“Why he so mean?”
“He’s angry because he’s scared. He probably just needs some time.”
The young man sighs and turns to leave.
John asks him, “What’s your and your sister’s names?”
He turns and point to himself. “Red-Feather.” Then he points to his sister. “Silver-Moon.” He turns around again and goes back to his sister.
That boy has had a hard life for someone so young. John walks over to where Josh is standing and asks, “What’s all this stuff?”
Josh turns to him, his face pasty white in death, hands and forearms covered in blood and in a voice John has never heard before, Josh asks his friend, “Why? Why do you torment me?”
Chapter 41
John wakes in a cold sweat. He sits up trying to orient himself. His stomach feels like it’s doing the trapeze. He remembers the event clearly, and Josh never got hurt in it. And even if he did, it wasn’t by John’s hand. So why the nightmare now?
He looks outside the window and sees what appears to be first light. He gets up and unlocks the door, opening it just in time to startle the sergeant standing in front of a squad of troopers about to knock.
John asks the startled man, “Can I help you?”
“We’re here to pick up the prisoners for transport to Norman.”
John nods, opens the door, and allows several members of the squad to enter the Marshal’s Office. He notes with approval they already have their weapons drawn. The sergeant holds up a set of manacles, connected by a chain.
John leads the way into the room with the cells. He looks down and yells out, “AH!” in surprise. He tries to stomp the life out of the fiddle-back spider right in front of him. Instead of hearing the satisfying crunch indicating death, when he lifts his foot, the spider scurries off to hide in the wall again. His outcry wakes all the prisoners, several of which stand, in preparation to fight. John shivers violently for several seconds, until he can calm down his nervousness.
He ushers in the sergeant. Making sure he is being properly covered, John says, “Alright. We have chains for ya, fellas. You should know the drill. If you don’t, follow the lead of everyone else.”
The men form a line, move forward, and allow John to attach the chain to their left ankle. He has them move out and has the two from the other cell join their cell mates. When he sees the prisoner that was choked out the night before, he notices the bruises on the man’s throat. John shakes his head. Fear makes people do some real stupid stuff alright. He has the chain gang move out of the office on to the street. They all climb into the wagon waiting for them just outside the office. John notices that there seems to be a lot more soldiers than he thought, escorting the prisoners.
When he mentions it to the sergeant, the sergeant replies simply, “Captain’s orders.”
John allows the troops to move the prisoners to the camp, in preparation to move them to Norman. Once the last soldier moves past him, he heads over to the hotel.
The inside of the hotel is abuzz with activity. Soldiers are moving about, moving luggage from upstairs and helping their officers clear out.
John sees Miss Rebekah at the registration desk. He moves over to her and says, “Morning, ma’am.” He tips his hat to her. “How are you this fine morning?”
She looks at him a moment and scowls. “I wish you would talk David out of going away, even for a few days.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. He has made his decision and I will respect it. Why don’t you want him to go?” he asks curiously.
“He hasn’t stopped working and taken a day of rest since the landrun. Even God needed a day of rest after all.”
John’s face darkens a bit. Those two really should be together. They even believe in the same fairy tales. “Well, I’ll see what I can do to make him relax while we’re gone.”
“I appreciate it. I just wish there were some way to make him stay behind.”
“There is, but you don’t want to hear it,” John says with a grin.
Her eyebrows rise. “You know, by saying that, you are forcing me to ask you anyway”
“It does appear that way, doesn’t it?” John’s grin becomes a wide smile.
“I give up. How can I tell him to stay home?” the exasperation in her voice makes John chuckle at having won this round of the game of words. It isn’t often he can and this victory, he expects will be short lived. “You can make him stay home when you two are married.”
Rebekah looks at him a moment and bursts into laughter. “If he would ever ask me, I would immediately accept. I have waited almost two years for him to get up the nerve to ask!”
John is speechless. He had been under the impression David had asked her and she had put off the engagement. Interesting. Maybe I need to speak to that boy after all. He nods. “Fair enough. Which room is Red-Feather’s? Before we head out, I want someone to be able to ‘mind the store’ as it were.”
“He’s in room 210. I haven’t seen him or Heart-of-Falcon come downstairs, so they might be a bit preoccupied.” Rebekah’s blush is endearing.
“Gotcha.” John smiles broadly, again. “I might as well have a bite of breakfast. Is David ready to go as yet?”
Just then, the door to the hotel opens and David steps into the foyer. “Is my name being taken in vain? Hello, beautiful. Is this grouchy old man bothering you again?” David’s smile is impudent.
Rebekah laughs freely. “You two.” She shakes her head. “I’m gonna go get you clowns some food. If you’ll excuse me.” She leaves quickly through the back door, towards the kitchen.
David gives John a look of curiosity. “Were you giving her a hard time, too?”
“Nah. Not really. Well, not more than usual.” John turns and leads the way into the dining room. “Are you almost ready to head out?”
He nods. “After breakfast and coffee. My horse is ready and all. Thank you, Ben,” he says as the waiter brings a pot of coffee, two cups, and two plates fully of eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy.
John whistles at the amount of food being provided. “Why haven’t you gone and gotten married to that girl, yet?”
“It hasn’t been the right time. What about you? Why aren’t you married?”
“I almost was, once. She died just before the war. She was killed by the Red-Legs.” John’s stomach lurches at the memory.
“Mmmh. Sorry I asked. One moment, please.” David bows his head and he silently prays over his food. “So, after your fiancé died, did you never find another woman who caught your eye?”
“Well, there were several ladies of the night, but none of them caught me long enough to settle down permanently or anything.”
“Ah,” David says delicately.
They enjoy their meal together, discussing little to nothing of consequence. After they finish eating, John is enjoying the chance to lounge in the chair a few minutes over his coffee, when Red-Feather enters the dining room.
John waves a quick greeting and waves his friend over. “We’re gonna be heading out shortly. Think you can ‘mind the shop’ while we’re gone?” John asks flippantly.
Red-Feather gives his friend a flinty glare, then sighs.
John laughs, rises from his hair, and claps his friend on the shoulder. “Seriously though, be careful while we’re gone. Remember, you don’t have any backup until I get back.”
Red-Feather nods and seats himself in the chair that just recently vacated by John. He motions the waiter over.
The waiter moves quickly over to the table and asks, “Would you like the same?”
Red-Feather nods.
The waiter picks up the dirty dishes and carries them back to the kitchen. Less than a minute later, he returns with two more servings of coffee and food. He asks, as he approaches the table, “Your wife will be joining us shortly, I expect?”
Red-Feather nods.
The waiter sets up both place settings as David rises from his seat as well.
Just as John and Dav
id make their way out of the hotel, David is stopped by Rebekah.
David looks at John. “A moment please?”
John nods and stands close to the door as David and Rebekah share a short private conversation, ending in a brief, yet passionate, kiss. John is left somewhat envious of their relationship.
John and David leave the hotel to make their way over to the blacksmith’s shop. John spends several minutes gathering his tack and preparing his horse for the journey.
They leave the livery and, at John’s insistence, head over to the Marshal’s office. John checks to ensure the amount of provisions left behind. One of the soldiers left a repeater rifle, a revolver in the same caliber, and two boxes of shells. He is sure he will be charged for the equipment, out of his allotment, but he is still grateful someone did it anyway.
Just as he is leaving, John sees Red-Feather approach from the hotel. John mounts his horse and waits for Red-Feather to get close enough to talk. “I’ve made sure you should have enough gear to last you while I’m gone. Be safe. I’ll see you when I get back.” He waves bye as he and David ride at a slow trot towards the area of the cavalry camp.
When they approach the campsite, John notices the entire location has been cleared out. The cavalry troop is in the process of mounting. The wagon of the prisoners, under heavy guard, is close to the back of where the troopers are mounting.
John rides up to Capt. Richards and says, “Mornin’, Cap’n! Is everything ready to go?”
Capt. Richards smiles. “I was about to ask you the same. Is there a reason Doc Bakker is going along?”
“He’s headed in the same direction and asked if I could provide an escort,” John replies in an offhanded manner. “I told him I would help where I could.”
“Well, to be honest, I will enjoy having a doctor ride with us, we still have numerous injured men, after all. I just hope he is willing to provide his services to us while he is riding with us.”
“He will be. Otherwise, why ride with us? You know there is the Hippocratic Oath after all,” John says, as David nods in agreement.
Capt. Richards motions for John to ride at his right hand and for David to ride next to Lyttle. With one last look down the line, Capt. Richards calls out, “Forward HO!”
In an undulating motion, the column of troopers moves forward.
The trip of fifteen miles to Norman goes by quickly. They have only been on the trail for five hours when the buildings of town start to come in to view.
Capt. Richards checks his pocket watch and says to John, “Looks like we made decent time. Just a little bit afternoon. We’ll throw the prisoners in the stockade out at the garrison, then grab a bite to eat. The three of you are welcome to join me, if you’re of a mind.”
John nods and says, “I can’t speak for David or Lyttle, but I won’t turn down free food, even if it IS trooper’s fare.”
The captain laughs at the response and picks up the pace to a canter. David is of the same opinion as John and hangs around for the free food. Lyttle left the column just as they pulled into Norman, saying something about needing to “make sure my office is still there”.
Less than an hour later, they are in the middle of the garrison courtyard dismounting, gathering their gear, and getting prepared for a midday meal.
As John and David enter the Officer’s Mess to take their meal, they see there are about half a dozen officers already in there.
The captain asks everyone to be seated, then prays a blessing over the food. John is uncomfortable to say the least. He feels like everyone around that he trusts is putting their faith in a fairy tale. He looks around at the bowed heads and wonders how they are able to put their faith into a non-existent being.
After the prayer, the food is served. It is a veritable feast, a sumptuous collection of meats and vegetables. The mood at the table is light, but respectful; the conversation is quiet. This is something John is hardly able to believe coming from a group of soldiers.
When John asks about the food, he is answered that it all came in on the train, which stops in Norman. John is surprised that the army is able to spend so much money on food.
“Well, that’s because they don’t. These aren’t rations, issued by the Department of the Army. I have some gold saved from some outside interests that I use to get the food with,” Capt. Richards responds quietly. “You see, my uncle used to own half of the Wichita Railroad and I inherited close to a half-million dollars from his estate.”
John is stunned at the flagrant use of money, but keeps his opinions to himself. As the meal comes to an end, Lyttle enters the Officer’s mess holding several sheets of paper. As he walks in, he announces, “John, you are either one of the luckiest, or unluckiest men I’ve ever known.”
John turns to look at him and sees that he appears to be holding wanted posters. “Oh? Why is that?”
“I need to speak to you in private, John.”
Once they are outside, Lyttle says in a low voice, “Six of those men have warrants out. Since you were the only civilian that captured those prisoners, you are the one that will receive the reward. Once able to collect, you will receive twenty five hundred dollars in gold.”
“Why did you insist on telling me this far from everyone else?”
“Now that you are a city marshal, I want you to remember that you took an oath.”
“Do you really think I am going to turn down my position just because I’m getting a lot of gold?”
“That is a lot of money, and we didn’t give you much choice about becoming a marshal.”
John sighs and crosses his arms. “The gold is of no concern. If you want to keep hold of it for expenses . . .” He leaves the comment unfinished, his ire beginning to rise.
“You will still receive the gold as is your right. I just thought I would make sure you knew the responsibility you agreed to take on.”
“As if I didn’t know that kind of temptation. Someday, remind me to tell you about my past.” John sighs once more. “How long for delivery?”
Lyttle strokes his jaw thoughtfully. “I have wired to Guthrie for a marshal to bring the reward and pick up the prisoners for trial.” He stops rubbing a second and looks skyward. “I would say three more days, four at the most. I expect the marshal will come down by train.”
John nods, already starting to work out what needs to be bought to run the jail. “I guess we will have to work on getting supplies shipped out there.” He looks around the garrison. “I have a list. With the reward money, it looks like I can expand it. You know, get a few amenities, like a floor for the office itself.”
Lyttle snorts in derision. “I’m surprised flooring wasn’t number one on the list.”
“Four. Working weaponry was one.” John smiles in appreciation.
“Ah.” Lyttle motions for them to go back in. “Shall we?”
“Let’s.”
When they re-enter the officer’s mess, David asks quietly, “Everything ok?”
“Yeah, later.”
The mid-day meal lasts a few more minutes, then the rest of the officers go about their duties. John steps up to Capt. Richards and asks why he spends so much money on food for his officers.
“Actually, all my troopers. The primary cause of discontent among troopers is the lack of quality for their subsistence. It doesn’t cost that much and it grants me more loyalty that you would expect,” he replies easily.
John is stunned at the insight. When he served under Lt. Richards ten years ago, the man didn’t have a clue about how to handle people at all, much less command respect from troopers. He nods in acceptance of what the officer says. He replies, “Well, it appears we are going to be around a few days, giving depositions and getting a bounty for several prisoners as well.”
“I would recommend staying in a hotel, here in Norman. Unfortunately, since you’re not military anymore, you won’t be able to stay in the garrison with the rest of the troopers.”
John nods. He has been expecting that. �
�Thankfully, I have some money to be able to use between now and then.” He turns to look at David, who just walked up, for a moment. He turns and looks at Capt. Richards again and asks, “What is the name of a good hotel here?”
The captain rubs his jaw lost in thought a moment, before answering, “I haven’t really stayed in a hotel here, but the food at The Emerald Fields is great. They have rooms above the restaurant.”
“We will have to check it out. We will get back with you before long. Most likely in the next day or two.” John and David turn towards the door.
“Be careful. Norman may not be Dodge, but it’s still a bit wild,” Capt. Richards says as the two men leave.
John nods and waves bye. As they make their way over to the stables, David asks, “So what was all that about?”
“Lyttle wanted to make sure I wanted to stay Marshal of Denver, even though I’m getting some good amount of bounty money in.” John shakes his head. “As if having a lack of money was my only reason for taking the job.”
David sniggers at the comment. “Well, he doesn’t know you very well, after all.”
“I know. Let’s go get checked in and start getting stuff lined up to head back over to Denver.” He gives his young friend a sideways glance. “I can imagine you want to spend as little time away from there as you can.”
David nods vigorously. “I am sorely tempted to head back, now. I do need to take care of a few things here as well, though.” They reach their horses and start tacking them back out. “One thing I know, is I will be glad to get back home.”
“I would say I understand, but in truth, I don’t. Nowhere is home for me. I have places to sleep, but one is as good as any other.”
David mounts, then settles in his saddle, and lets out a heavy sigh. “I feel pity for any person that doesn’t have a place to call home.”
“Yes, well. I don’t need anyone’s pity,” John replies, bridling at the comment.
“Oh! You know what I mean. Not that you are pitiful, but that not having a home is as depressing a thought as I can imagine.”
The Marshal of Denver Page 21