0 comments/ 3903 views/ 0 favorites Longwood Second Hunt Day 13-14 By: emap Wake on this day happy, the sky is still dark and only just starting to lighten. Also not so happy, forgot to ask to be drained again at supper, still we should finish today so not a big concern. Also quite cold now, can see breath and find relief in covering horses with blanket. Horse usually not freeze when have them together, they just don't move terribly well at first. Understandable since shivering when get out from under blanket. Make hard to get in leather though am glad moccasin can be put on afore pants. Always giggle at Dan get up in cold time on hunt, get pants on under blanket then only uncover feet to put on shoes. After that shirt go on then coat, also move fast so not get to enjoy Dan with no clothes. So enjoy look at all of Dan with no cloth on, not that Dan like to let me look. Round eye thing I reckon, unless fella about to get roll out of me he no like to get out of cloth. Honest would prefer round eye like injun during summer, wear little as possible. Most of the fellas nice to look at, seem all the gals share the feel. Now dressed and shivering still go find Bia. Find Jane first so poke a time or three so awake and getting dressed. Chun find next, Bia is hard to find on this morning. Poke Chun and get some eye dagger shot at me, then she hop up to get dressed. Finally find Bia so she is up and we all head to where Chun is setting up the fire. Fire lit we all sit around and shiver until get warm, takes a spell. Then look around and reckon hunt not a good idea. Cold as is any coney in area hunker in hole or already froze. "No hunt?' Look over at Jane and shake head. "Reckon any coney around are stuck in hole or froze already. Just stock up so should have plenty vittles." Chun and Bia frown at that. "We got eggs and taters, have bacon and flour. Beans a plenty but meats we mostly just rely on your hunts and sold all the pig." "Even the remainder of chop we had afore the last town?" Three sets of hands toss in air. "That was ate last night in the stew." Well reckon was a fool question, still we got a town coming right up. "Got a town coming right up, stop there if no gang. Train town so have hotel, saloon if naught else. We can do tater and bacon stew if really pressed on moving past town." Got three gaping mouths look at me now. "You know, that sounds rather good and never done that afore." Jane says with two nods. "If can get milk we can make a chowder." We all look at Chun, she turns red when notice. "Amanda has shared some on the recipes and New York does chowder. Clam chowder is a favorite just hard to get clam out here, bacon and tater would make for a good one instead." "So chowder is just stew with milk?' Chun nods then shakes her head. "Generally chowder is thicker than stew, add a little flour and less water. Honest according to Amanda and what recall of had afore, chowder is like a salad of chopped up tater and bits of clam with biscuit gravy on." I am plum confused. "Why with biscuit gravy on?" Chun and Jane snort then giggle. "Gravy made for biscuits and gravy is more watered than regular gravy. Well generally, some folk always want the gravy that way. I always make regular gravy thicker than what you get on biscuits and gravy." "That make sense, and not make sense. Still am trying to learn round eye vittles so happy to learn that. What we do for vittles?" After a little back and forth on it, we decide on making biscuits, scrambled eggs, and bacon. I get to do the biscuits since Jane not learn camp biscuit. Bia come and help so she learn while Chun and Jane do the egg and bacon. The guys are all up by the time we have gotten to cooking up the biscuits so we get audience. Finally finish and get to take plate to Dan and get smile so smile big. Also sigh since sore at breasts, no empty so far. Dan look over at me then set plate down and pull up shirt to suckle. Bia come over to help so get emptied at a good rate. Sigh and feel better right quick so lean on Dan when finish empty. Just sit and see to the vittles, rather good vittles though admit the camp biscuits not as good as regular. Dryer biscuit cause of way made, least we have coffee. Also bring to mind discussion on sergeant and Sarah so may as well ask sergeant. "Sergeant we had discussion on you coming along on hunt. Had idea we ask Sarah to come long. Dan think Sarah no come so we should ask for a different soldier to come." Sergeant just look a spell then sighs and shrugs. "Honest, not rightly sure if would come or not. Reckon another soldier might be the best idea since am getting old. Not that like to say so, Sarah box me ears if say such near her, same age you understand." This has me giggling. "Another soldier may be the best idea, can bring along a gal to give him a roll and perhaps get the young ones to understand injun are better than they think." Look up at Dan then giggle and wave hand. "Alternate, ask some Apache to show off the sly approach. Can move right on up to a fella if you do right and he has eye for all over." "Like the first man on that battle you told us about in the town?" Shake head and grin. "Can take a spell but we can just sly right on up to a man and stand in front afore he know if he not pay good attention. Need plenty of plant like around here to do. Forest especially, no see anything more than about five feet if not stand upright in most any forest I been. No work on Cherokee warrior would warrant but rest, we can walk into their camp afore they knows it. Taught me since had to help on false trail and best if gal can just disappear if run into others." Everybody looks at Dan and he nods. "Janet is scary good at getting where she want with no notice. Time or two she has just taken off and gotten to a spot afore knew she had left." Everybody look at me so wave hands about. "Injun magic." Bia, Bipin, and Elan are laughing hard now. "So is baloney?" Shake head and grin at Jane. "No simple thing, like as not no work with shoes on but simple. Learn how to stay low and move with the plants, not against. Step on twig, no move for a spell so everything around decide nothing then move again. Dan no good at but less of a man can do same. Cucaracha would warrant can do, if lose boots. Boots always make noise when walk unless go slow and that slow gets you killed like as not." "Can't lose the boots, always need boots on when at a fort." Toss up hands. "No fort around, sergeant would reckon not able to walk on dirt with no shoes, you are not sergeant. Need moccasins, shall make you a set once get two more coney." "Why do I need moccasins?" "Simple, if you go after Cochise or Apache there no walk without even in summer. First time we went over near there try to go about no moccasins, danced about until got them on ground so hot. All wear shoes there, sock if no shoes, or moccasins. If go after Sioux want moccasins still, not cause of heat, plenty plants but many have spike and some make noise. Moccasin help deaden sound of and little hurt." "How long do moccasins hold together?" "About a year if you wear constant. Longer if you no wear much. Afore you ask the locals will make them for you if you ask or have good trade, good knife is especially good trade. Especially good trade mean you can do not so good trade a few times afore need to do equal trade or especially good trade again. Keep trading good knife for things and you will be liked and they forget you are cavalry so speak fuller." "That is all it takes?" Shake head. "No, especially important no lie, foreign concept to us. If wish to not be dead by injun always say what you can do, then say what superiors say. Reckon you get leeway on things can promise but no promise no more settlers, we already know is big lie. If orders are for reservation, make special sure to tell injun you will find farmer to teach how and then find farmer. Always make sure say that superiors have final say but when you promise to get something, actually do or you will find yourself shot dead." Cucaracha swallow and nod. "Do all injun know the sly thing?" Nod and smile. "Always important, especially if little. Sly can get little one away from predator so warrior can get predator and no lose little one. Also good for things like make attack, warrior are taught how to spot still hard so work anyway. Round eye no teach and seem to always work on." Sergeant gulps. "Oi lass, so you saying that if a tribe wished they would have slaughtered me fort?" Nod and giggle. "As said, unless given reason tribe no attack fort, small bit of land and they have as much right to there as injun. No survive division and cannon unless get few tribe together even then not good battle. Still all take is a reason then no more fort, especially if night attack." "What if all of the tribes got together?" "Then no more round eye as far as all wish to take slaughter. See we no wish this, even us Cherokee, we see there are good people on land with, not all good but most. Odd part, the bad are in your government, many soldiers are same though if what some have said is true they wish to be in government so explain why soldier." Sergeant snorts and nods. "There be plenty of truth to that." Dan sighs and shakes his head. "Not all in the government are bad either, the proposal to take injun child away to teach our way and only our way is stuck at proposal. Not looking to get past for a long spell." Sigh and shake head. "Not like is even there, reckon if go past proposal shall declare bounty on congress. Let's get this hunt over." Dan looks at then hops right on up. Rest follow suit and we get the camp a right good seeing to. Takes less time than usual to get camp packed away and on horses so we follow and get on way. Not even have to ask Dan, he calls for almost gallop right away, reckon he want hunt over as well. Course also possible he think mad at him. Not mad at husband or even the round eye around, mad at congress. Also mad at the ones who follow the round eye god yet ignore everything in the book. Says in there a few times to not make someone else life miserable, not just kill, and not to steal. Steal is even spelled out so obvious, not supposed to take money from others, yet they do on a regular basis. Some do it legal like, remember Dan reading to me a newspaper article on congress doing it. This is aside the tax so can afford to do war, make powerful sense to me. Course still do tax so reckon they want to rob all on sly, though Dan say they need money to fix up south and such. Reckon this be the right, considering they burnt plenty of down. Goes beyond that, all men are created equal, yet if black skin should be owned by white man. Not all believe that course but enough. Another passage powerful confusing but preacher explain, throw not the first stone lest ye own house be pure. Mean no judge of others since you have sins in your past. Yet round eye do this constant. Usually not on round eye, on injun, or black. Like we are all right and no one else is so we must make round eye. Yet this not all thought, only those in power. Had funny talk to Dan about this, he had voted just afore. Not happy with vote but only had two names so picked lesser of two evil. Asked why vote, Dan had said so the lesser of two evil is elected. Well so I had most of those around laughing hard when ask why not just kilt the two evil and find new men to vote on. So Dan explain how can't just kilt them, instead you pick the one can stand to be in office. Still not get so ask why a good man no run, only get a shrug as answer. Reckon means good men don't do government. Course seems to be not true since something that is obviously forbidden in bible is trying to be voted on by congress, yet has not gotten anywhere. That alone says there are good men there, also now that soldier run reservation injun have promised meat. Other things not so good on reservation but we are used to not enough. Seem round eye not so rather weak of round eye. Course round eye have opposite opinion on injun. Not the ones that actually meet injun, just the ones back east that no see, since they make most tribes move west. Cherokee now in land that was Apache, and still we prosper. "Dan give roll." Caught Dan off guard with words, he almost fall off horse. "Dangit Janet, no roll are you done with being mad?" Snort and giggle. "Dan not mad at you. Just pondering a little on round eye and minding what we pass. Saw one coney, reckon was a deer way off and we seem to be halfway to town." Dan looks ahead and tosses up his hands. "You are the oddest sort, just when think you off in a huff or something like when paint you prove wrong. Reckon we will reach town round about lunch. Scan the poster so have the man we want fresh in mind." Nod and pull out poster to look. Man we want a little on the handsome side would reckon. Nose little large and seem to have scar on cheek, not mark to show as whore beater, just mark. Reckon got cut in a fight or such. Not from a cat, only one line in cheek, wolf tear face off so not that. Has to be a knife cut for some reason. Reckon be a good reason since the man is wanted dead. He wear big hat like the pokes and Dan wear. Dan wear since is good to keep sun out of eyes and let fit in better most places. When first got with Dan he wear a cap, not much use for sun avoiding. Made Dan look nice, like as not what got me under him so fast. Then a noise pull my head up. Train is coming and if train come now then if they take they still there waiting for train. Only say one word, Dan no say just urges horse to gallop. Pinto follow suit so we gallop at town, the rest follow at gallop. Pinto decide to go faster so we move up next to Dan then edge a little farther, Dan look over and nod. Since have permission urge pinto to faster, we shall ride on town in proper attack. Have man face fresh in mind and no make mistake. Also know name so when get there shout out name and if get shot at, shoot back. Reckon Great Spirit like me to send off the bandits on account of still being here after many bullet shoot at. Getting close to town and noticed, since street empty now I pull Winchester. Is going to be slaughter I just know it. Marshals riding right close to my rear. Ponder a moment on if Dan usher or they decide. Reckon no matter, if eight there then will want others with, more targets for them to track, and the rail line is just ahead. Atop the rail sits the train so we no late. The people not get on either, just staring at me as ride on up. The marshal just after me so once pinto stop on platform turn to the passengers waiting to get on and yell out for the bounty man. Get a shouted marshal behind then there are men pulling up rifle, so shoot at them. Perhaps shoot first just no matter, they are pointing rifles at us so they are part of bounty. Especially with marshal right there, someone yell marshal only person pulling pistol or rifle, are bandits. First man to shoot falls over as am reloading singing the luck song. Most are screaming and scrambling to platform or away. Ignore that, is a matter of me or them and the Winchester is reloaded so shoot a second man. Marshals are shooting as well so have three down, then four after my shot. The men I can count four remaining on their feet scatter. Shoot one of them as he head for away from train. Notice the Mexican and Mohawks storming on train then, one of them breaks out glass. Move to reload and shoot the one until shot rings out. Look to side to see Dan coming so reckon may as well ask. "Dan two more went on train, exit other side. Mexican and Mohawk." "Janet, get them they are part of gang and fire on you. I'll go up train with marshal." Nod and put Winchester back then drop off pinto and bid stay here. Then hotfoot for front of train, the engineer looking down on with big eyes. Does point to other side when pause to ask so smile and pull off coat. Powerful good when cold, just not good for moving fast cold or not. Engineer have bigger eyes as move past to round train. Pulling Colts as round train to see the Mexican running for it. Reckon the Mohawk on train still so tear off after the Mexican. Even shout at him, no like Mexican and say so in Spanish. He look back and turn a little pale. He try and turn on more speed but no matter, close enough can bring up Colt and fire. Take two shot and hit so he fall over with more screams. Look around and plenty of gals watching, so wave them back. If he not done for can decide to shoot at gals, or even move to one to take as barrier. Reckon attempt would get him shot but still danger to the gals. As get closer can see still breathe then shot ring out. Bullet tear into shoulder so fall as Mexican groan and try to move. Legs no work so reckon can take care of shooter first so roll over. Mohawk coming closer with pistol in hand, he is raising to point at me again. Scrunch forward and bring up both Colt to shoot him as shot ring out again. Dirt poof behind as he jerk then start to fall. Shoot him twice more then work on getting up. Mexican get farther away then notice he reach for pistol. Almost reach so shoot him again, then another time. His hand trembles then clenches in fist so shoot a third time. Hand unclenches so move closer putting away Colt and pulling Bowie. Roll Mexican over and look, his eyes are open and he breathe fast so soon die. My Bowie go down and cut throat anyway, Mexican better off not on land. Injun no like by Mexican so may as well just return the no like. Mexican taken care of head for the Mohawk to find his eyes glazed over so already dead. Shoulder hurt but arm work fine, reckon his aim just as bad as round eye or Mexican. Head for train and find Dan along with one marshal come for me. Reckon this is just fine, can have marshal work on get dead back to train platform with rest. "Got the last two Dan, marshal if can see the two get back to train platform." Marshal nod then Dan grab shoulders. "Janet are you alright?" Nod up at Dan. "Mohawk no know old way so aim bad. Shoot in shoulder but arm work fine." Dan sighs then turns me around to look. Just look a short spell then sighs and picks me up. I no complain been shivering since no more slaughter and no coat. "Is cold Dan." Dan snorts. "I never said you should take your coat off." "Coat no good for fast go. Almost want say have two leather pants and shirt, one for summer and one for cold time." "Reckon there is a no to that, the silk bedroll is costing at least as much as another pants and shirt would." Now back around the train we find the engineer holding my coat. Also has pinto trying to get at coat over shoulder. Whistle and shake head so pinto toss head then step back getting engineer to stand a little better. "Sorry for shoot up your train." Engineer hoots and grins. "Honest, gonna be telling me grandkids about this for long time. Not every day a fella get to see Cherokee Janet single handed take down eight bandits." Look up at Dan and giggle. "Had two marshal shooting with and Dan shot dead one of them." Dan snorts. "Two marshal and Jane. She been saying want to stay with a spell and learn all she can off you so can be called Cherokee Jane." Ponder that a moment then nod. "Reckon no wrong in that, likely work well for her, get more respect since close name to mine. Novels like as not be out on her as well." "Novels on you?" Look over at engineer and nod. "Whole pack of the penny novels, we got one set remain. Has address can order more in so we can give address and you can order your own set. Made me round eye and pray instead but rest seem fine. No read yet, being on hunt has me not eager to remember all the past." Engineer is all smile then man wearing sheriff badge come over so Dan set me down to get in coat. Longwood Second Hunt Day 13-14 "Powerful good shooting, got the right man?" Dan shrug. "No tell yet, got poster and can check, yell of name and marshal get shot at so take them all down. Mexican and two Mohawk in group of eight what we been hunting at least. Need to go through affects, they rob a town five town back and like as not most of the money remain. Janet here been shot again so if you got a doc we be needing one." Sparks thought on marshal been shot so look over at Dan. "Dan did the marshal get a seeing to on wound?" "He did, saw a doc while we did store town afore Jane join up. Doc pull bullet and bandage him up, kept sling since best to not move arm around for a long spell." "Well Janet if you come with me I'll take you to doc. Can leave the identifying to deputy and undertaker for the moment." Nod and head toward him then well reckon should ask. "We can leave dead here?" Dan and the sheriff nod to that. "Anymore all it take is a sheriff to swear that the bounty is dead when call for dead." Dan nods along then open mouth. "Janet I reckon we can take train soon as go right way to get home faster. Can just send a runner with bank money or take with us to do one from our stop off the transcontinental." Beam at Dan, be nice to get back to Balik and have house built. Sheriff lead me off toward doc with pinto following. He even gets up close enough to nudge at so reach in pocket and give up licorice. Reckon no harm in so pull one out for me and offer one to sheriff. "Is that a sweet licorice?' Shake head. "No like the sweet, reckon will when have daughter within but otherwise stay away from sweet. Make hard since Dan like sweet and married him, promise to cook round eye for him." Sheriff snort and takes offered licorice. "No care for sweet licorice, rather like eating sugar." Nod to that one. "No like any sweet, though found like chocolate. Course chocolate not exactly sweet but make me feel right." Sheriff snorts then we at doctor's office. Like this town, they have a regular old doctor here. Course we do as well, though our doctor has special interest in private parts of a gal. This doctor is a doctor and not for the private parts. Had him laughing when talked about Mr. Gladstone. Course then has me groaning and cursing, cleansing the wound hurts. Get handed some whiskey and told to drink so sigh and down me some more whiskey. Down a swallow, then a second, followed by third and pass right on out. Get to wake up on a bed, no silk sheets this time, only cause doctor's office still. Dan collect me and off to hotel so curse him out for leaving me to the doc and being fed whiskey. Now head hurt and dislike doing the whiskey thing. Granted partly my own fool fault for not keeping an eye on behind when alone. Still not nice to be subjected to, course I quiet right on down when we get to our room and have silk sheets. Stay there for a day to let train turn round and go right way. Would like to say get to stay in bed given out roll after roll to Dan. Did not do this, we stop to get vittles at a eatery and the hotel itself. Even get to go learn how to make bread. So in a way not good time at town, and yet was a good time at town. Learn bread right afore we get on train so have a fresh loaf of bread. Make Dan take the first ever bite of my bread. Dan chuckle bout that and so do most of the folks on train with but he take bite and smile. Pass around to rest of group with and one slice to a sweet little gal wanting to have injun bread. Conversation made me laugh and she know just regular bread but still want injun bread to tell friends about. Her ma was laughing along then gushes about me being Cherokee Janet. Seem she decide on being mail order bride account of advertise with me on the flyer. Course her husband is a right proper man so she is plum giddy about signing up for it. Honest sound right proper that gals find the right husband by going outside of town. Sergeant get to read out one of our adventures on the ride up to the transcontinental rail. Does another as we ride on that rail to get back to our town. Well not quite the right town, just the right town to catch the train to Longwood. Do stop to buy more packs of the novels on me and Dan. Sergeant insisted and had looted the pockets for enough coin. Finally on the right train we make good time, Gus being the engineer again promised to get us there faster. Arrive in Longwood a bit early, sun only been up a short spell. Usual train arrive here just a little after morning vittles. Have to admit the train going all night isn't all bad, regular stop time mean folk in the town get used to. Course in this instance get surprised by the train coming to town. Most of the town it seem is here to see us arrive. Chad being over in the usual spot wearing a hat and frown. Bonita is there with Sally, and Gwen of all people. Course the part that pulls my attention, Bonita has two baskets, one for Balik. Tear on out of the train leaving most everything aside Winchester behind. Check on Balik to find awake and reaching so pull him right on out. Set down Winchester afore pick him up so when he decide want milk can pull shirt up easy. He fasten to one breast right away and honest, feel right again. "Janet how are you doing?" Look over at Gwen and smile. "Feeling right now, feeding my Balik again." Gwen smiles then Sally snorts. "Dan sent a telegraph saying you demand a house. Well figured on telling you personal, we have team coming with the wood and everything already. Ordered up a sheriff house bout a week after you left." Beam at Sally then frown, been gone bit over two weeks so house should be being built. "Why take so long to get here?" "Place we order a house from is clear on the coast almost. They had to collect the wood and whatnot get the team together then trek on out. Reckon should be here any time now, they come on the train run south of us." Nod since that all made sense. "Dan your folks are here." Stare at Sally a moment then bounce since not met me folks yet, Dan snorts and puts arms around. "Stop bouncing Janet, Balik spits up when you do that." "Dan would rather think he spit up cause it was first time you burped him." Breast feeling a little toward empty I roll Balik over and bare that breast. "Would burp him more if you took him out and about so I got to see him aside when come to bed." Look up at Dan then kick him. "He has not been mobile yet, no reason to cart a babe all over when not mobile and not doing much of anything." Bonita giggles. "He has been a little mobile, been rolling over now." Beam bout that, also little sad since miss but can see first steps still. "Dan when come to Balik being large enough to be doing first steps, we are not going anywhere." Sally and Bonita giggle while Dan nods and shrugs. "Sounds like a perfectly fine idea. Do want to see that, I mean first son first steps hard on a fella to miss that happening." Shouting gets us to turn and look, sergeant standing there with hang dog expression while little wisp of a fiery hair gal is yelling at him. Look up at Dan to get grin and nod so head that way with Balik. She going on about how she is sure he had him a string of gals while going off on some fool ride. Get up to them and step up next to sergeant to get her to look. Eyes get wide when notice Balik still feeding. I realize she is only a little taller than I, not even really enough to worry about so like her already, still doing joke. "Sergeant may as well let her meet your son." Both are gawking at me now. "Son?" More or less ask at same time so grinning. "Sergeant put son in me on second day of hunt." Her eyes get bigger then understanding dawns and she is laughing "You must be Janet, I am Sarah." Balik has finished so can move him about to burp and shake her hand first. "I am Janet, sergeant was loyal to you the whole time honest. Hard to wake but otherwise a right proper soldier. Figure should ask on if you would go along on hunts with him. He always go after missing Apache and seem to be the man we get for bounty as well. Always take along gals to give rolls to the fellas we take, aside sergeant. Reckon if you no come we can have captain give a different." Sarah smiles then looks up at sergeant and back to me. "What goes along as a gal on the hunt?" "Well vittles is what you do and give rolls. Just about the only gal that has to shoot is me though every time we find a gal to do some shooting with. Twice now we find a gal that want rifle and shoots at bandits." "Well can give it a try once, no promises on like or not though us cavalry wives have to learn how to handle a horse. Mind if I give him a hold?" I smile and hand a sleepy Balik over. "Sorry took so long to meet you, book say every morning and having Balik to care for. Just never seem to have the time and you never come visit, more than drink in the saloon." Sarah snorts. "Not go for gals either." I shake my head and giggle. "Not been a whore for a spell, gonna take it up again though not for gals either. Meant we have gambling, you hold his coin so reckon you have enough to do a little if'n you want. Also have the book say and if naught else we can sit at a table and talk. Reckon the next few gonna be on me and Dan, found a pack of novels on so bought a full set. Sergeant insisted on two more for the fort and Apache to read." Sarah is smiling then giggles. "Have to hold on to his coin, if he just holds on I'd never get to buy anything I want since it all goes down his gullet." I am giggling now and sergeant tosses up his hands. "Oi Sarah me better than that and you knows it." Sarah grins then kicks him. "The boy is asleep so be quiet. I reckon I shall come over, the books have to order so be nice to have new books to hear." Smile and kick sergeant. "For not telling her bout book say in the morning. Also Dan and me talked some on state of Longwood, going see about getting book store. Getting ice machines and Chun will do eatery with Amanda, feature ice cream and other things. Bank is going to be ordered and if town listen a gun store. Be nice to see all the gun out there to use, reckon some shotgun be good to have for us deputies and sheriff." "Not sure I like the gun store idea, ammo and knives a good chunk of sales." Look up at Andrew and smile. "Well no reason have to stop selling ammo or that gun store does. Asides clearing out gun section gives you more room, you always saying you need more." Dan comes over wraps me up in arms. "Asides Andrew, you can open up gun store and you or Claire mind it." Andrew ponders that for a moment then smiles. "Reckon that is a good idea. Sally you want to help me afford a gun store building?" Sally snorts and nods as she comes over. "Reckon that would be a fine idea. Sent doc on over to write up a letter asking for a banker and offering spot for a book store. Get that to the newspaper in Kansas City and we can see a person for either in no more than three days. Also happy to be getting my Cherokee whore back, some is better than none and you did sign a new contract." Frown at that then look up at Dan. "Dan." He looks and nods then shrugs. "Was afore Balik came out so you would refuse to stop whoring anyway. Did a one year since we are staying and did not think you would take so long to start up again." Twist about to look up at Dan better. "Is that why you want me to go back to whoring?" "Well no, want you to go back since you enjoy and smile more. Sally has said she doesn't mind you not whoring, you stay in the saloon and mind it anyway, mostly what she wanted." "You made me money as well, you were a popular whore." Sarah is giggling and well I join her this is a funny speak. "Sarah you may know this better, any soldiers in either fort looking to have a gal and be a marshal?" Sarah frowns a short spell then shakes head. "Not that I met or heard about. Not that we go around asking the young men if they want to go be a marshal with a wife." Shrug and smile. "Cherokee Jane is wanting to be a marshal wife and go out after bounty with. She no stick to the two we had along so shall try and find a fella for her here, easier than going to see the marshals they got there." Sarah smiles and nods. "Makes sense, most of the soldiers are able to file for discharge any time they want." Gwen comes over with Jane and my Winchester in hand. "Janet come on to the saloon we got some talking to do and reckon can have vittles." Smile at Gwen and nod then turn to Sarah. "You want to come along?" Sarah looks up at sergeant and he shakes his head. "Need to report in at the fort, probably have to go help do the count as well." Sarah sighs and hands over Balik. "May come by later but gonna make sure he reports and get a run down of events. Like when he goes out and is a soldier instead of finding bottom of bottle." Giggle a little as take then head over to the carry for Balik. Bonita and Chad are gone, reckon went to sheriff office or saloon. So we head on over to the saloon and get plenty of waves. Saloon is not terribly full so this is different. "Not many know you are back yet." Sally says before heading for the kitchen. "Dan mind Balik, going to go help and learn some." Dan snorts and nods so follow Sally into the kitchen. Amanda and Isaac bout clear the moon when say want to help and learn. Sally exits giggling so they set me to doing up gravy for biscuits and gravy. This is new so I'm smiling, also doing with sausage. When I ask find out is cause I am not around to catch coney for Amanda to use. Get hug when tell Amanda she can go whore and I'll help Isaac. So we get the vittles done up enough as Amanda says then cart it out. Chun goes in the kitchen with Amanda, reckon either eat in there or have a roll. Sit next to Dan and look around to realize, no marshals and no Martin. Gwen is here without Martin so odd thing. "No Martin?" Gwen looks over and shakes her head. "Martin wanted to come along but been a slew of bounty so he is the last marshal in town. Honest Jane here will be given bounty with a man or not, though would get a man. We don't do it alone anymore, you and Dan doing the tough bounties with two, the marshal figure can do the same. Not that any of us believe that, though Martin and I get to do bounties just us." Nod and smile. "Honest unless gang best to do with two. So reckon you are not mad at Martin, what is the question?" Gwen snorts and grins. "Martin put me with child so am here to ask on when should stop." Beam at Gwen and Sally is beaming as well. "Reckon the last spell when is hard to move and no want anything but sit and vittles." Gwen looks at Dan. "Janet means the last month or two. Reckon should say that you should take another marshal along so Martin or you don't get nervous about you being shot. We do so well cause of Janet, she not mind a single thing but getting the bounty man alive or dead." "Dan was lot of mind about needing a roll. Hard to mind of much else, once we get bounty you give roll so what I focus on, finish and get roll." Gwen and Jane are giggling now. "You never said that to me." Gwen says and Jane nods. "Reckon would make easier if focus on something aside what happening." "Jane unless you want to do a little more learning on track head on over to fort and talk to captain. He can assign a man to show you around to the soldiers at this fort and the other to see if like one as a husband." Both just look so sigh and shrug. "Honest what work for me, you both not me so need to find your own thing. Did say that to you Gwen." Gwen nods. "You did and honest so far not a thing works, I'm all a jumble of nerves during the shootout." "Gwen am same, also know one thing important, when Great Spirit decide you are at end of circle, you go. No sense thinking on or nothing, just go on out there and do the right." Jane sighs and shakes her head. "Sounds right, and wrong but still right. God decides all so no point in worrying or nothing the end comes when he wants." Nod and smile. "Yes exactly, I worry about Dan being shot or one of our horses but not me. If end is here then is nothing to do but make it a good end." Dan sighs and looks up. "I guess I'm a fool then I worry about us both being shot." Giggle and lean on Dan. "You are a man, we already discussed. Gals are better." Gwen and Jane are giggling hard, Sally has covered her mouth to not laugh and Dan just swats me on the head. "Have your vittles then take Jane over to find a man or learn more on tracking." Giggling still but do grab up the fork and enjoy the vittles. I especially like how the gravy I made. Has a better taste to it simply cause I mixed it all up. Once we finish vittles I leave my Winchester with Dan and take Balik with. So not wanting to be apart from him again, at least for now I'll smother him with attention. Gwen comes along, I not show her all there is to tracking so I smile at her coming. At first we just walk along then the grass off the path is tall enough can show some things so stop walking. "Gwen you never ask so no told. Jane did ask so here good spot to cover snow and how to track in plants like this." Both nod and smile then notice Gwen not in pants. "Jane, if you could run out say fifty feet then come back different path." Jane nods and runs out. "Only wear pants when going out after a bounty." Look over at Gwen and giggle. "Be glad not deputy, need always ready for fight. Am curious why matter that Martin is last marshal?" "We need to have a marshal in Kansas City at all times to handle prisoner transfer and such. Usually have an older man who handles this but he took some personal time." Nod and smile. "Zalman yes I know him. Hope he is feeling fine." Jane gets back to us so I lead us over to the track she left with the run. "Now see, you have the feet prints, and the grass here is bent." Jane and Gwen had leaned over to see better and are nodding. The prints are a good length from the running though not wide enough. Here and there are bent and some broken grass blades. "Already tell Jane this but when after bounty in snow, if track is fresh. If know when last snow come then you know how old trail is at oldest." Gwen nods and smiles. "You taught Martin that and he shared." Smile in return. "Good he remember, according to Martin they teach new marshal but not seem to teach well since they keep asking." Gwen snorts and giggles. "Honest this one we only had the two left. I would have gone with Martin to get you and Dan just wasn't sure if should since with child." Snort and reach over to swat Gwen on the head. "With child only mean with child. Not do much aside make eat more for a spell." Jane's mouth falls open for short spell. "You didn't want to exit out the top in the morning?" Shake head confused by this. "No why would I do that without bad vittles?" Jane snorts and shakes her head. "Well now I wish I actually am a Cherokee. Have a brother, he is six years younger, remember Ma making vittles in the morning then needing a pale. Went on for a spell then she needed more vittles." Gwen sighs and looks a little pale. "Did not know that, sent a letter off to my folks last week, take another few days to get an answer." "Gwen when come time to let babe out, make sure have thick stick to bite." Gwen turns paler and whimpers. Grinning a little since after is worth I look back at track and move us over a little to show something. "Now see this, this is print of runner. Not always need know this but good if trying to figure out what happen. When a person run the print get longer, not cause feet do, they push back so extends print." "Oh this is new, Martin did not tell me about this." "Martin not matter much, he track after bounty. Unless he is after gang then no need to know. Also when run in not snow feet will tear up dirt so leave little hole and send chunk fly. Horse do same, the shoe grip at dirt rather well so always leave bits laying about when go at anything faster than plod." Jane nods. Longwood Second Hunt Day 13-14 "The marshals were sharing what you said about tracking a gang after a robbery." Nod and look at Gwen. "If you after gang with head start they not always know you after so just keep doing what they do. In our case we came up on a town they robbed the bank. So after rob they leave not on path then split up. What do is hop off horse and get down to pick out heaviest horse and follow that." "Why the heaviest horse?" Smile at Gwen for ask, good question. "Heaviest horse cause that is money horse. Money horse always go fast so no slow down to walk with horse. Important since is possible to get lost when the bandit get off horse and walk, not always leave print. Money horse always leave print and they all join again, sometimes take a spell so best to follow the money they will all go to money eventually." Gwen nods and smiles. "Good to know, course if we get bounty on gang I reckon I'll just grab Martin and come get you." "Could always just grab some Apache, they have many warrior no blooded. Young warrior not all think can do anything. Come I'll introduce you to chief and you can come get Apache, always get one blooded with the not and soldiers." "Bipin said there are five chief here." Look over at Jane and nod. "Have met all, closest chief though know well. If you come talk to him he can send runner to collect men from all tribe if want. Get you posse with little trouble, captain reckon would issue rifle to them so no need to worry on that. Naught else just ask Dan for some, we got a bunch for posse." We are getting close to fort and see two men up there sitting guard so wave. Get a wave back then he disappear for short spell so reckon he is calling out our approach. Odd then, three soldier come out of fort and head our way with rifle. Gwen and Jane are look at me and have to shrug, not know why this happen. The soldiers get closer then array around is. Rifle not point at but are held ready to move to that at moment notice. "What's in the bag injun?" Look at the speaker then look him up and down and snort. "You must be new, am Cherokee Janet, sworn deputy of Longwood, best tracker known to round eye and two beats short of killing you proper for bothering us." He leers at me, isn't that the oddest. "Like some injun can take me." Sigh and put Balik down, then yell loud as can for sergeant and captain. Fool looks a mite worried when sergeant and captain come out of fort. Sergeant is running fast, captain has leaned against the fort wall to laugh. Sergeant storm up yelling until wave hand and point, somehow Balik not awake. "Sergeant, may kill this one?' Sergeant pales and shakes his head. "Rather you not kill, but take him down a notch since you will anyway." He turns to the other two. "You two move over there and watch, mind get worse if you take offense so just watch." Hand Balik to Gwen and usher them over away from behind since fool will try and shoot. Then turn back to him and smile. "You heard sergeant, get to do what wish. Try and shoot if'n you reckon can, won't matter." He snorts at that, so pull Bowie slow and hold it up with big smile. Rifle start to move so I move, right where rifle going then under to click. Giggle since he never loaded the rifle then am running in to him and put foot behind. He fall with cry then am on top and Bowie held out above his face. "Since you not know different, Cherokee do not take scalp. Am sure you have heard of being scalped. Cherokee no scalp, they take the man vittles. No kill you so can take your vittles and still listen to sergeant." He turns white and look at sergeant. "God sir you can't let the injun do that." Sergeant snorts. "Cherokee Janet is better than she says. Twenty men shoot at her and she just kill them all. This whole fort could come out to try and stop her, we would all be dead. Injun are not weak little things you respect or die. Go ahead Janet take his vittles." Grin at sergeant, he seems to be enjoying this. Turn back to fool and wave Bowie around then press to his face, gentle like and slide downward. He trembles plenty then am at chest, he groan and have smell, he used outhouse in his pants. Snort and get up putting away knife. "You ain't taking my vittles?" Snort and shake my head. "Take man vittles is only done to powerful warrior after take down in battle. You not even warrior, surprised cavalry take you." Turn back on and head for sergeant who smile at me then head past toward fool. Collect Balik and head on for fort where captain still laughing. He collect himself a little when we get up there and smiles at us then beckons us inside the fort. "Rather do the talking in my office, sergeant going to do some screaming would warrant." We all follow captain for his office. Building with his office is quite large and has doors recognize as for the vittle building. Office though is different door and has windows. Inside is roomy enough and he has a few things asides desk, a chest of drawers and a cabinet that look to have his whiskey, that sergeant like as not drinks often. "What brings you out here Janet?" "Jane here is wanting to marshal and wants man to do marshal with. She no fit with the two we had so figure why not come and see if any soldiers fit. Gwen is marshal with Martin, just found out with child and wanted to ask on. I brought her along to speak with chief so can collect Apache to make posse when going after a gang." Captain nods and smiles. "Reckon those are good reasons. Do apologize about those three, young recruits who take orders to seriously and no respect." Nod and shrug. "Reckon work better this way than the novels. In those am a round eye who prays." Captain snorts and nods. "Sergeant shared those with me, swears he will speak the right on you along with novels." Giggle then recall what say so figure on asking. "Gave order they should go out and surround gals walking up from town?" Captain sighs and shakes his head. "No, simply said they need to pay attention to anyone approaching the fort with bags. Seems someone has noticed the orders on us are a little one sided so now am to protect Apache from anyone seeking to cause harm. Bags would allow them to bring in something that would, dynamite being the obvious. Also can be filled with whiskey, reckon no concern here since most to all head over into town and do sometimes get a beer." Frown at that one. "Not supposed to happen, sergeant was saying if we get into whiskey we are to be shot." "I get leeway on that and an occasional beer harms none, asides perhaps the injun. Heard tales on you and drink." Sigh and shake head. "Have new one suppose, got shot getting the last of the gang. Doc cleaned me out, gave me some whiskey so stop hurting had three swallow and pass out." Captain laughs. "Honest I wish sergeant was like that, he has call to come in here most of the day and seems to always have a swallow of my whiskey." "Am wondering why your office part of vittles building." Captain laughs and shakes his head. "This is the mess hall and office. We have dances in the hall as well, office is here since didn't seem fitting to have a separate building just for an office." Nod and smile at that. "Make sense. Oh spoke to Sarah finally, she say she try ride out with sergeant so need to up his provisions from here." "Good, she worry so when he is gone. Not that there needs to be, you attract the bullets and all but one miss. Do hope you retire afore the one gets to the dead spot." "Honest, only been shot three times afore Longwood, twice since. Reckon is the added people, Great Spirit find hard track me in all of them." Captain chuckles and hops up. "Well since I got naught to do at the moment and you fixing to see chief, I'll walk along. Jane do you wish meet chief or get a guide for this fort and next?" Jane looks over at me looking a little torn. "Go on and meet the soldiers, sergeant said most can just up and quit so find a fitting man for you. Gwen can help on his getting marshal badge then you are marshal wife like Gwen." Gwen nods so Jane smiles and hops up. "Would like the guide." Captain nods and smiles so poke him. "Candice and Celeste like you so no getting married to someone else." Captain tosses up hands then head for his door. We follow along giggling then outside where he whistle and have a man run up quick. Captain issues orders to man who then smile at Jane then leads her off. Rather get the feeling he want to bed Jane, which is good sign would reckon. That out of the way we head for the inner door. Not exactly inner door but fort mark edge of reservation. Had to ask town on if mind them this close. Not a soul said against, even the two ladies who lost husbands to Apache. Little like different world now, there are teepee set up all over. One house off in distance, Bea live there with her husband and the farm land extending out behind. Sparks a thought, will have to ask Bea how to do farm. Not need a big farm since Bea has big farm and canned. Will need farm for herbs however. Not to mention all the things we will need to buy, pulls a sigh out of me. "What brought that on?" Look over at Captain and smile. "We get house, sheriff and deputy house but will have house so can cook for Dan. Will need to farm for herbs so need learn how do that. Also mind on all the things need buy to put in house afore we can live there." Captain snorts and shakes his head. "The herbs you do need to worry about, the things to put in the town will handle I warrant. I'll talk to Sally and see if she has assigned purchases to anyone." Look at Gwen. 'Why would the town put in the things needed for house?' Gwen snorts. "Sheriff and deputy house Janet, means they need to buy everything so stay when you decide to not be there anymore." Nod and giggle at that. "No think of that." Then we are at chief teepee, chief sitting outside smoking afore small fire. He smile and wave at us then pull over rugs to toss on snow. We all move up and sit as chief turn to say something to Leotie. She come out and smile at me then move to sit besides chief. "Welcome Janet, captain, and friend. Is this social or problem?" Wink at Leotie who grins back. "Problem chief, Dan suspect not his Balik so need to return to his father." Chief groans and Leotie snorts then starts smacking chief. "Thank you Janet, he been good. More fun to smack on occasion." I join Leotie in the giggling. "Here so you can meet Gwen, sister to Sally and now with child from Martin. He is marshal in Kansas City, bring her to meet so can come ask for warriors to hunt for gang like I do." Chief nod and smile. "Is good, you no get bounty often. Our young warriors worried since no more battles so no get blooded. Been thinking make easier to get blooded but no sure go over well." Nod and sigh. "Only blooded after kill man is not good blooded but then understand, getting blood out not same." Chief nods. "Is not nice to do but must, not so much anymore so bounty hunt big help. Gwen make sure to tell other marshal welcome to come ask for help, but only on wanted dead. If wanted alive our warriors not care and may shoot anyway." Gwen nods and smiles. "Been plenty of bounty of late, reckon the southerners gave up on stay there and come this way with no coin so rob instead." Chief nod and shrug. "Understand need to move but not the rob." "I no get either, and in bible to not rob, but still they do, plus what do to us injun." Captain sighs and puts up his hand. "Most of us are perfectly fine, some of the young aside. To be honest I'm starting to think your spirits and circle are the right way to go." I shake head. "Wife raids captain. Not always gentle and those are not right, yet are right. No like but see point to. Reckon closer to all religion have good and bad parts, like all people." Chief nod and hold out pipe. "Want some?" I shake my head, captain take and look at pipe a short spell. "Is this that weird herb you had again or regular?" Chief snorts and chuckles. "Just tobacco, was not suppose to use that just had no tobacco and wanted smoke." Chief look over at us and grins. "The herb make hungry so we went into fort and made them give us biscuits." Gwen and I are giggling now. "Sorry I missed that. Have another gal with, trying to find soldier to marry and take off to marshal. Her name is Jane though she is going to go by Cherokee Jane. Taller and round eye with brown hair." Chief nod and smile. "Good name, reckon you are teach how?" Nod and smile. "Teach her and Gwen here, did not teach well the first time so making sure she know all of." chief nods and smiles. "Much left?" Shake my head. "Unless take them both off to forest they are taught about as well as need. Don't recon they need to learn sly move either." Chief ponders a moment then shakes head. "No need teach us anymore, do anyway part of old way and important." "Already tell Dan, will teach Balik my way and he teach his. Put between worlds and work for me." "Wish was younger, would go find marshal to give roll to like Gwen and Jane." Snort and giggle at chief face. "Reckon may not like the marshal that are there now. Jane not like the two had along afore she join. Mind both were nice look though no talk much to me." Gwen snorts. "Janet you don't talk much to anyone asides Dan except when asked." Shrug and grin. "Dan is husband, supposed to be all I see." Gwen snorts and all stare at me so sigh and shrug. "Granted not possible for me would reckon. Dan said he wants me to whore again so will. Not for a spell when ready to have babe put within so have Dan babe. At least until have babe then whore much as can stand. Dan not sure can meet needs for then." Plenty of nods and captain is smile. "Good, I only had you the one time when with child and behind was not a position I liked." Shrug at captain. "I no like either but was only one could do to not hurt Balik." Elan springs to mind so turn back to chief. "Who daughter is Elan bond with now that blooded?" Chief snorts and shakes his head. "No have daughter, far chief daughter is for Elan, though Elan was my tribe." Nod and smile. "Good, Bia is thinking of trying go to Cherokee reservation for husband. Reckon good idea to trade letters with chiefs see if possible." Chief ponders and nods. "Not sure will work but worth shot, we run low on not related." Captain sighs. "Can fit another tribe but no more and may overtax what we have if the state manages to take away that stretch on the far side. Not real sure we will get another tribe, state seems determined to get that stretch and would warrant there are bribes happening because seems close to going to happen." Chief sighs and shakes his head. "Will write letter to Cherokee reservation and other Apache, most Apache want come here since we can farm and have cows. If can take single in tribe get better and we have more babes." Captain nods. "I'll send letters to the other reservations, they are supposed to allow the women to walk just don't seem to be." Leotie looks up and smiles. "Are you staying for lunch?" Sigh and shake my head. "Should get back, trying learn how to do round eye vittles and should get Balik inside." We bid goodbye and head back for the fort. Leave captain there and find that Jane has gone for other fort. Ponder a bit on if Jane is being too particular on husband. Not able to reach decision so when we turn up street to reach saloon I ask Gwen. "Gwen do you reckon Jane being too particular on husband?" Gwen snorts and shakes her head. "For us it's not if can be a good roll, we need to see something else." Ponder that a moment. "So Martin was more than just a good roll?" "Well yes, he talked to me too, you didn't pay attention to it but he was very sweet." We turn to go in to the saloon. "Dan not just a good roll, Dan is nice to unlike most round eye. Seem to them am just a injun, some have other things to say on. None good and honest is a wonder no bounty on me, was not always ignore the bad things said." Dan comes over and puts arms around. "Janet what are you two talking on?" Look up at Dan. "Jane is looking for husband at second fort. Was asking if make her particular so we start talking on why Gwen with Martin. So had to talk about how you more than just good roll." Dan snorts then am getting kiss. "Well good to know, also there are two grandparents here to meet their grandson." Beam at Dan. "Have they met Chad?" Dan nods. "Met Chad, Bonita, and Sashi. Took some explaining on why they are great grandparents." Sigh and shake head. "Not like to be grandparent, and do like to be grandparent." Dan snorts then propels us toward a table. At table is Bonita holding Sashi, Sally, and two people I no know. The man stand up as we approach which is new. Usual no man stand up when come toward table, being whore or not. Do know is proper when gal come to table for fellas to stand, just never with me. This man is tall like Dan, little taller would reckon. His hair is brown just like Dan, even cut same. Course this man have grey in hair and does bear a resemblance. The woman has smile and hair up under bonnet. Notice has wrinkle so wife of man like Dan. Also look ready to reach out and hold me or Balik. Dan seem agree get guided over toward her so put Balik down and pull out. Eyes light up when hand Balik over to woman. She is all smile now and rocking him a little. Dan has me sit in chair next to her. Then he sit and other man sit, this is all so new and a little scary since no know if man will be nice or not. "Since we have lost Sarah for a spell I reckon I'll do the talking. To be honest we read the newspaper and letters Dan sent, just never believed he was with you. The newspaper painted you different than what Dan said." Well now I'm plum confused so look at Dan. "I put in my letters that you are a wonderful gal and nice. The newspaper put it closer to you being like a wild animal set loose on the bounty." Well still plum confused. "Dan you read me the newspaper, I thought they had it about right." Get two chuckles at the table. "Newspaper only showed one side of you. Admit there are times you are scary, mostly during shoot out rest of time you are wonderful woman." Smile at Dan and lean against. "Dan want give roll." Dan snorts and put arm around, reckon this good enough for now. "Make sure you have enough left for me, you said you would whore again, the hotel is being built still so the crew will come in for roll and food later." Nod then look up at Dan. "Where is our house going?" "Our house will go up direct across from eatery. Hotel going up next to eatery so the guests will feel a little safer." Nod and reckon as to how that is a good thought then look over at Sally. "Sally you assign buy duties to everyone on the things in our house yet?" Sally snorts and shakes her head. "Figure on seeing captain later to ask that very same. Wanted to wait for you two so can learn on what you be wanting." "Honest I would like Cherokee plate. Just no reckon they are made like the china" Sally shakes her head. "Talked to Andrew and got a full report on what we can order. In china you can get green, blue, and red. No one has gotten the red here so far, is new." Look up at Dan, he looks back and sighs. "I reckon we want the red. Janet you got any particulars on the furniture?" Shake my head. "Only want silk sheet, after is so long as we have." "Reckon you no mind the dark furniture?" Ponder on a moment then shrug. "Depend, is house dark or light?" Dan just look a spell then shrugs. "No idea, not sure Sally know either, not being built." Well now am plum confused again. "Not come dark or light?" Dan shakes his head. "House come as just wood and they build it then stain to dark or light." Ponder on that a moment and smile.