Lou Silt

by Steve Shadow

  She came towards Hitch and wrapped her arms around him. “I am your woman now and look to you for guidance. If you think this is for the best, I will do it.”

  This whole scene was starting to remind me of them Shakespeare plays Pappy read to me so many years ago. I went to my horse and said, “I have had enough family problems for this day. Let us get moving. Maybe we can still scare up some game on the way back.”

  We saddled up and rode across the buffalo grass, each wrapped in our own thoughts. I could see that as tough as Breezy was, she was struggling with leaving Dorcas and her family. Hitch rode with his shoulders slumped as if a great weight was bearing down on him.

  To lighten things up a bit I began to sing The Battle Hymn of the Republic. My voice was enough to scare off frogs but it got us all to laughing. Breezy, due to her Southern heritage, took up Dixie and the two of us strangled out them tunes much to the delight of Hitch. He was near to falling from his horse with laughter.

  We moved along in the late afternoon sunlight with the prairie breezes carrying the scent of the spring grasses to our heads. Breezy, all of a sudden like, pulled up and nodded to the ridge on our right.

  “I believe a herd of elk is moving along that ridgeline.” She pointed to a place where I saw nothing. “We are downwind and they are coming our way.”

  We dismounted and lay flat. I finally saw the herd beginning a slow descent down the hillside. They were heading for a stream a few hundred yards in front of us.

  Breezy had come to the ground with a long barreled Sharps buffalo gun and a metal shooting stand. She placed the rifle in the notch of the stand and raised the sight. She then placed a thick piece of wool against her shoulder. She lined up her weapon on the stream and we waited.

  “That’s a mighty long shot,” I said. “It would take a fair shooter to hit anything from this distance.”

  She only smiled. “I told you I was a dead shot. You boys lay still and watch what a Larue gal can do.”

  We waited as the elk slowly approached the stream. They were led by a huge bull with a full head of antlers. He stopped every few steps and sniffed the breeze. Behind him was his harem and most seemed fat with calf. They approached the stream and bent to drink. Hitch and I covered our ears as Breezy took aim and slowly squeezed the trigger of her rifle. The crack of the fired round still echoed in our ears as we saw one of the elk tumble and fall. The others, led by the bull, rushed off in a blur. Breezy had slid back from the recoil of the huge rifle and now rose up and dusted off her pants. “I told you fellas I could damn well shoot. I do not expect to hear anymore disparaging talk about this woman’s shootin’ abilities.”

  She stood there with her hair all disheveled and a stern scowl on her face. I thought this was one little hell cat I would not like to mess with. I hoped Hitch knew what he was buying into with this gal.

  We rode over to the fallen elk. It was one of the females who was not pregnant. She was still twitching a bit so Hitch drew his Bowie knife and cut her throat to let her bleed out. The smell of hot blood and shit stung our noses and eyes. She was too big to load on the mule, so now came the messy part of hunting. We laid out a tarp and rolled her onto it. Then we set about skinning and butchering. It was dirty work but Breezy, dressed in her butchering apron, was skilled at dressing game. She worked fast and her

  movements were practiced and precise. We cut out the prime parts and wrapped them in some burlap that Breezy had with her. We then packed the meat on the mule. We loaded up all the mule could carry and strung some pieces on our horses and left for home. The parts we left behind would feed the wolves, foxes and vultures till no sign but a few bones would remain of that elk.

  Dusk was rapidly approaching as we neared town. We were in a good mood when we arrived in Lost Path. We rode up to the doors of the Black Dog, but before we had time to climb off our horses Al Berg, followed by Violett and most of the regular crowd, came rushing out through the swinging doors. They all started in to shouting at once. I raised my hand to shut them up.

  “Now quiet down! Al, can you tell me what in the hell is going on?”

  “It’s the Army. They is coming to occupy the town. A Captain come in today looking for you and said a detachment of troops is coming to set up here and put the Injuns on the

  reservation. They want them out of the way so as to not be a bother when the railroad people start laying the rails. Hot damn, Lou; you know what this means? We is going to be on the rail line. Lost Path is gonna’ be a real city.”

  With that everyone started cheering and tossing their hats in the air. The whores was so happy they lined up on the walk in front of the saloon and was doing a dance that would have sent shivers of shame up the back of any decent woman. I reckoned they smelled that army and railroad money pouring in. I told everyone to go back inside and I would be back later. We had to see to our horses. I turned the mule and all the elk meat over to Al. He told his Chinaman cook to see to it. No one seemed to be paying much mind to Breezy except Violett and I told her I would explain it all later. I would have enough trouble relating what had happened on our little journey up the mountain as it was.

  We rode over to the stable and I asked Hitch to see to the horses and to stay there with Breezy while I talked to Doc Tallis. I wanted to get as much straight as I could regarding Breezy before I had to start in on my other Marshaling duties. This had proved to be a long and eventful day. Life seemed to be speeding up in Lost Path and my head was whirling at the changes. CHAPTER TEN

  I walked over to the Doc’s and knocked on his door. His wife, Camille greeted me.

  “Why, good evening, Lou,” she said, “I thought you were going up the mountain for a spell. Come on in, we were just having some tea. I will set you a place.”

  “Thank you, Miss Camille. I need to talk to you and the Doc.”

  We sat at the table and Camille put out cups and served us all tea and some little cookies she had baked. I had a powerful sweet tooth and they tasted mighty fine.

  I told them all that had transpired on our visit to the Larues. They had heard all about the Army and the railroad coming and were as excited about it as the rest of the town. As to my suggestion for hiding Breezy down south in Cheyenne, the Doc thought it was a fine idea. As luck would have it Camille was planning a visit to her sister-in-law and Breezy could provide company and, I assured them, security in case of trouble. It was a long and arduous trip involving a number of stage lines over rough terrain. I thanked them for their help. Miss Camille told me to have Breezy come to the house with her things and she could stay with them until the stage came through in a couple of days.

  I got back to the stable where I found Hitch and Breezy deep in conversation. They seemed mighty tense and Breezy was stomping her feet and waving her hands about.

  “Hey,” I said, “What is all this about?”

  Hitch stood up. “Ah, Lou, Breezy is all scared her kin is going to come after her and try and kill me. I keep telling her, we ain’t afraid of them and if they mess with the law, you will lock them up.”

  “He is right, Breezy. You have no call to worry. I have spoken to the Doc and Camille and they want you to come and stay with them. Miss Camille is going to Cheyenne in two days and you can travel with her. The Doc said his sister can use the help at her hotel. I know it is a long ways away but I need time to settle things down around here. This business with the Army and the railroads is going to be a lot to deal with and I need Hitch’s help. It will only be for awhile and then we can get you back up here. Hitch, can you get Breezy’s gear over to the Doc’s and then come back to the Black Dog. We got to find this Captain and have a sit down about what is going on. We can get some grub there.”

  I turned to Breezy. “I know this ain’t what you expected but it will just have to be this way for a spell. You will like the Doc and Miss Camille. I am sure you have seen them around town on your visits.”

  “Yes, I know the Doc,” she said. “I will do what is best for me and Hitch.”<
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  “Fine,” I said. “I will be at the Black Dog. I am hungry as a bear.”

  I walked off and left them. As I strode to the saloon I wondered what would come of all this. I hoped it would not come to blood with the Larues, although if it did, I was prepared to kill them all. Civilization was huffing in on two rails and I aimed to keep the peace as long as I was in charge. Between the military, the railroad, Injuns and the Larues I was getting a powerful headache and was ready for a big steak and a stiff drink. Sometimes herding them cattle seemed a right pleasure compared to all these problems.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  I returned to the Black Dog and was met by Violett, who threw her arms around me and squealed with delight.

  “I am so glad you are back. The whole town has been going crazy with the news. Ain’t it exciting, Lou? You are going to have to get some deputy’s to help you. This town is going to grow in leaps and bounds. Al is talkin’ about getting an orchestra and putting on big shows. He said I can sing on the stage, ain’t it grand?”

  I held her at arms length. She sure was a sight. Violett has dark brown hair and eyes. Her skin is soft and rosy toned. She is on the tall side with a full figure and a sparkle in her eyes. I pulled her back in and kissed her hard. Everyone in the bar started clapping and I got red in the face. I swept my hat in front of me and bowed to the room.

  “Begging your pardon, folks, but I was a might overcome with joy to see my little darling. Now Violett, can you rustle me up some grub? I am starving and Hitch will be along so make that grub for two.”

  I took a seat at an empty table and waved for Al Berg to come over. He joined me with some of the other old timer’s and we set in to jawin’ about what had happened while I was away. I sent one of the fellas to fetch the Captain from his room upstairs so we could talk. Hitch strolled in and we set to filling our mouths while we waited for the Army to show up.

  We had just finished the tale of our trip up the mountain when Violett spoke up.

  “I am mighty surprised at you Hitch. I never took you as one to be wanting to settle down. Hell, you never come around to visit the girls in the back and we was all wondering about you.”

  Hitch gave her a sheepish smile and said, “Well, Miss Violett, you was spoken for so I had to wait until I met someone else as pretty as you.”

  This brought quite a howl from the table and I slapped Hitch on the back. “Well spoken, child. For an Injun you sure got ways about you.”

  We was all laughing when the Captain came down the stairs. He looked a fine figure of a man. He was tall and thin but had the air of a capable officer. He walked up to the table as I rose to greet him.

  “Good evening, sir. I am Marshal Lou Silt and this is my sort of unofficial deputy Hitch.”

  “At your service, Marshal.” He took my hand and shook it firmly. “I am Captain Benjamin Lawton on special assignment from the Army Corps of Engineers. I have come in advance of a cavalry troop to be stationed here. We aim to get all the Indians onto the reservation before the railroad people arrive. We have been charged with protecting them. Since last years debacle involving Custer and the 7th Cavalry, we cannot afford to take any chances. I will need and appreciate your help in this matter. I have been made privy to the annual Indian reports set forth on this area and understand that the Crows have been settled on their allotted area with a few exceptions. We plan to gather up all the Indians that are now at large and get them to come in. The railroad people are worried about attacks while they try to do their jobs”

  I looked at the Captain and then at Hitch. “Well, sir, we ain’t had no problem with the Crow hereabouts. It is true that some of the young bucks leave to go hunting and to war with other tribes for women and and such, but they ain’t done no harm to whites for quite awhile. Sometimes we get Sioux or other Injuns causing trouble but the Crow ain’t a cause for bother.”

  “Be that as it may, all Indians will move to the reservation permanently or they will face the full force of the United States Army. I have my orders. I will be in town for the next few days searching out a suitable site to have a compound built to house the horse troop. I see your facilities are limited thus we will bring our own suttlers and hostlers. I hope we can all work together for our mutual benefit.”

  “Well I do not foresee any problems. When can we expect the troops to arrive?”

  “That has not been settled. I must first find a location on which to construct a facility. I hope you have sufficient man power to aid in the building. I am authorized to hire as many men as I deem necessary and will pay in cash wages. I have asked Mr. Berg to set up a place for interviewing prospective laborers. I want to get moving on this project as fast as possible. The railroad people are on a strict schedule and need to keep moving. Surveyors will arrive soon to begin searching right of way and routes. Having looked at land grants and ownership of tracts in the area, it seems very little is officially deeded so the legalities ought to be perfunctory. I realize that this is a lot to absorb. Your town is small but will grow during rail construction and your peacekeeping duties will grow along with it. You will have the aid of the US Army but I suggest you plan on increasing your law force.”

  The entire saloon was paying close attention to the Captains high flown language. I could see the signs of cash floating in their eyes. All this activity meant jobs and money but to me all I could see was looming problems. I had seen first hand what a bunch of men loose with pay and lusting for drink and whores could do to a town. I thanked the Captain and told him we would stay in close contact. The Doc arrived and we sat long into the night discussing what had to be done to keep Lost Path on an even keel in the face of the coming changes.

  After so many hours awake I finally needed sleep. Violett and I retired to our room above the saloon and fell into bed wrapped in each others arms. She was whispering in my ear but I heard nothing as I drifted off while my mind tumbled in a torrent of jumbled thoughts. CHAPTER TWELVE

  I was awoken from a deep sleep by a pounding on the door. I rolled out of the bed while Violett snored away. I cracked the door. There stood Al in a state of agitation.

  “You better get down here, Lou. Them Larues is here calling for your scalp. They is all het up over their niece being missing or some such. I told them I knew nothing of their kin.”

  Shit, I thought. This was a hell of a way to wake up. “Tell ‘em I will be along shortly.”

  I got dressed, strapped on my Colt and headed down stairs. I was unsure just what to tell them brothers.

  The Larue’s were leaning up against the bar drinking. Rafe was sitting at a table trying to look mean but only succeeding in looking pitiful.

  “What can I do for you boys?” Josephus turned to me.

  “You know damn well what we want. Where is Breezy? We know you are hiding her.”

  “I do believe that gal can come and go as she pleases. It is of no concern to me. Do not come into my town causing trouble over your family problems. In the meantime we still need to talk about them elks you stole from Jess and Busy. How about we discuss that?”

  “I do not care about no damn elk. We want our kin or there is going to be trouble.”

  I lowered my hand to my gun as Al pulled his shotgun from behind the bar. “There is not going to be any trouble here. Unless you want to be arrested and put in jail, you will leave this town and go back where you came from. If I come across Breezy and she is of a mind to want to see you I will pass along your concerns. Other than that I will brook no trouble from any of you. I will expect payment in kind for those elk you stole. Next time I lay eyes on you boys it better be with a whole passel of elk meat or do not return to Lost Path. As far as your land claims, I will see what I can find. But I doubt if there is anything to be found. Now get out and take that sniveling little boy with you.”

  They stood there staring at me. I thought for sure they was going to make a play. I was ready but Al’s shotgun trained on their backs maybe had them thinking about being ventilated. Rafe ne
ver moved and seemed frozen. He was probably pissing in his pants. Finally the brothers turned and left without a word. Rafe slunk off after them.

  “God damn, Lou.” Al said. “What the hell was that all about? What is going on with Breezy and them boys?”

  I told Al all the events that had transpired that I had skipped over last night. “Al, I got to get over to the stable and let Hitch know they is around. He got to stay at the Doc’s and keep everyone safe until Breezy is on that stage. You keep that Captain happy if he shows up until I return.”

  With that I high tailed it over to the stable. Hitch was mucking out the stalls when I got there. I related what had occurred and he dropped everything and grabbed his shotgun. He wanted to go after the Larue’s and finish them. I told him he had best head over to the Doc’s. He nodded in agreement and took off at a run towards the Doc’s office. I climbed up to the hay loft of the stable in time to see the Larues heading out of town. I took a deep breath and felt my heart slow down. I was sure blood was going to be shed this day. Hopefully them Larue’s would head off to home and leave Breezy to her chosen destiny.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  We met with the Captain later that day and searched out sites for housing the new troop. We settled on a patch upstream of the town. Captain Lawton started in on directing the men he had hired to set up lines and start clearing brush.

  I called Jess and Busy into the jail and told them what I had learned and said I hoped the Larue’s would bring in some meat but felt the chances were small and I was not going to cause a ruckus over the Elk. I told them to see Al and get what meat we brought in from Breezy’s kill.

  The next couple of days went by without incident. Breezy and Miss Camille set off for Cheyenne. Hitch was sad to see her go. I checked with the officials in Virginia City over records on the land the Larue’s occupied but there did not seem to be any indication of a claim having been filed. I guess I would have to telegraph the capitol and see if any records existed there. In the meantime the main topic of conversation at the Black Dog was how rich every one was going to get from the railroad and if it was time to start spring planting. It was tricky business up north because if a flash frost come, the planting would all be for nothing. I was glad I had no part of farming or ranching. Big Bill had left me quite a bundle that he had made from investments with a concern back east. It had survived the Panic of 1873 and I was pretty well set but kept that information to myself. I had very little need of money and paid little attention to financial business. As long as I had enough to feed myself and look after Bella and Violett, I felt money was only a burden. I could see that I was at odds with the rest of Lost Path and I hoped that the lust for wealth would not lead them all astray. We were a mostly friendly town, except for the occasional shooting, and my fear was that prosperity would bring the kind of changes that could prove to be not favorable to the well being of the citizenry.