by Steve Shadow
Breezy begged me to stop at the Larue compound and see if the folks there were all right. I agreed to this as I had promised John that I would try and find his boy and bring him back. I had failed at this also. We neared the path to the compound close to dusk. We saw riders in the distance below us. Two Leggings let out a yell and waved his lance.
“My people.” He said and rode off. We waited and watched as he joined a group of riders numbering five warriors and some woman walking behind them. After a quick visit Two Leggings came back to us.
“My clan.” He said. “Out hunting and woman get grasses. I go with them, tell story of big hunt and Bull killed by bear.”
He rode to Hitch and clasped his forearm. He looked deeply into his eyes and what passed between them was only for them to know. He turned to me.
“I will pray to spirits for the woman.” He turned and spurred his horse forward, leaving with an Injun yell.
“I am right glad that he is on our side,” said Breezy. “I would not want to tangle with an Injun like him. Thank God the Crow did not join the Nez Perce or we would have had a bloody war all over this territory.”
“See, Breezy,” said Hitch. “I told you the Crow are fine people. Hell, they raised me and look how good I turned out.”
For the first time since we left Idaho we all had a good laugh. Except for Violett, who I now fully realized lived in a closed world of her own. Unless I was able to find someone to help her back to her senses then the face of my failures would stand before me for the rest of my days.
The four of us started up the road to the Larue compound. It was eerily quiet. As we approached the out buildings we heard none of the usual noise of children playing. The entire place seemed to be abandoned. We tied up our horses in front of Dorcas’ house and went up on the porch. The front door stood open. When we entered we found only scattered pieces of furniture and animal droppings.
We made a quick check of all the other homes and buildings and found much the same. What was left of the Larue clan had gone from the place and taken everything of value with them. Hitch and I watched as Breezy walked over to the small family graveyard. We followed her there. She was kneeling in front of Old Dorcas’ gravesite. At the head of the grave was a wooden cross. On it were the following carved words saying: Here lies Dorcas Larue. B: 1799 D: 1877 R.I.P.
Breezy remained kneeling with her head bowed. There was nothing to say. After what seemed like forever Breezy crossed herself and rose. She turned to us with tears in her eyes. Hitch took her in his arms as she sobbed into his shoulder. It was mighty sad to see that feisty gal brought so low but I could feel her loss. She had no time to grieve on the chase but now, back in her home, I guess it finally took hold of her. I stood watching Violett hoping that this scene of grief might get a reaction out of her but she just stood like a statue, staring off into the distance.
We put the horses in the stable and made a thorough search of the entire property. When we were sure that no one or nothing was left we set a fire and had an evening meal. Afterwards we settled into the stable and slept with the animals for protection against any predators. Thankfully Violett was docile and just followed where she was led. She ate when she was fed and relieved herself when taken to the proper place. She seemed to understand some things but with never any reaction. We had no familiarity with such behavior and only hoped that Doc Tallis could tell us what to do.
In the morning we set a big fire going and heated up water that we drew from the well. We took turns in the metal wash tub that we found in Dorcas’ house. Breezy scrubbed up Violett real good and as the only dress she had was torn up pretty badly, she dressed her in some of her cowboy duds. When they come out of the house lookin’ like two boys in their pappy’s clothes, Hitch and I could not help but grin. As grim as Violett’s situation was it was still mighty funny to see them two gals lookin’ like that. I needed to laugh, I knew, or the hate would melt me into a puddle on the ground.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Our two day ride to Lost Path was uneventful. We met no one on the road. We arrived on the outskirts of town in the late afternoon. The weak sun was dropping in the west and the air smelled of snow. The main street was deserted. In the distance we could see that the fort was fully constructed but little seemed to be stirring out there. I told Hitch and Breezy to stop in the Black Dog and tell Al we were back. I wanted to take Violett straight to the Doc. I passed my office and saw that the door was closed and locked.
I arrived in front of Doc Tallis’ house and dismounted. After tying Bella up I helped Violett off her horse and led her to Doc’s front door. I knocked but got no answer so I opened the door and brought her inside. Doc was not in his office. I figured he must be back in the living quarters.
“Hello, Doc? It is Lou Silt; we are back.” I got no reply and with Violett in hand, I went back to Doc’s kitchen. He was asleep at the table. He had an empty whiskey bottle next to him and he smelled real bad. He was snoring loudly as I shook him awake. He raised his unkempt head and forced his sleep encrusted eyes open. He blinked numerous times until his vision came into focus. Once he recognized me he staggered to his feet and embraced me.
“Lou, thank God you are back safe. What happened? We have had no news except that you were headed into Idaho Territory.”
Before I could speak he saw Violett standing in her trance like state. He moved to her side and placed her in a chair. I guess he knew, as a doctor, that she was not right.
“Oh my, you poor thing,” he said. “Has she been like this for long?”
I told Doc a short version of what had happened since we got her back. He kept shaking his head in an attempt to sober up.
“Doc, you best get cleaned up and down some coffee. I never have seen you drink in the day. What the hell is going on here? Where is everybody?”
He patted Violett’s hand and nearly fell into a chair next to her. “Lou, a lot has happened since you took off after this poor creature. Just give me a minute to wash up a little. I want to examine Violett and then we can walk over to the Black Dog. You might as well tell everyone who is left the story at the same time and hear what has transpired from Al. I am sorry that you have to see me in this state but since Camille has left me, I am afraid I have turned to the bottle for solace.”
I waited while Doc cleaned himself up. I was in an agitated state. First to find Doc in such a condition and then to get premonitions of coming bad news left me in a jumble of emotions. I wanted Doc to tell me he could fix Violett but he seemed occupied by other things. He emerged from the back room looking much fresher and in clean clothes. He told me to wait in the kitchen. He led Violett into his office. After about 30 minutes or so, he came out with Violett and sat her down.
“Lou, this poor woman has been sorely abused. I am no expert on female parts but she has suffered from a lot of sexual congress that has left her damaged inside. As to how damaged she is, I am not sure. Whether or not she can still bear children is a guess. At least there is no sign of permanent damage and she seems to be healing. Just keep her calm and quiet and bring her to see me for the next few days. As to her mental condition, well, there is not much I can do. We know so little about these reactions to shock. I will see what I can find out. I am sorry.”
I bundled her back up and we braved the heightened wind as it swirled around our feet on the short walk to the Black Dog.
With the coming winter bearing down upon us, Al had replaced the swinging doors with solid pine windowless panels. The cold air ushered us into the somber insides of the saloon. It was a sad sight that met my eyes. Frenchy Claude was seated at his piano but only tinkling lightly with his left hand. Al was seated at a table with Busy, Hitch and Breezy. There were no drinkers, no gamblers and only a couple of the working girls sitting in the back.
As Violett and I entered they all rose and rushed to our side. They had obviously been told our tale and were duly sympathetic and at the same time glad we were back, as was I.
After a r
ound of handshakes and hugs we pulled up more chairs and all sat looking at each other. This was not what I expected to find upon my return.
“Al,” I said. “I am sure that Hitch has given you a general picture of what our pursuit entailed. We can elaborate about all that later. Just what the hell is going on here and where the hell is everyone? Where is Jess?”
“You had best take a seat and have a drink. This ain’t going to be neither short nor sweet.” Al filled a glass with whiskey and slid it over to me. Like all westerners he loved to spin a tale and it was best not to rush the telling. He got up and went over to Violett who was being attended to by Claude. The piano man was rubbing her hand and crying. Al knelt before her and gazed up into her eyes. “You poor gal, what in hell did they do to you?”
He turned to me and shook his head. “I am sorry that bastard got away, Lou. Doc, what can we do for her?”
Doc Tallis was eyeing my drink with painful lust. He looked up. “I do not rightly know. These cases of shock are hard to treat. We know little of the mind and all I can suggest is rest and care. Maybe she will snap back. I ain’t much up on the latest treatments but it would probably be best to look after her here for awhile and if nothing positive happens we may have to take her back east where they are more up to date on these matters. My fear is that they will only put her in an asylum and she would be much better off here than being put in one of those places.”
I slammed down my glass on the table. “There will be no talk of asylums. I will see to her care and it will be right here. Now, for God’s sake, tell me what is going on.”
Al came back to the table and pulled up his chair. The Black Dog was as quiet as a morgue and that is how it felt.
“Well Lou, first off after you left that damn Lt. Scribine started acting like he ruled the town. He began marching his soldiers up and down the street and giving orders to everyone. He even went up to the mines and was telling them how to organize their defenses in the event of an Indian attack. He was getting mighty tiresome.”
“Yup,” said Busy. “He come in the jail and started in on me and Jess about what our duties should be and the like. Jess told him to shove his talk up his ass. It were right funny except he like to explode.”
“He even sent his medical corpsmen to see if I was up to snuff on medical procedures,” said Doc. “He claimed he was doing me a favor as I had been stuck out here and did not know of medical advances. I sent them scurrying.”
“Well, anyway, you can see we was having our problems with that boy. Plus with the threat of the Nez Perce and his fear that the Crow would join them, he was in a high state of agitation all the time. He like to drove everyone crazy. Then about a week after you left a couple of hunters come in with news from the Larue place about Old Dorcas being dead and them that was left being stuck up there. So I sent Jess, Busy and Bill Bird up the mountain with a couple of teams.”
Al turned to Breezy. “Little gal, do you know of any relatives that you have in Missouri?”
“Well, Dorcas did talk about some family back there. She said after they left Loosiana they done come up the Mississippi to St. Louis. Once they got there some of the clan stayed but the rest went west with Zeke; why you asking?”
“Because some of your kin from the compound headed back there; to Independence. The rest, including John and his family and two others come here, to town. In the meantime we had heard that the Nez Perce, after the battle you saw, headed south towards Yellowstone. I guess they ran General Sturgis ragged. They then come this way to try and join the Crow. The Crow was not stupid and had no desire to fight the US Army so they agreed to help Miles get after the remaining Nez Perce that was headed north to Canada. Scribine got orders to join Sturgis so they up and left the fort and headed east. He had the post locked and gave me the keys to everything. I never heard of such a thing but we were glad to be rid of him.”
I interrupted Al’s tale. “Hold on, Al. You mean he left the post empty? He did not leave anyone behind at all?”
“No Lou, he did not. But like I say we was just glad him and his soldiers was gone. A few days later, when the Larues come down with three wagon loads of goods and furniture and no where to stay, I decided to put them up at the fort. The Army left plenty of stores and I figured why let them go to waste. So your kin, or some of them, is out there Breezy if you want to see them.”
Al stopped for a sip of whiskey to wet his whistle and then continued. “The latest news we got is that the Nez Perce have either given up or made it to Canada; we ain’t got all the details. Not long after we got the Larue people settled in the fort a circuit judge come down from Virginia City looking for you. I told him I was acting mayor and town Sheriff but he was mighty mad about you being off on a chase across territorial lines. He was not to clear about what he wanted but he said you should report to Virginia City when you returned.”
I frowned. “Yup, they are probably after my badge. Speaking of which, you ain’t answered my question. Where is Jess?”
Al looked down at his hands which were spread, palms up, on the table. “You know Lou he was not happy about you striking him and pulling your weapon on him. He was just bringing you the news about Josephus. Plus you took his horse and left him with Breezy here. I know they was wrong in…”
Busy jumped up. “Watch what you say, Al. Remember I was the one got shot. Hell, how was I supposed to know he was that recovered? Doc here didn’t say nothing.”
We all turned to Doc whose head hung low. “I was derelict in my duty. I had received letters from Camille and I knew she was not coming back. I stopped caring.” He put his face in his hands and shook his head. “I am sorry to everyone, to you Busy especially. I should have had him put behind bars.”
Busy patted Doc’s arm. “Aw hell, Doc, I guess it was the fault of all of us. Jess should have been there with me but he needed a drink and he was a miserable cuss anyway.”
“Never mind all this palaver,” I said. “What happened to Jess?”
“OK, Lou, I’ll tell you. I guess the last straw for him was when you took off after Josephus with Breezy instead of him. He come into the Black Dog and threw his badge at me. He told me that the part of the Larue clan that was heading back east needed a trail guide and he was going to take them. He said he wanted to go back to St. Louis and was sick of the west. He carried on like that for awhile until I threw him out.”
“I thought Jess had more grit than that but maybe he had a right to be angry with me. However that ain’t no excuse for not doing your sworn duty and he was a sworn deputy.” Like all my other failed powers of good judgment I guess I had been wrong about Jess too.
I grimaced with displeasure. “Fine, he left and maybe he had a good reason. But once you put that badge on, you take an oath and if you can’t honor that oath then you ain’t worth shit. But you ain’t told me all, have you Al? I fear you are about to shovel a whole other pile of manure on me.”
Everyone looked at Al and I knew the worst was coming. He took a deep breath and another sip of whiskey. “Lou, did you know they had that big rail workers strike back east and everything came to a halt? Well that was taken care of and when the railroads got back on track, so to speak, they up and decided that they was going to take a more northern route and bypass Lost Path. That Judge brought the news when he come through. So without the railroad coming here they are going to close the fort. I do not know if they will return to dismantle it or what the Army plans to do. I thought that if maybe we could gather enough money we could buy it from them, seeing as we built it, and then the Larues could use it.”
Losing the railroad came as a relief to me. I knew everyone was looking for the money to come rolling in but I was content with Lost Path as it was. “That is a good idea, Al.” I turned to Breezy. “You think your kin would stay here and farm the river land? I hear the soil is good out there.”
“I will talk to John, Lou. He is a good man. I should go now and let him know that we did not ever see them boys.” She put
both her hands on Hitch’s shoulders. “You can tell me what I missed later. I will not be long.” Breezy headed out the door toting her Sharps rifle and pistol on her hip. She was something to behold and all eyes were on her.
Hitch poured himself another drink. “I will tell you all this much; if that gal stays here we will be just fine. She got more grit and gumption than any man I ever met. That gal can shoot straighter than anyone and she fixed me up from that bear real good. Well, Two Leggings and his Injun medicine helped too but I aim to marry that gal real soon, before she gets away.”
Al smiled and poured Hitch another shot. “I told you she was a fine girl, Hitch. You are doing the right thing. You marry that gal and raise a passel of kids. I just hope they don’t get born with that red mop you got growin’ on your head.”
“You best be quiet, you old bald coot. At least I got somethin’ up there.”
The downbeat air of the saloon was broken by laughter and we all breathed a little easier.
“Seems all that talk of Lost Path becoming a big city has gone by in a hurry. I can’t say that I am sorry. I like the place the way it is. Well at least we still got the miners to spend money here.”
I noticed that the laughter had died and everyone was now looking into their whiskey glasses. Claude had gone back to his piano and was tinkling out some dirge.
“Don’t tell me that you got more bad news.”
Al turned his hands over so that they were now facing down on the table. “Mr. Burns, Liam Burns, the mine supervisor come down to see me after the Army lit out. The people back in Scotland ain’t happy with the silver output and they are shutting down, at least for now, and going after what they think will be a richer vein up by Butte. It looks like that except for the stage coming through regular and the Injuns looking for goods we are going out of business. Hitch still got the contract with the stage line and Bill Bird got his smithy goin’ for the haulers and hunters but unless the Larues stay we is not going to be much more than a dot on the map. Me and Frenchy will survive but as you can see most of the girls have left and them three that is still here, well they are just too lazy to move on.”
