by Joe Corso
“Damn, a hundred dollars! But that’s a lot of money, son, and I can tell you it’s appreciated.”
“When the rest of the reward money gets here, keep it in your safe because I’ll be returning to Omaha. Maybe I’ll stay here for a while. I’ll see what my lady has to say about it and then we’ll decide whether we’ll move on. Before President Grant asked me to meet up with the grand duke, I planned on buying a small ranch and try my hand at raising horses.”
While Charlie was talking, he noticed the sheriff had been staring at Sheridan’s letter, so he handed it to him to read.
When the sheriff finished Charlie asked him, “Does the train stop at North Platte?”
“No, it doesn’t. Why do you ask?”
“That’s where the general’s party will be camped and I could save a lot of time if the train could make an unscheduled stop there.”
Lehman rubbed his chin. “Come on. You just did Union Pacific a big favor by capturing Red Bradley and his gang, so I think they’ll be of a mind to accommodate you. Let’s ride down to the depot and ask Andy Minor. He’s the train master, and if anyone can get that train to stop at North Platte, he can.”
Charlie and the sheriff mounted their horses and loped slowly down the wide boulevard toward the train station. They tied their horses to the hitching post, climbed the three steps to the platform, and pushed open the train depot’s door. A short, bespectacled man, wearing a cap with Union Pacific on it, finished writing on the schedule. He was about to post it when the two men walked in.
“Howdy, Sheriff.”
“Howdy, Andy. I have someone with me I’d like you to meet. He’s the man responsible for capturing Red Bradley and his gang. His name is Charles Longstreet and he needs you to do him a big favor.”
The sheriff waited for Andy to recognize Longstreet, but he could tell the name didn’t register with the train master, so he added, “Just in case you don’t recognize the name, Andy, he’s Charles Longstreet, the Lone Jack Kid.”
Andy raised an eyebrow when he heard the name and took a closer look at Charlie. He put out his hand for Charlie to shake. “Mighty pleased to meet you, Mr. Longstreet.” Andy looked at the sheriff and then back at Charlie. “The sheriff mentioned you needed a favor?”
“Yes and it’s a mighty important favor.”
Charlie took out General Sheridan’s letter and handed it to Andy. After reading it, he handed it back.
“I don’t understand. What has any of this to do with me?”
“Well, Andy, I was on the train when Bradley tried to rob it. Me and my friend Wild Eagle and two of our friends decided we weren’t going to allow those men to rob your train. We would have been with the general and his party at North Platte except that we decided to track down and put a stop to Red Bradley and his gang’s lawlessness. So the favor I’d like you to do for me and Wild Eagle is to stop the train at North Platte and allow us to get off the train. It shouldn’t take more than five minutes to get our horses, and then you can be on your way again.”
Andy sat down and thought about it, absently tapping his pencil on his desk.
“What you want me to do is a little irregular.”
Charlie was about to say something, but Andy cut him off with a wave of his hand. “Let me finish what I was about to say. Seeing as how you captured the gang that has robbed the Union Pacific a number of times, I believe we can arrange to have the train stop at North Platte. What you’re asking us to do falls within the auspices of good public relations for the railroad.”
The sheriff smiled.
“I’ll stop by the Omaha Daily Bee and let them know how the Union Pacific Railroad Company stopped the train at North Platte to assist the Lone Jack Kid. I’ll inform the editor that he and his Indian friend, Wild Eagle, chief of the Kaw Indians, were late joining Generals Sheridan and Custer for the great buffalo hunt they were planning, because he took to the trail to track Red Bradley and his gang. Don’t worry, I’ll tell them everything. I’ll even embellish it to make it sound better.”
Andy Minor, the Union Pacific train master in Omaha and the surrounding area, liked the publicity the newspaper would give his company. It would be a public relations coup. Yeah, the publicity from the newspaper sounded better each time he mulled it over in his mind.
Chapter 29
Spotted Tail reined up in front of General Sheridan’s tent, where the general sat talking to Custer. The chief pointed east.
“Two men on horseback come.”
Both Sheridan and Custer shaded their eyes and looked over the horizon, where they saw two small black specks riding towards them in the distance. Ned Buntline, one hand on his hip and the other pointing toward the two riders, raised his head in laughter, revealing a mouthful of tobacco-stained teeth. He spit out a chaw of tobacco, which landed on an unsuspecting insect, while continuing to point toward the riders.
“I ’spect those two riders would be Longstreet and his friend Wild Eagle. Don’t ask me how they managed it, but it appears they got to our Red Willow Creek camp sooner than we figured.”
He shook his head, still laughing, and sat down on one of the traveling chairs they brought with them on this hunt for comfort.
“For a writer, that boy sure is a fount of useful information. Can’t wait to hear what he’s been up to while he was traveling west to get here.”
General Sheridan opened his mouth to say something, but Buntline waved him off.
“I know, I know. That woman Rose he saved. She told me a little of what he did, and Alexis and Anthony here have filled us in on their experiences with Longstreet since he first met them at the train depot. But I have to hear it from the Kid himself. When you travel with Longstreet as I did, he doesn’t say much… but what he does say could fill a dozen libraries with books.”
The two men dismounted and approached General Sheridan. Charlie gave him a crisp salute.
“I hope you aren’t put out by an old Confederate cavalry man like me saluting you, General?” Charlie said it with a captivating, mischievous smile.
Sherman smiled, returned the salute, and put out his hand.
“From all I’ve been told about you and your friends in the battle of Lone Jack, I’m surprised we won the war.”
“Now who could have told you stories about me, General?”
A voice answered behind him. “Who the hell did you think told him?”
Charlie turned and saw Ned Buntline grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
“Ned! What in blazes are you doing here?”
“Had to protect my investment, Kid. Come on over here and say hello to Buffalo Bill.”
Wild Eagle listened to the banter between the general, Charlie and Ned. He was becoming bored, so he just nodded in the general’s direction as Sheridan studied the Indian. Wild Eagle turned, uninterested in the general’s looks or the conversation, and walked over to Chief Spotted Tail of the Brulé Sioux. He entered into a spirited discussion with the chief and his braves. Every so often, Wild Eagle would turn and point at Charlie, and there were nods of approval from the chief and his men.
Charlie, Buffalo Bill, and Ned were enjoying their talk when Anthony and Alexis stepped out of their tent and walked over to join in the conversation. Alexis smiled when he saw Charlie.
“I heard you apprehended the train robbers.”
“Yeah, me and Wild Eagle surprised them and they had no choice but to surrender or die. Some chose to die, but the leader of the gang and three of his men chose to surrender to us peacefully like.”
Buntline rubbed his hands as he listened to Charlie. “Didn’t I tell you, boys? Charlie here is a fount of information.” He pointed at Charlie. “When we finish with this buffalo hunt, you and me are gonna sit down and you’re gonna tell me everything that happened between the time you left the agency until now. I want to hear it all, and in your own words.”
Ned stood there wide-eyed, waiting for Charlie to say he’d do it. “Well, come on, Kid. Don’t keep me hanging like this.
Tell me you’ll do it.”
Charlie chuckled. “I never could say no to you, you old walrus. When we get some free time, I’ll bring you up to date on some of the experiences me and Wild Eagle shared.”
Ned let out the breath he had been holding. “Good, good. I can’t wait to write it all down in my journal.”
To make his point, Ned waved a small writing pad in his hand.
Sheridan called out to Charlie. “Come on over here for a minute, Longstreet. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.” Sheridan was standing with another man, a tall, blond good-looking, well-built man.
“Charles Longstreet, I’d like you to meet General Custer.”
Sheridan introduced Custer, using his brevet rank of general rather than his peacetime rank of colonel.
Custer smiled warmly and shook Charlie’s hand.
“I’ve read your book, the one Ned wrote about you. It was very interesting, to say the least.”
Charlie smiled back. “I’ve read all about you too, General, and it’s an honor to meet you.”
Custer was surprised at Longstreet’s sincere greeting. From what he read about the Kid, he thought he would be a conceited popinjay, instead of the humble cowboy standing before him. He put his hand on Charlie’s shoulder.
“It’s an honor to meet you too, Longstreet.”
The two generals, Buntline, Buffalo Bill, and Charles Longstreet sat down and talked for most of the morning, until Spotted Tail informed the men that his braves were tracking the buffalo herd and it was time to ride. Alexis picked up the .50 caliber Springfield rifle that Buffalo Bill had presented to him, and with which he had taken down six buffalo, the first one with his first shot.
“Come on,” Buffalo Bill hollered. “You shot six buffalo yesterday. Let’s see what you can do today. When we get back this afternoon, we’ll have a basket of champagne waiting for us to celebrate your success.”
Buffalo Bill turned to Charlie and spoke in a low voice so he couldn’t be overheard. “The grand duke used large caliber revolvers on his first hunt, but he couldn’t hit the side of a barn. That’s why I presented him with the .50 caliber Springfield rifle. Alexis is a good shot with a rifle, but he’s terrible with a handgun, no matter how powerful it is. I guess that’s the way he was trained in Russia as a young nobleman.”
“I guess you’re right,” Charlie said.
“But he’s a good man,” Buffalo Bill was quick to add.
Charlie nodded. “Has a lot of courage too. I watched how he reacted when he was faced with danger. I was impressed with the courage he showed and how he carried himself. He doesn’t get rattled easy and he’s cool under fire. I found that out riding with him on the trail here.” Then he leaned closer to Buffalo Bill.
“Bill, I have a favor to ask you.”
Buffalo Bill raised an eyebrow. “A favor from me?”
“Yes. Wild Eagle and me were supposed to go on our own buffalo hunt. I promised Running Deer, Wild Eagle’s wife, that we would bring her back a few buffalo hides. If you could manage to skin a couple of buffalo for us, I would appreciate it.”
Cody nodded. “Leave it to me. I’ll have them for you before you leave.”
“Thanks, Bill. If there’s anything I could do for you in return, please let me know.”
Buffalo Bill could see Charlie was grateful and he waved away his concern. “Forget it, you don’t owe me anything.”
Chapter 30
Spotted Tail and his braves led the caravan back to Omaha, and when it was about a mile out of town, Charlie dug his heels lightly into Sable’s flank and reined up alongside General Sheridan.
“Excuse me, General, but would you know where Rose Sullivan and her daughter are staying? I’m kinda anxious to see them.”
Sheridan chuckled lightly and pointed toward town.
“I arranged for Mrs. Sullivan and her daughter to stay at the Mayflower Hotel. And since Libby Custer and Rose got along so well, I made sure Libby had the room next to hers. Now that you finished your obligation to the president concerning the grand duke, and the buffalo hunt was successful, if you don’t have any plans, I’d like to offer you a job as a civilian scout for the military. I’d see to it that your pay was commensurate with your salary as Indian Agent.”
“Well, I do appreciate your generous offer, General. I had plans to buy a small ranch and settle down with a good woman and maybe raise me some horses and some cattle. I just don’t know where that will be, though. I guess I’ll know it when I see it.”
Sheridan waved Custer over.
“George, you know this land well. Is there a particular spot where a man could build a home and start a small ranch raising horses?”
Custer thought for a moment. “If that man wanted to settle down near the Bighorn Mountains, there’s a beautiful valley with a cabin and a corral already built. Lonesome Charlie took me to see it one day. It used to belong to an old trapper friend of his who passed away and it’s no longer used. It may need some tender loving care, but a man could move in right now and not be cold.”
Charlie could picture the cabin in his mind’s eye and he instinctively knew that this could be the place to settle down. Everything about this area, from the mountains to the lush green valleys, was beautiful.
“I’d like to see that cabin, General Sheridan.”
“I’m sorry, but I’ll be leaving for Washington in the next few days to brief Grant on the success of our hunt, so I won’t have any time. But maybe George here can arrange something for you.”
Custer smiled warmly. “What’s your schedule like, Longstreet?”
“My time is your time, General.”
“Good. Instead of taking my men back to camp, I’ll give them a three-day furlough and you, Boston, Lonesome Charlie, and me can ride out to see the place. It’s less than a day’s ride from here. We can leave tomorrow morning, stay overnight at the cabin, and return the following day. We won’t need to take a mule with us since we’ll only be gone a few days, but give me the word and I’ll have my sergeant buy some supplies and load them in saddlebags.”
“That sounds great, General. Let’s do it. If we leave tomorrow morning, that gives me a night to bring Rose up to date. I won’t tell her about the cabin. I want it to be a surprise. If I decide to take it, I’ll get it all fixed up. Then I’ll take her to see it. And if she feels like I do, then we’ll settle down there.”
Custer liked Charlie. He was a man of action, like himself. And he liked the idea of Charlie settling down in that nearby valley, where he could pay him a visit every so often.
Libby called Rose over to the window.
“There’s General Sheridan and look, there’s my husband.”
Libby watched a well-built, good-looking cowboy and an Indian tie their horses to the hitching post in front of the hotel, as the rest of the troop found posts along the busy street. She assumed rightly that it was Charles Longstreet, the Lone Jack Kid.
Rose confirmed it. “That’s Charlie and Wild Eagle.”
Libby was anxious to see her husband.
“Come, let’s go downstairs and greet them.”
The usually reserved Rose Sullivan rushed through the doors of the hotel and threw her arms around Charlie, just as he was coming up the wooden steps, and kissed him hard on the lips. Then she realized that people were staring, backed away, and lowered her face, embarrassed by her impulsive act.
Charlie put his fingers under her chin and lifted her head.
“Why are you looking so embarrassed? Come on over here and do it again, and this time, we’ll give them something to remember us by.”
Rose laughed and threw her inhibitions to the wind. She rushed into Charlie’s arms, bringing smiles to the faces of the onlookers. It seems everyone likes a good love story, especially when it’s acted out in front of them.
“It’s so good to see you again, Mr. Lo… I mean, Charlie. I missed you so much.”
Charlie smoothed her hair, gently lifted her face, and kissed her t
enderly, implying that this kiss meant something more. It felt as though it had hidden meaning. She pushed him away, looked into his eyes, and liked what she saw, although she wasn’t quite sure what it was… love or lust?
“Come on up to the room, Charlie. Libby has agreed to take Marsha with her to do some shopping, so we have the afternoon to ourselves.”
Later that night, Charlie explained to Rose that he would be leaving on a scout with Custer and he’d be gone three days. When he returned, he’d have plenty of free time for her and little Marsha. Rose felt a sense of loss, but she knew better than to make her feelings known. He was about to leave and go to his room, but he decided to have an understanding with the woman he might spend the rest of his life with.
“Rose, I have some things I’d like to discuss with you before I leave.”
She sat down when she saw his serious expression.
“What is it, Charlie?”
“Look, Rose, it seems that every woman I’ve gotten close to I’ve developed feelings for. Now I find I have those same feelings for you.”
Rose sat there wide-eyed. She was about to say something, but Charlie put up his hand.
“If you and I decide that we love one another, I need to make some things clear to you. I want a woman who will be there to satisfy my needs, and not one who tells me at night that she’s tired or we should wait until tomorrow. When I want a woman, I want her when I feel the need. Do you understand what I’m saying, Rose?”
“Yes, Charlie, I do. And I want you to know that I’ll always be there for you and I won’t ever disappoint you.”
He nodded. “Another thing. I’m still a United States Marshal and I may have to leave you for a while. I don’t want any woman dictating what I can and can’t do. Marriage is the most important decision I’ll make in my life, and I want to make sure you know what kind of man you would be marrying.”
Rose’s heart beat like an express train at the mention of marriage. Charlie had never proposed to her, and now he mentioned marriage. She was excited, and happier than she had been since her husband was killed.