores at night and brings home six dollars on a slow night." Benjamin sighs. "I'm jealous and not, I don't know how you let her do that." "Partly it's a matter of not wanting her mad at me. I've seen Janet mad afore, there's no living. Whoring is a thing she needs to do, denies it but I'm pretty sure she still needs to." Kick Dan. "When last time asked for roll?" "Yesterday on account of that book, at least what you admitted to." "No like not have husband where belong. No need whore, just only round eye nice." Benjamin look at Dan getting Dan to chuckle. "She is saying that us white folk are only nice to her when she is dressed and working as a whore. Somewhat true sadly, though good portion of the reason most are not nice besides then is on account of Janet always look at a fella like perhaps bug need squash." Hit Dan getting Balik to coo and slap at table. Benjamin chuckles so hit Dan again getting Balik to coo a few more times. Dan swat getting Balik to coo, so swat Dan for more coo. Swat Dan and Dan swat back so we trade swat for a bit to plenty amusement of Balik, though he get tired of fairly quick like. "Add gamble hall, more money deputy." Benjamin sighs and shrugs. "Have decks of cards in the saloon for friendly games of poker. We haven't really discussed gambling." "Janet has a point, with a gambling hall you have other things to do, more work for the town. Would have people stay over more so more monies coming in to town. Gambling halls are safer than a gambling saloon on account no alcohol. Ours has water, milk, and coffee to not be in competition with the saloon." Benjamin nods and smiles. "Perhaps why we don't have a gambling hall. Course our saloon is fairly small, only one floor. Not sure who has enough monies to afford the building though." Wave hand for moment. "Whole town put up monies." Benjamin just look at for moment then nods. "Reckon that would work, got some set aside and reckon most all of us working could get enough together. Have to figure on the cost for it though least have the transcontinental so short trip for the crew." Finish with vittles soon after so carry drooping Balik back to hotel room. Get him in crib and he pass right on out. Just stand there a bit to watch beautiful son sleep, then Dan join for a moment afore pulling over to paint. "Is this one finished?" Just look at for moment and shake head. "Miss something." "You mean aside your little sparrow symbol?" Dan has point so get paint out and ready then add little sparrow and still miss something. "Still miss." Dan look at with for a spell then snap fingers. "Add a lawman badge." Look at paint for moment then nod and get more paint ready then add the badge. Too hard add letter so just put a star on and make darker so like badge drooping with lawman. Look at longer then smile at Dan who smile back. "I like this one, reckon best to send off somewhere though, let more folk see it. Reckon this is speaking on the difficulty trains are adding to the job." Shake head. "No Dan, train make easier return. Horse make hard. Have track bandits and take mess of day." "Well this is true. Also wish you would speak full sentences to me, know you can." "Give roll?" Dan sigh and shake head. "Mr. Johnson was firm on this, when you are at the right time for ready day or two between." "Dan mean wife." "It's not so easy for me either you know. Reckon next time if you don't catch shall not for couple days then daily." Giggle bit since must be hard on Dan, and he is the one who no can do roll. Not even a bleeding time relief for Dan, could handle but then mean to Dan. So to be good wife just get in bed and pull out novel. Dan goes around turning down lanterns we no need then climb in bed with own novel. Just lay there and read for a spell afore settling down and sleep. Wake the next day and watch Balik work on stand then voice annoyance at no vittles. Feed him then get dressed to go have vittles. End up in far eatery again, though at least have high chair at law table. Reckon on they leave there for us, not like any other sit at law table aside the two sheriff and deputy. Course Dan mean, go off while work on get Balik in high chair. Balik no like so reckon is use to Dan do and decide only want Dan to put in high chair. Dan come back after get in high chair, course Balik decide he like high chair when Dan come back so kick Dan. Benjamin is chuckling along on this so reckon is entertaining to others, no fun for this wife. "Reckon I better order us a high chair." Ponder moment then shake head. "Two chair, Sashi need soon." "You know, if the grandparents buy the high chair then better write a letter to Ma and Pa." Snort and giggle. "Dan, Chad is son and no make much as we do." "True, almost want to suggest they go sign up as a marshal and wife, get the bounties more often than we do." Benjamin waves his hand. "Need to get a booster as well, soon as Balik is ready for a chair he will need it." Look at Dan and he is nod. "Not recalled that one, when I was a lad I got a couple pillows to sit on. Had to get picked up and set on them to boot." Ponder on how that would look for moment then giggle. "Sit on ground to have vittles going up in notions." Dan and Benjamin are chuckling hard at that then our vittles arrive. Fall to on our vittles, we got biscuits and gravy today. Get an extra biscuit and a mess of scrambled egg so is fine meal. "Why no menu in this eatery?" Benjamin looks up from his plate and smiles. "This is the first eatery of the town. When it formed we were the lead camp of the folk doing the transcontinental. This and the saloon were built up first, along with a mess of houses on account of needed a town here. This was afore they got the better lighting on the train so this was one of the overnight stops. Added in the other line since we got the water tower to add to the engine and there wasn't a north south line over here." Benjamin stop there and no seem to answer question so Dan ask. "So why is there no menu?" Benjamin snorts. "Sorry, there is no menu in this eatery on account there never was one. Used to be a tent and only one cook. There are three cooks now but still no menu on account we are all used to it. Reckon on add a menu eventually though not sure when." "How long you been here?" "Pa was working on the line, Ma decided we will stay here so Pa kept going while we stayed here. I got sheriff on account I was the only one who applied the folk in charge liked." There is one question bears asking. "Why no wife?" Benjamin turn red and look down. "None of the gals here liked me enough." Dan snort. "Sign up for a mail order bride. You are a sheriff so you got an income and gals not always care, farmers get wives mail order." This funny so we laugh for a spell. "Farmer keep affording saloon roll." Dan looks over at me and shrugs. "No telling how well they do afford that but you are right, they make enough. Remember lots of times monies were tight when I was a lad, but then the farm was not as big as it is now as well." Just stare at Dan moment. "Ma and Pa got bigger farm?" Dan nods. "Could have sworn I told you, three years ago now an adjacent farm folded so Pa took up the land. Needed to hire workers though Ma is happy, has an army to feed again." Ponder moment then kick Dan. "Understand army to feed again, what you said on the letter." Dan turn red. "Sorry Janet." "Dan can I borrow Janet for a spell? Need to talk the store owners into helping fund a gambling hall and get me a deputy." Dan look at me then we both look at Benjamin. "What do you need Janet for?" Benjamin turns red. "Oh shoot sorry, need Janet to mind the street while I go in and talk it over." Dan look at me so give small smile. "Alright, think first Janet explain your thinking on being a deputy." "Way look at town is tribe, laws are tribe law so any no hold to tribe law are fit to be shot." Benjamin has wide eye now then Dan speak on. "Janet is not fast to just shoot folk. She give option to give up, if they don't right away give up she shoots." Benjamin look back at me. "Not all tribe law is shoot offense. Asides that even in tribe we have trial. Mostly it is the wronged pointing out attacker who is then kilt or harmed according to custom." "Don't ask after the punishment. Brutal is an apt word for them." Benjamin looks at Dan then back to me so put hand up. "Injun know many ways of torture, these are punishment and many no easy life. If given torture punishment was grave offense so must prove worth by life, if life after then am redeemed, no life get burial." "Oh my, still asking for Janet to help. So long as she does not just shoot straight away it's fine." Look at Dan with smile so get nod. "Janet will help, keep in mind she is new here so some of the dastardly sorts may not believe her and get shot." "Perfectly fine, I've shot two of them so far." Am little excited on this, new town to deputy and no been here afore. Reckon is why sheriff and deputy move around some. Also bad to be new and deputy or sheriff, as Dan said not all listen. Still am excited little extra stepping out of eatery with Benjamin. We turn away from hotel to go over rest of town, not much on account the houses are spread out. Same as Longwood, though the new families are building on the new street allotted for it. Reckon on the other houses around will want move in closer. Perhaps will instead have street lay out to them in case town expand far enough. Reckon may not be all that long, they are not that far and many are fairly close together. First place we stop is bank so Benjamin go in and lean against wall to wait for him. Keep eye on street both direction as lean, many folk notice. Many a smile on account of wearing deputy badge on vest. Reckon good am in dress and not tracking leather, many folk comment on the look of and some call it scandalous, with smile so like but still not so good to just wear.