The Reluctant Bounty Hunter

by S G Read

  ‘I’d like to know what they are talking about.’ Slim declared when he reached Prairie Fox.

  ‘Squaws talk.’ Prairie Fox retorted.

  ‘Sure do Prairie Fox but talk does help some times. You’ll learn that one day, if you live long enough.’ Slim answered and they rode away with Slim taking the lead and making sure they did not ride into any of the hidden Sioux, braves who had not fled but gone to ground.

  An hour later he saw the cavalry returning to the plain and skirted them to pick up the trail of the Sioux, he was interested in where they had their camp and how many had died. They followed the trail until they met a lot of undergrowth, the perfect place to hide for anyone being chased but they did not stop. They followed one set of unshod hooves into the undergrowth and on until they came out into a creek bed. Slim spent some time looking at the creek bed with Prairie Fox doing the same.

  ‘Well?’ Slim asked after ten minutes of looking.

  ‘He went that way.’ Prairie Fox answered, pointing downstream.

  ‘Spot on Prairie Fox, hell if I’m Slim I am gonna call you Fox.’ Slim replied.

  ‘Slim and Fox, it sounds good.’ Prairie Fox answered. ‘But you are far from Slim.’

  ‘Cheeky whelp.’ Slim declared and they started to follow the stream, looking either side for the place the Sioux brave left it.

  They could see marks in the stream not yet completely covered by the flowing water and the silt it carried with it, until there were suddenly none.

  ‘How’d he come out without me seeing?’ Slim asked but he did not expect an answered.

  They turned and scoured the bank, both close to it and some distance away until Prairie Fox spotted a mark.

  ‘He made his horse go through this mesquite clump.’ He declared when he saw it.

  ‘The horse wouldn’t have liked that too much.’ Slim answered and they circled to pick up the trail.

  ‘Here he is.’ Slim declared when he saw sign. ‘Still hiding it in case he is being followed. Blood as well, I reckon that will be from the horse.’

  ‘I don’t understand why there was still so many Sioux riding when the soldiers had rifles.’ Prairie Fox said thoughtfully as they started after the brave again.

  ‘Don’t make a lot of sense, we didn’t see one dead Sioux or one grave the soldiers had dug, so that means they killed no one.’ Slim agreed.

  Trailing a Sioux was not the time for a meaningful discussion so silence fell. They came to stony ground and started to trail the Indian over it. For that they had to dismount and move slowly to make sure they did not miss anything. The sign was confusing so they stopped.

  ‘What do you think Slim?’ Prairie Fox asked, dropping the Mr. for the first time.

  ‘Either he has suddenly got clumsy or he is waiting ahead for anyone following and I don’t think he is clumsy. Here is where we turn back for today and go find somewhere to camp for the night, we’ll start after him again tomorrow.’ Slim answered. ‘Better to be alive to kill Sioux than dead and scalped.’

  Prairie Fox stopped where he stood and thought about that.

  ‘To kill one and die is not as good as kill ten tomorrow and rejoice.’ He declared and they both moved off in a different direction to that which the sign led.

  They found a camp site they both liked and made camp. Not lighting a fire with so many Sioux about but eating cold food and just drinking water from their canteens.

  Duncan mounted his horse; now was the time to go and he said his goodbyes to his wife and to Duncan Wolf Lee. He did not kiss his daughter as she was asleep and had not been asleep for long. He thought he would be coming back but if he did not then she would not know either way so to him it was unimportant. He rode into the cave and closed the door behind him to keep out unwanted animals but to let in friends, if they called and rode away. He rode just as Slim did, not always the way he wanted to go but sometimes directly where he was going, to confuse anyone who might be watching. He passed the Carter ranch the next day after spending the night under the lower boughs of a pine tree. No one was in sight so he rode on. He reached the railway lines later that day and circled the area to make sure it was safe before he rode up to the water tower. By his watch the train was due in an hour but out here that did not mean a lot so he found a suitable place to settle down to wait where he was not visible to anyone riding past.

  The train arrived an hour later than it should have and they were hurrying to catch up some of the time they lost as Duncan rode up.

  ‘Room for a paying guest?’ He asked and the porter looked up.

  ‘Oh hello there. Sure but you’ll have to let yourself in we ran into some Indians and they killed the stoker.’ He answered.

  Duncan opened the door and lowered the ramp to coax his horse inside, then closed it all again to settle down next to his horse with one hand on the reins. He did not see anyone for an hour after they started and then the porter walked in covered in sweat.

  ‘Pesky Indians!’ He exclaimed and it was obvious that he had been stoking the boiler since they left the water stop.

  ‘I’d offer but I don’t like to leave my horse.’ Duncan replied without moving. He held out the fare and the porter took it.

  ‘Much obliged, going to see the little princess?’ He asked as he took it.

  ‘I’ve not heard her called that many times.’ Duncan answered. ‘But yes, she is finishing school and then on her way home.’

  ‘Good luck to her and her friend.’

  ‘I’ll be sure to tell her.’ Duncan assured him and the porter left to find a seat to rest in.

  In the morning Slim woke to find Prairie Fox gone. He stood up carefully and looked about before he followed fresh tracks to the edge of the rocks they were in. Prairie Fox was there watching three Sioux who were trying to track them.

  ‘They are good Slim.’ He said without looking round.

  ‘But are they good enough?’ Slim answered.

  ‘They have taken the false trail we left.’ Prairie Fox answered.

  ‘Now we follow them Fox.’ Slim whispered.

  The two started to follow the Sioux keeping far enough behind not to be heard or smelled. The Sioux were engrossed in following the trail until it stopped abruptly on rocks where there was no sign at all. An argument erupted between the three Sioux, one saying he saw sign further back and this was just a decoy trail while the other two wanted to go on.

  ‘He is good, I hope they don’t heed him.’ Slim whispered.

  They did not heed him but all three moved on looking for sign and not seeing any. Finally they picked up another trail and decided to follow it, forgetting about the two they had been following. They just wanted to torture and kill someone. Slim and Prairie Fox followed discreetly, keeping far enough behind not to be noticed.

  Duncan felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up.

  ‘Just coming into town now.’ The porter said quietly, he was sweating again after having a turn on the stoking. ‘Be glad when we can get another stoker.’

  ‘Looks like it.’ Duncan answered and hauled himself to his feet so that he could stretch and make himself look a little more presentable.

  When the train stopped he opened the door and dropped the ramp down, letting the dust settle before he led his horse down the ramp and onto the street. He tethered the horse and closed the caboose up after raising the ramp to save the porter the job, then started up towards the school. He was not the only person on the train going to the school and several surreys were there to collect the others but as he did not know any of them he just rode away. He knew he would meet them later. That did not mean they would speak to him of course, these were soft townies who had let the war go on around them, making money where they could and he did not really have too much time for them.

  He rode up to the school and into the courtyard. Instead of letting Ruben take his horse he chose to dismount and walk him into the stable so that he could groom him, before going into the school. A horse in this country was just a
s important as a gun and Duncan always looked after both as best he could. When the horse was happily munching hay in the stable Duncan washed up to be presentable then Ruben showed him into the parlor where Ms. Brody sat with al her guests.

  ‘Are Mr. Lee, I am glad you could join us. Please take a seat.’ Ms. Brody declared and then proceeded to introduce all the other visitors to him and him to them, although he was not really interested until he was introduced to Priscilla’s parents.

  ‘Nice to make your acquaintance Mr. Wainthrop.’ He said warmly as they shook hands, he could remember the thousand dollar check Wainthrop had given Sarah for saving his daughter from the kidnappers. A carpet bagger would not part with a thousand dollars for nothing, even if it was to save their family.

  ‘And I you Mr. Lee. I understand you taught young Sarah to shoot.’ He answered.

  ‘I did. She can shoot both a pistol and a rifle accurately and shoot a bow and arrow. I just hope she can also be a young lady as well!’

  Ms. Brody had not let on about Sarah’s other talents and the fact that she had beaten up local boys for being familiar, something she was a little sorry for now as they all steered clear of her and anyone she was with. They sat talking and drinking tea in the parlor as more guests arrived and were introduced. The parlor filled with people, until they had to move into the dining room to allow everyone to be able to sit down. They did not see or hear the girls who were upstairs on their best behavior.

  When it was time for the meal they all sat at the top of the dining room facing the school children who walked in silently and sat down. It was so quiet that they could hear a pin drop if someone dared drop one. The visitors were served first by the senior pupils, the ones who were to receive their diplomas which included Sarah and Becky. They served the food, curtseyed and smiled all through the meal until the guests were all fed and sitting drinking whatever was their poison, after the meal. Then the next age group took over and served the senior girls and they ate with the visitors watching their every move. When everyone was fed the younger pupils left to do chores or get ready for bed while the visitors took the time to talk to their daughters in the dining room, all moving apart, so they could talk without being overheard.

  ‘How are Morning Sun and little Duncan?’ Sarah asked, thirsting for news from home.

  ‘They are well and so is the latest member of the family. I discussed it with Morning Sun this week and she is to be called Hannah Sunshine Sarah Lee, so that you and Morning Sun were honored.’ Duncan answered.

  ‘You have a daughter! I cannot wait to see her.’ Sarah answered, keeping a firm reign on her tongue to make sure she remained ladylike.

  Ms. Brody had reminded everyone that the diplomas did not have to be given out if they were not deserved and Sarah wanted hers, she reckoned she had earned it!

  A Sioux brave was riding behind his companions when he saw a mark and dismounted to look closer. The others stopped to see what he was doing and watched from their horses as he ran his fingers over the ground, which was rock. He looked at the ground and the marks then looked about him at the rocky sides and creepers which grew up. The leader began to grow impatient but said nothing as the brave traced the marks on the floor and then proceeded to push his hand through the creepers until it disappeared. Now they were all interested, they had not seen the cave behind the creepers before and wondered how deep it was. They rode back, stopping to examine what the other brave had seen. Horses had gone into the cave on several occasions and the rocks bore the marks of their passing. The leader motioned for the brave who had seen the marks and found the cave, to investigate inside. The brave left his horse and walked in through the opening, waiting until his eyes grew accustomed to the darkness inside before he moved on. He followed the cave slowly and quietly and saw the light coming through the closed door the other end. He smiled in the darkness, not afraid of showing off his blackened teeth, and hurried outside.

  ‘I think this is Duncan Lee’s lodge.’ He whispered so as not to alert Duncan.

  ‘Good, his scalp will hang on my lodge pole tonight where it should be after I counted coup on him in battle.’ The leader hissed and they hurried inside.

  Morning Sun was sitting outside the cabin when the redbone dog lifted its head. It sniffed lazily then stood up, a growl deep in its throat threatening to erupt into full blooded barking as it moved to investigate. The dog yelped an unusual yelp for him and was quite. Duncan Wolf Lee was in front of the cabin to her left and the door was to her right.

  If there was danger she needed a gun, then she had to move Duncan Wolf Lee into safety so she hurried into the cabin, grabbed Duncan’s spare pistol and came out again, sniffing the air as she did.

  Now she was alarmed, she was smelling Sioux. She moved down toward Duncan Wolf Lee when a Sioux brave ran at him with his tomahawk raised intending to kill him. She ran down to get between Duncan Wolf Lee and the brave and fired. The brave faltered, then tried to continue but a second shot killed him.

  Morning Sun picked up Duncan Wolf Lee and ran. Soon after she had moved him an arrow thudded into the ground where he had been standing. She ran and threw him into the cabin, closing the door behind him then slipped into the bushes. She moved silently through the bushes to confront her enemy as her father had taught her but a brave appeared, held the pistol out of the way and raised his tomahawk to hit her. He had no intention of killing her not yet, she was pretty and he wanted sport. Before he could land the blow he became rigid and fell back not landing the promised blow. Morning Sun did not know what had happened but did see blood on the brave’s shirt front which she had not seen earlier. When the brave fell backwards and landed on his back, his weight pushed an arrow out through his chest. She assumed another brave had fired at her at the same time the other brave had jumped up and hit his own man himself. She freed her hand with the pistol in it and moved to get behind the brave who had fired the arrow. She knew roughly where he had fired from and slipped through the bushes away from her children but she knew it was better this way. She made a wide circle and closed in on her quarry in time to see Prairie Fox moving away from her. She smiled, she was not alone and she felt stronger for it, choosing to follow Prairie Fox to repay him for saving her life. He saw the Sioux brave step out behind Prairie Fox and took aim but the brave was partly hidden by a tree. All she could do was to wait until she saw enough of him to hit him but the roar of another gun threw the brave to the ground.

  ‘How many dead are there Fox?’ Slim asked.

  ‘Two in here Slim.’ Prairie Fox answered.

  ‘Three altogether.’ Morning Sun called. ‘I shot one and he’s dead.’

  ‘That’s all of them then.’ Slim called back. ‘Didn’t I tell you to watch your back Fox?’ He added.

  ‘You were there!’ Prairie Fox retorted. ‘Or were you just going to watch?’

  ‘You’re the one who wants to kill Sioux, I just have to do it to stay alive.’ Slim answered and walked up to the cabin.

  He was soon joined by both Morning Sun and Prairie Fox. Morning Sun opened the cabin door and picked up Duncan Wolf Lee to hold him. He had not cried, just waited inside for her to come back. Despite her usual disposition, Sunshine was asleep and stayed so.

  ‘If one brave can find the entrance, others can.’ Slim declared. ‘Too much coming and going.’

  ‘We should stay until Duncan Lee returns, so that Morning Sun and her family are safe.’ Prairie Fox declared.

  ‘I reckon you’re right Fox. Go and get our horses and the Indian ponies, they can roam in here where no one will see them, that will buy some time.’ Slim answered.

  ‘Yes Slim.’ Prairie Fox hurried out in case more Sioux came and found all the horses.

  When he had collected the horses he led them through the cave into the valley, letting the Indian ponies run into the valley free of any man made restrictions. He made sure the cave was obscured as much as it ever was by the creepers and then returned to the valley, closing the door behind him. He fo
und Slim digging a grave for the redbone which had strayed to near one of the Sioux before barking his alarm but he had done enough.

  ‘Why did they do that?’ Prairie Fox asked. ‘He barked at anyone who came in, even Mr. Lee sometimes!’

  ‘They thought he was giving them away when in fact they did that themselves.’ Slim answered. ‘Find a place some way away and started digging a hole for them three, I’ll join you as soon as I finished this one.’

  ‘Yes Slim.’ Prairie Fox answered.

  This was the second time he had dug a grave and Slim explained just why he did it then, this time he said nothing, leaving Prairie Fox to think about it.

  Prairie Fox was in the hole and digging it deeper when Slim walked up to help.

  ‘They will stink the place out, more than they would if they were alive.’ Prairie Fox declared.

  ‘Damned right Fox.’ Slim answered.

  ‘And here because you bury trash away from the cabin.’ Prairie Fox added.

  ‘You are learning fast Fox, I sure hope you live long enough to use it!’

  ‘So do I.’ Prairie Fox replied.

  When the Sioux were buried and the ground left flat so that the graves did not show the two walked up to where Morning Sun was sitting on the stoop.

  ‘They found this place because the entrance is showing sign of traffic and if one can spot it, more can. We’ll stay here until Duncan gets back to make sure you are safe.’ Slim declared as he settled beside her.

  ‘Thank you Slim and Prairie Fox.’ Morning Sun answered. ‘I was used to that dog, now I have to find another one.’

  ‘I thought it found you?’ Slim replied.

  ‘It followed Duncan Lee home and stayed, once he was in he never wanted to go outside again.’ Morning Sun answered. ‘I was used to him though.’

  After the meal in the dining room, the visitors were invited outside and sat in the chairs which had been set out for them. The girls who were finishing were waiting and each had a rifle in her hands.

  ‘As this country is sometimes hostile, instead of just teaching the girls to be ladies we have also taught them to fire a rifle, as sometimes they will need such a skill.’ Ms. Brody announced. ‘To show you that a lady can still look a lady and fire a rifle we have a little demonstration for you, please do not join in.’