0 comments/ 2629 views/ 0 favorites Longwood Second Hunt Day 09-10 By: emap Little more voting if'n you please. ** Dan wakes me this day, him sitting up spills me over so I swat him. Looking around I find that the sky is barely lit so stop moving to listen. All I can hear is the wind so look up at Dan, he looks back after a moment. "Could have sworn I heard something." Hop up and work on getting dressed fast. Dan does the same though he looks a little unsure. At least until I help him get dressed, odd sounds are not always nothing. When we are both dressed with belts on we head for the drop first. Nothing down below so we check in the camp. Nothing in camp besides us, the dead, and the horses. Said horses are still asleep so not a predator, at least probably. So we trek up the closest hill to take a look around. Nothing on the hill tops in view so we move farther over and look down. Nothing down below, the snow is disturbed but looks to be animal and not coming up. Well that leaves only one place to look, so we look up. Got birds up there, great big black ones circling. Surprising since vultures tend to land at night and stay there until the sky is lit by the sun. Which it is but not all that much, gives me a suspicion so check the other drops on this hill then move for the middle hill. Likewise nothing there so we move for the last hill. This is where we find it, there is a dead animal at the base of this hill. No other tracks so it walked along and died. Look at Dan a moment then sigh because we better go check. "Dan do you want to go look to see if rabid?" Dan groans and shakes his head. "Not really, and I don't want you to either, suppose it isn't dead?" I grin and pull out a Colt. Dan looks at the Colt, then at me and sighs then nods so down we go. Getting closer we find it is a wolf. At least it is not a cat, they do play dead while a wolf does not. Wolves will send one to pull after into the rest, but will not play dead. Cats on the other hand will lie there and let you get close afore swing. Closer still and we find the wolf was attacked. Can't tell from what and not going to check. If the attacker was rabid we can get rabid just by checking. Checking the track we find no blood spots, even walk back it a spell to make sure. Means the attack was not that recent and animal got away to walk before death. Speaks rather well on the strength of the wolf to do that. Usually when in a fight severe enough to warrant death the wolf does not get away. Suppose would be what Dan heard, and the vultures as well, the wolf groaned out his last. Full of admiration for the wolf we head back to camp to find everyone up and morning vittles cooking. "Where did you two go?" "Dan heard a noise so we investigate. Vultures hear as well, wolf base of hill groaned out his last. Powerful wolf, got in big fight and could not live but walked away first." Bipin and Elan nod then utter a prayer for the wolf. "What are we doing now?" "Now we have vittles, pack up camp, and get to next town. Little chance of finding the man we hunt in hills. So we go see if stopped here or not." Marshal nods and nobody seems to have anything to say. "Seems we may want to empty pockets of dead soon." Look at Dan powerful confused then recall Dan pay for everything and we keep buying. "Dan, you only one paying, did no one bring coin?" "Ach lass me gal not be letting me keep me pay. Usually not matter since we bring supplies and you hunt." I snort at sergeant, that is funny and almost as good as sergeant morning. "I am fresh out of West Point, little pay." Cucaracha says turning red a little, the marshals likewise red. "We are both new to marshal so pay is light." Dan leans on me. "Janet our kids grown but slow to make coin." I snort and giggle at that one, Bia joins in. "That was good." Nobody else seems to like that joke though, so talking stops and we all just enjoy our vittles. When we finish vittles the men head for the horses and dead to get them ready. Bia and Chun eye me for a moment then move in. My shirt is pulled up and they fasten to my breasts to suckle. I can't help the sigh that comes out, was hurting. Once they finish emptying me we all fall to on the pans and plates. They are cleaned right quick then we are packing up. Luckily the men have come back to help on that so we have the camp packed and we are following the camp on the horses. After a little pondering on it I lead us toward the town. Leads us to the road as well since I angle us and not straight for town. Best to reach town on the road since this town looks to be the same as Longwood was, one street and buildings touching. Brings to mind one thing so I may as well ask Chun. "How big a building do you need for the eatery and machines?" Chun sighs and shrugs. "Don't rightly know, Amanda can't decide on just selling or selling and having tables." Well this is powerful confusing so look at Dan, he looks back and shrugs. "Reckon Amanda can't figure on having a proper eatery or a store." I get that one though don't get that one. "If making ice cream, how does one do a store?" Dan looks confused as well though Chun giggles. "If all we do is sell ice cream to take we will have a butcher icebox to store the ice cream. Would mean we use up a good portion of the ice made each day just for that." "So the ice is stacked on the butcher icebox?" Chun shakes her head. "A butcher icebox is not like a regular, instead of ice going on top the ice goes inside and the door is shut to keep everything cold. The ice still melts but takes a good portion of day." I think we are all staring at Chun. "How do you know this?" Dan asks making Chun giggle. "We asked Bartholomew, when we were trying to figure what to make. Amanda likes to make ice cream and I can help since most of is turning a crank. We also found out about a counter that we can put the ice cream in with shaved ice around the tubs. Has a certain appeal and would be gotten for the store if all we do." Bia waves her hand. "Do eatery, no one wants ice cream in winter." We all look around and well Bia has a point, there is snow on the ground. Not really a good time to have cold sweet thing. Still Bia said this, rather odd though I am just about the only one who does not eat the sweets. "Dan did we sent out telegraph to ask Amanda to look at hand pie?" Dan sighs so I think that is a no, so urge pinto over to him and swat. "Janet I was talking to sheriff about dead when you got mad at the store man. Was planning on going there after but seemed best to get us out of town." Reckon that is a good thought, I was powerful mad in that town. Calling me a Mexican just sits wrong in my craw. We also reach the road finally so we can speed up a mite. No galloping but a right proper trot. Next town is coming in to view, still distance and seems to be no church. "Dan do you see church?" We all look and everybody can't find church. "Oh shoot, let's check with binoculars." Cucaracha gets out the binoculars and looks at the town a spell. He is looking here and there at the town and has a frown. Frown myself, if no church is odd town, church go up before most other buildings. "No sign of a church. Perhaps they are building new church, wagons not travel along trail in winter so good time to build." "This is a bad sign." I look over at Dan plum confused, he looks back after a moment and sighs. "Just, if injun attack town they would target church." "Ach lad that is good point, attack on town most run for church." I look back at sergeant then Cucaracha. "Is there injun tribe in this area?" Both nod. "We are at the edge of it but Apache do travel in this area still. Should we be worried about them attacking us?" Bipin and Elan snort. "Three Apache in group plus Janet. All Apache know of Cherokee and like as not word of Janet has spread." "May find husband for Bia." Bia snorts and shakes her head. "No, not bonding with war tribe. Will bond with man on reservation or start up own farm with one." Powerful good notion, no real danger of losing man, though there is one thing. "Dan would two injun be allowed off reservation to start up farm?" Dan nods. "You recall captain said as much." I nod then shrug. "Area captain said is allowed is part of reservation now, was only going to be then." Sergeant snorts. "Orders we have on it, if a couple injun want to start up farm off reservation we can let them go and do it. Would give paper saying they are allowed and to direct to stay near to a town so not confused for attacking." Fall quiet for a spell, not much to talk about really. Also nervous since if town was attacked they will not look kindly on injun. Not blame none, just makes hard to stay alive if not alert. As we get closer the town does not get prepared to meet us so maybe not attack on town. Not that I relax, though do have a thought. "Bia why not bond with Elan?" Both shake their head. "Have girl picked out, need to be blooded first." Most everyone looks confused besides us injun and Dan, I told him about it. "Chief daughter, only bond with blooded since man may become chief." Now that nobody is confused anymore we keep going. The town is getting bigger, and we are not noticed. No rushing about to get rifles, sheriff or deputies do not come out. The whole thing is rather surprising and not a good thing. "Dan, town feel wrong." Dan nods and sighs. "Stay alert, never seen robbers take over and take down church but should see sheriff or deputy by now." The marshals groan, apparently they have been told about this. Finally we reach the town, perhaps at edges would be better. Town is like I thought one street and not seeing any people. Look over at Dan to get a shrug then he nods his head toward side. Nod then look to the side to see if perhaps people are hiding. No people in buildings. Even lean over to look in and no people. Do see things to buy in buildings so town not abandoned. At least not cleaned out abandoned so this powerful confusing. "No people, but things to buy." "Same over here." "Dan would they perhaps be out of sight?" Look over at Dan and get a head shake. "No, even if town was just robbed or attack happened any left would not hide at a passing group." "Church raising maybe." Good thought but do not think church goes up quiet. "No sound of church raising, not quiet work." "May have caught them while they connect and brace the first wall to raise." Look over at sergeant and shrug. "Would whole town take part?" Everybody nods. "Back in New York the year before I went to Longwood there was a church raising. Did not work that day, went with folks and helped do up the food, kept the kids out of the way, and at the end of the day gave out a roll. Every person that would attend that church and a few who had a different came to help." "Would injuns come for things here if all they wanted was to kill settlers?" Look back at marshal and nod. "Yes, tribe always need things. Food in store, and cloth, blankets. If attack on town ends with town dead injun would grab everything that has use for tribe. Likely burn town after take, wish to not have settlers continue, burned town work for that." Dan shakes his head. "A town burnt down would be reported and have cavalry come to return the attack." Look at Cucaracha and get nod so toss up hands. "Cavalry not settlers and can be avoided or killed." Cucaracha shakes his head. "Forts are small forces compared to a division which would come for a burnt town. A division would be two thousand men with rifles plus cannons." Oh my, that is powerful group. No more to say on that so we just continue on through the town. Still no people and the location of the church is still unknown. At the edge of town I stop and look back, long town. "Dan houses on street?" "Yes, they were on other side so you did not see them." Not a bad plan, strange but not bad. Then we hear some groaning, that would be the church raising. Perhaps something else though not likely. A man's voice fills the air entreating the almighty god to bless the men with strength. So we turn and head that way, if all the town is there then we should stop and see them. Would prefer to lose the dead in this town. Continue to next town with them would be powerful bad, did not sleep that well. Course the hard fast roll did help but still did not sleep well. Sergeant moves up next to me and Dan is on other side. Makes me feel a bit like prisoner but would allow town to see this not injun attack or uprising. If this town at border of roaming tribes than would see or hear tell of injun attacks. Likely best to not show them first an injun riding on them. Then we are cresting a hill and can see the church being raised. Also see the town and they see us, a shout goes up getting many to look at us. Sergeant raises his hand and waves getting a few waves back and an older man moseys on over. Man has a shotgun slung over one arm but not together so not meaning to threaten. Get to about fifty feet and he puts his hand up. I smile at this, good distance for shotgun and fast to ready held the way he is. "Howdy folks, what brings you over in to these parts?" "Town sheriff with deputy, marshals, cavalry, and some injun hunting down a gang. Found another gang in a house just afore the hills before this town so hoping sheriff knows of them. If not would like to give work to undertaker, Janet here not sleep well with dead near." Man spits on ground and nods. "Ayup I know how that is, find it hard to sleep near them meself. What sort of injuns you got with?" "One Cherokee and three Apache. Also have Chun, she is Chinese most consider her injun aside us injun." Dan snorts and the man snorts. "I seen me a chinamen once, not look injun to me. Course I seen injun as well, not some greenhorn here." He spits on ground then looks up at me. "Would you be a Cherokee and named Janet?" I nod and he hoots then turns. "Cherokee Janet is here." He hollers this out and everyone turns to look, the women come running one in the lead. I look over at Dan as the women come closer, he shrugs then hops off his horse. Motions me to come down so hand reign to sergeant and hop off. Pinto nudges me as I move past him so pull out licorice quick for him and go stand by Dan. The women come charging up, well one charges the rest are a little sedate. They stop at a short distance away and just stare at me. Plenty of jostling around to see then the talking starts. Mostly on how I'm short, and a few can't believe I am me since I'm injun. Apparently the stories on me are quite popular. Then the man whistles getting them to shush and look at him. "This is indeed Cherokee Janet, look at her belt." So they are looking at my belt then sergeant whistles and tosses me my Winchester. "This rifle was given to Janet by Winchester. Show them the plaque Janet." Look at Dan for a quick spell then adjust the rifle so they can see the gold plating on the wood. Plenty more shoving and jostling goes on then the women seem to have seen my rifle enough. Someone comes up with the idea of offering sandwiches so I'm getting hustled over to the big tables set up with a feast. The priest comes over and enlists the men to go help, seems they did not have enough men to raise the church easy. Get seated at the tables, they have long benches for sitting, and the women crowd us. Chun and Bia are sitting besides me and we are all fascinating to them. Finally one whistles so there is plenty of sitting and sandwiches are passed around with salad. "Janet do you really go out after bandits?" I nod then frown. "Why would I not?" The gal who asked turns red and looks down, the one next to her has some gumption left over. "Me Pa was always saying that us gals are to keep house and feed our family. Always said the newspaper on you during the war was a lie." "If you mean the one about catching the deserter in part it was a lie. He did not have maps when we caught him. Far as Dan can figure they went missing when he left and was blamed but found later and not reported." "Janet hunts around town for us, keeps the pig population in check by shooting the big ones. Always finding coney and on occasion she gets a deer." Plenty of slack jaws at Chun's say on me so I take the shush moment to take a bite, powerful good sandwich. Everyone else seems to find this a good notion so we all just eat a spell. The men come over shortly after and we all fall too on the sandwiches and salad. "Janet could you share a story?" Could if we have time for one, so best to ask Dan first. "Let me ask Dan, we are on a hunt so if our target came through we best be on the way." Get plenty of nods so hop up and go find Dan. He is sitting with the other men, the older man with the shotgun next to him. They both look up as I get to them and get two smiles. "We seem to have appreciators here Janet." I nod and shrug. "The gals are asking if'n can share a tale. Could if we are not in a powerful hurry to catch that gang." The older man sighs and nods. "Dan was speaking on them, they did ride through so I reckon you are off again." Look at Dan to get a nod then he smiles. "We are to be off right quick. Can share one of the novel sets though, bought three and they have an address we can have Andrew order to have at the store." I nod and smile, that is a powerful good notion, though there is a question boiling up. "Why did we buy three sets?" Dan snorts. "Sergeant was all set to pay us for two to keep at the fort. Can share with the Apache and the recruits that way." I open my mouth to ask on the why until Dan holds his hand up. "Some of the younger Apache seem to be of the notion they can't do nothing no longer. No battles to get blooded and the like. Also some of the recruits seem unwilling to admit an injun is good at something. Safer to show them the novels on you." Frown because that is insulting and powerful bad to hear, still good news for the town here. "Alright, I will go tell the gals, if you can get sergeant out of the bottle he like as not found have him fetch a set." Sergeant sitting on other side of table waggles his finger at me, though is grinning. I head back over to the gals before sergeant can think of what to say in way of answer. Get to sit down again and enjoy a little of the salad, odd salad. Has soft chunks of tater with onion and a sauce. Powerful good vittles though so I'm smiling and need to remember to ask Amanda how to make. "Looks like we are off right quick. Good news though, town ways back had a book store with stories about me and Dan. The gal on the front is round eye and I pray instead of sing but otherwise same as happened like as not. We got three sets of them so shall leave one for you gals to read or hear." Lots of smiles though one has slight frown. "What do you sing?" "Like as not the luck song, sometimes I sing instead on having good weapon. Not believe in your god, powerful bad things happen to me cause of some follow. I follow Great Spirit instead though do know all about your god. Preachers would try and convert though give up and instead use me to find powerful good sermon in Kansas City." Falls shush again so fall to on the vittles, we are leaving soon. Chun ends up in a whisper talk with neighbor who gasps a time or two then does same to her neighbor. The whisper talk makes round of table with lots of gasps. Would ask on the reason but find I not mind, the vittles are good and perhaps should try more of what Amanda make. "Could you take me along and teach how?" Just stare at the gal, young but not overly so. "No husband?" She shakes her head. "Not found one so far and pickings are done cleaned out for me here." Well makes powerful sense, come along with us and may find man, then rest of what was said comes to me. Longwood Second Hunt Day 09-10 "You wish hunt bounties?" Get a nod and well if that don't beat all. Still she has asked and this is not a roll occasion so need to ask Dan. Grab hold of Chun's arm then lean back and holler for Dan. Dan hops up after a moment and comes over looking curious. "What is wrong Janet?" I shake my head. "Gal here wants to come along and learn how to hunt bounties. No men here fit her so I think powerful good idea." Dan just looks at me a spell then sighs and shrugs then turns to her. "Afore we get to saying yes or no, going to lay it out. Bounty hunting is dangerous, tiring, dirty work that like as not gets you shot dead. Janet not get fair shake on the credit since gal, and injun. Reckon why the novels make her off as white like you and me. Means you not get marshal badge, and like as not the law town you go to get bounty at will not give." I poke Dan. "Reckon Kansas City would like her if'n we teach. Mind the marshals thinking of sending recruits to me to learn the right." Dan shoots eye daggers at me a moment then turns back to her. "Janet may be right, reckon you would need to attach to a man and give out rolls regardless." She has a smile so I reckon she no mind that notion, like as not been a spell for her and a roll. "Dan I mind the roll part decided her on going." Dan looks at me, then at her, and sighs. "Reckon may as well ask after your name, and mind we be leaving so best pack right quick." She is beaming at us and hops right on up, almost turns to run but recall the name part so stays a short spell. "Jane is what me folks anointed with." Jane smiles and curtsies then tears off. We watch her go for a short spell then Dan grabs my arm and pulls me away from the table. His face has a not quite happy look to it, personally I'm happy she has a similar name to me. "Janet I was trying to make her think better of doing." "Dan mind better, if teach Jane she can go to Kansas City and get asked for. We can mind Longwood and work on more babes." Dan just looks a spell then sighs and shrugs. "Reckon may happen. Like as not we will still get visiting marshal with hard bounty still. Jane proves good or no." "Reckon so, not like this hard though. Mind not getting why can't just tear off after the bounty. They get taught to track, after is just mind what learned and practice." Dan shrugs. "Do enjoy getting off after a bounty now and then. Rolls are less often but get out of Longwood and enjoy the trail." Sigh and shake my head. "Dan honest would rather stay in Longwood and give out rolls on silk sheet." Dan snorts. "Do miss the silk sheet, ask you to lie under if'n mind you would." "No doing that, you husband you be lie on. Wife job to give husband smile and cook. Not mind this salad so make for you, soon as learn on." Dan smiles at me then I'm getting a kiss, one powerful good kiss. "Reckon would enjoy that. Mind no snake meals, only ate the time cause you made with coney." Shoot eye daggers at Dan. "Dan you mind wrong, said powerful good stew. Asides the snake around Longwood not good for stew. Mind would make for good hat band but naught else." Jane comes running back with a carpet bag. Like as not is not made with carpet but same look as those so carpet bag. She breathe a little heavy for spell, lean over even then straighten and smile. "All set." Dan pokes me so reckon time to get to teach. "Jane not wear skirt, need pants so not mess up track when get down to see." Jane frowns and sighs. "Not owning pants." Look at Dan quick like then back to Jane. "Can get store man back to store?" Jane nods then tears off for the table. Dan takes arm so we mosey on after. Reckon time we be on the move, though need to get Jane outfitted. Does bring to mind one thing, Jane like as not has no coin. "Dan, have coin for pistol or rifle?" Dan sighs and shakes his head. "Reckon we can learn her on Cucaracha Winchester." Mind is an option though Jane would want to shoot when catch. "Dan need to sell off some to get rifle or pistol for Jane." "Can sell the horses." "Need one for Jane to ride." Dan sighs though back to table and Jane has a man with her. He looks a little not happy, but is going to open up his store. We collect everyone and pass out hugs along with the set of novels on me. Then back to town to buy pants and rifle or pistol. Mind best to get both then recall the gotten rifles and pistols. Course we get in store afore I recall that and busy with Jane to get pants. This store the pants are all out on table so find the smallest. Jane picks them up and unfurls to find smallest not small enough. Also long for her so need to sew the pants some before can wear right. Still is good enough for now, return to Longwood can have seamstress make new for Jane. Pants and belt picked out, shirt is enough for Jane with pants we head for Dan and store man. Both keep eyes on us gals and I get the notion they talk some on man things. Perhaps Dan relating how pretty his wife is, still not say to me enough. At least not with babe, not as needed but still nice to hear often. "Dan, should have rifle and pistol from dead." Dan sighs and shakes his head. "Two rifles out of the new dead work, both long rifle so Jane not able to use well. We bring along long rifle aside your special. Cucaracha has short rifle so Jane could use but rest no." Frown at that, then recall that is latest dead. "What about other dead?" "Pistols we kept for those without and wished. Rifles we sold off, how can afford to buy for all. He has a short rifle to buy, cost fifty dollars. We not have even with two rifles to trade, brings down to twenty for us. Have but need to buy vittles with as well." I nod and sigh then head out to pinto and pull out painting of Balik. Dan has big eyes when come back with painting. I no like but need to get rifle for Jane and still afford vittles. Store man has big eyes when show painting to him. "This painting of son Balik. Trade painting and two rifles for pants, belt, rifle, and four boxes ammo." Dan groans and shakes his head. "Need coat as well, Jane has shawl." Look at Jane and notice wearing shawl like blanket for injun so look back at store man to get nod. "Reckon can do that. Powerful good painting, be honor to hang on wall." Store man puts painting leaning against wall on table behind counter then goes in back. He returns with big coat like I have, gets powerful close to ground while wear. Jane is taller so not as bad but powerful good coat so good trade. Not that I feel like good trade, miss my Balik and miss more now that painting not in bag on saddle. Get ushered out to pinto who nuzzles me and snorts into shoulder before can get past. Also tries to eat coat again so give licorice and hop up. Shortly Dan and Jane come out so we all get on horse and get on way. No one wishes disturb me so get to ride pinto and miss Balik something awful. Shadows start getting long so look about for good camp. Elan whistles so look his side and he has camp spot so head that way. Get to show Jane how to unsaddle horse then rub down. Once she finishes she heads for Chun to help with supper. Soon after rest go sit with them, cold and fire welcome warmth. Dan surprises then, hands over paints, charcoal stick and canvas. Just stare at Dan moment then sigh and look about. Not much good to paint left in dark, aside camp and us sitting around. Sparks idea though so usher Bipin up and guide to stand behind sergeant. Bipin has little grin and crosses arm like chief with big say then stare off. Gets me to giggle then Bia scoots over and sees how I do and giggles with. Dan helps with the sketching part, fetches burning stick and holds above and behind so have light. Sketch out fire, sergeant and Bipin then Bia bids me no more. Just look a spell and reckon she is right on this so nod and put charcoal stick back in box. Bipin and Elan come look then bid add lonesome feather. Pull stick out as Bia suggests drooping lonesome feather. Reckon that is good mind on matter so add in drooping lonesome feather then add in blanket. So now Bipin is lonesome feather chief with big say to none. Dan looks a spell and calls powerful, sergeant and Cucaracha agree. Course getting big dark now so hard to paint. Harder to keep burning stick burning so carefully stow paint and canvas back in bag. Shall paint some next camp. Just sit for a spell waiting on vittles, Chun and Bia talking to Jane plenty. Reckon relating how to cook on range or just relating on how rolls work in camp. Vittles get passed out after the spell is up and Jane scoots over to sit next to Dan and me. Jane not speak on things at first so get to look at vittles. Have coney stew, thick so on plate with a fritter and cornbread. I get two chunks of cornbread and one fritter, Dan has three fritter and one chunk of cornbread. Odd but welcome, fritter is always sweet and no care for though cornbread is bearable so fall to on the vittles. "Janet a marshal share on how to track but does not know how to tell how old trail is in snow." Jane says after a spell, half plate left on vittles so reckon enough to speak on. "With snow if is trail then fresh. Always more snow fall until warm come back so if trail is fresh. Like as not a trail in snow is no more than three day. Trail is after last snow so if know when last snow then know how old trail is oldest." Jane nods and smiles. "How do you tell how old a trail is without snow?" "Earth speak to me, just matter of listening to earth." Jane stares at me, I hold in laugh until Bipin, Elan, Bia, and Dan can not hold any longer and laugh with them. "Powerful good joke so do often as can. Hard to show in snow time but simple, when dirt is dark brown will hold imprint for day or two. If imprint is sharp and not rounded quite fresh, if little rounded day old. More rounded two, three day. When dirt is light brown will hold same unless wet. Light brown best to track on since little in plant around, mostly dirt. Possible to confuse trail but only to make look old trail. Only injun do this right so no matter to you." "What if is like around here and plenty of plants?" "Trail little harder until learn. Is easy to follow most round eye in area like, they touch plants as pass so break and bend. Follow horse in tall grass is easy, look for leaning grass. Usually stay lean for day, sometimes two so if close no problem follow. If not close bounty use path same as rest and travel to town. If running always stop in each town, get vittles, try for roll, or rob." Jane nods then Cucaracha has say on matter. "I was wondering, what if need to follow in marsh?" I shake my head. "Round eye in marsh like as not never come out. Marsh are confusing to follow, dirt when find always mud. If find marsh and trail leads to, go around marsh and find exit. If no exit find close town and stay. If round eye come out, go to town." "What if he owns a farm and returning to farm?" I shake my head. "Jane if bounty on man he not own farm. Only round eye not on farm get bounty on, farmer always stay at farm or close town. Only go to close town to get seed and sell, usually roll. Reason most town have saloon and whores. Married farmer always partake of whore, even fresh marry farmer." Chun groans and points her finger at me. "Janet that is not fair, I only went in his lap when he pull and was interested already." "Chun went to wedding so knew was married." Bia is giggling now, the men are chuckling and Chun tosses up her hands. "Amanda and I are after getting the coin for a building and ice machines for eatery. When I mention was just marry he said he has enough for his wife so agree to roll, need the coin." Jane looks at Chun then me a few times. "Chun you are a whore?" Chun and I nod. "Chun and Bia are whore in Longwood. Chun is whore to make enough for ice machine and eatery with ice cream and hand pie I reckon. Amanda is Chun's girl and cook at saloon so be good eatery. Bia is whore to have enough coin to get house and set up farm when find man on reservation. Different than one we have by Longwood, reckon she will try being wife to Cherokee. Step up in circle so good mind on Bia." "Step down, dirty Cherokee." Bipin says so point finger. "Step up and you know so filthy Apache." Dan sighs then throws snow at Bipin and puts hand over mouth. "Enough of that, Jane do you have any other questions?" Jane nods with a smile. "Two, first, do I have to share bedroll?" I nod and grin. "Share bedroll, you lie on man, man lie on ground and find rocks." Dan sighs and swats me on head, Jane is giggling. "Can I hunt with you on morrow?" I nod and smile. "Coney easy hunt in snow time. Reckon you will miss first time so good timing." Jane sighs and shrugs so reckon she not fire rifle afore, though does bring to mind one thing. "Jane fetch your Winchester, shall check aim afore we hunt. Learn from Cucaracha on this." Cucaracha tosses up his hands, rest are mirthful as Jane fetches rifle. I get handed Winchester and sergeant tosses over tool though has one in stock of this Winchester. Jane's tool cleaner so toss sergeant tool back and use Jane's. Only need small adjustment, not offset like Cucaracha's rifle. Rifle set well as can without adjust for Jane use I hand back and get more vittles. Dan looks at me with more vittles and has curious look. Not know why want more vittles so shrug and fall to on more vittles. Good vittles today so may be the reason, deep down figure on just extra hunger since cold time. Not so deep down hoping on having babe within, powerful good thing since means good wife to Dan. Course know that even if with child would not be extra hunger yet. Still thought on matter and makes happy since want to be good wife to Dan. End up lean on Dan while eating vittles and get arm around after short spell. Brings sigh out since feel good to have Dan arm around, like means am good wife and Dan happy with so makes me happy. Jane being taught stance and such from marshal so best leave that be. Likely Jane is giving roll to marshal and like as not needs to find man to share bedroll with just to do bounty. Best to let her find man she can like fast as can. Course then Jane has question that best take part in answer on. "What do I do if I can't see all of a person to shoot?" "Then shoot what can see or not shoot and wait for man to show enough. Powerful hard shoot through most things man hide behind. Possible shoot up enough to not work as hide but lose much bullets." "How do I know who to shoot? Marshal only said when they shoot at me." I nod to that notion. "To not have bounty on you only shoot at man who shoots at you first. Only time fine is when you know that is bounty man and only wanted dead. Always make sure is right man first, marshal not make sure and shoot wrong man once. Still in prison for that I warrant." Marshal shakes his head. "He was released on account of his time as marshal. Not able to marshal now but is town sheriff." "So just ride up on people and ask if they are the bounty man?" I shake my head. "Best to have marshal to share blanket with, Dan and me would come up on sly then yell out how have bounty for man." Dan shakes his head and covers mouth. "Janet would get to place she like then yell out bounty hunting and shoot at sky. Sometimes shoot first, depends on if they are aware when we get there. Usually does so full in the open, best to not listen to Janet on proper way. As she said though best to do with marshal, can yell out marshal from hide and shoot back if they do." Chew on Dan's hand until can speak on matter. "Was not going to teach my way. Only good for Cherokee to do that, Apache like as not be shot do that way." Bipin snorts and shakes head but no speak. "Bush good if naught else, but try and be above with rock. Above cuts down on their hide and gives you big hide." "What if they are in the high spot?" "Then wait for come down. No attack high, they have all advantage. If they high then move away and wait for leave. They no stay high, like as not high not good for vittles so must come down and can get then." Nobody has any say on that so get to go back to vittles and finish off what want. Rest give to Dan who sighs but cleans plate. Gives plate to Chun then pulls me up to get to bedroll. I like this, cold is worse so could go for a nice roll and cuddle under blanket. Over at bedroll we work on getting out of clothes. Right quick we are under the blanket shivering since cold is worse. Not see breath yet but soon will I reckon it's powerful cold. At first we are just cuddled together shivering Dan mostly on me. Dan is not light so would rather he not stay there unless leads to a roll. Just to help the roll happening along my hand travels down and finds his equipment. Dan looks at me as my hand starts moving, gets a grin after a moment. Also starting to rise to ready so I'm smiling up at my husband. He comes down and I'm getting a kiss then his hand is between my legs. Moan into the kiss since I am getting ready myself, also forgetting the cold. Mind goes back to what Dan said earlier so push on him a little. Pulled back and looking at me I ask Dan for a roll. He grins and comes in for a kiss until push back and ask Dan for a roll. Chuckling Dan moves atop and I welcome my husband to me with a moan. We move together like married couple, is wonderful but perhaps can get Dan to go twice like old. Shaking head then ask Dan for roll. Beg even getting Dan to roll his eyes then he is moving fast and sure like old. Wrap legs around and move with just loving my husband churning my equipment with his. Get to bouncing a little and just what needed, my husband eager to do the roll with me, then I'm moaning out to the stars. Happily Dan just keeps right on moving fast and hard. Even found way to faster so am bouncing under him. Quite enjoy this and am striving for another stars in no time. Finding stars happens when Dan jerks and finds his finish. The warmth surging within is just what I wanted, sets off my stars. Just keep moving under Dan, want to do again. Dan seems to have other idea, we are moving around so he is under. Not moved me off so still buried within though Dan does not seem eager to go again. Sigh and lie on my husband enjoying the feel of his equipment where it belongs. "What brought that on?" "Miss the fast hard roll then make dinner and slow loving roll after." Dan snorts. "When we get back go back to whoring some. We are not young and I may not be able to do that anymore." Look up at Dan and realize Dan is not soft so move on him. "Dan is being tease. Not nice to tease wife like that." "Turn about is fair play." Dan is grinning at me but not true, never tease Dan so smack him a few times, move harder on him still. "Wife not tease husband. Silly round eye is lying to wife." Dan is chuckling now and I can't help the giggle. "Well alright you never tease, used to ask for roll all day, made giving out roll twice easy." Dan has point, so promise. "Promise to ask for roll at time during day." "Well then let's get you a second roll. Do you want to stay up there?" Would like to do riding, but then powerful cold and can only ride if sit up. So shake head then we are rolling over. Do not lose Dan in the roll but does mess up the blanket so cold now. We work fast as can to fix blanket then wrap legs around Dan and move. Just get looked at as hips move Dan in and out. Feels good so keep moving, would like Dan to move as well but second roll is slow and loving. Perhaps why liked second roll, do not feel loved many other way. Then Dan is moving and we have proper roll now. My husband is moving on me, I am moving on husband and stars are coming. Moan and move harder, stars are powerful good to have. Stars come and moan out to Dan, just feels so good to have Dan move within with stars. Get a little lost in pondering on if child will come. Dan is moving so good and rather like when Balik was put within. Has me moving with Dan again, the stars took a little out of me so stop moving. Dan just kept right on going, he is to put his warmth within again, and perhaps will have babe for him. Longwood Second Hunt Day 09-10 Do wish to be good wife to Dan and hope this time will do it. Deep down fairly sure have babe or no already but just can't stop hoping. Dan just keeps going, powerful good husband and so wish to be just as good a wife. Then stars fall on me, did not know were close so caught off guard when fall on top. Perhaps means babe is within now. Deep down know that is not the case but do wish so. Stars are ebbing away when Dan stiffens and groans. Have warmth within yet again so moan at this. Do not find stars with husband but warmth is all needed. Dan collapses atop so put arms around full as can and just hold feeling loved. After spell Dan rolls off, helped some feeling rock and Dan heavy. Tease on getting big as Mr. Johnson but Dan already heavy. So fix blanket, get coats on top, and clothes under blanket then snuggle up to Dan. "Dan you sure on whore when get back?" Dan nods and smiles at me. "You always have enough and you don't smile as much since you stop." I sigh and press a little closer. "McCalbane may have broken me a little, not feel right until after roll and being held." "Janet that not so wrong, same for me honest. Get roll and day is right, why stick with you aside from you being good at what you do." Look up at Dan and give kiss. "We Dan, we do this." Dan snorts then we settle down to sleep. Wake with start, there is someone moving in camp. Grab up Colt and spring up to look at noise and find Jane looking to get back under blanket. Sigh then look around and decide good enough time to get up. Sky is starting to wake for sun so good time to get up and prepare to do hunt. Poke Dan to get grunt so decide to leave be and find Bia. Need to get fire going though reckon dressed then find work better. So get in track clothes and pull on coat. Shivering a mite still, coat is cold and area is cold so no help there. Find Bia curled up on marshal so poke and get her to roll over. Just look a spell and get sigh out of her. "Janet you up early." Giggle a bit there. "Bia with round eye to much I reckon." Get eye dagger shot at me some then Bia is up getting dressed. Head for where saw Jane and find her in bedroll alone. Puzzle find but may as well get her awake so poke and she roll over. Poke again so she roll back, so poke again. This time get open eye and get looked at again. "Was I being noisy?" I shake my head. "Get up, going to warm up at fire then hunt for coney." Jane look some more then sigh and get up. Get over to Bia and help set up wood for fire. Fire going we sit, no reason to get vittles going yet and best to get warm. Then Bia come over and fastens to breast to lessen the ache and sigh. Feel better now though miss Balik something fierce. Jane sit at fire with while Bia has moved to other breast, reckon should speak some on hunt before hunt. "Jane first rule of hunt is move quiet, say quiet." Jane nods and smiles. "I can do that, what second rule?" "Second rule is if something crashing through plants ready rifle. Like as not is a rabid animal, no let touch and no touch. You become rabid and powerful bad death." "Know about rabid." "Good, now coney hunt is simple, eye open and hear. Something moving in bush or tuft of grass is coney. Get ready to shoot then move grass, you have shoes so heard works with shoe. No shoe use hand until see coney. No shoot first, make sure is not mom with young. Young always follow after moment, see young no shoot, just go different way." Jane nods and looks around, so look around with and the land is flat here. Some lonesome hills here and there in distance but near to us only a few lonesome tree. Like as not only find coney though a deer would be powerful good. Could sell some at next town to afford more vittles if we run low for town. Get a feeling and reckon warm enough so hop up. Jane follows so collect Winchester and head off in direction I get feeling on. We cross horse path to other side and keep going for spell. Sky is starting to awaken with sun and naught around to shoot so may as well ask. "No roll for Jane?" "Gave roll, could not sleep sharing bedroll so got in empty one." "Best to share, no feel rock." Jane snorts. Just keep going for a spell longer then see it. Off in the distance we have boar. Powerful big boar looks to be as tall as me like as not. This welcome find though may be tough to take with greenhorn. "Jane, big thing there is boar. Powerful big boar so need you to shoot with, try for head. Always shoot for head, no panic take knee aim down and shoot. Keep shoot until boar fall over. When boar fall over we get closer and finish if not already. Then you run to get horse and Dan, need man to get all of meat." Jane nods so we get closer, luck for us boar not notice yet. Will soon I reckon he is nosing about for vittles of own. If no find vittles soon will move on and may decide our spot is best to go. Soon as boar look charge and powerful bad to be charged on by boar. Close enough I reckon so get Jane to take knee and do same. Boar still nosing around and hard to shoot head so whistle. Loud whistle so boar head pop up and look about. Aiming down on boar and find right spot so shoot. Jane shoot and boar jerk but not fall. Aim bad, did not get good spot on boar so reload fast, then find head on charging boar and shoot. Another shot surprise little, usual for greenhorn to panic on charge boar. Not seem to matter for boar, still come so powerful spirit in boar. Reload as sing in praise of boar then shoot. This time boar notice shoot and lean little then fall. Still move so hop up still singing and shoot. Jane follows closer to boar and still breath so shoot boar, this time trick is done and no more boar. "Powerful spirit of boar, sure to move up in circle." Jane just look a moment then sighs. "Always enjoyed having pig but ugly animal." Snort and giggle. "Pig also bad to make mad, charge boar and no kill first, boar kill you. Sharp teeth on them and strong jaw, now run for Dan and horse. Mind area, usual have more than one with boar this size." Jane looks around and shivers. "Could we drag it?" "Heavy boar and smell will bring wolf, best not to be drag if wolf come. If notice pig and not notice you keep go. If pig notice you and come, go back here and yell. Will find me ready for more shoot and second pig to cut. Usual only one boar, have wife instead and perhaps young. Mom pig not attack unless you go toward, also not toward camp, would have notice." Jane nods and still look a bit nervous but pull rifle closer and turn about to go toward camp. She go quick so should see Dan and horse in short spell. Pulling Bowie I get down and start to cut up boar. Sing praises to the Great Spirit for providing big boar. Sing more in praise of powerful boar and thank for providing meat and testing us. After getting head free notice Dan coming on horse. Also have sergeant on horse and another horse. Odd though welcome, big boar and much meat. Like as not get five to ten dollars for most of the meat. Head cut free and inside pulled out I get to work on cutting out meat. This powerful good boar, little fat inside. Most of the fat on the skin, so cut that free and get at the meat under. Dan and sergeant get up to me so glad tidings there, can have them pack up what I cut out. Dan hop down followed by sergeant then sergeant holds reins. "Dan your horse good enough to stay here." Dan sighs and pulls saddle bags off all three horses before coming over. "Your pinto would not come with us and this is one of the dead men horses. Figure on being better to have sergeant along to keep horses here." Allow as that being proper, though pinto not come is odd. "Pinto not come?" Dan shakes his head. "Tossed up head and scooted away from me. Reckon either there is predator in area or just too attached to licorice and you." Look about since if predator they would come for pig first. "Big boar so possible on predator come at blood. Leave extra meat?" "I reckon leave the usual, need to sell plenty. Two ham hock make us enough for two towns plus what else we can get." Nod and see to on the cutting. Tough to do with Bowie though not have a better knife for this. Bartholomew would and likes when find a boar to kill, though not here so can't give to him. Keep Dan busy with wrapping up the cuts. Sergeant take interest when get to steak portion. Calls them chops instead though same idea. Ponders if can do the chops tonight. Not see problem with that so allow as possible if Chun want. Takes a spell, sun is full into sky when finish though powerful big boar. Get everything on horses then follow everything. Ride along on happy horse with Winchester nestled in arm. Horse happy since share licorice. Reckon Dan may be right on pinto, wanted licorice since been sharing a bite. Need to scold pinto on this, not get licorice when we get. Share licorice with but only one doing so and need to remind pinto that only one giving licorice. Back at camp leave sergeant and Dan to see to the meat being moved about and head for the fire. Chun hand over plate when get close so smile and sit. Powerful hunger and here I am with vittles, so just see to on the vittles. Dan come over and plop down next to then gets own plate. Sergeant comes over and get plate so we sit and see to on our vittles a spell. When we all finish vittles split up to take care of the camp. Get to stay with Chun, Bia, and Jane so we finish with plates and pots fast. Get beans set up to have with chops then help the men finish packing up camp. Then it is time for go and need scold pinto. Pinto looks at me and even comes closer to snuffle at coat so swat on nose. "Bad boy not come help. No licorice for you now, may share later." Pinto hangs head as hop on, some snorts out of the rest. Little urging then we on way on road toward next town. Just ride for a spell then remember promise to Dan so look back at. "Dan, give me roll." Dan snorts and shakes head. "Later Janet." The rest are chuckling or giggling so almost no hear. "Pretty wife be the death of me." Just beam at Dan for that, been a spell since he say pretty. Just ride on for a spell longer, getting fit to do again when Jane ride close. She no say at first just ride along next, when decide to ask Dan for roll again, she open mouth. Hold up hand then turn to Dan. "Dan, want roll now." Dan snorts. "That was never worked afore, not gonna now. Later Janet." Smile at Dan and get smile in return, reckon he enjoyed the asking. "Has he ever given roll during the day?" "Yes, when at Longwood, rest of time either wait or have man hire to give him roll." "Why did you work as a whore?" Sigh and shake head. "Needed to, give out roll, get held. Getting held after roll made feel right, needed so often was naught else but be whore. Many round eye say that injun supposed to whore, reckon perhaps got that stuck in mind. Not so much need now, whore though is nice. Men eager to get roll from and talk nice. Not often round eye talk nice aside Dan except when whoring." "The marshals are afraid of you, seems like everyone aside Dan is same." Shrug at that. "Injuns have heard story and am Cherokee. When met Apache first time from reservation shot one calling for protection. To us calling for protection and dead anyway mean powerful warrior. First time did hunt with Apache got shot, should have died, did not. Marks as more powerful warrior, that and Cherokee mean set up aside Great Spirit." Jane look confused so reckon there will be question on Great Spirit. "Why do the marshals fear you?" Reckon wrong though good question. "Not rightly know on that, reckon have heard tell of past hunts. Dan and me have found many of the problem that marshal learn to look for. Bandit run town to bleed slow, ran in to that first that report to Kansas City. Like as not others have seen though not report on. Figure on way to track down bounty easy, ask friend nice like. Aside the first when ask nice then pull knife would give story how bounty put with child and thrown from reservation." Jane looks a short spell. "So you lied to them?" Shake head fast. "Not lie, truth just old truth. When tribe was taken to reservation, McCalbane ask to have me to learn round eye, read, and numbers. Tribe had no choice but to allow, he was source of most meat. Soldiers had taken bow and said not need. Was lie since after taken from tribe meat stop coming. Not right away, did learn round eye, read, and number, then after spell McCalbane came as husband, was not ready for husband. Get husband regardless, kept coming back until swell with Chad." Jane sigh and not speak again for a short spell. "Did the with child from bounty work all the time?" I nod and smile. "Always work, why ask?" Jane sighs and shrugs. "Just the stories on Cherokee Janet been around since beginning of war. Reckon the people you spoke with would have heard tell." "Not know known as Cherokee Janet until get Colts. Always went up to friend of bounty and say 'Name is Janet, man put with child and get thrown from reservation, looking to stay with him and no find'. Use name of bounty, never show to friend, just come up and talk." "With Dan right there and your pistols?" Shake head and smile. "Dan waited at horses with pistols in bags. He was nice man helping to find the bounty to be with as wife." Jane snorts and giggles. "Wonder if that would work with me, minus the reservation part." "Not sure, bounty we got was always farther west. The friend like as not lived in small town like last. Since Kansas City has area for bounty now not all land you will become known and no work." Just sit a spell longer riding along. Land around always same, grass, lonesome tree and hill. "What about when I am with child?" "Easy to do until last spell with child before come out. When that come around you have urge to use outhouse lot, get sleepy easy, and no wish to be upright much. Best to stop bounty hunting then and wait for babe to decide to be out. Need find someone to care for babe before do bounty again. Also not able to do roll for spell after, best to use bleeding time relief until stop hurt with hand." Jane nods and sighs. "Alright, what is bleeding time relief?" Snort and giggle. "Bleeding time relief is with mouth instead of equipment. Like as not why married farmer always partake of whore when visit." "Is it enjoyable?" I nod and smile. "Quite nice to do. Reckon partly since even when is bleeding time and do relief get held after. Do enjoy doing asides that. If you have the notion can do same to a gal. Chun does and enjoy. No have notion, just see another gal, if you think a gal is nice can ask I reckon." Jane makes a face at that, reckon she not have notion. "Have you seen a man have a roll with another man?" Shake my head fast. "No wish to watch roll, if there is roll near wish to be part of roll, especially with Dan. Man not speak to me of having notion of roll with man, though gal so like as not would not mention if did." Jane nods and giggles. "Dan does not mind you whoring?" Shake my head. "Dan is odd husband, does not mind if whore, always have roll left for Dan. In way this not so odd, whore at brothel was in while in Kansas City had husband. Husband would roll with other gals often as could manage. This odd part, Dan not do that, wife is only gal Dan rolls with, but allows to roll with other men." "That is odd, special as well since you needed to give out roll often. Like as not no one man could enough for you." "Especially afore met Dan, went on cow drives, did not ride horse had wagon and driver. Would lie on mattress to let the pokes ride up, climb in, and give roll. Would get held after a spell then poke climb out. All day like this, twenty pokes asides cookie and the driver for my wagon. Not get all every day, each night get a poke to climb in and spend night holding, after a roll." Jane looks a little surprised at that one. "How did you manage?" "Was hard at first, first drive had to limit the number for the first spell but got used to quick so would ask for more. That drive they set up a signal, if was open for a poke could trail a bit of cloth, poke climb in and take in cloth so not have more than one poke. Met Dan after a drive be over and before got on another. Dan was special roll, just not know how special for a spell. Got me doing bounty and have since, except when on back being a whore." "When was this?" Think about that a spell then it come back. "Met Dan just afore the war started, they was doing recruitment drives and took Dan's brothers so his folks decide Dan should scat so as not to be in war. Reckon they did the right, both his brothers died in the war. First in the second battle, other bout halfway through." Sparks a thought so turn to Dan, he puts his hand up. "No roll yet." I snort and giggle. "Waiting spell longer to ask again. This is in reference to war, first brother died in second battle right afore we got that deserter?" Dan ponders a short spell and nods. "Sounds right." Sergeant waves his hand. "I recall that, we got report on him, all of us in fort were happy to be not called for war. Think week later newspaper had report you two caught him." Look at Dan then shake my head. "Took us two week to catch and another five day to get him to train to get back quicker." Sergeant sighs then shrugs. "Never said the reports came regular or fast. Truth be told, only knew the war was over two months later when a report finally got to us." Look at Dan powerful confused. "Janet the government does not always work well. Many men work at sending out information where it is supposed to go. They do not always get it right and other concerns do come to the fore. In this case the forts to hold back the heathen injuns were of little concern to those east. The bounty for the deserter came to us in three days due to the train. It being a legal matter you understand. Much of what was sent west for the military went by wagon to allow for the regular train and the needed soldiers." "You round eye wonder why tribes were not that big. Dan need roll." Dan snorts and chuckles then shakes his head. "Later Janet." Dan has smile so smile back at Dan, honest am rather on the wanting a roll side of things now. Hopefully Dan does as well since this wife could really go for a nice roll with her husband. Just ride on for a spell longer until shadows get long. Pinto even knows time to find camp, his head going side to side. Get a neigh out of pinto and head toss so look same way and spot a nice camp site. Rather on the close side of things in relation to path but far enough to not be bother. Not likely any would travel path at night. Pat pinto and motion the way as head off path and get down after a short spell. The rest come up and we set to on getting camp set up. Especially important to get snow pushed away. Powerful bad to lie on bedroll atop snow, tends to melt and get wet then you cold. Snow is also handy since can use for water in pot. Jane gathers some in coffee pot, possible for morning perhaps with supper vittles. Either way good mind on her to gather snow for coffee now. "Wonder why the camp is so close to trail?" Just shrug at Chun. "Don't rightly know." Jane snorts. "Injun territory so travelers tend to stick to the path. Seem to think injun won't attack when close to." Look at Dan then we all look at Cucaracha who shrugs. "Not been told on that. Reckon you injun would know better on if work or not." Everybody looks at me, like I'm the only injun. "Reckon would not matter, tribe wish attack will attack no matter what. Bipin old enough to know on this and Elan like as not would as well." Elan shakes his head. "War tribe is sent out to do attack, regular tribe either wait there or move to a new place." We all look at Bipin who shoots eye daggers at me.