The Reluctant Bounty Hunter

by S G Read

  ‘I was thinking it might be a good idea to invite the village to over winter in here Morning Sun.’ He said as they sat on the stoop.

  ‘Whatever you think is right husband.’ Morning Sun replied.

  ‘What do you think though?’

  ‘The valley is big enough but the secret would no longer be a secret and others might learn of it.’ Morning Sun answered.

  ‘You mean the Sioux?’ Duncan asked.

  Morning Sun nodded.

  ‘We would have braves guarding the entrance and it would be locked.’ Duncan replied.

  ‘While they were here, after that when you are away I would be here with Duncan Wolf Lee should anyone come calling.’

  ‘So they either stay full time or do not come at all?’ Duncan asked.

  ‘Yes. I feel safe here at the moment but once we invite my tribe in, they must stay or I will want to leave with them.’

  The journey back to school was uneventful and the only person who spoke to the two girls was the conductor, to see if all was well. They sat together with their valises and each girl had a pistol in her valise, ready for any trouble but none came. They saw the school surrey waiting at the station and climbed into it, while the porter loaded their trunks on the surrey. They both tipped the porter surreptitiously, as it was considered unladylike to tip workers. The surrey took them to the school and stopped in the schoolyard and they were glad in was considered unladylike to unload their own trunks. They walked inside carrying their valises to where Ms. Brody was waiting to greet them. They curtseyed the curtsey they had practiced many time over together and were pleased to get it right.

  ‘Good evening girls, you may go to your dormitory and freshen up then there will be a light supper in the dining room.’ Ms. Brody said quietly. ‘Some girls are abed already so try not to wake them.’

  ‘Yes Ms. Brody.’ The two girls said in unison and then walked up the stairs as ladylike as they could.

  To them it was like acting and that made it more fun and worth doing well. The dormitory was lit with an oil lamp which was placed adjacent to their beds but turned down low so they were able to change into night attire, before donning dressing gowns, to go down to the dining room. The light supper was just that but they could have what they wanted so that they did not go to bed hungry. They sat talking quietly and eating, just as they had been taught by Ms.. Brody and her staff. Other girls arrived and joined in the conversation, which still remained at a low buzz until Ms. Brody arrived to ensure they went to bed. They walked up the stairs and turned the lamp right down before getting into bed but the talking did not stop. If Ms. Brody heard then she ignored it and went to bed herself.

  Duncan spent the next four weeks at home with Morning Sun and after that period they found themselves on the trail to the Indian Village to the old squaw so that she could agree that Morning Sun was expecting her second child.

  Morning Sun knew she was pregnant after bearing one child but it was the Indian way to go and see the old squaw for her judgment. Duncan stopped off at Running Wolf’s tepee and they sat and talked until Morning Sun joined them.

  ‘Well daughter, am I to be a grandfather again?’ Running Wolf asked.

  ‘You are father and Duncan Lee is to be a father again.’ Morning Sun answered.

  ‘Then we will celebrate with some curado, it is a drink sent to me by a friend on the Mexico border.’ Running Wolf declared.

  Indian brews were notoriously weak compared with whisky, the curado was made in Mexico and flavored with something to take away the fouls taste. Duncan took a drink expecting the worst and was not disappointed but half an hour later, he was not able to ride home. He spent the night in Running Wolf’s tepee with Morning Sun by his side.

  It was late when he woke and he emerged into the light squinting against the bright sunshine. He looked round when his eyes became accustomed to the light and saw Duncan Wolf Lee playing with other young children. Morning Sun was content to sit and watch all the time she could and Duncan walked over to sit with her.

  ‘That was a bit stronger than the normal drink he offers!’ He said as he sat beside her.

  ‘It was a special occasion and it is saved for that. The other drink is just a social drink, with it you can talk and drink for some time with only the need to go outside because of the volume you drink.’ Morning Sun answered. ‘The Curado is to help you enjoy yourself quickly.’

  ‘If you can remember.’ Duncan answered.

  ‘There is that! Father was found wandering amongst the horses soon after you fell asleep. He went out to pass water and could not find the way back!’ Morning Sun explained.

  Duncan laughed but soon regretted it. He sat with Morning Sun watching Duncan Wolf Lee playing until it was time to eat. When they had eaten, they started back to the valley, with Little Deer and Little Buck joining them. With Little Buck there were four other braves to make sure Little Deer and Little Buck did not come to harm. They all came into the valley and stayed the night with Morning Sun braiding Little Deer’s hair as she usually did.

  School was starting to become boring for Sarah until Ms. Brody announced that they were going on a trip. This was not the usual buggy ride to the outskirts of town to the stream which Sarah did not mind, as it reminded her of home. This was a trip on a train into what was uncharted territory, the next town. They waited at the station for the train to come but it was late as usual. For the girls it was hard to wait without doing anything but with Ms. Brody there, that was just what they had to do and in a ladylike manner.

  Finally the train came in and it fairly bristled with arrows. There were holes in it where bullets had hit it and some of the passengers were dead. Now their interest was aroused but again they had to just sit there like ladies.

  ‘I need to go to the toilet Ms. Brody.’ Sarah declared after ten minutes.

  ‘I am sure you do Sarah but you can remain seated until I say otherwise, no one needs your help. I am sure they can cope quite well as they are.’ Ms. Brody replied.

  Sarah settled back in the chair to watch from a distance, she wanted to know who it was who had attacked the train. She knew something about arrow markings but it was too far to see properly from where she sat.

  The train had the arrows removed from the woodwork but they did nothing about the bullet holes. The blood where it had fallen was mopped up and then they were allowed to board it.

  Sarah looked everywhere as she climbed aboard but there were no arrows left sticking out of anything. She chose her seat carefully but without seeing anything to point to who had attacked the train and the train puffed out of the station. They were only going to the next town which did not take that long and they were soon climbing back off the train. Priscilla pressed something into Sarah’s hand as she passed her. Sarah looked at it to find it was an arrow head with part of the wooden shaft still attached. She hid it away until she had time to look at it properly and followed the others to the building they were there to visit. It was a museum of natural history which in the end was very interesting, although Sarah did take the time to look closely at the arrow head. Unfortunately she could not work out from what was left, which tribe made it and had to slip it into her pocket out of sight before Ms. Brody saw it. She spent the rest of the time looking at the exhibits as they were going to have to write about the trip when they returned to the school.

  They were taken round and then had refreshments before returning to the station to catch the train back. They sat and waited again for the train and were pleased to see it come in without any arrows in it. They climbed on board and it puffed away from the station, heading back to their stop. The girls relaxed as best they could as the train rattled along but suddenly the rattling turned to crashing as the train violently jerked from one side to the other as though it was going to overturn but then it jerked back the other way and did turn over.

  The girls were holding on after the first jerk and some were ready for the second one and the subsequent overturning. The carriage e
nded on its side with the right hand side on the ground and the left hand side in the air. Some girls were on top of others, whereas the girls who had good holds were hanging in midair.

  Sarah was one who was hanging and the put she foot on the end of the seat below her to be able to let go, thinking that is was wise to get out of the train. As she did so the glass above her smashed and an Indians poked his head in. Sarah recognized the marking as Sioux and pulled her bag, which was hooked round her wrist, open. She took out her pistol and shot the Indian dead. The Indian sagged forward and did not move again. Becky pulled her bag from under the girl next to her, to get at her pistol, she saw it was a Sioux and she was not going quietly. As she did so the door in front of her was kicked open and another Indian, tomahawk in hand ducked inside. She pulled out her pistol and shot him dead. Sarah turned to look where the noise had come from to see him fall, and as she looked the other door burst open. Prissy watched the Indian duck inside and straighten up then shot him with her derringer. The report was not as loud as the others and the Indian had time to take a step forward onto the top of the next seat before stopping to look at the blood oozing out of his chest. He looked at the little gun which Prissy was busily reloading then at his chest on fell on top of the girls who were in front of him. The girls he fell on screamed loudly.

  Another head appeared in the doorway and Sarah shot a hole in it and the Indian flopped in a heap, blocking the doorway that end. After that no one tried to enter and the girls under the Indian fought their way out, to be able to get away from the door. They huddled inside and could hear screaming from the other compartments as the Indians were massacring the people inside. There were very few shots from the other carriages, which meant they had a free hand to do whatever they wanted there. The girls knew that they would soon be back to do the same to them.

  ‘What is going to happen now Sarah?’ Becky asked.

  ‘Well not wanting to appear pessimistic and assuming they do not want any more braves killed, they will probably set fire to the carriage, so that we either go out and are at their mercy or stay inside and burn to death.’ Sarah answered. ‘The latter being preferable Rebecca.’

  ‘I wish I had not asked now.’ Becky retorted.

  ‘They might ride off and leave us but it would mean losing face and they do not like doing that.’ Ms. Brody added. ‘All we can hope for is that the cavalry arrive but I do not know of a troop round here.’

  The screaming stopped and all became very quiet save for the whimpering of a woman somewhere outside. They were obviously keeping her alive for sport of some sort and Sarah did not feel sporting at all. They waited quietly with two pistols and pointed at the door and the derringer pointed at the windows. The whimpering later turned to screams and they could suddenly smell burning flesh.

  ‘The sport is over so get ready.’ Ms. Brody warned, taking her shoe off to use as a weapon, as it was all she had.

  Chapter 9

  An arrow flew through the window and stuck in the woodwork, there was a flaming rag tied round it. The nearest person pulled it out and beat the flames out. More arrows landed, some out of reach of anyone and in a place it was better not to try to get to, so the carriage started to burn.

  ‘Well it is either burn to death or try to take some with us.’ Ms. Brody declared. ‘I suggest we go out fighting while we can. Anyone who wants to take the chance and stay inside can and I will not feel badly toward them.’

  The girls looked at each other, one at a time and came to a decision. Not an easy one for girls with their whole life before them.

  ‘Let’s kick ass.’ Priscilla exclaimed.

  ‘An admirable concept Priscilla but I will have to talk to you about your language.’ Ms. Brody replied. ‘Should we survive the next five minutes?’

  They checked their weapons and moved toward the door where there were the most flames, they thought it was the last place the Indians would expect them to come out. They used dresses to pull out burning arrows and they were passed inside, now all they had to do was brave the burning carriage door and fight their way out.

  Outside they heard shots fired and they heard the Indians whooping, getting ready for the fight but the girls did not stop. At the carriage door Sarah prepared herself as others pushed from behind, they were getting hot and wanted to move on even though it was probably to certain death, if they were lucky. She thrust herself through the door just enough to let Becky out and stood there the pistol in hand. An Indian rode up brandishing a tomahawk and Becky raised her pistol to fire but Sarah pushed the pistol down, so that she did not shoot.

  ‘Who are you then?’ Sarah asked with her pistol pointed at him.

  ‘I am Many Hands, who are you?’ The Indian answered.

  ‘Many Hands, you are Running Wolf’s nephew.’ Sarah exclaimed, not answering the question at first.

  ‘He is my uncle, so who are you?’ Many Hands repeated.

  ‘I am Sarah friend of Running Wolf, Duncan Lee’s ward.’ Sarah answered. ‘I will not kill you as you are Running Wolf’s nephew and Running Wolf would be angry with me.’

  At that point a Sioux brave ran at Many Hands who was distracted by this turn of events and Sarah shot him dead.

  ‘That on the other hand is a Sioux and I kill all the Sioux I come across.’ Sarah declared emphatically.

  ‘A good sentiment Sarah, now I must go and kill more Sioux.’ Many Hands declared.

  ‘Oh Many Hands.’ Becky called sweetly.

  ‘And you are?’

  ‘I am Becky.’

  Many Hands smiled. ‘I have heard of you also.’ He replied.

  ‘I know, Becky the silly or Becky the daft! Why can’t it be Becky who isn’t afraid of the Sioux? Still, enough about that. This thing.’ she pointed to the train. ‘Is broke, is there anything about we can use to get into town.’

  ‘I like you, Becky who isn’t afraid of the Sioux. There is a stagecoach about a mile in that direction which you can use once you turn it up the right way.’ Many Hands answered and rode off.

  ‘Can we move now, my butt’s getting singed?’ Priscilla called from the burning carriage.

  They moved to accommodate Priscilla and the rest including Ms. Brody. Priscilla displayed the singed part of her anatomy for inspection.

  ‘As we can now see your bottom, one can understand you reluctance to stay where you were Priscilla. And girls when we meet company Priscilla will need to be in the middle of a bunch to spare her blushes.’ Ms. Brody declared. ‘Sarah I need your pistol.’

  Sarah gave her the pistol without a second thought and Ms. Brody walked up to where there was smoke rising from a fire on the side of the train. That was where the screams had come from and then whimpers. The woman was still alive but only just and smiled when Ms. Brody held up the pistol. They Sioux had lit the fire and then sat the woman upon it and tied her there. She nodded in answer to the offer of one quick shot and Ms. Brody shot her in the head killing her instantly.

  She walked back to the group. ‘Now we need to find this stagecoach so that we can go and let people know what has happened to both the train and the stagecoach. Come on and keep up.’

  They started walking, not in a ragged bunch but in pairs with Ms. Brody leading. After a few paces she stopped to put her shoe on and then walked on. They were hot and thirsty and dressed in their school clothes.

  ‘Oh for my jeans and shirt.’ Sarah complained.

  ‘Young ladies do not wear jeans and shirts when in company!’ Ms. Brody replied by way of a censure.

  ‘But I would still rather be wearing them Ms. Brody.’ Sarah answered.

  Ms. Brody chose to ignore her answer and led the group through the rocky terrain until, as they were passing through a narrow gap with rocks on either side, a rattle snake lifted its head and rattled a warning. Sarah merely shot it as though it was an everyday event.

  ‘Thank you Sarah.’ Ms. Brody said, a little flustered.

  ‘You are welcome Ms. Brody.’ She answered. ‘Sorry b
ut we were in a bit of a hurry.’ She said to the dead snake when she passed it.

  After a long walk they reached the stage. It lay on its side with bodies hanging out of it. The horses were close by, not tethered but held by the fact that one of the four horses was dead on the floor partly held up by the others.

  ‘Free the dead horse and bring the team round here.’ Ms. Brody ordered, taking charge.

  Sarah and Becky did just that, calming the horses as they freed them from the dead one, then they led them round to the stage.

  ‘Not the front Sarah, bring them to the side, we have to right it first.’ Ms. Brody declared.

  Ms. Brody showed them how to attach the horses to the side and pull the stage coach upright, and watched it flip onto its wheels with pleasure.

  ‘That was easy.’ Priscilla declared. ‘What do we do about the bodies Ms. Brody?’

  ‘Drag them out, normally we would bury them but I am worried, lest the Sioux return to take revenge on us from not letting them kill us in the first place.’ Ms. Brody answered.

  ‘That hardly seems fair.’ Priscilla complained.

  ‘I agree but life is sometimes like that Priscilla.’ Ms. Brody replied.

  The girls dragged out the three dead people from inside the stage and let them fall on the ground.

  ‘Sorry sir.’ Rebecca declared when one rolled on his back and looked up at her with sightless eyes.

  ‘He’s dead Rebecca.’ Priscilla declared and climbed into the stagecoach. She stuck her head out of the window almost immediately. ‘What do I do with the baby Ms. Brody?’ She asked and everyone seemed to stop what they were doing.

  ‘Is it alive, Priscilla?’ Ms. Brody asked.

  ‘I think so Ms. Brody, it is looking at me.’ Priscilla answered.

  ‘Then cuddle it and make sure it does not get injured on the way home.’ Ms. Brody answered. ‘Now all get on board so that we can be on our way.’