Between Rufus's pistole work and Mel's shotgun, the last warrior goes down. Mel also put some buckshot into a horse that is now running hell for leather off into the wilderness. John nods at Mel "John, this is Antonio. Those you saved are Flying Eagle, Rufus and the lass bleeding on the dirt is Winona."
Antonio digs a lug of tobacco out and takes a bite "Damn near thought all three of em were dead. Me and John wasn't going down in that camp" He says in a tone that makes it clear he thought them all fools.
Rufus reaches down to the warrior at his feet and recovers both his pistols and his rifle.
Next time we should have just ambushed them and not had this point blank shootout
He reloads his pistol as he walks over to his derringer.
Well, this proved its worth
He drops it in a pocket as he walks over to To'Sarre ready to put a shot into him as he walks up.
"Greetings. Thanks for the help, I thought we were dead men. Just to be clear, I hold no grude against white men, I hope you will do the same for me."
Winona pushes herself onto her hands and knees with a groan. She spits some dirt out of her mouth and staggers to her feet with a drunken wobble, clearly unsteady. She still bleeds from the hole in her side where she was shot.
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Mal nods at Rufus. "You got that right. It's a right good thing we stumbled along when we did. Given the choice, I'd much rather be the ambush-ers rather than the ambush-ees."
As Winona comes around he just points at her wound. "Ah shucks, ma'am, you be all right. Just rub some dirt on that an' walk it off.
Now friends, do we know what we're gonna do with all these bodies? I assume we're gonna keep us some mementos and then leave 'em for the wolves. Nothing wrong with that, wolves gotta eat too.
Now I don't like being too open about this, but I took me some rather sacred vows of such. Nah, nah, I ain't all gonna be up in yer business about em', but I got me a rather, ah, particular set of rites I gotta follow as regard to fallen foes.
And I can't be bothered to get all mouthy about it. I ain't gonna make you'all do anything and I just need a couple few minutes t' get 'er done.
The first one t' fall was off in the woods a-ways, so Imma go do what I gotta do, and I figure by the time you all have taken off the mementos an' rounded up the horses I'll be right as rain.
So, I'll be right back."
Mal disappears over the hill and through the woods to where the other corpses lay.
To'Sarre has only a bowie Knife on him other than his close and some medicine pouches. Of course there is his horse, which if you chase it down had a saddle and what looked to be a bow and Arrows on it. All in all the Camp had a eight horses, a few of them now scattered. The Indian warriors carried tomahawks and an assortment of colts, (four peacemakers, three frontiers) and seven Winchester 76's. Among the camp is varies foods and and other items a warband would use on a journey across the wilderness. If no one has any other Orders John and Antonio help Rufus loot the camp.
Rufus asks John to bring our horses up, while he is looting the camp.
Anyone care that i take 2 of the peacemakers and scabbards
Once the horses are brought up, he helps get the other horses.
he bundles the rest of the guns on one of the natives horses and mounts up.
Zack nods at Mal as the man wanders off to do whatever rites he feels are necessary, before turning his attention back to Winona. "Well then, ma'am, it would seem that we have some time to get that there injury a proper look-see, if you're minded not to take my friend's advice and just, ah, 'walk it off.'..." He ventures back to where he stationed his horse, and retrieves his doctor's bag before offering his services as healer.
As he returns with the bag, he gives the others an amiable nod. "Seems in the fuss, I fair forgot my manners! I'm Zachary Ames, most call me Zack and I'm ok with that. Seems like good fortune my friend and I happened on you when we did - is there a story to that? I always was partial to a good tale."
So, you're a sawbones are you. you think you might be able to something about this
He takes his duster off to show a nasty cut over the right shoulder and arm.
Flying Eagle will help round up the horses, and if there's any picking-over left to do after that, will help with that too.
Once everyone's back together again, he says "Do any of you need a gun, or an extra gun? If so, take one. I figure we could sell the leftovers and the horses to get a tidy sum, if our boss doesn't take it all for himself. You strangers...I don't think you've given us your names?...we're on a big cattle drive, and our boss would probably be willing to hire you, if you're interested."
Zack has in fact already introduced himself, but there's no harm in saying it again. He gives the man a smile. "Howdy there. Name's Zachary Ames, but most call me Zack. My hard-hittin' friend is called Mal. And what about you?"
He whistles when Rufus shows his cut. "That musta stung a mite! I should say up-front, to avoid any of them unfortunate misunderstandings that so plague this world, I don't make a claim to have gone through doctorin' school or anysuch; but I have learned to tend a wound or two in my time."
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"Hullo," Mal says, rising over the hill, coming back from the--whatever it was he was doing. It must have been a peaceful ritual because he appears quite at peace.
"Ayup. Zack's got the right of that. Right handy he is, and yes, we had heard 'bout a great big cattle drive and we was just runnin' ourselves into the ground to try and catch up. So I s'pose this was one of them blessings in disguise, if I may be so bold.
Yeah, let's get all our fair prizes of conquest all arranged and then we best mosey on out."
Winona casts about for a canteen so that she can rinse some of the dirt out of her mouth before she talks.
"Winona," she says simply to Zack with a wince. "Think the bullet might still be lodged in there, would be mighty kind of you if you could get it out."
"My name's Flying Eagle."
Zack's hands are kind of busy, but he gives a polite nod of his head as Flying Eagle and Winona introduce themselves. "Pleased t'meetcha both." He turns his attention back to Winona's injury. "Well now, why don't we have a looksee and get this thing out?"
It's very far from painless (especially in the absence of anaesthetic), but he does his best to ensure it's over quickly and holds up the extracted bullet with a flourish. "Souvenir of your travels, ma'am." He gives her another quick smile.
John and Antonio help gather up the horses and police the weapons. "I reckon the horses and such are ours" Antonio says "We are the ones that road out her, why should the boss get em without risk?" He says looking a mite irritated. Behind him John just shakes his head and stays out of it.
Winona knocks back a slug of the firewater and then wraps up her kerchief into a tight cylinder and bites down on it in preparation for Zach digging around for the bullet.
Rufus looks at Antonio.
Man, I feel you, and I didn't say anything about giving these sad excuses of horseflesh to the boss. I think we should sell them to him for maybe $10 a head. then you will get some extra money for the work that you two put in.
Once he says his piece, he heads over to Devil Eyes
On the way he thanks Zach for the work on his arm.
Rufus then finishes reloading his pistols, and holsters them. Tucking the derringer back into his sleeve holster.
He then picks 2 of the colts, unloads them, and puts them along with their holsters in his saddlebags.
Mounting up, he looks at the rest, as he takes the lead ropes for 3 of the FN horses.
Well, shall we get back to the boss, and try to sell him this horseflesh, as I have no need for others. I might keep one more for my stable of working horses.
Winona accepts the bullet from her wound from Zach and says, "I'll add it to my collectibles, along with the scar."
"Gonna be a fun time ridin' for the next few days."
Antonio nods to Rufus "Sounds fair to me" John just shrugs and joins the others in heading back to the horses. It doesn't take long to round the horses, loot the body and camp of useful items and head back toward the drive camp. It only takes a few hours as you were decently close. The cattle camp is much as you left it, you smell beans from the chuck wagon and a few hands wave to you.
Luke makes his way over toward you. "seems like you have more horses and peoples when you left with, you have trouble?
Flying Eagle will briefly tell Luke what happened and explain that the troubles that have been plaguing them should be gone, and introduce the two new people. He will ask if they can sell the horses to him (asking $50 a head), since they went thru all the danger to get them.
Winona accepts the bullet from her wound from Zach and says, "I'll add it to my collectibles, along with the scar."
"Gonna be a fun time ridin' for the next few days."
Zack gives a lopsided smile, and a slight rueful shake of his head. "That I can't help you with, ma'am. But the stitching will hold and in a few days you'll be right."
Back at camp, he lets Flying Eagle make the introductions, giving an easy smile ("Pleased t'meetcha") but not giving away much about why he was out here in the first place. The first, second and third rules of doing Agency business are about not letting anyone know you're on Agency business.
Luke listens to the tale "Seems like you had a hell of a day. Much obliged to you" He says nodding at Mal and Zack "We could use a few extra hands if you're looking for work. the boss should be back soon, but I can offer you a job. we pay $30 a month and feed ya over there." he says jerking his head toward the chuck wagon.
Looking back at Flying Eagle he says "$50 seems steep for horses you took from Indians, I think I can swing $30 a head without asking the boss"
"Deal"
Luke looks over the Horses you brought in, you managed to wrangle up 12, most are not fully saddle broke but all are able to be ridden. Luke, get into the strong box and counts you out $360 dollars.
The night passes with little drama and trouble, the unease of the last few nights has passed like a bad dream. The next Morning Bill and his crew arrive back in camp.
Luke listens to the tale "Seems like you had a hell of a day. Much obliged to you" He says nodding at Mal and Zack "We could use a few extra hands if you're looking for work. the boss should be back soon, but I can offer you a job. we pay $30 a month and feed ya over there." he says jerking his head toward the chuck wagon.
Looking back at Flying Eagle he says "$50 seems steep for horses you took from Indians, I think I can swing $30 a head without asking the boss"
Zack gives an easy nod. "That's a fair wage, thank you." The Agency pays pretty well, but it would look suspicious if he turned the money down and he doesn't want to attract attention.
Rufus ensures that antonio and john get a share of the sale of the horses.
He then cleans his guns and then enjoys a bite then settles in for a mostly uninteruppted sleep.
Winona thanks Zachary for helping with her bullet wound and manages to make it back to camp without a fuss.
"I reckon this should help with clearing up any bad feelings 'bout driving the herd," she opines after leaving the saddle, while she starts working on brushing down her horse and giving it some relaxing treatment for a little while. "Can't hurt to have more reliable hands, either."
The next morning you get moving with your new trail hands over the Trincheras pass. The passage is uneventful and although the trail does run along cliffs, its not a hard passage. You stay mostly the the rear, Bill and Abby stay mostly at the lead with Luke managing the middle. Before you lays the plains of Colorado.
A day after you pass onto the plains, you come across the bunt remains of what at a distance seems to be a homestead. A feeling of unease rides on the air, like the aftermath of a storm.
Rufus rides over, and takes a look at the homestead, as he passes with the herd.
More to himself than anyone else, he mutters.
I hope that we don't run into the polecats that did this to these people.
Rufus rides out from the herd, and goes partway towards the homestead, but continues along with the herd.
Winona pulls her horse off to dismount and take a look at the burned homestead, searching for any signs of who might've lived here—toys or dolls that could indicate children, tools that indicate farmers, anything to get an idea of what sort of people once resided in this place before it was burned down.
Flying Eagle accompanies them :
= Success
Zack's friendly gaze hardens a touch as they approach the homestead. "Gettin' a bad feelin' about this one," he murmurs to nobody in particular.
Still, a mixture of curiosity and a driving need to help anyone who may be in distress compels him forwards. He swings down from the saddle, one hand near to his holster as he moves in to investigate with the others. He does his best not to draw undue attention.
Winona looks thought the ruins of the homestead. It was a small home, only one or two rooms. You see the left overs of things that did not burn, such as pots but would guess maybe a single homesteader or maybe a couple lived her. It seems recent as everything still has a heavy smoke sent once disturbed.
Flying Eagle spots a tripod in the back. It seems to be hanging over the remains of a small fire, a large bulging bag of skins hangs over the remains of the fire. This fills Flying Eagle with unease as he knows some tribes sew victims into such bags and roast them to death in the skins.
Zack is trying to stalk though the ruins and high grass. He comes upon churned earth that might be horses hoofprints.
Zack has a shrewd eye beneath his easy-going bearing, and he easily deciphers what the churned-up earth is trying to tell him. He gives a low, shrill whistle to draw Flying Eagle's and Winona's attention, before pointing to his discovery.
Flying Eagle says "Come look at this. I know of Indians who sew people into bags like these and roast them over a fire, altho this fire seems rather small to roast everything."
He cuts the bag down off the tripod, and cuts away at the stitches. He opens it to find...?
Winona rejoins the other searchers and says, "This was just a small family, maybe one person, maybe two. No sign of children or extended family. No way to tell from these remains if it was a settler or a squatter or what."
Zack thinks there were six to eight shoed horses, maybe four or five days old. It looked like the rode around the house and took time some distance from where Flying Eagle and Winona are examining a skin sack.
Nausea rolls in your stomach as the twisted forum falls to the ground, the smell of smoked meat and sickly sweat smell of death and decay assaults' you. Its hard to tell from the cooked remains, but it looks to be a settler stripped and roasted in the skin sack, days ago. The smell is rather vile.
= Fail
Zack's work with the Agency covers things a little worse than most folk have seen, yes siree/ma'am, so he gives a low whistle as the sight - and smell - roils his guts but he doesn't lose his lunch. "Well. That's a mite more disturbin' sight than you see everyday." His Agency training (and his natural, confounded curiosity) drives him in to take a closer look, trying to see if this is anything more than the sort of atrocity one human might commit against another.
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Mal had no interest in the homestead--it had obviously seen much misery, but also held nothing worth seeing. He would have passed on by, but the others were so intent on investigating it he held his peace.
He rode out with Zach when he hollered about the churned-up earth, and stayed with the tracks, eager to get going.
Rufus hears the commotion and rides over to Mal.
Whats up
He inquires as he finishes the ride to Mal.
He glances down at the tracks.
He then quickly dismounts, checks out the tracks.
Lets see if I remember this right, shod tracks generally mean white man, unshod generally means native