Lou Silt

by Steve Shadow

  jurisdiction across the border. I could only hope that the Mounties might help us if it came to that.

  We tucked in for the night after setting up our sentry schedule. I was anxious to be off before dawn. We had a long way to go to Flathead Lake and I was not sure that we would find anything when we got there. We were in a huge country with so many mountains and passes and hidden valleys that we could pass them right by and not know it. The thought made me sick with worry but I dared not lose hope for that was all I had to hold onto now.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  We scoured the Bitterroot valley, crisscrossing it and questioning anyone we ran across. The Crow had remarkable tracking powers but we had nary a clue as to which direction they might have taken. The area, which was once just open land, was now dotted with villages and was getting settled. We ran across farmers, homesteaders and traders. We were able to replenish our supplies at the small towns that had sprung up along the foothills of the Bitterroot’s. Breezy kept complaining about having to bathe in streams and was getting tired of sleeping on the ground. Two Leggings was also getting impatient because all the tribes were on their reservations in light of the Nez Perce uprising and the flood of military that had come into the territory. I thought that maybe we all needed a respite and decided to head further up the valley and stop in Missoula. None of us had ever been there but I knew the Sheriff in Missoula from my cowboy days. I did believe that it was a sizable community and may have attracted Josephus. I hoped that if he had been through there someone would have a

  recollection of him and might know of his whereabouts.

  Early in the morning, with the dew still fresh on the grass and the birds singing, we pulled into a small settlement and tied up at a hitching post outside a general store and saloon. We had barely gotten off our horses when we were met by a group of men brandishing all manner of rifles and shotguns.

  “Hold up there, folks,” I said. “I am a U.S. Marshal on the hunt for a fugitive.” I showed them my badge. “I know you folks is all jumpy about the uprising but we was there and it is all over. The Nez Perce have left the valley. We ran into General Howard and he is after them. Please put up them guns. I need to speak to whoever the law is here.”

  A large man in a suit and vest stepped forward. “I am Otis Greene, appointed by Governor Potts himself to keep order until our brave volunteers return from the foray against them Injuns. Sorry for being so jumpy but them Nez Perce come through here and some of them come by a few bottles of liquor and we nearly had us a massacre. Only the powerful persuasion of one of the chiefs kept them young bucks from shootin’ up the lot of us. So when we seen you ridin’ in with them Injuns, we got a might bit anxious.”

  I stepped up and shook the man’s hand. “Lou Silt, sir,” I said, removing my hat. “This here is Hitch, my deputy and the young lady is Miss Larue. Two Leggings and Bull are Crow and acting as our scouts. I believe your Injun worries are at an end unless you are expecting trouble from the Flatheads. Two Leggings tells us that they are peaceable and of no trouble. I hope that is so.”

  “Well, that is welcome news, Marshal. I am sorry for our lack of manners and hospitality. Please come in and have a seat. However we do not serve liquor to Injuns. No offense but those are the rules here.”

  I turned to Hitch. “Tell Two Leggings to find some shade while we talk.”

  Hitch and the Crow remounted and rode off. “Mr. Greene, Breezy here was hopin’ that the woman folk might have a place she could bathe and wash out some clothing. We have been on the trail some time now and the wear and tear is taking its toll.”

  “No problem at all, Marshal.” He turned to a man behind him. “Hey there, Jacob, why don’t you show the little lady the way to my home?” He turned to Breezy with a barely hidden grin. “Miss Larue, I am sure my wife Daisy will be happy to accommodate you.”

  Breezy threw me a nasty look but I just laughed. “Be on your way, Miss Larue. I bet after you clean up you will be feeling all lady-like once again.”

  She just waved her little fist at me and turned on her heels and followed Jacob.

  “I say Marshal I find it unusual that you have a young girl, dressed like a boy, as a member of your posse.”

  “She is kin to the fugitive we are chasing and wants to kill him herself. It is a long tale but I have more pressing matters to discuss. Shall we go inside?”

  As we stepped into the structure Hitch came riding up. He dismounted and came up the stairs to join us. “The Crow’s are sitting out of town and will wait for us. They is none too happy and are talking about turning back. Two Leggings says the chance for any scalps or horses is getting mighty slim.”

  I glanced at the townspeople who were listening intently. I could see that this little bit of news was not exactly setting well with them. “Nothing to worry about folks,” I said. “It is just a bit of funnin’ on Hitch’s part.” I threw him a cautionary look. “By the way what is the name of this settlement?”

  “Stevensville, Marshal. Welcome to our part of the valley. Please have a seat. How about some coffee and eggs? A might bit early for whiskey, unless that is your choice.”

  “No, sir, a breakfast would be mighty welcome; ain’t that right Hitch?”

  Hitch sat down and removed his bowler. He slapped it on his thigh and the dust rose around him. “Well that sounds mighty good but so does a little whiskey to wash it down.”

  “Rufus, get these gentlemen some eggs and bacon, coffee, and bring out that bottle of the good stuff. Might as well celebrate the news that the Injun’s is gone and we can all go back to work.” He turned to me. “Can’t tell you how spooked folks were all around the valley. They done started a fort up in Missoula and some of the people in the valley threw up a compound just out of town. Thank the lord that the military come to our aid. I guess General Gibbon taught them Nez Perce a lesson.”

  “Well, from where we sat it looked like both sides were taught a lesson. When we left the battle site it seemed that the military was holed up licking their wounds. We are having the same thing happen back our way in Lost Path. The army come in to erect a fort in advance of the railroad and to make sure the Injuns stay on the reservation land.”

  “Well, Marshal, maybe you did not hear but there is a big railroad workers strike back East and I do not believe any railroad will be coming anytime soon. That is what we were led to believe but we have not had any news for a few days.”

  “Well sir, that will be as it is. Meantime we are on the chase after one Josephus Larue. He has kidnapped my fiancé and along with four youths is, I believe, headed this way to somehow join the Flathead tribe. He has had dealings with them in the past. Have you or anyone here seen or heard of such a group passing through this way?”

  “Why, that is terrible, Marshal. You have my sympathies.” He turned to those gathered around us. “Any of you seen anyone like the Marshal has described?” The group of men shook their heads.

  “Hold on there a minute.” A man in worn clothes and a torn hat stepped forward.

  “Marshal, I am Joe Beeler. I now remember that one of my boys, maybe a week back, said he saw a party crossing our grazing land with a dark haired woman in tow. He only mentioned it because he hallooed the party but they ignored him and he found that right unfriendly. They was headed down the valley towards Missoula.”

  I jumped out of the chair and grabbed him. “How did she look? Did your boy say anything else?”

  “No sir, that was all. He did not pay much attention to them as they was passing at a distance.”

  I sat back down. At last we had some news. We had been on the right track all along. My prospects brightened as me and Hitch dug into our breakfast.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  I was now in a rush to move on but I thought it best to receive our host’s generosity graciously so we finished our food and had a drink. They invited us to stay the night but I declined as I wanted to reach Missoula before nightfall and it was at least 30 miles away.


  Mr. Greene led Hitch and I to his house at the edge of the little town. Breezy was seated in the parlor in a large housecoat. Mrs Greene bade us welcome and had us join them in the parlor. We told Breezy what we had learned. She jumped up from the padded sofa.

  “Well, thank God we is getting close. See, Lou, I told you Old Dorcas knew what she was talking about. We got that rat cornered now. Let’s get a move on.”

  Hitch twirled his bowler. “Breezy, I don’t reckon you is going anywhere in that outfit. Where is your varmint chasing duds?”

  “Shit, my clothes is drying.” She turned in embarrassment towards Mrs Greene. “Excuse me, ma’am, pardon my language. Mrs Greene let me wash out everything but it will be hours before it is dry. You got to get me more clothes.”

  We both laughed while Mr Greene looked bewildered. “She is somethin’ ain’t she Mr. Greene. Believe it or not this little gal is Hitch’s intended if he can ever rein her in.”

  “Never mind the funnin’, you two,” Breezy snarled. “Just get me some clothes.”

  “Mr. Greene, you think the store got any ready mades that might fit this gal? I think some britches and a flannel shirt. Maybe some socks. Tell me Miss Breezy, how you doin” in the unmentionable department?”

  Hitch turned to me in mock anger. “I will not have you sullying my intended’s honor with such talk. You apologize to Breezy or I will fill you full of lead.”

  Mr. Greene and his wife both retreated in alarm until all three of us began to laugh. “You have to forgive us, folks. We have been on this chase, without hope, for a spell and we are just happy to have a clue as to the whereabouts of our prey. Can you supply Breezy with those items?”

  Mr Greene nodded and asked his wife to fetch the requested items from the store as she would be better suited to approximate the sizes needed. I offered money but Mr Greene said it would be his pleasure to help us. I insisted and gave Mrs Greene some cash money. She returned shortly with the items. Breezy repaired to the bedroom to dress and emerged all turned out in a blue flannel shirt and some baggy trousers a might too large for her but serviceable none the less. Breezy told Mrs Greene to just toss away her wet clothes. We gave our thanks and said our farewells and were soon on our way.

  We followed Hitch to where he had left the Crow but they were nowhere to be seen.

  “I figured this might happen,” Hitch said. “They got their own ways and are probably headed back home. Two Leggings is desperate to gain favor with the tribe and that kind of ambition leads to problems. Well, nothing to be done for it now. We got to ride if we want to make it to Missoula before dark.”

  Breezy snorted as she turned in her saddle to face us. “I am glad to see the end of them, anyway. I know they is part your people Hitch but I never did rest easy with them amongst us.”

  We wheeled about and headed north. A soft breeze was coming down off the mountain side and Breezy’s hair along with her big britches was both flappin’ in the wind. It was an amusing sight but we were in no mood for levity this day and just wanted to get to town and find that evil Josephus and rescue Violett.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  We arrived in Missoula in the late afternoon. It was much bigger than I thought it would be. It had a main street with a lot of solid structures and had much more the appearance of a city than Lost Path. A large brick building was being built, bigger than anything I seen in these parts. A sign in front of the construction said it was the Missoula Mercantile Company. I figured at this rate our territory would be up for statehood soon.

  We went to the local law office and I found Sheriff Lucas Walker seated at his desk with his feet up sipping coffee. He jumped up in surprise. “Well, well, if it ain’t my old trail pard, Lou Silt; what in the hell you doin’ in these parts?”

  Lucas and I had cowboyed some a couple of years back. He was a tough ole boy and I figured he ran a tight town. He was no one to go up against lessen’ you were willing to pay the ultimate price. I made introductions and filled him in on our purpose in being at his office. He said he had not seen anyone like Josephus but would get his deputy officers to asking around town.

  He took us to the Dry Gulch Saloon and we sat down to some whiskey and restaurant food. We told him all about the Nez Perce battle we witnessed.

  “Hell, Lou, it has been right crazy hereabouts. Folks is still all jumpy and worried about the Flatheads leaving the reservation and causing trouble but I don’t see it happening. Chief Charlot is no fool. After he done seen all the military comin’ in and the new fort going up, I think they know the warpath ain’t the place to go. Besides we is all doing well here. Did you see all the building going up? We are in a good spot here and when the railroad comes we will really get big. I am buying all the land I can. I am getting tired of being a lawman. Once we start to really grow the headaches will increase and then all I will be is a desk bound paper pusher.”

  “Yes, Lucas, I feel the same. The railroad is scheduled for our town also. Seems both our towns are on the same road; you just got a little head start. However, we are desperate to find out word of Josephus. We will take rooms here for tonight and if you find out anything do not hesitate to get me up.”

  We took our horses to a local stable and had the smithy check the hoofs and reshoe any that needed fixing. After getting rooms at the hotel Hitch and I went to a Chinese bath house and soaked in tubs while getting scrubbed down by 2 Chinese girls. It was mighty fine to be clean. We went back to the saloon and our rooms. Breezy had gone and done the same as us but in her own room. While Violett and I had cohabited without the sacrament of marriage, Breezy, despite her rough upbringing, had more proper ideas and saw no reason to be other than chaste until her marriage was a done deal. I admired Hitch’s forbearance in the matter.

  After repacking our gear and cleaning our weapons we met in the dining room attached to the Kennedy hotel. We had just finished our dinner when Lucas came in trailing a shabbily dressed old man with nary a tooth in his head. He bade us to step outside.

  “Lou, this is Orel Swain. He’s a prospector, a drunk and an occasional thief. He told one of my deputy’s that he done seen who he thinks you are looking for.”

  I leapt at him. “You best tell me

  everything and do it right now.”

  He recoiled in fear. “Sure I will, Marshal, ease up some. But a few dollars might help me along with my recollecting.”

  I grabbed him by the throat. “Start talking or, by god, you won’t live to spend another cent.”

  His hands flew all about as he began to choke. I let him go as he had started coughing and wheezing. Lucas took him by the chin and looked him in the eye. “You had best tell Marshal Silt what you know and do it right now or I will turn you over to him and wash my hands. Do you understand Orel?”

  “OK Lucas, can’t blame a man for trying to earn a bit. Here I am, trying to be a good citizen and I am about to be beat to death. Could be that maybe I don’t remember nothin’, nothin’ at all.”

  Both Lucas and I advanced on the quaking little man and he once again threw his hands up.

  “Allright, I’ll tell ya’ what I know. It were three or four days ago. I was camped maybe 15 miles out of town near the Lolo Trail and these people rode up on me. They asked if they could get some coffee and I invited them to set a spell. The fella that was runnin’ this here little party was a big man with a beard and he had four young boys with him and a dark haired lady that looked a little worse for wear and seemed in somewhat of a daze. Her hands were tied to her saddle horn afore he untied her and let her down. She just collapsed in a heap and did not move. I asked him what was wrong with her and he said nothing was wrong. He asked me all kinds of questions about going over the pass. He wanted to know how long it would take and how far it was to the Oregon coast and a lot of other stuff. They had a couple of pack horses and seemed equipped for the trip which at this time of year ain’t bad unless you run into an early storm on high.”

  “Never mind that, man. Did you talk t
o the lady? Was she hurt or just worn out? What did Josephus say to you?”

  “I never did get his name. He made me a might nervous and I was glad when they left. Them boys seemed scared of him and just sat looking downcast and only moved when he yelled at them. He told me the woman was his harlot and if I had the cash I could take a poke. I was sorely tempted because even in her disheveled state she was a fine looking woman but I had no money.”

  I hit the man and knocked him down. “That is my fiancé you are speaking of, you bastard.”

  “Hey, Lou, stop it.” Lucas stepped between us. “Orel is only relating what happened. He don’t know who she is.”

  I still had my fists clenched and was having trouble breathing. Rage and fear filled my being. I felt Breezy and Hitch holding my arms. I shook them off.

  “I am fine.” I looked down at the seated man. “I am sorry. Let me help you up.”

  When he was up and seated I asked him more questions. He assumed they were heading over the pass and into Idaho Territory on the way to the Pacific coast. If his memory was good then they were at least four days ahead of us. Once they were through the pass they could head in any direction. We had to get moving. I thanked Swain and gave him a silver dollar. I figured we got all we could out of him and our only move now was to follow Josephus over the pass. I asked Breezy to go back to the hotel to pack up our gear.