by N. C. Reed
With four down, and another hurt, the remaining two healthy dogs fled, the wounded pit bull trying to follow.
“Finish him!” Billy ordered, trying to get a shot at the other two. Rhonda watched the injured dog through her scope, almost crying when she saw the dog struggling to follow it’s fellows. As she watched, a red mist exploded from it’s side, and the dog fell flat, no longer moving. She looked up, startled, to see Billy standing, his rifle at his shoulder.
He said nothing, opening the bolt to reload the rifle. Rhonda followed suit, unwilling to face Billy for the moment.
“Don’t worry over it,” he said gently. “It’s hard to do, I know. You did good.”
“Wasn’t hard for you,” Rhonda’s voice was almost accusing. He shrugged.
“Had to be done,” he said simply. “Sooner or later, they’d have attacked one of us. And they’d have killed a lot of cows ‘fore then.”
“Maybe we could have caught them,” Rhonda said softly. “Re-trained them.” Billy shook his head.
“Once a dog goes feral, it’s hard to get one back. They been runnin’ alone for three months. Maybe longer. And they done tasted blood. Been on the hunt. Be hard to get them off that. Maybe impossible.”
“Still. . . .”
“Rhonda, you want to go out to gather the eggs one day, and find them dogs waitin’ for you?” Billy’s voice wasn’t challenging. In fact it was the opposite. Patient, kind, and understanding. She shook her head.
“Well, that’s just what would have happened, sooner or later. I’d wager they already had a taste o’ long pig. Once that happens, that’s it. They got to go.”
“Long pig?” Rhonda looked confused.
“People,” Billy informed her, not looking at her. She shivered. She hadn’t considered that. But there were a lot of bodies around. The odds were all of them had tasted human flesh at least once.
“Let’s go check that cow and calf,” Billy told her. They went to their horses, and started down into the valley.
*****
The calf had a bite on his left hind leg, but it wasn’t much. As near as Billy could tell, the bite hadn’t done much more than broke the skin. He couldn’t get near enough to touch the calf, and the cow was starting to bellow. Billy backed off, and remounted.
“We need to cut him out,” Billy told Rhonda. “I don’t think he’s hurt, but if one o’ them dogs had somethin’, then the calf could get it. Ain’t worried about much, but rabies is a real threat.”
“Where can we put him?” Rhonda asked.
“Holding pen yonder,” Billy pointed to a movable corral. “For horses, but it’ll work for this. I’ll get the mother,” he said, shaking out a rope. “He should follow along, but if he doesn’t, I’ll need you to latch on to him.”
“Billy, I ain’t never roped no cow!” Rhonda exclaimed.
“He ain’t a cow, he’s a bull,” Billy laughed. “And he ain’t nothin’ but a baby, yet. He won’t be much trouble.” Rhonda eyed the calf warily, but took her rope in her hand, acting like she knew what to do with it.
Billy had the cow in just the work of a minute. She fought, at first, but Samson was stronger, and hadn’t just been attacked by wild dogs. The big gelding held his ground, and soon the defeated cow was following him to the pen.
The calf watched his mamma being led away. He stood rooted to the ground for a few seconds, then bolted after the only meal source he knew. Rhonda laughed in spite of the situation, seeing the little cow run to his mamma.
Billy handily guided the cow inside, then made room for the calf, who hesitated for perhaps a second before following. Billy closed the gate, then tossed over some hay. There was water available, and the hay would hold them overnight.
“He’ll be calmed down by mornin’,” Billy told Rhonda as he remounted. “Be easier to check him, then. Meanwhile, he’s separated from the herd. If he does get somethin’ from the bite, he can’t spread it.” He looked back to where the dog bodies laid.
“Why don’t you head on back,” he suggested. “I can handle that, and be right on.”
“No,” Rhonda shook her head. “I got to learn, and you learn by doin’. I. . .I shouldn’t have hesitated. And I did kill one of’em.”
“That you did,” Billy nodded. He had studied her closely, but she seemed okay.
“Let’s get it over with.”
*****
It was nearly full on dark when they got home. The dogs had been drug by rope off the pasture and into the woods. Both horses were rubbed down, fed and watered, and then the two went into the house. Dottie was glad to see Rhonda, and Rhonda was careful to lavish attention on her, and gave her a treat.
This seemed to appease her, and Dottie was soon annoying Rommel.
“Well, I guess her feelings ain’t that hurt,” Billy chuckled.
“I need to work more with her,” Rhonda admitted. “She was supposed to be a pet, and maybe protection. I was gonna send her to obedience school, but that’s out, now.”
“We’ll get it done,” Billy promised. “She’s already learning from Rommel, just by watching what he does when I speak to him. That’ll help.”
“Let’s get cleaned up and I’ll cook us some supper,” Rhonda sighed.
It had been that kind of day.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The calf had to be put down four days later. Despite Billy and Jerry’s best efforts, the bite became infected. The two decided, after three unsuccessful days of treatment that they wouldn’t be able to keep the infection down, and decided there was no reason to waste their meager supply of animal meds trying. Whatever the dog that had bitten the calf had, it was bad. The infection had taken root, and spread, quickly.
The meat was lost, but Billy skinned the calf out after killing it, and began working the hide. There was no way it would be ready in time for their trip to Franklin, but once it was cured, it could be stored.
Billy staked the hide out and began to scrape it clean, using an Ulu knife. The knife was flat, with a broad blade that angled up to a stag handle. The blade had originated in the Arctic, among the native tribes. Called a ‘woman’s knife’, as it was used primarily by women for everything from preparing food to skinning, it was an ideal tool for this kind of work.
Billy had learned the basics of tanning from his father, and had, as a boy growing up, practiced it on deer and small game he had shot or trapped. This was his first cow hide, but figured he could apply the same basic principles. He had cut the hide as close as possible when skinning the calf, but there was still a good deal of meat and fat in places.
Using the Ulu, Billy scraped the proteins clean of the hide, careful to avoid damaging the hide itself. Once that was done, he would lime the hide, essentially soaking the hide in a mixture of slack lime and distilled water. That process would help remove the hair from the hide, and soften it slightly to help with working the leather. It would also remove most of the remaining fat, protein, and other substance found naturally in any living tissue.
Once that was done, he would have to remove the remaining hair by hand, de-lime the hide, and began salt curing it.
Basically it was a lot of work. And it was time intensive, doing it by hand. But the end result, if he did it correctly, would be a beautiful tanned cowhide, of soft leather. The calfskin would be especially soft. If he did it right.
As he started to work, he decided that making mistake on the calf hide would, at least, keep him from ruining a larger hide. But he wanted to try and not make mistakes. The calf hide was almost perfect for something he really wanted to do.
*****
“Ewww!” Rhonda’s nose wrinkled as she walked into the barn. Billy had moved the trailers out, for now, so that he had somewhere to work.
“What in the world is that smell?” she demanded, holding a hand to her nose.
“Money,” Billy grinned, looking up from where he was working on the calf skin.
“Argh!”
“Yeah, well, you won’t t
hink that when it’s done,” Billy told her. “It should make a good piece, if I don’t screw up.”
“How much money?” Rhonda asked, the trader in her blood wanted to know, despite the smell.
“Don’t know, these days,” Billy admitted. “Depends on what the market will bear. At the least, it should be good for tradin' for something we want.” He didn’t tell her that he had plans for this hide.
“Well, just make sure you clean up before you come in the house!” she ordered.
“I’ll have to come in the house to clean up,” he pointed out.
“Then you better burn those clothes,” she warned. “You ain’t washin’em in my washing machine.”
“Uh, technically. . . .” Billy started, but trailed off when he got The Look.
“Never mind,” he muttered.
“That’s what I thought,” Rhonda nodded. Flipping her hair, she walked out, leaving Billy to shake his head. He looked at Rommel, who snorted almost in amusement.
“Women.”
*****
After the long wait, Trade Day was upon them. Everyone had loaded the items they wanted to carry the night before, save for some home-made jellies and jams that Emma had made, in case the cold affected them.
“We’ll need to find some canning jars, soon,” Emma laughed. “Unless I can start getting some back.”
“We’ve got some,” Rhonda told her. “But maybe we should start trying to buy back all we can. You may can offer discounts to people who provide their own jars.”
“You know, you have a mind like a steel trap, young lady,” Emma laughed. “I hadn’t even thought of that.”
“Hey, my daddy taught me never to pass up the chance to make a dollar, or a good trade either one,” Rhonda grinned. “Just business.”
“Maybe we should be partners,” Emma decided. “I think you’re a much better ‘trader’ than I’ll ever be.”
“I can do that,” Rhonda said seriously. “If you want, I’ll do your bartering for you. Better yet, we should find someone who’ll simply take all you can make, and sell it themselves. Let them be responsible for getting the jars back, if they want more.”
“A steel trap,” Emma repeated, shaking her head. “I was thinking about sewing, too. Maybe making clothes to order.” Rhonda nodded eagerly.
“That’s something that will come into it’s own, especially in another year or so. Stuff people bought, or took, will start to wear out. And there won’t be anymore going to the mall for clothes. Not for a long time, anyway.”
“I think this might be the beginning of a beautiful partnership,” Emma sighed, settling into the front seat of the Ford. Everyone took the same positions they’d had the last time. This time, though, Jerry was holding an AR-15 identical to Toby’s. Billy had made good on his promise. Jerry had also swapped his older model .38 revolver for a .45 Smith & Wesson. Toby carried the same. The two Silvers were able to share magazines and ammo now.
Billy headed down the road, using a set of low light goggles rather than the head lights. Rhonda had a pair as well, and used them to help watch the road. This way they would avoid attracting any attention to themselves.
The trip went well, if a bit slower, due in part to their traveling so early, and in part for the need to avoid Cottonwood. Billy was near certain that the train would have moved on within hours, but he didn’t know. And someone, or several someone’s, could have decided to stay behind.
By full day, they were almost there. Billy was pleased to see his time estimate had been correct. If things went smoothly, they would be home long before dark, this way.
As they pulled in, it was evident something was amiss. There were only a few people, and those were running around aimlessly. Billy frowned. He knew they were early, but he’d expected people to be out, and about. Then he saw the bodies.
Laid out in a row, no, two rows, were more than twenty still forms, all covered with sheets or some other form of material. Several had blood seeping through them.
“Toby, wait here,” Billy ordered, as he stopped the truck. “Rhonda, take the wheel. Jerry, let’s go see what’s happening.” No one thought to question Billy’s orders. Emma moved to the back seat, and Toby climbed up front with Rhonda. Once they were secure, she locked the doors, just in case.
Billy and Jerry advanced slowly, rifles ready, but not raised. It was obvious some sort of violence had occurred, but until they knew what it had been, they figured better safe than sorry.
“Billy?”
Billy turned at the sound of his name and saw Ralph Maness walking toward him. The leather man was carrying the M-16 he’d traded from Billy, and was wearing the .357 as well.
“What happened here, Ralph?” Billy asked.
“Raiders,” the older man shook his head. “I guess advertising on the HAM and CB radios wasn’t all that great of an idea. They hit right after dawn, and went through here like a dose o’ salts.” He looked at Jerry.
“Ralph, this is Jerry Silvers,” Billy introduced. “Jerry, this here is Ralph Maness. He’s the leather man I was telling you about.”
“Saddle maker,” Jerry nodded. “Fine piece o’ work.”
“Thanks,” Ralph nodded. “Anyway, they had several vehicles. Rolled in here, shot the constables and anyone else around, and started loading up. Took all the food they could find, as well as ammunition, guns, and tools, hell, anything they seemed to think was useful.”
“They get you?” Billy asked. Ralph shook his head.
“Wasn’t even set-up, yet,” he replied. “I engaged a couple of’em, know I hit one. Seen him fall. But they took their wounded and dead with them, looks like.”
“Was it the train?” Billy asked warily. Ralph shrugged.
“Didn’t see or hear one,” he admitted. “But the tracks are maybe ten minutes from here. They could have unloaded and drove this far without anyone even seein’em, this time of the morning.”
“Wonder can we help in some way?” Jerry mused, looking around.
“Who are you?” All three men jumped, turning to the sound of the voice. There were four men standing there, all more or less pointing their weapons at them.
“We were comin’ in for the trade day,” Billy said calmly. These men were jumpy, and he didn’t blame them. “Just got here about five minutes ago.”
“Yeah?” one of the men almost sneered. “I didn’t see you come up!”
“I can’t be helpin’ that,” Billy shrugged. “Like I said, we just got here.”
“It’s true, Kelvey,” Maness cut in. “I saw them drive up. They was here to do business with me. Ordered stuff last Trade Day. Was to take delivery today.”
“Didn’t see you come up, either, Maness!” Kelvey spat back. “How do we know you ain’t part o’ this?”
“Mister, I don’t know you,” Billy said softly. “But you aim to accuse me o’ somethin’, you do it. Flat out. And you better start pointin’ that gun in another direction, now that I think on it,” he added. Billy was patient. And forgiving to a point. Kelvey had reached that point.
“You threatening’ me?” Kelvey demanded, taking a step closer. Billy grabbed the barrel of the pump shotgun, jerked the weapon from Kelvey’s hand, and smashed the butt into his jaw. As soon as he did, he threw the gun to one of his friends, who somehow managed to catch it, despite being startled by Billy’s sudden move.
“Don’t make threats,” Billy kept his voice soft. “Don’t take to’em, neither,” he added, looking around at the rest. “We came to do business. Like ever’one else. Just got here. Don’t blame you fellas for bein’ on edge. I would be too. But we ain’t the ones what did this. Don’t suggest it again.”
“Now, can we help, some kinda way?” he surprised them by asking. “Got a first aid kit in the truck. And some food and water. Ain’t but sandwiches and such, for our lunch, but we can get by.”
“We could use a hand movin’ the injured,” one man spoke up. He figured if the stranger was going to do any harm, he’d ha
ve done it when he took Kelvey’s shotgun.
“We can do that,” Jerry nodded. “Where you want us?”
“We’re still searching the area,” the man replied. “We haven’t checked the other side of the building yet. Why don’t you three cover that? Stay together, though. And be watchful. We’ve already found two that we left behind. Cost us a man killed and two more wounded.”
“We’ll get over there,” Ralph nodded. As the three walked away, Billy called Rhonda on the radio, and told her what had happened.
“What do want us to do?” she asked.
“Follow along behind, I guess,” Billy told her. “We can load any injured into the truck, and take’em to the clinic.”
“Will do.”
The three started at the Civic Center, and began clearing the east side from there. They found one man right away, but he was dead. Shot through the chest, he had bled out. They found a woman behind a row of cars, her clothes ripped, a vacant look in her eyes. Billy didn’t need to be a doctor or nurse to know what had happened to her.
“Rhonda, send Emma up here.” Billy called. Emma got out, and headed that way. When she saw the woman, really just a girl about her own daughter’s age, she gasped. Kneeling beside the young woman, she spoke softly.
“What’s your name, dear?” she asked softly. The girl looked at her, but made no reply.
“I’m Emma,” the older woman spoke gently. “This is my husband, my neighbor, and our friend,” she pointed to the three men in turn. The girl looked, and her eyes filled with fear. She struggled to back away, but the cars stopped her.
“They won’t hurt you, honey,” Emma soothed. She motioned for the men to back away, and they did so, quickly. Emma spoke to the girl too low for them to hear, and they concentrated of protecting the area. Finally Emma got up, and walked over to Jerry.
“Rhonda, Shelly and I will take her to the doctor,” she told them. “She needs to be around women, right now, and not men, if you know what I mean.”
