The Reluctant Bounty Hunter

by S G Read

  ‘And you Tall Grass?’

  ‘I was sent to make sure Little Buck returns Duncan Lee, I think it was like that story you told me of people volunteering. Everyone took one step backwards, leaving me one step forwards.’ Tall Grass answered. ‘Still I might get to kill someone!’

  Duncan Laughed and they rode off to meet the other marshals.

  Sarah woke with the sun shining through the dormitory window.

  ‘Yes! It is holidays. No more school for a while!’ She squealed.

  ‘It is alright for you.’ Becky declared morosely from the seat by the window. ‘I can not go home, so I have to stay here.’

  ‘Nonsense you will come home with me!’ Sarah answered without hesitation.

  ‘I can? What about the fare?’

  ‘I will ask Ms. Brody for some of my money and buy you a ticket, it will be fun with you and me in the valley.’

  Becky ran down to Sarah’s bed and jumped on her. ‘Get dressed then!’ She squealed.

  ‘Get off then or I can’t, can I?’

  ‘Can not, not can’t or Ms. Brody will have a fit.’ Becky corrected.

  ‘Same difference. I am on holiday, so now I will talk like I want to!’

  Twenty minutes later they walked down the stairs to where Ms. Brody was seeing off the other pupils. Sarah dutifully waited until Ms. Brody was free, before she spoke.

  ‘Ms. Brody can Becky come to my house for the holiday rather than stay here on her own?’ She asked tentatively.

  Little did she know that Ms. Brody was not looking forward to having Becky stay there and therefore having to look after her.

  ‘It is Elizabeth not Becky and do you want to go on the train and stay with Sarah and her family Elizabeth?’ Ms. Brody asked.

  ‘Yes please Ms. Brody.’ Becky answered politely with a curtsey.

  ‘Then, yes she may, Sarah. I will write a letter to her family to let them know what is happening but she must be back here for the start of term.’ Ms. Brody declared with pleasant smile. It was a load off her shoulders and she was grateful for that. ‘And Sarah you have this note to give your guardian when you get home.’

  ‘What is it Ms. Brody?’ Sarah asked.

  ‘It is a promissory note which when handed in to a bank is worth one thousand dollars. It is from Priscilla’s parents as a thank you for helping her as you did.’

  ‘A thousand dollars.’ Becky echoed.

  ‘And well earned, if I say so myself.’ Ms. Brody declared. ‘Now have you packed Elizabeth?’

  ‘No Ms. Brody.’ Becky answered.

  ‘Then I should go and do it.’

  ‘Is it possible for me to have some of my pocket money to buy a train ticket for Becky?’ Sarah asked before she followed Becky.

  ‘I will walk to the station and buy a ticket for you while Elizabeth packs, so do not be too long about it young lady.’

  An hour later they boarded the train and settled down for the long journey ahead. Becky was not worried, she had seen Becky shoot a pistol. She thought that anyone who annoyed them would be dead meat, such was her lack of knowledge of the real world. They spent the time either looking out of the window, playing games they had made up in school or sleeping. They were asleep when the conductor informed them that they were nearly at the water stop. Sarah yawned and gathered up her belongings, ready to disembark. Becky did the same with her’s as the train slowed and finally stopped. They climbed down and the guard carried their belongings down and stood them beside the two girls.

  ‘I can’t see anybody here to meet you, are you sure they will be here?’ The guard asked as the engineer started to fill the engine with water.

  ‘My guardian will be here directly sir, so I should not worry.’ Sarah answered politely.

  Although the guard was still worried he climbed back into the train to wait for the water to be replenished. The girls walked over to the tower which had the water in it carrying their bags and settled down to wait sitting on them. As soon as the engine was ready the engineer sounded the hooter twice. The guard looked out at the two girls all alone in Sioux territory worriedly but there was nothing he could do, apart from bodily carrying them back on board, as they had a schedule to keep. The train wheels spun and then it juddered forwards, picking up speed as it went. The two girls watched as it left the water stop, belching smoke and embers as it went until it was just a dot in the distance.

  ‘He will come won’t he?’ Becky asked.

  ‘It is, he will come will he not? Or he will come I suppose? If you are feeling petulant.’ Sarah answered.

  ‘What if some Indians come along?’ Becky wailed.

  ‘Oh the right Indians will be all right but the Sioux, now that would cause concern.’ Sarah replied unaware that Crazy Dog stood behind them.

  ‘Welcome home Sarah friend of Duncan Lee.’ He said in Pawnee making both girls jump.

  ‘I do wish you would not do that Crazy Dog.’ Sarah answered in the same tongue.

  ‘I take it he is the right type of Indian, as you have not shot him with your pistol?’ Becky answered hopefully.

  ‘I see two people where there should be one.’ Crazy Dog added, before Sarah could answer.

  ‘Yes this is Crazy Dog and he is a Pawnee Becky, Crazy Dog this is Becky my friend.’ Sarah answered both questions as a group of Indians rode up led by Running Wolf. ‘This is their chief Running Wolf, Becky.’

  A discussion ensued in Pawnee some of which Sarah could not understand and then Crazy Dog rode away. Sarah’s pony was brought forward but Becky was lifted on to Running Wolf’s horse. The luggage was put on with other braves and they started back but traveled slow, to make it more comfortable for Becky.

  ‘You should have written to Duncan Lee about your friend.’ Running Wolf scolded in English so he did not appear to be rude.

  ‘It was a spur of the moment thing Running Wolf, she was going to have to stay in school over the holidays and Ms. Brody was happy for her to come.’

  Crazy Dog rode to the Carter ranch but did not ride in fast in case they started shooting at him. For once he felt uncomfortable but he was under orders. The men looked up but no one drew a weapon with only one Indian approaching. As Crazy Dog entered the yard they recognised him.

  ‘Hello Crazy Dog what can we do for you?’ A ranch hand asked.

  ‘I need a small horse.’ Crazy Dog replied in English not knowing what a pony was.

  ‘I will get Mr. Carter.’ The ranch hand replied, not being able to give away stock himself.

  Jim Carter walked out of the ranch house. ‘A small horse, do you mean a pony Crazy Dog?’ He asked.

  The next conversation was difficult to follow as it was carried out in English and Pawnee but they found out just what was wanted. As Jim’s daughter was in the east, he had her pony brought out and her saddle put on it. With the lead in his hand Crazy Dog rode away.

  ‘I never thought the day would come when I would lend a horse to an Indian and expect to get it back.’ Jim Carter declared, as he watched him ride away.

  Becky was never more pleased to see anyone in the whole of her young life, when she saw Crazy Dog and the pony. She was transferred to it by a lithe young brave and she stood in the saddle to rub her sore bottom before they rode on. Then their speed increased.

  Duncan and the two braves met the marshals who were there waiting when they arrived at Cotton Canyon. After a quick discussion they all rode on to relieve the marshals who were already at Andersonville to make sure anyone inside stayed put and anyone outside stayed out. It was a long ride and they camped that night under the stars. That gave the other marshals time to get to know Little Buck and Tall Grass.

  The marshals on duty were glad to see Duncan and his assistants when they rode up, even though two were Indians. They briefed Duncan on what had gone on and how the people inside had tried to sneak out to make sure they covered all possibilities and then moved on to where they should have been.

  Three marshals went to the far end of the vall
ey and Duncan and the last marshal stayed at the first end they had come to with Little Buck and Tall Grass. The two Indians spent the time patrolling the rocks to make sure no one climbed out. Those who tried either turned back or were persuaded to turn back, when that failed they were killed. Fear of getting cholera saw to that, just as the same fear drove those who were trying to escape.

  Sarah led the way into the valley where Morning Sun was waiting. She slid of her pony and ran over to her.

  ‘Hello Morning Sun, this is Becky a friend from school. How is Duncan Wolf Lee?’

  ‘It is nice to meet you Becky.’ Morning Sun greeted ignoring the second question. ‘You should see to your guest, before anything else Sarah.’

  ‘Oh yes, terribly sorry. Just been away a frightfully long time.’ Sarah declared. ‘Come Becky I will introduce you to Duncan Wolf Lee, my guardian’s son. Then we will ride in the valley so you can see how beautiful it is. Is that better Morning Sun?’

  ‘Better Sarah but what about your escort?’

  ‘Oh sorry. Thank you for bringing me home Running Wolf will you stop for refreshment?’ Sarah added graciously.

  ‘I would like some refreshments thank you Sarah, if my daughter has any to spare?’ Running Wolf replied.

  ‘I have for my favorite father.’ Morning Sun answered and Running Wolf dismounted.

  ‘And how many fathers have you then?’ He asked as they embraced.

  By now the girls were looking at Duncan Wolf Lee who was by now crawling and getting into anything he could. Soon after, they mounted the ponies and rode into the valley to explore. It was going to be a long and pleasant holiday and they planned to make the most of it. Becky wanted to learn to shoot a rifle and all the other things Sarah could already do and Sarah wanted to teach her.

  Duncan looked across the valley to see a buckboard approaching. It had been a while since anyone had tried to get out of Andersonsville, so he watched it with interest. The buckboard turned sideways on the road within shouting distance.

  ‘I’m doctor Craythorpe, I have just come to let you know we have found the cause, it is the well in the middle of the village. It is diseased and causing the cholera. We have filled it in and are digging a new well but we will run out of good water before we can finish it. Can you do something about that?’

  ‘I reckon that is what we are here for doc.’ Duncan answered from where he stood. ‘Does that mean anyone who did not drink water is well?’

  ‘Yes, the bar fly is still as fit as he was when it all started, not that he is in great shape anyway. We are drinking the beer to keep from drinking the water but there is only so much of that.’

  ‘Leave the buckboard and take my horse back to town, I will fill the barrels I see conveniently loaded on it and bring it back to here. Three shots in the air will tell you it is back and ready for collection.’ Duncan answered stepping forward and leading his horse through the barricade.

  ‘Thank you.’ The doctor said tiredly, as Duncan helped him on the horse.

  Now Duncan had the problem of finding water, filling the barrels and getting it back and neither Little Buck or Tall Grass were into manual labor. They were for hunting, killing, eating and making little Indians.

  He opened the barricade while the Indians watched, drove the buckboard through and closed it again.

  ‘Any idea where I can find water Tall Grass?’ He asked, as he climbed on to the buckboard.

  ‘That stream we passed is probably the closest.’ Tall Grass answered without moving.

  ‘I thought you’d say that. Tell Wyatt when you see him that I have gone to get water for the town but no one comes out or goes in. Okay?’

  ‘I think they have the idea that trying to come out this end is a bad idea now.’ Little Buck answered but did not offer to help.

  ‘What about you saving my life?’ Duncan asked.

  ‘I cannot help it if you work yourself to death Duncan Lee. I will be here when you get back.’ Little Buck answered.

  The journey to the stream was bumpy with the barrels leaping up and down when they hit a large bump but he finally made it to the stream. Now all he had to do was to fill the barrels and on his own. For him to load them on the buckboard when they were full was out of the question, so it was down to a bucket and funnel, which made it a long job but he persevered.

  With the last barrel full and the light still good he started back. Now it was hard going for the two horses pulling the buckboard and thus progress was slow. He continued until the light failed then he was forced to stop. He lit a fire to cook some food and slept under the buckboard until it was light enough to move on but did it at the same slow pace.

  It was midday when he reached the barricade where Little Buck and Tall Grass still rested. He opened the barricade, took the buckboard through, closed the barricade again and fired his shots in the air.

  An hour later a man rode up on Duncan’s horse. He dismounted, handed the reins to Duncan and climbed aboard the buckboard.

  ‘Much obliged marshal.’ He said gratefully before he started back to town. ‘The Doc says it will be a week before the sick are better or dead. If we have no more cases we will know he was right about the water but since we stopped using the well, there have been no new cases.’

  ‘Tell the doctor to keep me informed and if you want more water let me know.’ Duncan answered. Deep in his heart, he was praying that they did not want any more water.

  Sarah and Becky rode to every part of the valley, exploring caves and anything worth exploring but eventually they grew bored and one day Becky declared.

  ‘I’m bored.’

  Sarah led the way and they went out through the cave to explore the land outside. They turned left and rode to the cross trails, with the idea that they would follow the stream and explore it but as they approached the cross trails they saw Indians riding their way.

  ‘Are they Pawnee?’ Becky asked hopefully.

  ‘No Sioux and boy are we in trouble. Ride for your life and follow me.’ Sarah cried as the approaching Sioux saw them and picked up their pace.

  Sarah turned left and Becky followed, not knowing where she was going. Their lead was soon being eaten away as the Sioux gained on them.

  ‘Where are we going?’ Becky called from behind her.

  ‘To safety and shake a leg.’ Sarah called back.

  They reached the start of the flat prairie, crossed it without stopping and started down the trail to the Indian village. Crazy Dog saw them ride across at full tilt and then saw the Sioux following. He had time to fire one arrow and the last Sioux fell dead from his horse then Crazy Dog fired a warning arrow before giving chase.

  Behind Sarah Becky screamed as the leading Indian came within touching distance. Sarah turned and shot him dead but seconds later Becky squealed again and started to slow down. Sarah slowed, grabbed her reins and then spurred her pony into action, pulling Becky’s pony along at the same time.

  Chapter 8

  Sarah drove the horse on with the Sioux gaining at every step. With her proximity to Becky she could not fire until one of the Indians was visibly but they were content to stop Becky if they could. Sarah threw a look over her shoulder and saw one of the braves reaching out to pull Becky from the horse and as Becky was slumped over the saddle, she was able to shoot him. He fell from his horse. Behind him she saw Crazy Dog use his tomahawk to kill the last brave then the leading brave fell with an arrow in his chest. Seconds later the Pawnee braves swarmed over the Sioux and Sarah was able to ride on into the camp.

  A crowd awaited her and she was lifted from her pony but Becky could not be lifted off as an arrow had pinned her leg to the saddle making it impossible for her to fall off, unless she left her leg behind. Running Wolf spat out orders in Pawnee. The girl and saddle were lifted from the pony together, then while one squaw looked at the wound on the pony made by the arrow as it passed right through the saddle, the rest busied themselves trying to remove the arrow from Becky’s leg. A squaw cut the arrow head
off and the remaining shaft made smooth, before it was painted in a smelly liquid and pulled through both her leg and the saddle. The same squaw applied a poultice to her leg on both sides where the arrow had passed through and the whole area was bandaged. Crazy Dog rode into the camp while a squaw was trying to help Sarah, as her right arm had been almost pulled from its socket. He stopped to speak to Running Wolf before walking over to where Sarah was sitting.

  ‘Sarah nearly ended like mother ended.’ He declared, he was obviously upset. ‘Why was Sarah and friend not in Valley?’

  ‘Becky said that she was bored Crazy Dog.’ Sarah answered in Pawnee.

  ‘No longer bored now I think.’ Crazy Dog declared and walked away.

  Sarah was left waiting in the Indian village for two days before she could see Becky and was pleased to see her sitting up when she did.

  ‘Well are you still bored?’ Sarah asked, taking her lead from Crazy Dog.

  ‘No I don’t think I am.’ Becky admitted.

  ‘It is no I do not think I am. I do not want Ms. Brody thinking I am turning you into a heathen by letting you come here.’ Sarah retorted.

  ‘I wonder what she would say if she knew I was in and Indian village?’ Becky mused.

  ‘She would say ‘I hope you behaved like a young lady while you were there.’’ Sarah answered.

  ‘What would those Indians have done to me, if they had caught me Sarah?’

  ‘You don’t want to know Becky.’

  ‘Do not.’ Becky corrected. ‘You don’t mean what I think you mean do you?’

  ‘And more but if you were lucky they would have killed you afterwards.’

  ‘And if I was not lucky?’

  ‘Kept as a slave or a plaything until you died or ended up married to a brave.’

  ‘Does a preacher go out to the village then?’

  ‘Hardly, they would scalp him. The chief just chants and you are man and wife, well brave and wife. How is the leg?’