Lone Jack Kid: The Buffalo Hunt (The Lone Jack Kid Book 3)

by Joe Corso

  Custer just nodded and sat down on the wooden steps. “Charlie?”

  “Yes, George.”

  “I hope your marriage is as good as mine. Libby and me are like two sides of a coin. We belong together. I’ve been with other women, but I’ve never loved any of them like I love my beautiful, sweet Libby.”

  Charlie wrinkled his brow.

  “I hope my marriage is as good as yours too, George. I see the way you and Libby look at one another, and any man in the world would want to experience that same feeling when they look at their woman. I’ll have a talk with Rose tonight and we’ll get everything straightened out.”

  He patted Custer on the shoulder.

  “Thanks for being a friend, George. I really appreciate having another man to talk to. There ain’t many I could do that with.”

  Custer waved it off.

  “Forget about it. That’s what friends are for.”

  Chapter 33

  It was a wonderful evening of singing and dancing, and although there were only two women to dance with, that didn’t stop the troopers from dancing a jig with one of their buddies. The regimental cooks prepared the food to perfection. Two full kegs of beer were laid on specially constructed wooden horses, and a table with bottles of whiskey was placed near the beer. Custer assigned men to act as bartenders, with a word of caution not to serve any man who was too drunk to ride a horse. When the night ended, some soldiers staggered drunkenly to the tents that littered the nearby woods; others were grateful they didn’t have to ride back to Fort Lincoln that night.

  Rose lit a candle so Marsha wouldn’t be frightened of the dark in a strange new house and tucked her in the new bed the regimental carpenters made especially for her. Then she went down to the living room, where Charlie was waiting to talk to her. Libby and her husband discreetly excused themselves and went to the guest bedroom, with the excuse that they were tired and needed to sleep.

  Charlie led Rose by her hand into the bedroom.

  “Sit down beside the bed, Rose, and let’s talk.”

  She pulled the desk chair over to the bed and sat beside him.

  He asked her softly, “Are you happy, Rose?”

  It was meant as a rhetorical question, but Rose answered it. Then she asked a question of her own.

  “Right now, I’m the happiest woman in the world. But from your expression, it seems that right now, you aren’t too happy. What’s wrong, Charlie? Is it me? Tell me. You can talk to me.”

  Charlie told her everything that was on his mind, and they talked well into the night, he on the bed and she sitting beside him on a chair. His eyes were getting heavy, but he fought the urge to close them.

  “Rose, I’ve got the wandering bug. I don’t know if I can stay in one place very long, and by that, I mean for the rest of my life. I’m willing to give it a try, but if that feeling comes over me, I’m telling you right now, I’m leaving.”

  Tears welled up in Rose’s eyes and Charlie knew he had unintentionally hurt her. “Please understand what I mean. When I say I’d leave, it doesn’t mean I’m not coming back. And it may not happen. I’m just saying that if it does happen, I want you to understand and don’t be mad at me. And don’t take it personal, because it’s not you, it’s me.”

  He took her hand and motioned to her side of the bed. She rose from her chair and lay down beside him.

  “Now look at me, girl, and tell me you understand. Do that and I’ll marry you, and I promise I’ll give you a good life.”

  Rose smiled a sad smile. In that moment, she knew what it was to be very sad and extremely happy at the same time.

  “Yes, I understand, Charlie, and I won’t complain if that time ever comes.”

  “Good, that’s settled then. I’m going to write to Father Riccardo Sanchez tomorrow and ask him to come to Omaha to marry us. I’ll be gone about a month, maybe a little longer. I’ll send him tickets and money, and when he gets here, hopefully, I’ll be waiting for him at the train station to bring him to our new home. If I’m not back by then, I’ll ask Sheriff Lehman to have someone bring him here. I’m sure he’d enjoy the time away from his church.”

  “Who’s Father Riccardo Sanchez?”

  Charlie explained how they met and how the padre once saved his life.

  “While Father Sanchez is on his way here, I intend to accompany Wild Eagle to his people. There are a lot of angry white men who would like to kill an Indian and I can’t let that happen.”

  He lowered his eyes and said in a quiet voice, “That’s why I have to go with him. I have to make sure he gets back to his tribe safely. And besides, I have to hand in my resignation as Indian Agent and train my replacement.”

  “You really like Wild Eagle, don’t you?”

  “Yes I do. He’s a great warrior and he’s my friend and I have a great deal of respect for him.”

  He stroked her hair gently, and as he did, he pulled her close to him and kissed her tenderly. She melted in his arms.

  He whispered in her ear, “I don’t want to talk any more. I’m all talked out. Right now, I want to make love to you.”

  Rose understood that in his own way, Charlie loved her. He had saved her and Marsha, and even with the guilt of burying her husband, she fell in love with him. She wanted to please him. She felt him hard against her and knew that he wanted her. She slipped out of her dress and, knowing he was aroused, began helping him out of his clothes. When they were both lying naked in bed, she pressed her full breasts against him, which aroused him even more. She wanted him so very badly, so she slid her hand along his thigh, feeling for his manhood. Then she mounted him and, with an ecstatic moan, guided him into her…

  Charlie heard the clanking of horses being hitched to wagons. The chow bell clanging indicated that chow was ready. He put on his clothes and walked into the living room, where Custer, Alexis, with Anthony standing next to him, Boston Custer, and Lonesome Charlie Reynolds were waiting for him.

  “It’s about time you got up,” Custer said, smiling. “Let’s go outside. Ned and Buffalo Bill are leaving soon and they’re waiting to say goodbye to you.”

  Charlie walked out to his porch and called the men over. He said he had an announcement to make. When they were clustered around him, he raised his hand and motioned to the troopers.

  “This concerns you fellas too, so gather round so I don’t get hoarse yelling out to you.”

  The troopers got off their horses and gathered near.

  “Rose and I are getting married in a month, maybe two. The date hasn’t been set yet because I’ll be gone for a while. I don’t know when my friend the padre Riccardo Sanchez can get here, and I have to settle a few things at the Indian Agency. But I want to extend a wedding invitation to everyone here and it’ll be an extension of last night’s party if that’s agreeable with you men.”

  All the men whooped, yelling that if the army allowed it, they’d be there.

  Charlie pointed to the troopers. “You men are excused. You have your invitations. Now I’d like a few words in private with my friends here.”

  Charlie looked at Buffalo Bill. “Bill, if you can make it, I’d love you to attend. But I guess when you hang around with an ornery cur like Ned Buntline, getting away could present a problem.”

  The men laughed, Ned along with them. Then he nudged Bill. “You see what I had to put up with trying to make this lowdown whippersnapper famous. Put your mind at ease, Charlie boy. If there’s to be a wedding, I can’t afford to ruin my reputation. Never let it be said that Ned Buntline passed up a good meal or good whiskey. So if my friend Buffalo Bill agrees, then he and I will be there, my boy.”

  The men laughed again, enjoying the good-natured banter between the two men.

  Charlie pointed to the grand duke and Anthony. “Of course, it would be an honor if the two of you could also attend.”

  The grand duke took a few steps toward Charlie and shook his head. “My schedule doesn’t permit me that luxury, which saddens me because I would ha
ve loved to attend your wedding. I have made many friends in America, but none so valued as the men standing here with me now. But I am inviting you to visit Mother Russia as my guest of honor. You are a celebrity there. Everyone has read about your adventures and you would honor me by agreeing to come at a future date as my guest.”

  The idea of traveling to Russia with Rose appealed to him. “That’s a very interesting suggestion, Alexis, and one I just might take you up on.”

  Alexis’ affection and respect for Charlie was obvious. “Good, it’s settled then. All you need to do is to give me your arrival date.”

  Charlie held up his hands. “Whoa… hold on a minute, Alexis. I haven’t made up my mind yet if I’ll even go to Russia. It’s too soon for a decision like that.”

  Alexis dismissed the silly notion with a wave of his hand. “You have no say in the matter, because even if you haven’t made up your mind, I have decided for you. You cannot refuse an official order from the future Tsar of Russia, so it’s settled. You choose the date when you are coming and I will make all the arrangements.”

  Charlie chuckled. “You know, Alexis, you would have made one hell of a horse trader.”

  Everyone laughed again, but Alexis became serious for a moment. “Charlie, I want you to know that I hadn’t expected a man like you to meet us at the dock. But I’m glad you were our guide. You provided both me and Anthony with a tale worth telling. I’ve come to think of you as my good friend and I hope you feel the same.”

  Charlie gulped, becoming emotional. “I feel the same way, Alexis. After what we’ve been through together, I consider you and Anthony to be as good friends as a man could ever have.”

  The usually implacable duke cleared his throat. He too was feeling emotional. “I have something to give you, Charles. Whenever you look at it, you will always remember your friend from Russia.” He handed Charlie his gold pocket watch. “This watch was given to me by my father on my eighteenth birthday and I want you to have it.”

  Charlie looked around sheepishly, thinking that of all the people there, George Armstrong Custer should have this watch. He looked at Custer, standing there with his arms folded, a shadow of a smile on his face, obviously enjoying the interplay taking place between the two men.

  Charlie cleared his throat and looked in the faces of the men coming to his wedding. “George, Boston, and Charlie Reynolds are coming… and Ned and Buffalo Bill.”

  Charlie looked at Wild Eagle, who stood by a tree with Spotted Tail.

  “Wild Eagle, I’m sorry you can’t be here, but since Spotted Tail lives near here, I would like him to be a guest at my wedding.”

  This surprised Spotted Tail and he hesitated for a moment until Wild Eagle nudged him.

  “You are more than welcome to come, my friend,” said Charlie to Spotted Tail. The Indian nodded, which Charlie took as a yes.

  “Folks, don’t go away. I just have to step inside for something. I’ll be right back.”

  Charlie dashed into the house and, moments later, came out holding one of the ivory-handled Colts Ned gave him for his New York show. As he passed Ned, he whispered to him, “Ned, you’re gonna have to order me another gun from Colt and have it sent to me in Omaha, care of Sheriff George Lehman. I’m giving this gun as a gift to Alexis. I don’t own anything memorable to give him, other than this gun. I know he must have a lot of guns, but this one might be special to him, seeing as how somebody mentioned in the dime novels I once owned it.”

  Buntline smiled warmly. “I understand, Kid, and I’ll take care of it.”

  Charlie reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of paper money. “Here’s $50. That should take care of the cost.”

  “Keep your money, Kid, I’ll pay for it.”

  “No, Ned. Take the money. A gift isn’t really a gift if someone else is paying for it.”

  Chapter 34

  The train trip east ended at Little Rock, Arkansas. A new line was planned that would take them to Fort Smith, but it would take four or five years before it was completed. Charlie kept the trip east quiet because he didn’t want to alert any would-be challengers that he was arriving on the noon train. They saddled and mounted their horses after they were led from the horse car and down the wooden planking.

  “We need supplies, so let’s ride through town and find a store. I figure we lost a good part of the day, so we can either stay or ride on out of here and make camp later.”

  Wild Eagle looked around. “We have long way to go. Better we ride and make camp later, away from big city.”

  “Yeah, I see your point. Well, that’s what we’ll do then. Put the supplies next to the buffalo hides.”

  Little Rock was a long way from the civilized town it would be in a few years. At that time, there were the Irish gangs that built the railway across half of the country. While the rails were being laid down, a portable town was set up by industrious peddlers looking to sell their whiskey, along with cardsharps and gamblers, always looking to make a buck. And when the railroad moved on and began laying new tracks, the tents were dismantled and set up again further up the line. Since Little Rock was a legitimate town, the hard men who ran the temporary tent saloons and the card tables and bawdy houses had nothing to do until the railroad men pushed further up the line. This move left many cowhands and ex-soldiers with time on their hands, looking for trouble.

  As Charlie was paying for his supplies, he heard a commotion in front of the store. “Watch my stuff. I’ll be right back,” he told the clerk.

  He rushed out to find three men pummeling Wild Eagle. Charlie hit one man on the side of his head with the barrel of his gun, and he jammed the barrel into the gut of the second man, knocking the wind out of him. Wild Eagle, now free of his restraints, gutted the man who was punching him with the knife presented to him by President Grant.

  Charlie watched as the man sank slowly to the ground.

  “Someone get a doctor,” Charlie yelled to the gathering crowd.

  A man pushed through and knelt down beside the bleeding man. “I’m a doctor.” He looked at the badly bleeding man and turned to the crowd. “I need someone to help me carry him to my office. It’s just a few doors down. Maybe I can save him.”

  While the wounded man was being carried away, a man wearing a badge pushed through the crowd.

  “What’s going on here?”

  One of the two men Charlie disabled pointed to Wild Eagle. “That Indian over there tried to kill our friend.”

  Charlie yelled over the noise of the crowd. “Wait a minute. These three men were trying to kill my friend, and it’s a good thing I came out of the store in time to stop them. My friend was just protecting himself. When I came out that door, those two were holding him while the other guy was beating him. I clonked two of them with the barrel of my gun, and my friend stabbed the man who was pummeling him.”

  The sheriff looked at Wild Eagle’s sheathed knife and held out his hand. “I want that knife, Injun.”

  “He won’t give you the knife, Sheriff.”

  The sheriff responded angrily. “Won’t give me his knife? Well, don’t you worry. I’ll get it if I have to kill the bastard.”

  “Wait a minute, Sheriff. You don’t know the whole story. Wild Eagle won’t give you his knife because President Grant himself gave it to him. Now, if you want to take a look at it and then give it back to him, I’ll see that he’ll do that.”

  The mention of Grant’s name made the sheriff pause. “Why would the president give an Indian a knife?”

  “This is Wild Eagle, chief of the Kaw Indians, and he was summoned to the White House by the president.”

  “And who might you be?”

  “My name is Charles Longstreet. Can we go now?”

  Two deputy lawmen pushed through the crowd.

  “Everything all right, Sheriff?”

  “No! And I’m mighty glad to see you boys. Take their guns. I’m gonna take these two in until I get to the bottom of just who did what to who.”


  Charlie pulled out his marshal’s badge and pinned it on his vest. “You’ll be taking no one in, Sheriff. I’m a US Deputy Marshal and an Indian Agent appointed by none other than the president of these United States, Ulysses S. Grant himself. I want you to know, Sheriff, that I’ve never faced off to a lawman and I hoped I never would, but if you still want to take our guns, you’ll die trying.”

  The sheriff hesitated. “Don’t make it harder on yourself. What did you say your name was again?”

  “It’s Charles Longstreet.”

  The sheriff scratched his head. “Damn, but I do believe I’ve heard of you, Marshal.”

  Someone in the crowd recognized the name and yelled out, “He’s Charles Longstreet, the Lone Jack Kid. Look at the way he carries his guns. He’s the Kid, all right.”

  The sheriff looked him over a little more closely. “Is that right? You’re the Lone Jack Kid?”

  “That’s right, Sheriff. I had hoped to keep it a secret because I’m just passing through long enough to buy supplies and then I’m gone. I hoped no one would find out I was here, because there’s always a man with a gun who insists on challenging me in every town I pass through.”

  The lawman turned to his two deputies. “It’s all right, men. He’s who he says he is. But I want you to take these two scalawags and lock them in a cell until I check and see if there’s any papers on them.”

  The two deputies took the men and led them to the jail while the sheriff resumed talking to Charlie. “I read in the papers about the shooting demonstration you put on for the president.”

  “The papers printed that?”

  “They sure did, son. The story mentioned that certain Plains Indian Chiefs attended that meeting, and that they all were handed some fancy knives from you and the president.”

  Charlie shook his head. “It seems more people know about my goings on than I do.”

  “Ain’t that the truth,” the sheriff said, laughing. Then he quieted down and leaned closer to Charlie. “What are you doing in Little Rock, Longstreet?”