0 comments/ 2898 views/ 0 favorites Longwood Second Hunt Day 05-06 By: emap Waking up this day is annoying, Dan or I pulled the blanket up so I can't see the sky. Someone is up first crunching on the snow. Pulling my Colt and uncovering I find out two things, Bia is up, and we got snowed on. Dan jerks and pokes me for dumping snow on us. I stretch over and grab a handful of snow, there's more than I reckoned then drop it on his face. Bit of sputtering and muttering later Dan sits up with Bia giggling. Dan just looks at me a spell after uncovering his face. "Janet I think you want a roll." I look down where he is to see my breasts sitting at attention. "It's cold Dan." Grinning Dan reaches over and pinches a nipple, that is actually a mite painful, then his lips fasten and he's emptying me. Bia comes over and helps so I'm liking this, the cold and needing my son hurts. Once they finish I'm scrambling to get in my pants, shirt, moccasins, then finding a coat. Bia is fast hopping to the wood to collect enough to make a fire. Dan follows me then collects a pair of socks that he gives Bia. She smiles about that though doesn't put them on, smart they would collect snow. Over to the fire I go with my Winchester and sit next to Bia to get warmed up before hunting. "Sorry for not skinning the deer." "We got enough deer for breakfast and half dinner. I got one coney skin, if you can collect a second I'll have moccasins." I nod then a thought boils up. "Do you have needle and thread?" Bia nods. "I brought, I mind you did as well." I nod and grin. "I always bring, Dan has penchant for getting hat shot." "I miss the dog hat. Wake up sergeant and see about a coney." I grin at Bia then collect some snow. Sergeant pulled his blanket up high, but still see some of his face so drop snowball on it. He sits up sputtering about being awake, though his eyes aren't open. I swat him on the head then his eyes open and I get glared at. "Ach lass, twas rude." "Get up and help Bia with vittles, I'm on a coney hunt so she has moccasins. Otherwise she has socks but moccasins work better." "Wake up the lieutenant he wants to come along." Fresh snow coney hunts are easy so I not mind taking greenhorn. Over to Cucaracha I go and kick him, he groans and rolls over. Well not wishing to do anything else I kick him again, mite harder and he sits up this time. I get glared at until he notices my rifle then gets up muttering about needing a moment. At least he is dressed quick, though do take him to the fire to warm up. Then he follows me away from the camp and path. "How do we find a coney?" I turn back and put a finger to my lips, he say loud. "First say quiet. Coney are cautious, if startled they will freeze and no see in hide." Cucaracha nods and walks beside me for a spell. I put a hand to his chest when I hear it, a coney is moving about in bush. I point out the bush to him and he nods then looks back at me. "What do I do?" I roll my eyes. "Point rifle at bush, no shoot wait for coney, if little coney no shoot we look more." He nods and points his rifle at the bush, he took along the black powder looking rifle. Reaching down I ruffle the bit of grass about and we get a nice look grey coney. He sucks in his breath like he will shoot so I poke him in leg. He looks at me and I shake my head then point back at coney. We look a bit, and coney seems alone so I say loud to shoot. Coney freeze since I say loud then he shoots. New rifle is little louder than Winchester and coney squeals, he shot in neck. Offering up prayer for forgiveness I raise my rifle and shoot taking half of coney head. "Always shoot coney in head." Cucaracha sighs and nods. "Sorry I should have asked, and rifle seems a mite off." I stand up and sigh. "Can check at camp, and Winchester I mind you never fired it." He shakes his head. "I didn't think I would need to." I groan and head for the coney pulling out my Bowie. "Always test new rifle, and pistol. Colt good pistol, hard to ruin aim, rifles are easy so always test. Do you have tool?" Cucaracha shrugs. "I'm not sure, I don't have a full complement of equipment." Saying the prayer of gratitude I hunter cut the coney. Head and insides left for predators we head back to camp. Cucaracha carry the coney since his kill, I only speeded along. Back at camp Bia smiles when she gets coney and I hand over throwing knife. Sergeant looks up then frowns at only one coney. "There was two shots." I nod. "Cucaracha not test rifle, do you have tool?" Sergeant crosses himself and nods. "I have a tool, not sure will work on that rifle but will on Winchester. Do you want to test for him?" I shake my head. "Cucaracha test shoot, see about two targets." Sergeant nods and stands up, Dan comes over and hands over the paper again. Sergeant smiles then grabs up the paper and goes for some sticks. I ignore him and go over to Bia who has Chun cooking up the deer with corn and baked beans. Not a good say for breakfast but rolled up in tortilla tastes good. Bia is busy with making moccasins while her feet are close to the fire. When sergeant whistles at me I glare at him then find a burned stick and blow it cool as I move over to the targets. After placing dots on the targets I walk over to Cucaracha. He looks at me and sighs then brings up his Winchester. He takes an odd stance, almost full facing the target. I look at sergeant to get a shrug so I poke Cucaracha. "Stand wrong, turn far shoulder toward target and aim across." He looks at sergeant who rolls his eyes. "Apologies sir, but what she saying. Rarely do we shoot from horseback which is your stance. It is also the worst one to shoot from, arms are trying to bend in wrong way." "Janet pivots on the horse with a rifle." Dan says coming over and wrapping me up in his arms. "Didn't you watch him shoot?" I look up at Dan and shake my head. "I was calling out coney, best to use hand for it." "A boot works just as well I reckon, hear about it from the soldiers who go out on hunts." I just glare at sergeant until he turns back to Cucaracha and gives him a few tips on stance. The first shot is about half an inch off the dot so sergeant takes his tool to it. Second shot is closer but not right so I take the tool and adjust it. Dan brings over a new burnt stick and makes a new dot. This shot is dead center so I stick my tongue out at sergeant. He grins then sticks his tongue out at me so I dart in and grab it. Only pull on it a mite though sergeant covers his mouth and complains about it a spell. Rather fun though Cucaracha ends it too soon, he wants to do his new rifle. His first shot is pretty darn close but not quite right. I get handed his rifle and the tool so I work on fixing it. This takes a spell, the front mark is offset just a hair. Makes for one tough adjust but finally I think I get it and hand it back. "Is there supposed to be a gap?" "Yes, front mark is offset, aim at gap." Cucaracha looks at me then sighs and aims again. When he shoots he gets close enough to center so we go sit down for vittles. I get handed a plate of two wraps then sit down with Dan who scoots closer. He tenses when I look at him so I lean in and give him a kiss then go back to grabbing a wrap. I get the wrap right to my mouth and Cucaracha chooses that exact moment to speak to me. "At a distance how good is the aim going to be?" I whimper and put the wrap down. "Not good, I would not shoot farther than path of town. If can find new rifle with not offset you can shoot farther. Powerful tough shoot farther so best to not. No more say I have vittles." Sergeant reaches over and pokes Cucaracha when he opens his mouth so I get to go back to vittles. I find egg was added and really good morning vittles. The sweet of beans washed out by egg and corn. All washed in good taste of deer so I am smile while we pack up camp. Dan doesn't get his socks back, Bia hasn't finished with the second skin. We do have beans soaking so we have good vittles next camp. Finding the right trail proves tough, the snow fell over most of ground. Not fully at least and I do cheat. Brushing the snow aside I find tracks, unsure on how old but there are eight so must be right track. They lead straight for the path so we head there and follow it. No telling if they go to path or not, but chances are good, round eye predictable. If there is a path to take, they take. Towns are usually not miss, and the next likely is only a stop in for supplies. "Are you sure we are following them?" I shake my head, not even bothering to look at Cucaracha. "Round eye predictable, they take path like this when there is. Next town is stop for supplies, no robbing so we can get idea on where they go there." "If they go there, we have had to backtrack a time or two with new snow." I glare at Dan, no threaten of no roll, I have powerful need for one today. "Dan, next town then was turn on path, I figure they take turn, they did not take turn. No backtrack." Pinto snorts and tosses his head so I rub. We ride on for a spell then. Seems no one has anything to say today. Makes sense it is powerful cold, colder than has been for sure. Even get to see breath from horses a little along with more snow, just gentle but more. Then Elan give out cry and we stop so I can look with him. This is odd, large party come to path, at least ten. I look it over then we get back on horse and get under way again. I'm not sure what this mean so move over to Dan. "Dan, perhaps ten join path." He nods then sighs and shrugs. "If'n I recall right there is another road that way a spell. Perhaps we have a group that took the rail down there." I can tell not exactly what he thinks so nudge him. "Possible they joined up with our target gang." "Equally possible this is a different gang, there are scores. We don't always get posters on them in Kansas City." Dan and I look at the marshal then I look at Dan to ask. "Why no posters for all wanted to Kansas City?" Dan sighs then shrugs. "Texas prefers to just send one of the rangers. When we moved to Kansas City it was the biggest town not involved in the war so got all posters. It was reckoned that the law breakers farther east would come this way." "Avoid soldiers, and conscripters." Dan just stares at me then nods. "Right, especially at the beginning both were everywhere. Now it's Kansas City gets a region and there are big towns all over with marshal getting their own region. Not often a poster gets sent to every region." The marshal nods. "If a gang looks to be headed for a new region the poster is sent ahead." We just ride on for a spell longer. The shadows are starting to get long and I better ask about one thing. "How does one know a gang is moving to a new region?" Dan just stares at me, I wink at him and get a groan. "Generally the gang will rob on the way." "Not this one I warrant." Everybody is staring at me now, I'm not going to say yet. I lead us off the path and look about for a circle, no circle but there are rocks about. More on the other side so I send Elan to get rocks. We get a proper circle set up and the fire lit. Beans cooking I make sure the horses are rubbed down. When we finish they huddle closer and we leave blanket on each. Then we all huddle about the fire and I get stared at until Dan nudges me. "Come on Janet out with it." I giggle and sigh. "Look out on hill other side of path a spell farther. I noticed and didn't want to make nervous by saying then. Can't see now so no look." "What are we going to do with them?" Cucaracha says then a marshal says better. "How do we know they are wanted?" I look at Dan to get a sigh. "We don't, though a lookout screams gang. We've gotten four hunting a man to come across a hideout." I shake my head. "Five Dan, it was only one poster but all shoot at us." "Why didn't anyone else notice?" I look at marshal then look at sergeant, he sighs and nods. "I noticed the lad, but none of me concern. I'm only along to keep story of uprising down." Giggling I look at Bipin who shakes his head, Elan nods. "I notice, just not sure wrong." "What are we going to do about it?" Everybody looks at Cucaracha then looks at me, I look around and sigh. "Dan chief not me." Dan snorts then nudges me. "I'm of a mind to get roll and sleep. No morning vittles, instead all get up before sun and find hideout. Marshal can call out marshal and we see if gang or just nervous." The marshals look a little unsure on that then shrug. "So long as we can yell from behind rock or tree." I look at Dan, he looks back then groans. "Janet I'd prefer you didn't." "Ach lass don't be holding us back, what be your thought?" I grin at sergeant while Dan utters prayer. "Janet prefers to announce her presence in the open with a war cry then she sings. Every once in a while they give up right then, usually they shoot and that gets her to sing louder and shoot." Bipin hoots then leans closer. "Sing what?" "Luck song, I not learn warrior songs besides good warrior and bad warrior." Bipin and Elan trade a glance then snort. "Luck song is warrior song." I open mouth to say and Dan covers with hand. "I think we should stop say on this matter and find out when vittles are." Chun looks in pot, sergeant looks in pot then both shrug. "Just a bit longer." I chew on Dan's hand so can say. "Can we have cornbread?" Bia snorts then tosses bit of snow at me. "Have cornbread cooking, did that before horse rub." I open my mouth to say something until Dan pulls me up to him and kisses me. I forget what I was going to say, what we had been saying, and where we are. His mouth to mine is powerful good and I want nothing more than to get on my back for my husband. To be honest right now I wouldn't mind acting like a whore for the men. Have a powerful need to have a man inside of me, the more the merrier. Course that isn't happening yet, when Dan pulls back from me I blink a few times. I'm still trying to put together where we are when Dan puts a bowl in my hand. There is lovely beans, jerky, and deer meat in the bowl. I also have two hunks of cornbread. Just get lost in the vittles for a spell, not long enough, I haven't eaten my fill and don't have Dan in me. Cucaracha though has a different want and it always involves me saying on things. "How are we going to do the attack?" I don't want to say but everyone is staring at me. "We will head over to path leading to camp. We walk from there, Bia and Chun no shoot so we walk up to camp and if all sleep we run and scalp." Bipin snorts and is somehow not laugh, Dan sighs and pokes me. "Janet come on, we got greenhorns and I'm the only one who has done this with you." I glare at Dan a spell then sigh. "Bipin and Elan will go up on side, rest use path. When we get close marshal can call out, if they do anything but call back I sing and we have slaughter." Sergeant is grinning now. "I been reading one of the novels, it has a slaughter in it. No singing though, they skipped that part." I sigh then look at Dan, he looks back then shrugs. "Sergeant which novel is that in?" He grins and pulls it out of his coat. "No singing though it says that Janet prays loudly." I snort and shake my head. "Close, my song is asking great spirit for assistance." "Don't you pray?" I shake my head. "No pray to any of the spirits, we only ask that they decide to go in a way we want. We thank more often than anything else." "Thank who?" I just look at Cucaracha a moment, I really find it hard to believe he doesn't know. "We thank the animal we just killed for food. Attacked by wolves and live with them dead, you thank the wolves for testing you. Bear is thanked for food, hide, and testing." I go back to vittles and am left alone. I'd wonder why, heck I wouldn't mind thanking great spirit, but best to not voice it. I say the thank quietly in between bites of powerful good vittles. After forcing myself to eat a small second bowl I head for our bedroll. Dan follows when I smack him, pulling chuckles from the rest of the guys. So don't care, I need my husband inside and right now sounds perfect. At least Dan seems to understand this, he's getting naked right along with me. Course we also jump under the covers quick, it's shiver inducing. My legs are spread wide for Dan when he follows me under the blanket. Not that he comes to me, instead he sets up beside and brings his lips to mine. Become lost in the kiss when his hand comes to me and I welcome him in eagerly. Our lips are mashed together as his hand moves in and out of me. The stars come crashing over me in seemingly no time. My need is powerful, I think I say this even. Dan though just keeps kissing me and moving his hand in. I'd complain but it feels too good, then I realize Bia and Chun are getting rolls. This reminds me of Chun coming along just to try and carry a babe and my need gets stronger. I grab Dan and stroke his equipment, trying to coax him into getting on me. Eventually it works, though I'm scared Dan will find his stars before he gets atop me it takes so long. I find stars a second time on his hand then Dan is moving. Little whimper as he settles atop me, then he's moving around and I welcome my husband. I'm parting for him so sweetly, then Dan is moving and it's all I needed. My husband buried in me striving for his stars, striving to put his child within. Reaching stars in no time, and yet it seems to take all time, I'm left boneless. Dan is smiling at me as he continues to move, striving for his stars. I would move for him except I can't seem to find the strength. Finally he's speeding up and then loses his rhythm and I'm being flooded with my husband. Somehow I find stars again, then grab hold of Dan while I'm crowing to the stars. He keeps moving a little for a spell then rolls us both over. I whimper a bit at this but otherwise I just lie there, I can't seem to find the gumption. "I think the marshal should go first." I sigh then look up at Dan. "I'm not that old yet." "Not what I meant, just if you keep standing there you will get shot." "I've been shot before." Dan sighs then taps me on the head. "I meant shot in a way that you shoot them." "Dan, if I let that bother me I'd never leave bed." Dan sighs then pulls me up for a kiss. "I know, like you said already we are getting older." "Not that old, I may end up carrying your child again." Dan sighs and squeezes on me, but doesn't say anything so I can get some sleep. Bia and Chun are not finished enjoying the men yet either. Since we are going to what is almost assuredly a shoot out it is understandable. Takes me a bit longer to close my eyes for sleep than Dan. I'd be jealous if he didn't trust me to watch over us at night. Sleep does finally come, before the rolls are finished even, waking up feels earlier than it should. Hopping up I wake Dan, who pulls me back to suck on. Nice turn of events so I let him empty me, with help from Bia. She hopped up a moment after I'm pulled back. I'd say she would make a fine wife to one of the marshals, just fixated on marrying an injun. Once I'm emptied I have Bia help wake up everyone. I find Chun laying with Bipin, a rather surprising turn. I thought Chun had been laying with the marshals. Everyone awake and getting dressed aside from Cucaracha and sergeant I work on doing that myself. When I finish getting dressed with the longer coat on I grab up my Winchester. Not needing a box of ammo I walk over to Chun and Bia. "Get a fire going and make vittles, we will be back in an hour." "I'll hunt for coney when shoot starts." I smile at Bia. "Fine plan, come on men, we are walking." Some grumbling but we get under way on foot. Dan nudges me and shows his saddle bag, he has ammo for my Winchester. I shake my head and pull coat aside to show Colt. Dan groans and shakes his head, but doesn't say anything. Good that he knows how I am, I'd rather not say no roll again. Longwood Second Hunt Day 05-06 The sky is growing close to sun when we near the hills the watcher was standing atop. I motion Elan and Bipin up to me, I'm walking in front for unknown reason. "Bipin, Elan, move ahead and go up hills, watch path and ahead." They nod then look down, I do as well then groan since they have no knife. "Can we get a throw?" I pull out two throw knives and pass them over, then pull out the tomahawk. "I'll take that, Elan is not blooded." I look at Bipin then Elan to get a shrug. "I'm better with rifle, know knife but tomahawk was not old enough before reservation." With a sigh I send them on ahead, they get with a minimum of noise. I'm pretty sure have more noise from the boots. Course they are right behind me, possible they are louder with the scoot but not likely. Moccasins work well on making walk quiet. Course in summer also make hard to wear, much sweat. We reach path not much behind Bipin and Elan, then marshals move up beside me. "Since we are yelling out marshal we figure we should be up front." I look at them both then look at Dan with frown, he glares right back so not saying different. "Spread out, give them long track for new target. If they shoot more likely they die first." "Less likely to shoot as well." I look back at Dan and hold finger to my lips. "Ach lass we're all worried about you." I look sergeant up and down then grin. "You stand in front then." He snorts and backs up. "Me gal would be right cross if I get shot down." Checking on where we are in relation to a cabin I grin at sergeant. "Honest, I mind she would jump for joy." I then stick my tongue out at him getting a scowl then a snort. Elan appears above us holding a rifle and a belt, with pistol. He's grinning ear to ear and well I reckon he's blooded now. I look at Dan who has noticed as well, he gave us an owl hoot. Dan sighs then motions him down, it's not a straight drop at least so Elan hustles down and we stop to talk. "What was the man doing?" Elan grins bigger somehow. "Man was sleep, crept up pulled rifle away then hand on face. Man wakes up and I'm talking to him, he grab for pistol so use knife." Good reason for knife, then something occurs. "Did you speak Apache?" Elan glowers at me. "Use round eye, he nod at first then reaches for pistol. I mention sheriff and marshal, I mind these are gang like reckon." Bipin comes down when I use a hawk cry. "Bipin, Elan is blooded and we have gang. We will move up and yell marshal, then you shoot. Elan same other hill, careful to hide, no tell how many. Perhaps cabin have more than door." They both nod then Bipin goes back up the hill, Elan stays looking at pistol then at me. "May use pistol?" I nod then look at Cucaracha, he nods and smiles. "He can keep it on the hunt, after he has to hand over, Winchester though he can keep for hunt. Stay in fort otherwise but his for hunt." Elan is beaming now then gets up the hill. "Sergeant, captain won't go against what Cucaracha said?" I get a shaken head. "No complaints on the range of the short rifle. Now that I know about it, will speak to him and likely sell the short rifle for new." Dan ushers me on toward the cabin so we continue on the way. The door is facing us with little windows up high. This good for us, they must come out door. At end of path I wish to speak on plan. Instead, the door open and man come out with bucket to get water. Marshal yell out getting man to drop bucket and run inside cabin. This is very much bad thing, they know we are here and inside cabin. I look at Dan then motion circle before pointing at sergeant. Dan nods and grabs sergeant to edge around the cabin for the back. If we are lucky they are collecting everything then dash out the door on other side. As it turns out not so lucky, they are waking up and collecting rifles. Door opens and two men rush out, another stays in door. Raising my Winchester I shout a challenge then start singing. They shoot first, digs a line in the dirt just a bit afore and to side of me. I raise Winchester still singing and shoot. The man falls down holding his belly while Bipin and Elan call out challenges and shoot. Man in door fall away, not sure if they shoot or he panic. Leaves one man we know about, he can't decide where to shoot. Also seems to have problem working lever, but not dropping either. Bringing up my Winchester again I just shoot him, higher than belly this time. He's falling away and a shot comes out of the cabin. I yell about in the cabin as I reload then I start shooting up the doorway. The marshals take part in this along with Bipin and Elan. There are poofs of bullets hitting wood of floor and doorway beyond what three can do. When I run out of bullets in Winchester I drop it and pull revolvers. Dropping low I scoot to the left, Dan went right around cabin. Keeping an eye on doorway proves good idea. I'm perhaps halfway to cabin when I notice man in doorway. I can only see part so he is covering behind wood. Raising pistols I shoot him twice and am gratified to see him slumping to floor. Dan appears on other side of cabin and shakes his head. Well then if there is no exit I move on the door. Dan doing the same thing before stopping and shooting with his rifle. I'm singing quietly at the moment so I hear them moving about inside. I wave at Dan who takes a knee with his rifle pointed at door. My pistols are on door as well though do notice Elan moving up. I wave him down then indicate a rush to get a nod. He does an odd thing, an owl hoot, then a hawk cry and finally a bird song. Rather confusing though there is another hawk cry so it must have been for Bipin. Then there is a rush on the door, the first out is looking toward Dan so shoot him. Fairly sure someone else shot as well. He stiffens right up and falls over, the next out is looking at me so Dan shoots. I shoot as well, have eight bullets left in Colts. A third comes out slower so he gets shot by marshals along with Bipin and Elan. Dan moves up toward the door then motions to me. I nod then dive right in the cabin. Dan follows me in and we are looking around. No one is moving, the one I shot covered at door is not breathing. Another man that must have been shot when we shoot up door. He's lying there panting and big blood. Dan goes over to him and collects his pistol then looks at me. Not sure why but Dan always makes me check on live or die. I go over to get sucked in breath, I pat him on the shoulder and pull up shirt. Shaking my head I leave him to Dan to look for supplies and affects. Dan is talking to man quiet while I'm looking over things. The man took three to his chest, not long for life. I find a bit of bacon, beans, and flour while marshals come in. Cucaracha and sergeant come in, Cucaracha goes straight to slow die man. Sergeant looks about then goes over to the saddle bags, I have not gotten to those. The supplies are in bigger bags, the other bags are smaller for coat, ammo, and other things. "Couple wallets in here, I reckon we got a name on two now." Sergeant shows me wallets when I come over, one is fancy so shake my head. "Fancy wallet likely own by bank man. Should be bags of money about somewhere." "He say they buried the bags and money out back. Janet get Bipin to help you and have Elan collect the man he knife. Need to collect all and take to town." I look at Dan then nod. "Sergeant you may as well help, so us injuns don't steal." Sergeant snorts and grins at me then follows out the door. Bipin and Elan are dancing about in celebration until I whistle. They come over then split up, Elan to get his first and Bipin with me and sergeant. Takes some effort to find buried, they were strong mind. Shuffled dirt all over so really hard to track. Finally I get us to right spot and use the shovels sergeant collected from behind cabin. Five heavy bags pulled from dirt we return to cabin. The dead are piled on horses when we round cabin. Marshals add the bags to saddle bags then we walk for our camp. Since all not shot I suppose now good time for fun. "Elan feel like man now?" Bipin snorts into hand while Elan glares at me a moment. "Feel like warrior now." "Ach lass was cruel jest. We got pistol for all now, even this lowly sergeant is getting one." I wink at sergeant. "No pistol for sergeant, head in clouds already." Dan snorts and chuckles, sergeant rolls his eyes then waggles his finger. "Oi now none of that, I be a right proper soldier." Cucaracha snorts. "Unless we got drink on hand." Sergeant turns red then chuckles. "Sergeant morning." Even sergeant is laughing about that. When we get closer to camp we smell vittles so hurry up. Chun is watching over vittles, Bia is working on two more moccasins. I go straight for the fire while the men get busy taking the dead off horses. Said horses are then hobbled and left to graze, which they do promptly. I'm the first to get a plate with two rolls of tortilla. I'm surprised to find there is coney meat with beans and corn. Right proper morning vittles and I'm smiling then realize Bia is doing two moccasins and she has two on feet. "Bia got two coney?" She looks up and grins. "Plenty of coney about, shot first before you shot I reckon. Second took a bit, but was cutting up coney for spell." I snort then point at Chun, Bia giggles and shakes her head. "I don't know how to cut up a coney, I know how to cut it smaller from butcher." I just look at Chun a moment. "Bia teach Chun how in morning, I'll get coney. Moccasins for Chun?" Bia nods. "Collected socks from Dan for her. Just can't wear in snow and too cold." I nod, makes sense and I never thought of Chun, then thought comes. "Chun I thought you wore shoes." "I did, they got too worn and never bothered to get new. Seems many think I'm injun as well so not really worth the money." Dan finally sits next to me with a sigh. "You never leave the saloon either." Brings something to mind so I best ask. "Chun what do you do with the money you earn?" Brings us a smile from her. "I'm saving up with Amanda, we will open another eatery. We are thinking of getting the money to get the ice machines in town so we can make ice cream." I'm not sure on ice cream, I haven't cared for any so far, but Dan has. "Fine plan, would make us popular with the visitors." "I just wish to say that too sweet." Chun snorts and shakes her head. "Janet, Amanda agrees with me, you are so against sweet you would shoot honey." Dan snorts and chuckles until I poke him hard. "Not true." We have finished eating so Dan puts his arm around me. "You realize that if you give me a daughter you will eat sugar only like Bonita did." Chun is laughing hard, along with most everyone else. "Clean and pack we need reach the next town." Dan looks at me then hops right on up. Sergeant does as well then everyone else does, guess I look mad. Not really meaning to, I have seen women carry daughters in my tribe. They weren't getting everything sweet. About then I remember we never really had anything sweet, and the women did make their food as sweet as they could. That pulls a sigh out of me, I'm going to eat big sweet if I get a daughter. Not the greatest of thoughts, though would mean I have daughter. Daughter is powerful good thing. I like daughter better than having granddaughter which is depressing cause I'm old. Pinto comes right over to me before Dan gets his saddle on. I get nuzzled and snorted on making me giggle. Then pinto starts nosing around for licorice which I give him since made me feel better. Sergeant is put in charge of dead men horses, Elan is fresh blood so should not. "Chun, how much do you have for the eatery and ice?" Chun smiles at me. "We're doing good, have enough for the building. Can afford machines but not building with, perhaps two more months." "Have you told Sally yet?" Chun glares at Dan. "Of course we have, she will advertise for another cook when we get to the ordering everything stage." "Hire Apache for help?" Chun grins and nods. "You bet, the ice machine needs a crew and we will need help with the food. We can provide ice for the town, and the Apache. Well most likely just Bea, the rest of them seem rather happy without." One thing I don't understand. "What does Bea want with ice?" "Icebox, it is a box you load with things you want cool then put ice on top. That will be most of what the machine crew does, makes blocks for iceboxes." Still not understanding so look at Dan. "Staying cool helps with things like meat, think of it like winter year round for meat." I get it now and smile. "Oh, so Bartholomew would stop being hot." Chun snorts and grins. "He gets most of the ice anyway, as our butcher we need him having enough meats for everyone." I think about that and realize he hasn't been sitting out front of store all day. Then I notice the town in the distance, looks like a nice one like last. Can see the church tower going up high, there is another tower as well. Rather surprising and I don't understand why it's there. "Dan two churches?" Dan looks at me then at the town and shrugs. "Maybe, more likely it is a spot tower, to see an attack coming. This is the trail for settlers mind." "Long way before get to only Apache area." Dan sighs and shrugs. "Before trains most any injun would attack." I sigh and shake my head. "No, remember I say on cloth to be shot less. Most likely the attack started because settler shoot injun. We not wear much in summer, make sense it hot so not need cloth. Round eye decide little cloth is trying to get women away so shoot. Dead warrior means tribe under attack and must answer in kind." Nobody has anything to say about that so we finish our ride to town in silence. This town is quite nice for us, the sheriff is easy to find, he comes out and talks to us right away. His office is on right side, this town only one street. Sheriff is young man, younger than Cucaracha perhaps, surprising chance there. Dan hops down and motions at me so I drop then hand reins to Cucaracha. Pinto snorts at me so I fish out a licorice and hand it over quick. "Well this is a surprise, town sheriff well out of his jurisdiction with soldiers and injuns." "Got a gang as well, pulled five bank bags out of ground behind their cabin. We announced ourselves and they started shooting." The boy sheriff looks a little uncertain on things so I best mention marshals. "We have two marshal from Kansas City, hunting a different gang." Dan pulls the poster out of my vest pocket to show to him. "They robbed the town behind us." We get a nod then he looks over the paper and shrugs. "Not a good picture, but I think this man came through, do you know how many he had with?" Dan looks at me so I roll my eyes at him. "Dan sometimes you are too round eye. He had eight with him, if you are unlucky two came in and the rest are camped around town or already robbed." He chuckles and shakes his head. "No, we had eight ride through. I remember that group, couple injuns. I think why I remember them, usually don't see any round here. Do you think there are bounties on your dead?" Dan shrugs. "No idea, what we brought them along for. If our mind is right they go south of here and rob there, the bank bags don't have a bank name on them." "Well see there's a problem, as small as we are I don't get many posters. Next town over is on the north running train route. Good thing winter I reckon, they won't get smelly." Dan looks at me and well I admit it, my face is a little fallen, I hate going along with the dead. "Well then I reckon we will scoot a town, may as well check in your store. Janet probably needs more licorice and we could use more supplies." Boy sheriff nods and sighs. "Honest I'd prefer you drop them here, our undertaker could use the work. However not fair to ya'll since I can't match them up with posters if there are any." Dan takes my arm and we head for the store. I'd prefer dropping them here, taking the money along with wallets to the next town, and finding the bank to return that. Not exactly fair to anyone though. Bia could use the money, along with Chun. Bipin and Elan will probably give the money to chief to spread out for the tribes. We don't get a store man right away so I turn to Dan. "Dan let's drop the men here, we can return four bags." Dan stares at me a spell then shakes his head. "No we will take them to the next town and see if there are bounties. Keeping part of the money makes us robbers, the bank decides if we can keep some." I'd like to try a little harder to convince Dan, but the store man comes out. "Howdy folks, what can I help you with?" "Do you got the not sweet licorice? Janet here hates sweet and has to be getting low on licorice." I sigh then swat Dan, I have plenty of licorice. "We bought it in the last town." Dan shrugs. "You share it with your horse, probably should share with the rest." Store man snorts. "I got the not sweet licorice, can only give you five cents worth though, rather popular with the town." I look up at Dan and grin, he rolls his eyes. "We are not moving here. Alright five cents worth, then we should get some sugar, carrots, and taters if you got." Store man nods and heads for the things we want as Chun comes in with Bia and Cucaracha. "Getting low on coffee and salt." Dan sighs then shrugs. "When we get him back we can add that, he's getting licorice, sugar, carrots, and taters." Chun giggles. "We got at least half a pound of taters left, and we just got carrots." "So we will add taters to everything, Janet seems to be right, we have a long hunt." Cucaracha sighs. "Yeah about that, I'm only supposed to remain at the reservation for a month." I giggle and shake my head. "Should only take another week, if that long." Cucaracha just looks at me a spell, so long the store man has come back and left for the new things. "You said it would take two weeks just to get an eye on them." I grin and wink. "Fun to poke at greenhorns. Besides tracking and getting use to no buildings this easy. Only hard part is tracking and not going near predator den." "How does one do that?" "Wolf is easy, get near den and they start howling to get rest of pack. They prefer forest or cave so avoiding both is best. Bear and cats are easier, they claw. Look for scratches on tree and stay away. Both prefer a small cave or dug away in raised earth, see either and leave. Not take long for mom to decide you after child and either is powerful bad fight." "What about in the places with no trees?" I sigh then Dan ushers us outside, I guess finished with store. "Bear and cat still leave mark. Bear will find recessed cave, so gulch likely. Cat other hand prefers higher, they take after injun." Outside I hop up on pinto and wait for fresh supplies to be put away. Once that finish we get under way, outside town I scoot over to side of path. Elan does same and we just ride along a spell. I'm starting to think Cucaracha ran out of things to ask about, along with nobody else has anything to say. Then Chun rides closer to me and smiles then opens mouth. "Janet I was wondering, did you care for that mousse because it was chocolate?" I shake my head powerful confused. "Mousse was good because not sweet. Not understand question, what special about chocolate?" Chun snorts and just laughs a spell. "You are just about the only woman in town who doesn't like chocolate." I think back and realize the mousse is popular for the women. "I guess, not big on sweet and usually what is popular." "Chocolate actually isn't that sweet on average." Well now I'm confused. "If not sweet why is popular?" Chun shrugs and grins. "Not really sure, but always feel nice after." I get a wink then she turns to see Dan. "Dan, next town can we see about buying some chocolate?" Longwood Second Hunt Day 05-06 "I reckon we can, see if Janet has a mess of pennies." Chun looks at me so I check my vest and nod. "Have lump, perhaps twenty." I pause when I recall something, Dan been getting the pennies back. "Dan, why is it important for me to have pennies?" "Because chocolate is something the gals have. I'm not big on it, though I recall you having that mousse often." "Mousse not sweet, hard to find not sweet without meat." Chun pokes me. "You like the blackberry pie." "I prefer rhubarb, Isaac does a strange pie, looks bit like dirt but not sweet as well." Chun nods and grins. "He calls it a shoofly, I like it myself." Looking up I realize the shadows are getting long so look about for a camp. I'm on wrong side of path for that, hills are close to path and climbing hill bad. I yell at Elan then look over that way to find the same. This is powerful bad, and no track up the hills nearby. After a short spell Dan has me go up hill to see if good for camp. Finding a good spot for camp I wave and whistle to get everyone coming up. We get the horse saddles off quick so Chun and sergeant can get vittles going. The rest of us work on getting the horses rubbed down. Once they are hobbled and covered in a blanket we join Chun around the fire. I lean against Dan, nothing else to do and no real way of knowing where our targets went. The snow got a little all encompassing so tracking them is a lost cause for right now. Only thing we can do is travel to the next town and see if they went there. If they didn't we have to go south and check the towns there. North as well, but let's hope for they went straight to the next town. Otherwise we are looking at losing up to a week just figuring out where they went. "Janet where do you think they went?" I look up at Dan and sigh when I realize everybody is looking at me. "I'm not sure, the snow covered their tracks well. Right now they could have left the town and circled around back to that cabin." Dan sighs and nudges me. "Don't you have a feeling on where they went?" I shake my head. "Oh come on show off again, you always get a feeling on where our man went." "Dan my feeling generally was seeing a town in the distance. Usually they are heading straight for one. Wanted round eye are strange, they know about poster and still visit town often." "Janet show the marshals your locating dance." I stare at Bipin not getting it, Dan gets it first and laughs. "He's trying to get you to do the same thing as the earth speaks to you." I snort then grab up a bit of snow and toss it at Bipin. Bipin doesn't let it go at that, he grabs up some snow and tosses it at me. I elbow Dan then see about getting more. I throw a ball at Bipin then Dan joins in. Turns into a nice little snow fight, Elan joins in then the marshals. We roam a bit to get at the snow, there are balls tossed this way and that. We're all laughing and having a fairly good time. Cucaracha and sergeant join in so now there are four teams. Course it all comes to a stop with a whistle. Chun has finished the vittles and we are to eat now. Stew today, with plenty of tater and carrot with the coney meat. Powerful good vittles that everybody is happy with. "Chun do you know what you and Amanda are going to make in your eatery?" Dan asks making me swat him since she already say on the matter. "Nope, we are not sure yet. Going to make ice cream we know that. Possible we will see about doing candy, perhaps pies." "Ach lass, if all ya do is sweet the kids and gals won't be leaving." We all look at sergeant then Chun who is giggling. "I'm along to try and stay with child you know." A marshal opens his mouth and we are all a little shocked. "If you are going to do a shop like that make hand pies. Folk can come in pick up a mess of pie and have it after dinner." "Dan have you ever had that?" Dan looks at me a moment then shakes his head. "I remember a few brothel customers had a say on it back east. Didn't know it made it to Kansas City." "I'll talk to Amanda, I'm sure she knows how, or we can ask. At least whenever we get back I will." Dan shakes his head. "Next town has a rail, we can send a telegraph or just a letter to her." Chun smiles at that though nobody seems to have anything else to say. Vittles finished Dan pulls me after for our bedroll. I'd rather just stay awake to make sure there are no vengeful spirits. Dan has a different idea and is helping me get undressed. With my shirt off and pants going down I remember what we did this morning. Dan doesn't have to help me get in the bedroll, I'm getting in as soon as my pants are gone. Legs spread of their own accord and Dan comes to me. I welcome him in with a moan, I'm not quite ready but close enough. Happily he isn't moving fast and hard like usual for our after shoot roll. Instead he's moving a little slow and loving. I pull my husband to me and we kiss, then his hands go to my breasts. Like this I find stars in no time, Dan sighs with my stars but keeps going. I'm liking this, we can have our lived roll and a nice husband roll at the same time. Chun and Bia are moaning out their enjoyment of their rolls while Dan just keeps moving. We just keep right on going. My husband is moving so well on top of me, I have stars just at the edge. Holding there it seems but they are getting closer I can tell. Then Dan adjust his position and moves a little different and there my stars are. I'm moaning and a little groaning through the stars while Dan just keeps moving. Roll just keeps right on going, I'm starting to wonder if perhaps Dan is trying to go all night. I'm reaching for stars a third time when Dan finally finds his. With the warmth of my husband surging inside I do find my stars. My hips are bucking under him a little extra, to get all of his warmth where it belongs so it can have me carry a daughter. Once Dan rolls off me I realize why he went so long. I find it hard to keep my eyes open. I do manage to collect our clothes and get it under the blanket. Once I finish that though I just relax against my husband. My eyes drift closed in almost no time.