0 comments/ 2958 views/ 0 favorites Longwood Second Hunt Day 03-04 By: emap Bia is actually the first to wake, I'm a tad behind her. I wake because she moves and I grabbed up a Colt. She's grinning and holding her hands up then sticks her tongue out. Well can't stand by and not return it so stick my tongue out. Then I get up and work on getting dressed, though Bia has a different idea. She comes right over and fastens to one breast. I'd swat her but I'm feeling a little pressure there. At least on the breast she isn't sucking on, so I let her keep going. Chun seems to be up as well, she comes over and fastens on the other breast. Well this is nice though Bia isn't sharing Chun's desire for me. At least not that she has ever said, though perhaps she just wants to keep me comfortable. When they finish I finish getting dressed and collect my Winchester. Need to wake up the sergeant to leave, works well he does the coffee. Bia comes with me so we poke him a time or three. No reaction besides snorts so I sit on him. Not in a nice way like with Dan, I just drop right on him and he sits up with a pained expression. "Ach lass that hurt." I put a finger to my lips and grin. "Needed to move you and poke don't work. Get up and do coffee I'll be back with a coney." he nods and winks at me. "Just don't mention this to Susan, she uses a glass of water." I roll my eyes then get up so he can and get out of the way. Chun is already setting wood into the stove so he goes to help her. I pull the door open and step out with Bia following. Tad confused but maybe she knows how to move on the sly. Besides coney are easy to find I shouldn't have a problem. There is a well to the side of the house, almost behind I figure Bia is going there. She has a different idea, keeps following me. Quiet at least so I don't mind and we end up going a bit out. "Why are we going this far?" "So I don't scare the horses. The only time I hunt in camp is with pistols, we tend to hobble and tie them to a tree anyway." "How much should I get to have a house when I find a man?" I look at Bia and sigh then shrug. "I'm not rightly sure, depends greatly on what sort of house you want. Like that one can't be that expensive, and I never ordered one. I don't know how much they cost. I do know you need to know how to farm, and at least attending church every Sunday." "Need a horse for farming." "Well maybe, need a plow I know that, but a man or two can pull it. Slow work but it is possible. Course if you don't do big farm like we have shovels and couple people is enough." "Would you think four hundred is enough?" "Ask Andrew and Peter, need to know how much the house and fixings costs along with farm supplies. Now once you get that, you can get a plan, but you need to figure out which reservation and see if farm is possible." Bia opens her mouth until I put my hand up, got a coney in the bush. She closes her mouth then reaches down and touches the grass a bit. Well this is mildly surprising, I didn't know the Apache women helped on hunts or knew how. She does it twice then the coney pokes out a bit. Nice big gray one so I'm liking this, then a little one comes out. With a sigh I lower my Winchester and we turn to go elsewhere. "I was thinking Cherokee, they must have the same problem with men we do." I look at Bia and sigh then shrug. "Can't say, last time we were there had plenty of both eyeing Dan and me. Still it might be they have run out of not related. Have captain send a letter, mayhap get men and women to come here. Not teaching you Tsalagi, if you do go man can." Bia snorts and giggles. "I have same feeling. Round eye is good enough to talk with, more words." "This is true, makes hard to learn." We both giggle a moment then quiet down, the bush is moving a little. Bia reaches down to the grass to touch it as I bring up my Winchester. Runs her fingers through, once, then twice, and finally a third time. The bush opens and we have a good sized tan coney. Not as big as the gray but large enough for us. I don't shoot, wondering if another mom, but no little coneys. Raising my rifle the rest of the way getting the poor coney to freeze, I fire. Not the best of angles, I was looking at the head straight to the shoulder. Still the bullet passes through the head, and shoulder. Not good for skin but otherwise we have coney. We both run over singing songs a bit happy about this. Bia collects my Bowie and starts to cut up the coney. Once she has the insides and the head removed she picks it up and we head back to the house. "I wish you got pig more often." I sigh and shrug. "I don't get the small ones. I think we can order pigs for a farm, Bipin and Elan seemed to like the idea of it." "Do you think Chad would like farm them?" I have to shrug. "No idea, I know we buy milk from him too. Wanda has complained that she keeps them running with her whoring. Not a big complaint, she likes doing it anyway." Bia snorts. "Wanda wants sex with everyone." That gets us both to giggle, it's true and funny. Back in the house Bia gets with sergeant to finish cutting up the coney. I get my Bowie back so that is nice. I sit with Dan and we have fritters with eggs and bacon. "Bipin why did you not get Silvia?" Everybody stares at me so I roll my eyes. "I like the tortilla breakfast better." "I will make it tomorrow." I smile at Bia then get a thought. "If we do not stop in a ranch or reach town. Was told three days but we move fast." Dan nudges me. "A ranch the wife would let Bia help." I nod and grin. "Janet we are going to quarter the coney, there's too much for chili." I nod at sergeant then eye Bia, she nods with a grin. "Coney added in for breakfast." "Cook it tonight unless we get a stove." Chun looks up. "Why not on the stove tonight?" I roll my eyes. "Chun you sleep with our cook and don't know. Coney cook fast and easy on stove." Chun squeaks and turns pink. "Janet do you want the skin?" I shake my head. "My moccasins are not old and not worn much. Get another coney in morning so you have moccasins to trade." Bia grins at that, Cucaracha looks up. "Why wouldn't she wear them?" Bia and I snort. "Bia is whore and always around round eye. I never wear moccasins in town so round eye actually know I'm around." Cucaracha opens his mouth until Dan puts his hand up. "She wears moccasins to hunt because you don't hear her. We wear boots which are noisy and drown out her barefoot. She refuses to wear anything but moccasins or nothing so nothing and the Apache followed." I think Cucaracha is going to ask another question, sergeant beats him to it. "Ach sir, injuns wear moccasins to hunt with. Deadens the noise they make while walking. They also do in winter to stay warm." I shake my head. "Keeps feet out of snow, to stay warm we do or sit together under blanket." "Do what?" Cucaracha actually got to ask this time. "Cook, pray for warmth. We know it don't work but it gets big fire and dancing so we warm. Usually sit in teepee around little fire most of winter. I did at least, lucky I am girl, we only cook and decide what do with hide. Men scout and go hunting, even in winter, we always need food and not be attacked." Dan nudges me. "Sew, you said you can." I nod and shrug. "Didn't think he wanted to know everything I would do in a tribe. Men attack, we pray they live and bring back things. Especially cloth, cloth is good for tribe, get shot less." "Why shot less?" Everybody is staring at me now and I sigh. "Sorry, was told before put in reservation. Usually we not wear much in summer, round eye men decide we try and steal their women so will shoot the men who try and trade. Now let's pack up and go." Nobody seems to have anything to say about that so we pack up. Remainder of coffee is tossed and pots cleaned. Bedrolls are rolled up and everything goes on the horses. We follow everything on the horses and make our way after the trail. Elan is off to the left and I'm up front with Cucaracha, may as well teach him how to track. "How do you tell which way they are going?" I really want to swat him a few times, perhaps even punch. "Horse shoes have distinct front and back, just look at whole print and it shows. Dan come up and swat Cucaracha for me." "Fool question, just wanted to make sure. Why is Elan over there?" "If they turn that way he will know first. Round eye sometimes clever, get off horse and walk slow no print. Easier for injun, moccasin only coney hide, sometimes deer. In areas with little plant about can drag. Only work on round eye soldiers and sheriffs but tribe rarely attack another unless camp nearby." "Drag what?" "If have one buffalo hide fur down, creates little disturbance in dirt. Deer or wolf hides work in pinch." "That gets rid of the print?" I shake my head. "Makes look old trail, if not good tracker is fooled. Good tracker likely injun anyway. We create false trails as we go with the tribe, I got tasked with doing that many times, small and light so no tracks. Would run along with false trail and break twigs, bend grass so forth for distance then they fold up teepees and we catch up. We go slow enough to carry teepees for day sometimes as we travel." "How did the soldiers catch up?" I shake my head. "Did not catch up, we found them in fort. Apparently it was decide Cherokee should be rounded up, we were experiment on if work. Would have worked if McCalbane was not in charge of meat for tribe." "Because you did have towns." I nod and sigh, we are back on the main path, Mohawk usually better, they must be worse off in tribe to forget way. "Towns where small tribes stay, we were going to see about doing same. Soldiers offered better food than we would have at first so agree." We stop and wait for everyone else then take off again at a trot. I ride at side of path this time with Elan on other side. Path too traveled to get anything good so better to watch for riding off. "Janet the marshal was asking if we are splitting the reward with everyone." I look over at Dan a moment then go back to watching the ground. "Bia wants part, she is whore to make money for house and farm supplies. Chun is along for babe, she think maybe work better not being ridden like whore. Ask sergeant and Cucaracha, never discussed with them. Bipin and Elan will combine for one share, I'm part of your share so three share minus soldiers and marshals." "How much is the reward?" Bia asks getting agreeing words from most everybody. "Three thousand for him, the whole gang is five thousand, dead or alive." Silence for a bit, I guess everybody is shocked, that is lots of money. "Shouldn't we return the injuns to their reservation?" Cucaracha asks making me groan. "No, I've been told this, accompanied injun are free to be where wish. Mohawk are not strong in old way so they are round eye with brown skin. Perhaps father Mohawk and mother round eye not live together, they not injun then except to round eye." "Why not?" Sergeant, Cucaracha, and Dan ask, likely Chun wants to know as well. "Only injun if know tribe, the man I spend time under when young was not injun, tribe turned back. Even if not teaching Chad and Balik old way they are injun, we have tribe. Child raised by round eye is round eye, no matter what look." "Similar for us Chinese, though we only expect you to know Chinese. Tease you about not knowing your heritage." "So about the soldiers and getting a part of the reward." I look over at Cucaracha, he's riding near me again, he sighs and shrugs. "Nominally I'm in charge of the Apache and learning how to do this. Sergeant with me, we need a good enough force of soldiers with party of injuns in our command. That said, part of pay would be nice, perhaps share like Bipin and Elan." Elan lets out a call, he has run off recent enough to perhaps be our men. I ride over and hop down to inspect and agree possible. Looking at line of travel evident probably stopped for night. It's a bit after noon so we are traveling faster, good but need to check. I take Cucaracha with me and everyone else will follow slow. We go at a good clip slowing now and then to make sure, half mile off path we find camp. I hop down and check, first fire then around camp. I find tobacco, rolled and chewed. Checking the chew decide it is about two days old so we are catching up. Cucaracha watches with unhappy face, like eating something bad. I only chewed on the chew a moment to test it, he does not ask so I am looking for exit path. I find it after a moment and curse, there are more men. Eight men now which suggests two were at next town to look it over. No questions yet so wave to rest to get back on path. I hop up on pinto to get neigh so promise to get treat next town. Pinto looks back at me so I nod and promise again, get snort but we on way. Likely not believed but at least we are moving. I will buy treat next town, would like some licorice, especially not sweet. Again trail goes straight to path and rest waiting for us. We resume trot and I look around for wood, spot a tree off in the distance so send sergeant and Bipin after for twigs. We slow down so they don't gallop to catch up, horses getting tired at this point, not bad but stop soon for night. "Janet what is the verdict?" I turn from sergeant and Bipin who have gotten off horses to collect wood. "Dan it got worse, two more riders with group. Six went to camp eight left going this way, did not see two more go to so left same enter. Two day old camp so we are gaining but eight is worrisome with greenhorns." Dan sighs and shakes his head, then curses. "That means the new two likely scouted the town ahead. We might have what they took, though generally it's best to return what we can." I didn't hear question though Dan is nice enough to say it loud for all. "Dan, need buy treat for pinto, promised. I want licorice in addition to treat." Dan just stares a bit. "What brought that on?" "Pinto was upset with me so promised treat." Pinto tosses his head and snickers so I rub him. "Alright, I'll see what is there, could use some carrots anyway, make for better stew. They get fed oat, hay, and carrots in the stable so I guess we spoiled our horses." Sergeant and Bipin catch up loaded down with sticks, roped up with bedroll and in arms. "Janet's horse probably wants licorice, she always smells like it." Bipin comes over and hands sticks to me then sticks tongue out. I don't have bedroll so can't do anything with them, though not dropping. Looking around Chun has bedroll behind her so ride over close and tie them up there. Gets me a smile from Chun, that done I move over to edge of path and watch for exit. Once the shadows get long we look around for a ranch or farm house. Nothing near and not passed a turn in a spell so we are camping off path. Dan whistles and points to my side of path so I look. I don't see anything saying wolf or bear den nearby so nod. We head this way a distance then stop when I find some rocks in a circle. Someone used for camp at some point so we stop here. Chun gets wood down quick and heads for the circle to make fire. Bia follows fairly quickly with sergeant to set up spit for hanging chili. The rest of us rub down our horses and hobble them. Sergeant and Bia had come back to do same, though Chun has not, Bia got her horse with Elan. "Chun is mean to horse." Chun looks up at me and grins. "Bia said she would rub my horse down. Besides I'm handling dinner, she has breakfast and we all know you will get your roll after dinner. Make it quick to roll so we get enough sleep, you are such the early riser." "You get up with me." "I do not, you come wake up Amanda and since we sleep together you wake me up." I grin and point at her. "You delight in helping me wake her up." Chun grins. "I do, still say you get up early, but then so do our guests." Dan puts his hand over my mouth. "Enough of that, how soon before vittles?" "Not too long, need to let the beans heat up and the meat cooked. Janet before you say anything we quartered the coney and cut it up, the cut up is in the chili." I figured as much, the quarters on the spit are not all of the meat, still chew on Dan's hand. "I would like to say we will make town about noon. Cucaracha needs holster for Winchester plus treats, see if can get more meat. Not sure anything here besides scrawny coney." Cucaracha looks around. "What about snakes?" "Snakes around here are harmless unless bug. Not cold enough to wake up wrapped in snake." Sergeant points at me. "Not yet and you brought coats." I toss up my hands. "I brought coats because as said, one to three weeks just to see man. Week after to shoot, too many greenhorns." Sergeant looks around then waggles his hand. "Ach lass little faith, two weeks. You said we are catching up." "Right now we catch up, after this town they may have speed up." Dan sighs and shrugs. "If they did what it looks like they definitely speeded up." Couple groans from the marshals, Chun and the Apache look confused. "Why would they speed up?" Chun manages to ask first. "They looked to have scouted town for bank robbery. If no bank perhaps robbed town. If happens they flee posse, day maybe two of hard ride." "Why don't you have a bank in your town?" I look from Cucaracha to Dan, he sighs and shakes his head. "Too many people coming in to town. Besides the captain told me the Apache would use the bank and it might get some upset they are taking money from Christians." I knew the second thing, first though, I better ask. "Dan, too many come?" "At least fifty get off the train when it comes. The train sits there for a spell so it would be easy enough to rob the bank sly and get on train again." Makes sense, though there is one thing. "Couldn't have soldiers protecting?" Sergeant looks up and shakes his head. "Sorry lass, we are only there to keep the Apache in line in relation to leaving and the town. Odd thing is we are not to protect the Apache." Dan and I trade a glance. "So you protect the round eye from injun, but don't protect injun?" "I don't like it either, but they have you for that." I look at Dan to get a shrug, I guess I'm asking. "So if some round eye shoots an Apache for no reason in front of you, nothing happens?" "Not as a soldier, as a man however I can hold him for Dan and do a legal trial. Injun are outside our laws unless they break one." "What if a man walks onto reservation and shoots an injun?" Sergeant looks down and shakes his head. "Officially we are to detain him for the sheriff. If it happens on my watch I'll shoot him dead, if the Apache don't get him first." I'd say more but Dan puts a hand over my mouth and Chun starts handing out vittles. We got cornbread and chili with bacon and coney, really good vittles. Rather takes my mind off the reservation business which I'm sure Dan wanted. "Janet how is Ishmael doing on his booking?" I look up at Chun and grin. "He's about done, doesn't understand some of words in book about him. I'm same so he's as learned as can be from me." Dan sighs and shrugs. "I asked doc, both before you ask, neither knows but are of a mind to say sailing terms." Cucaracha chuckles. "What is in the book and what I learned were different. Janet who taught you to read?" "McCalbane, he taught to read, write, and count in round eye. Also taught how to cheat at poker, I would sit in lap and call it good hand, really good hand, or bad hand. This was usually done with players not him. Also used man to stand behind and signal. Did not slip cards up sleeve, I think could not manage." Dan nudges me. "What did the one preacher want you for? I mean you never went upstairs with him but he was always talking." "He wanted to convert me, after told my story to him he decided I'm fine not believing in round eye god. He then got me to listen to him give sermon, I not believe but if I say powerful he uses that." Dan nods and chuckles. Longwood Second Hunt Day 03-04 "How did he find out about you though?" I grin. "Preachers talk to each other, for those not mind, we had four churches in Kansas City, this preacher was across town. I had one who did same but took me to room for it, gave roll listened to sermon. Only pay for half hour but usually take longer, nearest church preacher." "Does Father Darren do that?" I stare at Bipin a spell then shake my head. "He refuses to partake of women until married. Surprised not gotten a mail bride yet." Bia giggles and shakes her head. "He took shining to Bina and she is of a mind to allow." "Are they going to share blanket first?" Bia shrugs. "Bina wants, but preacher is mindful of bible. Last I hear say on they were discussing." Dan sighs and shakes his head. "Which Bina? Only Bina I can recall is young." Bia shakes her head. "Older Bina, this one about same age as me. Not always go to our church, she likes the soldier preacher sermons." I sigh and lean against Dan. "Dan is it just me or are we old?" Dan snorts then points at the sergeant. "Sergeant is older." I giggle and nod. "Captain is younger than sergeant." Sergeant tosses up his hands. "Ach lass just rub it in, I joined up before the war and was sent west. Not as far as the officer here is going mind, but I went west. Got to miss out on the war, why I'm only a sergeant, though to be honest I like sergeant better." "How did captain get to his rank?" "Captain was in the war, joined up then ya'see. He went in a private and got promoted to corporal at the first battle. Kept getting promoted and his men loved him, he made sure they would live as well as can be in a war. Not to say he was soft mind, he just valued his men and took a more cautious approach. His tendency to use injun tactics are why he's in command of the reservation, got promoted to do it, was only a lieutenant after the war." I look up at Dan and grin, there is one thing I just have to ask. "Sergeant, how did you stand up to injuns with black powder?" Sergeant sighs and shakes his head. "Mostly didn't, course I got a little lucky, they weren't as, pardon the term, uppity then. We did go out after small parties of them. It was even then, we get a shot and reload, they get a shot and reload. They just did it faster by a little but our shots were faster travel. The oddest thing, it was never a wife raid, I only learned about those when you told us. Mostly they would come and grab metals, coffee pots and such." I giggle about that one. "Before round eye our arrows were made with bone, stone, or just sharpened wood. I've heard tell of black stone heads that are volcano tears, but all I know is how to get stone or bone sharpened. Metal works better however so we like to use it." Elan looks up. "I've worked the black stone, it's tough to get right but powerful sharp. Doesn't last long so they were set aside for fights and not hunting." "Better than metal?" I get a nod for the question. "Better than metal, but metal can be used more before needing new head. Black stone will break if it hits anything but meat." I nod then Dan nudges me and points, the fire is burned down enough to see past us and the town is lit up a might. "We will have lunch in town unless they are powerful eager for us to get gang." Everybody looks and nods then sergeant opens his mouth. "I reckon lunch there would happen, eat up we got more chili in here." I hand my bowl to Dan and he goes to get more for both. When he comes back he has plenty so I tease him on trying to turn into Mr. Johnson. "Janet you really should get another pig for Isaac, the sauce he adds to that is really good." I stare at the sergeant a bit then look up at Dan to get a shrug. "I only shoot the boars, smaller pigs are not dangerous. If you are so fired up to have pig more, buy them and set up a farm. I'm sure Isaac knows how to do it, if not we can ask around or do an advertisement for a pig farmer." Cucaracha looks up. "Make sure you send it to the southern states, they are not doing well." I look up at Dan and he nods. "They lost many men, had to free their slaves, and many farms were destroyed." I think about it and start to giggle. "I guess round eye do not hate injuns like I thought. Round eye hate everyone not agree." Bipin snorts, Elan chuckles, and Bia laughs. Everybody else seems a little uncomfortable with that, though Chun is grinning a bit. Shortly after Dan takes my bowl and hands it over then takes me to our bedroll. A little away from the fire I shiver a little, it's getting cooler. Dan though seems intent on getting us naked, along with under the blanket but still. He seems a little uncomfortable with the conversation. Once we are both laid bare and in the bedroll I put my hand to his chest. "Dan, did I go to far?" He sighs and settles down next to me. "Yes, it's true, but not something we like pointed out. A preacher would say we are guided by god and he has mysterious ways." "I always thought he seemed like coyote." Dan sighs and rolls his eyes. "Closer to the devil has gotten to our leaders. In the case of the war however much of the destruction was because the Union soldiers were advancing across enemy territory." I put my finger to his lips and grin. "Round eye have strange notions, there is loving fiery god, and a devil that is opposite of god. We have great spirit and coyote, a trickster, there is no badness." Dan sighs then comes in and kisses me. "I'm not going to your religion." I start giggling then Dan puts a hand to me and there's a moan instead. I wasn't quite ready but very willing to let Dan have his way with me. I'm just glad my need has calmed to where Dan is enough. Not to say I'm not looking forward to whoring again, there's something nice about it. Probably because round eye are so eager to get inside of me, and they are nice. Course that is likely because as an injun I'm supposed to just whore anyway. Then Dan moves on top of me and oh, no more thinking my husband came to me. My legs move up and wrap around Dan as he starts to move and it is magical. My husband is inside of me and his equipment is churning mine to see stars. I moan a time or two as he gets into a nice groove. It seems no time stars come and I'm moaning up at Dan. He smiles then comes down and fastens his lips to mine. I become aware with my sudden quiet of Chun and Bia also enjoying rolls. Someone is still cleaning so sergeant must be handling it for us. Then Dan speeds up and oh this is nice. He's churning me up even better and I'm going to find stars again. We're still kissing, then his hands move to my breasts and I'm shoved right up into the stars. My hips are dancing along with his then Dan groans and his warmth is flooding me. I grab him up and just hold on as he slows then stops, his warmth making me feel so good. I want my husband atop me longer though Dan wants to lie down. After a little moving, and resistance to pulling out, I curl up on Dan. I can't help the smile, my husband came to me and perhaps today I become with child. I know it's not going to happen yet, Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone explained how it works. Still though, I want to be carrying my husbands child again. Then I can whore and well that makes me start. Perhaps my need isn't wholly satisfied with Dan. "What's wrong?" I look up at Dan and sigh, I don't want to voice this on a hunt. "I was just thinking about how I'd like to be carrying your child again. I realized that once I am with child I can whore and well perhaps I'm not quite satisfied with only my husband still." Dan snorts. "I didn't think you were, once you could handle it we were always doing it often as I can." I giggle and swat him. "Dan you came to me in outhouse, I love you and wish to be good wife but outhouse is not where I would pick." Plenty of snorts in the camp though no one says anything. "Well I admit that wasn't exactly where I wanted either, but we hadn't yet and I have a need to. If you want to whore again feel free, you always save room for me." Well this is embarrassing. "Not always, sometimes in brothel I had enough before you. I just can't deny you." Dan chuckles. "I figured, that hour man left all of the girls done for the night except you. I just went slow and you did come to me." "I knew you hadn't with anyone else and I know you have need. I've always been good wife, even when wasn't." Dan pulls me up for a kiss then we settle down for sleep. I'm the first awake on this day. Not being inside house helps, though in saloon the windows face the rising sun enough to alert me. While shivering and getting into tracking clothes I ponder how many more summers I can wake with sky. I notice it is farther toward having sun showing of late and it is embarrassing. I am not an elder yet, not even a gray hair. Dressed and Winchester in hand I make my way farther away from path, then stop and turn around. A feeling of crossing path being best idea pulls me that way. I just keep walking a good distance, at least a mile, and the sun is starting to edge up into the sky when I stop. I have found a deer, a very nice deer, little young perhaps. Still I can't deny that the great spirit sent me this way for deer. Creeping up closer I find a good spot and settle to one knee. Bringing up Winchester I slowly work the lever praying the deer does not startle and run. The ears rotate with the clicks as the bullet is pulled free and loaded in. Still it has not started so I aim down on the beautiful deer. Singing softly in praise of the great spirit in providing me with this deer I fire. The deer falls over with a bleat as I stand up and reload. Moving closer I notice the deer is twitching still so speed up. When I get close I just shoot it again, wanting to end it faster than a knife. Debating for a moment I pull knife and hunter cut deer, I shall have Bia cut out meat for us. Leaving behind inside of deer and head I hoist it atop my shoulders and head for camp. As I get closer I see fire start up and giggle. No one was up yet until I fired on deer. I shall tease Bia on slow to raise. As I reach camp I whistle and boast of great hunt, Bipin and Elan look up then stand to dance. Bia looks at the deer, then me with a frown so I stick my tongue out at her. "You wake late so cut deer." "Unfair, I had Bipin and Elan last night." We both look at Chun and she gets wide eyes. "I've never cut up a deer." "Ach just drop it, I'll cut up the deer." I just stare at sergeant a moment then shrug and give him the deer. "Wish Bowie?" He looks up and shakes his head. "I'll take a throwing knife, better for cutting out the good parts." I frown at that. "No ribs?" Sergeant shakes his head then takes the knife I hold out to him. "I'm not sure we have enough space for the meat anyway." Dan drops a roll of the paper Bartholomew uses to wrap up the meats in front of sergeant. "Use that, we can sell some for the licorice and carrots. Chun do we have coffee?" "Yeah about that, sorry Janet but we don't have enough sugar so I added honey to the coffee." I sigh and swat Dan. "Always bring much sugar." "I got what I could, Andrew sold more than normal. We will buy some at the town." I sigh and point at sergeant. "Ach lass don't look at me, I can't provide sugar for us. I'm only provided jerky and biscuits." I look up at Dan and start giggling. "No wonder we always have jerky in stew." Dan grins and nudges me. "Ask him why we don't have biscuits." We both look at sergeant and he turns red. "I had cookie make the biscuits with whiskey, I never share because you can't have whiskey. I could give Dan one but then you would want and nobody is fool enough to refuse." I have to allow for that being true, still whiskey isn't the best tasting and I'd likely stop at a bite. Not that it matters, Bia is handing out breakfast. We have good breakfast with the coney meat, little bacon, and egg rolled up in tortillas. Cucaracha has never had before, I find this odd, I thought most everyone has had tortillas. Brings to mind a question and well why not ask. "Do all Apache know tortilla?" They all shake their heads. "How do you know tortillas?" I look up at Dan and get a shrug so I guess remembering a little of that hunt. "We had long hunt chasing man. Ended up getting almost to Arizona territory, he stopped because Cochise was on warpath in area." Just about everybody is sitting with hanging mouth, then Cucaracha asks. "Did you meet Cochise?" I shake my head. "We did not, ran into scout for one of his war tribes. Exchanged pleasantries and continued on to train." Dan nudges me. "Tell them the rest." I sigh and toss up my hands. "Fine, our man was white as sheet, kept going on about how we are all dead. Got trailed for two days by three scouts to let us exit their territory with no problem." Dan sighs and shakes his head. "We also saw a large number of them watching us. Janet here just raised her rifle and yelled, got a wave in return." I roll my eyes. "Dan recall wrong, I raised rifle, yelled in Tsalagi then Spanish about taking round eye back to round eye for hanging. Got mighty warrior wave, they were happy we took round eye away. Only reason they are on warpath, round eye say no farther then go farther." "So they would be happy with no more settlers?" I shrug and wink at Cucaracha. "Likely be happier at reservation by town. We don't eat well most days in many areas. Why we wander about, round eye not understand but some land good for grow, some land not. Many areas we wander to only good for hunting." Elan nods. "Where I was growing up water was hard to come by. Rained at least, we collected rain and used that." "Better to not promise another tribe our reservation. Captain is trying to hold on to land, seems some know it is good land for growing. Might lose a swath of fifteen miles or so where Apache are not living or growing toward the far rail." We all stare at sergeant a spell then pack up and go. We finished eating and naught to say about that. Elan carries the remains of deer a distance away from camp and path so predators will go for it. Dan ends up riding near the marshals to talk, I end up next to sergeant. He doesn't look especially happy with himself after saying that. Bad thing to tell us, not much matter to me but the Apache use that area for hunting. Just ride along a spell, and I can't not ask any longer. "Sergeant, isn't there a buffer between reservation and free land?" Sergeant tensed up then relaxes with a sigh. "Aye lass there is, two miles of the fifteen would be the new buffer. According to captain and the information sent it is in debate. He sent reply of the Apache using it to hunt, we don't have enough beef or farm for everyone." I nod then giggle. "Sergeant when we return tell captain to send another, Apache use the land to hunt because they have nothing to do." "So if we remove the land they would get bored and go on a warpath?" I shrug. "Perhaps, many of the warriors like Bipin are not young and remember how was. They have fights to first blood, this is thing done by warriors to stay ready for battle." "So they would fall on us at the fort?" I have to shrug again. "Perhaps, you are liked amongst Apache, talk to them, play poker. If land is taken away farmers would have rifles. Likely Apache go there take rifles, horses, and go elsewhere." "All of them?" I shake my head. "Most of the older warriors also remember how hard it was. Hungry besides plants found along way is not nice. Younger warriors however have heard say on great triumphs in battle. They can't be blooded any longer and wish to be. They would head for the farmers." Sergeant nods. "Why we have Elan I gathered. Do you think the unblooded warriors would like to help the marshals?" I nod and frown. "Yes, but marshals not like, to be blooded must kill man. Not all wanted are for dead, many are alive only." "Do you know what makes a man wanted dead instead of alive?" I shake my head then pivot to see Dan. "Dan, how does one get wanted poster of dead?" "To be wanted dead you need to kill several, bank robbers with no deaths are alive. Train robbers on the other hand are dead or alive. Horse thieves are wanted alive because they are hung at the courthouse." I shudder, I've seen that a couple times, sergeant nudges me. "You have seen a hanging?" I nod. "A few, sometimes the court wants us there to attest to it being the right man. Not pretty, they hang there twitching for a spell. The round eyes all lean in to see it better, claim otherwise but they enjoy the hanging." "Seen a few myself, when a man has a court martial and found guilty of bad enough they hang him. Whole fort comes out to watch except for the men on duty. They tend to watch as well, just a little mind. We don't lean in but we do find some pleasure in it, a hanging offense put us all in danger." "If we have warrior do that with Cherokee tribe they turn back on. He is no longer Cherokee and marked so all Cherokee know." "So a woman can't do that?" I shrug. "Possible, Cherokee will teach woman how to hunt if wishes, even some become warriors. Not often and I've never heard of a woman warrior having back turned on. We are backbone of tribe, without women no babe, no babe means no warrior. We watch over babes, make food, do clothes, and teepees." "Do all injun do that?" I look over at Cucaracha and shake my head. "Do not think so, but have not asked or met many. I've met Sioux, Apache, Mohawk and Choctaw. Know of others but never met, our posters take us into Sioux and Apache area." We fall mostly quiet for a spell so I can watch the town get larger. Oddest thing, it looks to be a fairly good sized town, but no train. There are houses scattered here and there about the town. They have two streets like Longwood. I can make out what must be a bank, the church is oddly on the street. Slowing down so I fall in step with Dan I poke him so he looks at me, then the town and sighs. "I can only think there is a mine nearby." Makes powerful sense, still there is one thing. "I'm not seeing a company store." "There is a mine, and this town happened to be one of the main routes for the wagon trains." I look at the marshal to my left a bit then look at Dan. "Elan won't like this town, I'm not so happy either." Dan rolls his eyes. "Settlers are only trying to live, some of the places they go I don't understand either. Most of the attacking is done by soldiers, ours and Mexican." I shake my head. "There are bounties on injun scalps, not Mexicans, but injuns. I not see different on scalps." Dan snorts. "Me either but well they do and they are a different country. Not that you are in danger of someone trying to scalp you." I just stare at Dan a spell. "Dan scalps are taken by Apache because powerful warrior. The bounty is for injun scalp, I'm injun so my scalp has bounty. Everyone would like my scalp." Dan sighs and looks at Bipin who nods. Dan doesn't look terribly happy but we are riding into town now. One of the marshals is sent off to the bank, the other and sergeant head for the saloon. The rest of us head for the store, good sized store so perhaps we get lucky and they have everything. No butcher so store is only place for meat. Bipin stays with the horses while Elan is sent after sergeant, he has the extra deer meat. Inside is quite nice, there are skirts and shirts set out on racks. They have a section on candy, a book to order from, and what I like, a section on guns. I nudge Dan and point to guns and hold up two fingers then head for the candy. Chun and Bia head for the skirts, Chun could use a new and Bia likely wants more. I've never seen her wearing anything but a camisole. Then it occurs to me, nobody brought warmer except perhaps sergeant and Cucaracha. Longwood Second Hunt Day 03-04 "Dan, we need coats for everyone." He looks over at me and shrugs, he got the store man first. "We got and the marshals brought, not sure on everyone else." I sigh and look at Chun, who shakes her head while Bia comes over with a shirt. "I not bring money and only used blanket before whoring." I grab her arm and march us both over to Dan. "Chun did not bring or does not own, Bia has only ever used blanket. I think Bipin and Elan do not have coats." Bia shakes her head so we all look at Cucaracha. "Sergeant and I brought winter gear. We get assigned it after training and part of training is to always have it when it gets toward winter." We all look at the store man who is beaming. "I can produce four coats, they will be roomy for the gals." I think we all shrug so he runs off into the back. "You get the feeling this town isn't doing as well as it looks." I look at Chun and shrug, then notice she has a shirt in her hands. "Did nobody prepare for winter coming on hunt?" Chun glares at me. "I don't have much, gave my coat to mom because we only have one. Never seemed worth to get new since in the winter we just stay in the saloon." Not much to say to that, then Elan comes in with packages of deer. "Dan he will pay for deer meat?" Dan nods then the store man comes back with four coats. "I can't pay much but enough to cover licorice and carrots. Also you are in luck, the licorice is not sweet here so I'm giving you extra. Not many want to buy it so I was faced with eating most of it." I can't help it I'm beaming at him then notice the coats. The coats are thick and long, much better than mine. I have a coat that I can't cover my pistols with. Fine for when getting into shootout. The rest of the time though my legs are cold with the gaps in the leather on the outside. I look up at Dan with my eager face and he looks after a moment and rolls his eyes. "I thought you liked the coat you have." "Coat powerful good in shootout, rest of time legs cold." Dan rolls his eyes then signals for one more. "Do you not think our man will head toward Texas or farther?" I shrug at that while the store man disappears in back again. "May, though good portion of Texas just as cold. Chances are good not, ranger is seen as powerful good lawman." Noticing Cucaracha right there with no holster for rifle I nudge him. "No holster?" "Dan has been keeping him busy, you are helping him on that. He's got them up behind the counter." I look where he points and giggle. "You want belt as well, for rifle bullets." Store man has come back and drops coat then looks at us. "Which holster and is it a shotgun?" I leave Cucaracha to that to head back over to the candy. Chun is there along with Bia both are looking at odd brown candy. Chun looks up and pulls me closer with a smile and points. It's listed as caramel and there is odd white section inside. "You might like the caramel, they sold it in New York, not sweet except for white." Feeling my pockets I find I have more dollar coins so smile. We shall get some of the caramel as well, besides Chun wants it. She didn't seem to bring any money with her same as Bia. After spell Dan comes over and wraps me up in arms while we speak to store man on the candy. He won't part with more than a pound of the caramel, seems town likes too. He does share paper with address for Andrew to order it at least. Dan pockets that and let's me pay, perhaps he is running low on pennies. More likely he ran out of coins and bills in his pocket, he brings sack of money with us. Perhaps what Bipin is outside for, protect the saddle bags and rifles. Once we finish purchasing in store, with two pounds of sugar added to carrots we exit. I'm giving pinto a licorice, he was powerful interested in me since I'm eating one as we leave, when the marshals come over. They share bad news, no lunch we are to ride after gang. Honest I'd prefer shooting marshal then eating lunch. Instead we get up on horses and take off after. We don't even use path that see use still, they took off at different angle. I'm pretty sure they will head to path, the one I point out in town. Instead we go after trail, shadows are starting to elongate when we reach split. Each horse went in a different direction, Elan and I hop down and look over trails. I find heaviest horse then hop up and follow it, presently everyone else follows. "How do you know this is the right way?" I wink at marshal then point at Dan. "This is the right one because heaviest horse. Gangs are predictable, if they split up one man has the money. They all end up going where he goes so we just find the heaviest horse and follow that one." I put hand up before anyone says anything. "They do not stop to hand out for everyone because if posse follows they may lose some. Better to split up then get together later to hand out share. Usually gang not stay apart long, they wish to lose posse but no trust." Elan off to the side puts his hand up. "Have track of one horse moving in to trail." "They seem to be headed for the road, how long are we following the tracks?" I look up and do see path in distance, also see what looks to be camp site. "We go to campsite, likely they stopped there." I look at marshal then get a sigh and nod. "They came in the afternoon and rode off at a gallop. Wasn't long after night fell and no chance of chasing." "How long ago?" Dan asks for me though I have suspicion. "Two days." We are closing, though I'd prefer to be farther back. "Janet for a long hunt we might need to move back east." I guess there was a sigh out of me. "Perhaps have marshals go back to Kansas City with message of not get us until two weeks pass." Chun snorts though Bipin is grinning. "Good plan, chief say I am to always accompany you on hunts." I look at Bipin then at Dan, he snorts and shakes his head. "I'm not sure I like that, if no other way for blooding perhaps should take two unblooded next time." Bipin snorts and shakes his head. "Can't, always send blooded with to make sure new warrior return. Janet not qualify, she is not Apache." "Better." Bipin and Elan snort then point fingers at me. "Not better, just not Apache." I stick my tongue out at them getting chuckles. "Ach we did not do beans this morn." I look at sergeant and grin. "Jerky stew, you have jerky, we have carrots." Chun looks up. "We have taters still, be a bit on eating though." "I think it's high time sergeant share his biscuits as well." Sergeant groans and shakes his head. "Sergeant you will share, I not like whiskey." He sighs then points at Bipin and Elan. "Honest, my orders are to shoot them if they get into whiskey." I look at Dan, he shrugs so I point at sergeant. "They will not have biscuits." Cucaracha snorts. "Doesn't matter, cooked whiskey doesn't have much alcohol to it." We all stare at him a spell. "How do you know this?" Sergeant asks, isn't that the oddest turn. "There has been research, besides cooking with wine or whiskey is done to add the flavor." "They can try one then, I still not want." Sergeant sighs then shrugs and we continue on to the campsite. The sun is just starting to touch the edge of the world when we reach it. Chun and sergeant get to work on getting the fire up with the spit to make stew. The rest of us get to work on pulling our things off the horses then rubbing them down. Chun still gets out of rubbing her horse down, sergeant though does get up to rub his horse. Finally we get the horses rubbed down, hobbled, and grazing then sit around the fire. "Chun why are we not eating like your parents make?" Chun looks at me and sighs. "I'm not that good at it, I know how, but it's never been something I needed to do. I only know how because a Chinese husband would want." Dan nudges me. "Rice is rather expensive, her parents are charging up to ten cents a plate because of that." I look at Dan then back to Chun to get a nod. "At least one man a month goes straight to my parents to afford the rice. Mom had to change what she adds to the vittles because of the difficulty in getting some plants. The canned helps but it hasn't reached China quite yet." Dan snorts and shakes his head. "I'm quite sure it has, they just aren't exporting it enough for your folks to get it." Chun shrugs at that. "Hard to say, the rice we get from New York. San Francisco is said to get most of the imports from China but it seems we need to go there to see what is on offer." "Then you should head there." I think we all look at Dan, Chun sighs and shakes her head. "My parents started out there and moved to New York. It wasn't the safest of places when they left, can only be getting worse." Dan nudges me and winks. "Then take Janet with you." Chun frowns and shakes her head. "That's just it, women there are not exactly common, same with New York unless you look outside Chinese. While Janet can defend us both quite well pistols are common, we do get attacked by round eyes as Janet calls them." Honest I think it sounds like a better idea now so smile at Dan to get a frown. "Janet hush, we don't need you hating Chinese." Some chuckles at that, I'm not happy so elbow Dan. "I only hated McCalbane, he's dead now. I have a beautiful son from a round eye and married the father of my second son." Dan sighs and is rubbing at his side, I guess I got him good. After a moment he pulls me closer then lays his lips to mine and I get a kiss. He lays on a powerful kiss making me forget the conversation. Likely what he wanted but so not arguing with him, my toes are a little curled. "Sergeant we may be putting in a hotel." I didn't know this, I guess it was one of the conversations while I'm playing poker or feeding Balik. "Dan, I thought we had enough rooms in the saloon." Dan shakes his head. "Sally has to turn people away. We are going to put in the hotel so we have enough rooms. Lots of folks come to look at the injuns, along with sample the whores. Sally reckons if we add a hotel the third floor can house more whores and the Apache will be happier." Well that is good reckoning. "How many Apache do you think will be needed to help?" Sergeant comes up with a question before I can think of anything. "Hard to say, we're getting a proper hotel so a good crew will come with to build it. For that we will wait for them to arrive. Getting more gambling tables as well so likely hire a few more. Talk of adding streets to build houses. Talk of adding more deputies to go along with it, we aren't sure if we can add Apache." Sergeant sighs then shrugs. "Not knowing either. When we get back can ask though I'm fairly sure it will be a letter sent and I'm not thinking it will be liked. Unless said deputy does not carry a revolver." I nudge Dan and wink at him. "Give them a knife and they can walk the streets. Watch over in the saloon as well, most simply hand over their guns to Ishmael anyway." "Fine idea, still need to ask though, remember injuns are not exactly covered by our laws." "Unless we break them, I mind the conversation." Dan sighs and puts his arm around me, I feel better, still upset over that however. "Just as bad for the Chinese, besides cheer up Janet, you are a deputy. Means you are a recognized member of the country." "So I am covered in the laws?" Sergeant and Cucaracha nod. "That you are lass, you even married Dan as recognized by the government. Means you are protected by our laws fully. Chun would be if she married a bloke, though I don't reckon most would own to the fact right off." Chun rolls her eyes then pokes sergeant. "You are already married." He snorts and shakes his head. "Ach lass I wasn't thinking of me, you been spending time curled up with the marshals." "Trying to stay pregnant this time. My folks want a grandchild and Amanda wants a babe, she can't come out from the kitchen to try." I grin at that. "When we get back I'll help Isaac and she can." Dan groans and shakes his head until I poke him. "Isaac would do the cooking, I'd only help him do it." "What is wrong with Janet's cooking?" Bipin asks earning him a smile from me, Dan sighs and shakes his head. "Not a thing, she just doesn't make any sweet. Her cornbread tastes like bread." Well that is wrong so I swat Dan. "It tastes like good cornbread, you just like sweet." Dan sighs then swats me. Well there's only one good response to that, I turn in to him and pounce. In no time we are rolling around a little poking and pinching each other. I'm not sure which of us is laughing first, though I know sergeant beats us both. We do stop presently, vittles are done and I'm hungry. I get handed a full bowl so I'm smiling, Dan is doing the same next to me. I notice he has a fuller bowl so I groan and have to call him on it. "Dan if you start to look like Mr. Johnson you aren't getting rolls." Dan looks at me a moment then rolls his eyes. "You gave a roll to Mr. Johnson." That pulls a groan out of me, Chun is giggling though Bia looks curious. "What is wrong with giving him a roll?" I shake my head. "He's heavy and I wasn't getting roll that day from the round eyes. I had to bend over for him to not risk Balik." Dan snorts. "You always just bent over for me for three months." I just glare at Dan a spell. "Dan, you are heavy and Mr. Johnson told me to. As he put it best to just bend over or not give out roll. I not like but need was high enough to do." "You wanted more while you carry Balik?" I nod and wink at Bia. "Dan was only once day for then and I like more." Dan snorts. "Much improved over when I met you." I look up at Dan then elbow him. "Had powerful need and you helped as often as could. I mind you didn't find it hardship." "It did make it hard to track our bounties though." I just glare at Dan. "We always caught fast and sure. I'm of a mind to not give out roll tonight." Dan sighs then scoots over a little. "Ach, I've not seen that afore." I look around and everybody is gawking at me, besides Dan he's eating stew. I roll my eyes then go back to my stew. It's a good stew, got bits of tater, deer, jerky, and carrot inside. Also some corn so I'm quite happy, rather like stew we had when I was a babe. "Janet I'm curious, how does one track an injun?" I just look at Cucaracha a spell then sigh, he's serious. "Pray they have horses with shoe. Shoe always leave track to follow." "What if they drag a hide behind?" Elan snorts so I look at him, he shrugs then nods. "Might as well share it, buffalo are hard to find and only good drag hide." I think about that then shake my head. "Blanket weighted with hide, should get close." "Can you tell the difference?" I look at Cucaracha and sigh. "If blanket weighted too much yes, would create gouge. Buffalo hide can, depends on speed. How to tell is simple, get down to track, best on horse shoe, and blow. Remove dirt then can look for scratches. If scratches there is drag and fresh, if scratches are rounded old trail with drag. Follow anyway, we like to use same places." "Why?" This from a marshal. "We prefer to stay hidden and have look at approach. Only so many places offer both." "How can I tell the difference between a false trail and the true trail?" I shake my head. "You wish war tribe, only full tribe use false. War tribe will hook teepee up to horse and go, if they have. War tribe are just that, to make war, not matter if can track, they go place make war then return. Cochise not do this but still holds to old way otherwise." Elan nods. "Couple of the men at the reservation were part of his war tribes. Because of Mexican bounty on scalps the war tribes keep going around to get the attention to leave the full tribes alone." "Ach those two have sad state, we aren't to allow them off reservation." Bipin snorts and shakes his head. "They like it better here, no chance of returning to war tribe." Sergeant nods then shrugs. "Orders we have, most of us are not like but what we have." We fall silent after that, not really anything else to say. That is a powerful bad thing to have, but we can't change it. Finished with my stew I hand the bowl to Dan and get a second. He gives me too much so I eat what I want, then pour what is left in his bowl. Dan nudges me and chuckles. "Look at that, you complain I eat to much then you give me more stew." I can't help giggling. "You gave me too much, I'm not you and not carry baby." Dan sighs then puts his arm around me. "Too much is from Chun, wanted to empty pot I reckon. The babe will come on it's time." "Dan you said you won't go to my religion, but here you are quoting it." Dan stares at me a moment then shakes his head. "I am not." I grin then turn his nose. "Made you think you did though." Dan sighs and turns my nose while Bipin and Elan are chuckling. Shortly after we get up and head for our bedroll. Decidedly cooler tonight so I'm shivering a might before I'm bereft of shirt and pants. Dan seems to be in the same fix because he strips down fast and gets under the blanket. Well he didn't help me so I kick him, gets Dan to chuckle then grabs my pants. He helps now, makes it easier to get out of the pants, though powerful tough to stay up. After the pants are gone I fall on Dan and poke him in the nose. Then get under the covers because it's powerful cold now. I just snuggle right up to my husband and stay there, both shivering a might. At least we get better quick, though Dan doesn't pull me atop to help with warm. I guess he remembers what I say about the roll tonight. I'd reconsider but he complained about us doing rolls so he's not getting. A smell on the wind alerts me to it so poke Dan. "Dan smell, I think we get snow." Dan sniffs a time or three and sighs. "Yeah, we are getting snow. Is that going to give us problems?" I shake my head. "Mohawk don't know old way I reckon, we will track them just as well, but need to let snow fall to do it. May be hard for a spell, at least smells like small snow." Feeling a bit of cold behind I roll over and grab up my leather to lay along the edge of the blanket. That done I pull my belt and put it past Dan. Dan nudges me and makes me get his belt when I turn back, my belt is under the blanket. His belt goes under the blanket as Bia and Chun begin enjoying their rolls. Their sounds of enjoyment fill the air as I snuggle up with my husband. Roll or not I love him, and perhaps I am getting better, not a powerful need to have him inside.