The Reluctant Bounty Hunter

by S G Read

  Priscilla felt uncomfortable with the baby in her arms but on the way home others took their turn and in the end she was glad to have the baby passed back, when it was her turn again. When the stage came into town heads turned when they saw the school mam driving it and by the time she stopped in front of the stage line office, the sheriff was on his way. Ms. Brody ignored all questions until the sheriff arrived, preferring only to tell her story once.

  ‘The train has been derailed by Sioux Indians, and all aboard slaughtered apart from my girls who barricaded themselves inside. We ourselves would have been dead were it not for a band of Pawnee who came looking for the Sioux. The stage was also attacked and all inside dead apart from one baby who we brought back.’ She announced so that they could all hear.

  ‘Where is the train now Ms. Brody?’ The sheriff asked.

  ‘The part of the trail where there is only a mile between the stage line and the rail track about five miles out Sheriff.’ Ms. Brody answered.

  ‘Thank you, I will get a posse and go out there.’ The sheriff replied.

  ‘Priscilla.’ Ms. Brody ordered and nodded to the baby.

  By now Priscilla was quite attached to the little thing and was sad to pass it over. She gave it to the sheriff with two girls standing close behind her to cover her blushes. They would do the same until they were all grouped round Priscilla to walk back to the school. The sheriff took the baby, looked at it tenderly and then passed it on to one of the townswomen.

  ‘We’ll sort out what to do with her when we get back.’ The sheriff announced and walked off to raise his posse.

  Priscilla looked tenderly herself at the baby before leaving to walk up to the school, surrounded by her fellow pupils to cover her blushes. Ms. Brody opened the school gates and they all walked inside before Ms. Brody closed them again.

  ‘I should change into fresh attire girls and Priscilla, tomorrow I will give you some money in the morning to go and buy a new dress and underclothes, it will come out of school funds.’ Ms. Brody announced. ‘Will you and Rebecca go with her Sarah, in case someone tries to kidnap her again?’

  ‘Yes Ms. Brody.’ Sarah answered.

  It was early in the morning when Sarah, Rebecca and Priscilla walked through town, to buy her new dress and underclothes. No one bothered them and they had no trouble, returning in time for the first lesson.

  ‘We have a change in the lesson today.’ Ms. Brody announced as the three girls rushed to their seats. ‘Today we are going to learn about the women of the west, including those that some of you have some knowledge about.’

  The faces of the girls reflected their excitement and the pleasure of not having to do the normal lesson at this time, geography.

  ‘I want you to choose a woman from this list and write an essay on them.’ She pinned a list onto the notice board by the door. ‘Some like Calamity Jane, you will have heard of but others like Helen Hunt Jackson you may not have. Choose one and write a four page essay on their life up to the present day and I will allow you to conjecture on how their days might end.’

  A ranch hand rode round his bosses land to inspect the cattle on it and saw an Indian approaching. Normally this was a bad sign and time to draw the rifle out of its scabbard, ready for action but the Indian was a Pawnee and that made him just watch the brave approach.

  ‘This is for Duncan Lee.’ The Indian said in poor English.

  ‘I’ll see he gets it.’ The ranch hand answered and held his hand up as a gesture of friendship.

  The Indian approached and gave him a rolled up piece of hide. The ranch hand nodded and the Indian rode away. The ranch hand continued his ride, until he had done what he had set out to do then hurried back to the ranch.

  ‘Got a letter for Duncan Lee here from a Pawnee Indian.’ He announced to the foreman.

  ‘I’ll take it up to Mr. Carter.’ The foreman answered and took the note.

  The ranch hand was glad to be rid of it as it probably meant someone riding to the local Pawnee village to get it delivered.

  ‘Who took it?’ Mr. Carter asked.

  ‘Bradbury boss.’ The foreman answered.

  ‘Well give him a fresh mount and he can deliver it.’ Carter declared. ‘Oh, and he’ll need a star to pin on his chest, to keep his hair in place.’

  Bradbury’s happiness at getting rid of the note was short lived and he was soon reunited with it. With a fresh horse, he was soon on his way to the Pawnee village, the star would save him from the Pawnee but if he met the Sioux, nothing but speed would save him.

  He rode on until it grew dark and chose a place to settle down for the night, choosing not to light a fire for safety. Were there a group of them they would light a fire but a man on his own found it was better not to.

  At first light he was on his way, riding fast but watching the skyline and his back trail as he rode. The sun was high when he reached the crossroad, having rode alongside the stream to reach it. As he appeared at the crossroads he saw a squaw riding toward him from the Indian village. He stopped to make sure she saw the badge and was not frightened, then moved forward slowly.

  ‘I have a letter for Duncan Lee, can you see he gets it.’ The ranch hand asked politely, not knowing if the squaw could speak his language.

  ‘I will see he gets it.’ Little Deer answered, it better English than he had used.

  He moved forward and gave her the letter.

  ‘Much obliged mam.’ He said gratefully and hurried away.

  Little Buck rode forward with three more braves and watched the ranch hand ride away back down the side of the stream. He looked at the rolled hide but said nothing and all five rode on to the valley. The four watched Little deer ride inside and then rode on to where they were going. Little Deer rode inside and up to the cabin where Duncan was sitting on the porch smoking his pipe. He stood up to hold the horse while she dismounted and then led it to the water.

  ‘I have a letter for you.’ Little Deer announced and followed him.

  He took it, unrolled it but gave it back to her.

  ‘I’m not up on that picture stuff, can you tell me what it says?’ He asked.

  Little Deer read it twice before she spoke again and by that time Morning Sun was looking over her shoulder, reading the note herself.

  ‘There was a fight between Many Hands and the Sioux and Sarah was involved somehow.’ Little Deer explained.

  Morning Sun took the note and read it again.

  ‘They are not the best story tellers.’ She announced. ‘The Sioux were involved, there was a train and a stagecoach and the girls from the school. Many dead but I am not sure who!’

  ‘Looks like I am going to school.’ Duncan replied and walked off to get his horse.

  As he put the saddle on his horse Morning Sun was preparing some food for his journey. She put it into his saddle bag, with the message on the skin and watched him ride off. Now she would braid her sister’s hair and they would both look after Duncan Wolf Lee. Soon there would soon be another child running round the valley. Duncan left the valley and rode toward the rail tracks, he planned to catch a train and take his horse with him so that he was able to go and see Many Hands while he was over there and thank him for the information. After a mile he was aware of company and waited on his horse for them to catch up. It was Little Buck and his three braves, who were following behind without trying to catch up. When Duncan stopped they realized that he knew they were following and caught him up.

  ‘Hello Little Buck.’ Duncan greeted, his leg crossed over his saddle horn in a relaxed manner.

  ‘Hello Duncan Lee, are you on a journey?’ Little Buck answered.

  ‘Just making sure things are hunky dory at the school.’ Duncan answered.

  ‘We can take your horse for you and meet you when you return.’ Little Buck offered.

  ‘I’m taking the horse so I can go and see Many Hands and thank him for his trouble.’ Duncan answered. ‘But company is always welcome out here, you never know when you are goin
g to run into Indians. No offence intended.

  ‘None taken and we would enjoy riding with the great Duncan Lee.’ Little Buck declared. ‘I will also tell you how to find Many Hands village and how to approach it without getting yourself killed.’

  ‘Be mighty useful to know.’ Duncan answered and rode on.

  That night they camped, they lit a big fire with food cooked on it and coffee there for drinking, to prove that they were not afraid of anyone. They slept with one Indian on guard and no one bothered them all night, even the coyotes did not howl for fear of annoying them.

  The next day the passed the Carter ranch and waved to the ranch hands they passed. At the water stop Duncan stopped out of sight to stay with Little Buck and the other braves until the train was approaching, then he rode up to the tracks in plain sight and waited for the train to stop.

  ‘Need passage for me and my mount.’ He announced to the porter.

  ‘As far as the school?’ The porter asked.

  ‘Yup.’

  ‘I’ll open the caboose for your horse, do you want to travel with it in there or in the carriage.’ The porter asked.

  ‘I’ll stay with the horse.’ Duncan answered.

  ‘Eight dollars all told.’ The porter announced and Duncan paid him.

  Duncan sat in the straw on the train talking to his horse all the way to their stop. He liked the horse and did not want him spooked by his new surroundings and noises.

  At the station he walked his horse out of the caboose and onto the ground but did not mount him, electing instead to walk him away from the tracks until the train had chugged out of the station, before he mounted him.

  He rode up to the school and in through the open gate. He let the boy from their stable take the horse to rub him down and feed and water him, he deserved that. Duncan rang the doorbell and waited. A young girl in the school uniform opened the door.

  ‘Can I help you?’ She asked.

  ‘Duncan Lee here to see Ms. Brody.’ Duncan announced.

  A few minutes later he was shown into the large hall with the staircase running up to his right. Sarah walked across the landing and saw Duncan in the hall. She flew down the stairs as fast as she could and threw her arms round him. Duncan was pleased to see her walking and talking as well and held her tight. They were still in the embrace when Ms. Brody walked out.

  ‘Have you things to do Sarah?’ She asked.

  Sarah detached herself from Duncan and straightened her clothing before she answered.

  ‘Yes Ms. Brody.’ She answered and curtseyed politely before walking back up the stairs in a very ladylike manner.

  ‘Come into the parlor Mr. Lee, we can discuss your visit over some tea.’ Ms. Brody said graciously. Then seeing the dust coming off his clothes when he walked she added. ‘A hot bath is in order as well I believe.’

  Duncan had tasted tea in the army and was not opposed to the idea and it was a long time since he had had a hot bath.

  ‘Sounds just the ticket.’ He answered and followed her.

  He had to wait while she spread a throw over the sofa he was to sit in and then she sat down in an armchair. They talked while they drank their tea and Duncan heard all there was to tell about the incident. Ms. Brody was interested in how Duncan had found out about it and Duncan showed her the pictures drawn on the hide.

  ‘And what does it say?’ She asked.

  ‘Search me. Even Mrs. Lee could not understand it fully but safe to say I got to wondering what had gone on.’ Duncan answered.

  ‘Is she Pawnee?’ Ms. Brody asked.

  ‘She is. She is Morning Sun, daughter of Running Wolf, the chief of the local tribe. If she can’t understand it, it probably means the writer was none to well-schooled in the art of communication.’ Duncan answered.

  ‘At least they sent a message, you should thank them.’

  ‘I plan to, that is why I brought my horse with me. Should you ever chose to visit Many Hands there is a route into the village which will stop them killing you on sight. I will explain the route to you, just in case you have a reason to go there.’ Duncan answered and proceeded to explain the route just as Little Buck had explained to him. It was a route which was open and showed deference to the tribe, keeping to the open and starting from a fixed point, a large cactus.

  ‘Now I shall arrange your bath and afterwards, when Sarah has finished her work you will see her. Her story may differ from mine slightly but on the whole it should be similar.’ Ms. Brody explained and left to make the arrangements.

  Later he sat in the parlor talking to Sarah, both about the train wreck and her school work. The story was similar but differed slightly and Sarah left out the mercy killing completely. It pleased Duncan that Sarah felt that she wanted to protect Ms. Brody from any possible blame.

  In the morning he took his leave and headed out for Many Hands village. Ms. Brody watched him go then made her next announcement.

  ‘Another new lesson today, today you are going to learn how to shoot both a rifle and a pistol, as in this area it is prudent to be able to do so.’ Ms. Brody announced. ‘There will, however, be no hand to hand combat, as that is unladylike and we must draw the line somewhere.’

  Sarah and Becky were the instructors as Ms. Brody was not very good with a gun. She stood very close to the woman, close enough not to miss when she shot her and that was her first shot with a gun. The other choice was to get either Sarah or Becky to do it and that was out of the question. They struggled all day teaching the rest how to shoot a rifle. Some were natural and were soon able to hit the target set up on the open barn door, others missed the barn. The lessons were to continue for some time until, finally the last person, Ms. Brody, hit the target, to a large cheer.

  Now it was on to pistol shooting and that was not going to be easy. Surprisingly enough Ms. Brody, now that she was used to the recoil of the rifle and she had at least fired a pistol, hit the target with her first shot with the pistol.

  ‘Now that was not so hard, was it?’ She beamed and stood to one side to let someone else shoot.

  Duncan rode to the marker Little Buck had directed him to and from there rode due west across the open plain. In front after an hour he saw the large cactus he was told to look for. When he reached it he turned due south toward a mountain pass. It was narrow and only allowed one horse to ride along the trail. It was just how Little Buck had described it and sat on his horse walking slowly into the Indian stronghold. He saw no one until an Indian sat in front of him on a rock.

  ‘You follow the path of openness, so you are alive but turn back or die.’ The Indian warned.

  ‘I am Duncan Lee and I have come to see Many Hands.’

  The Indian had obviously heard the name.

  ‘Duncan Lee may pass.’ He replied and dropped out of sight.

  Duncan did not see anyone else until he came to the outskirts of the village, where a group of four Indians were waiting, they were wearing bright headdresses.

  ‘I am Many Hands, you are welcome to my village Duncan Lee.’ The middle Indian announced.

  ‘Thank you Many Hands, I have come to thank you for both helping my ward out and letting me know of the trouble.’

  ‘Come to my tepee and we will be friends.’ Many Hands declared and turned his horse to lead them into the village proper.

  Duncan followed him and the three other Indians fell in behind him. They rode through the village with braves and squaws looking at their visitor, then stopped in front of a tepee. Duncan waited until Many Hands dismounted before he dismounted and followed him into the tepee.

  They both sat and Many Hands pulled out a skin container. Duncan recognized the skin container as the same type as Running Wolf had passed round the night before he woke up with a pounding head.

  ‘So you supply it to Running Wolf.’ Duncan concluded.

  ‘I do, it is for occasions such as this when the great Duncan Lee comes to visit.’ Many Hands answered. ‘You have a headstrong ward.’

  ‘Te
ll me about it, her friend is not much better either.’

  ‘Becky who is not afraid of the Sioux.’ Many Hands replied. ‘That is what she wants to be known as from now on.’

  ‘I think I prefer Becky the stupid.’ Duncan replied and drank from the skin. ‘But if that what she wants I will not argue!’

  They spent some time talking and drinking until food was brought into the tepee. Then the talking ended and the drinking ended, until they had eaten. Later Many Hands walked round the village with Duncan and Duncan met Firm Hand, Many Hands son.

  ‘Why Firm Hand?’ Duncan asked.

  ‘When he was born he did not breathe and it took a firm hand to make him do so, he is still hard to persuade to do what I want him to.’ Many Hands declared. ‘The name my father gave me was more apt. I was born with an extra arm which the wise woman removed with a sharp hunting knife.’ He displayed the small scar. ‘A good job too as it would have made it hard to get my ceremonial outfit to fit with an extra arm.’

  ‘I can understand that but it would be mighty handy in a fight.’ Duncan replied.

  Many Hands laughed.

  ‘I can see that now, a concealed knife in a concealed hand.’ He said as they returned to his tepee.

  Duncan woke in the morning with a sore head and ate the food they had left for him. Outside he found the braves showing off their prowess and he did not turn down the chance to do so also. Although he did warn them he was getting to be an old man. He was glad they had no one of Small Elk’s size and won all his hand to hand fights before he demonstrated his prowess with his guns, finally showing how far his buffalo rifle would shoot and still be accurate. During the day he gained Many Hands assurance that if the school came on to their land, they would be protected as though they were family. It was worth returning to the school to tell Ms. Brody about it as she knew how to reach the village safely.

  He took his leave from the village and rode out with an escort as far as the outskirts of town before he bid Firm Hand farewell and rode to the school. He waited in the parlor for Ms. Brody and passed on the knowledge he had gained.