She responded to his flattery with a return smile, and introduced herself. “I’m Myra Brannan,” she said. “My husband is the owner.” The broad smile that remained in place fairly told Jeb that she appreciated the attention, but warned him to watch his step.
“I’m pleased to meet you, Myra,” Jeb replied. “My name’s Jeb. This is my partner, Tanner.” Tanner nodded when she released her gaze from Jeb for a brief moment before returning it to him. “So you’re the bartender’s wife,” Jeb continued. He glanced in the direction of the bar. “He’s a big feller, ain’t he?”
Enjoying what appeared to be a flirtation with the young man, something that Tanner suspected happened quite infrequently, Myra replied demurely, “Yes, and he’s got a jealous streak a mile wide.” Her gaze still locked on his eyes, she waited for his response.
“Well, I can see why,” Jeb said. “If I was married to a fine-lookin’ woman like you, I’d most likely keep her locked up.”
By this time, the conversation between his wife and the young stranger had captured the attention of John Brannan. Tanner glanced over toward the bar and noticed the big man’s dark frown as he stared in their direction. Marveling at Jeb’s infatuation with all things female, Tanner was about to caution him of the husband’s interest when Myra ended the flirtation.
“Well, it was nice to meet you fellows,” she said in a voice louder than necessary. Without glancing in her husband’s direction, she added, “I’ve got some things to take care of out back.” With that, she turned and left through the same door she had come in.
Barely five minutes passed before Jeb announced that he badly needed to empty his bladder. “I’ll be back in a minute,” he told Tanner. He got up and went to the bar, where a scowling John Brannan awaited. “I might as well go ahead and pay you for that bottle,” he said and put some money on the counter. “I don’t suppose you’ve got an outhouse out back, do you?”
Still scowling as he accepted Jeb’s money, Brannan replied, “Not for customers I don’t.”
“I expect I’ll have to use the alley then,” Jeb said with a shake of his head, and out the front door he went.
Brannan was undecided. He waited for a while, polishing some whiskey glasses, the scowl in place while he watched the door, shifting his gaze occasionally toward Tanner, who was still seated at the table. Finally, when too much time had passed with no sign of the brash young stranger, Brannan dropped his towel on the counter, pulled a shotgun from under it, and went out the door.
There was no one in the alley next to the saloon. Brannan paused to look up and down the dark passageway for a few seconds. Then he heard voices and the sound of a woman’s laughter. Knowing with certainty whose laughter it was, he ran toward the back of the building. Rounding the corner, he came upon the very thing he’d suspected. There on the back step of the saloon, he found his wife leaning casually against the doorframe, giggling girlishly at something the stranger had just said.
“By God!” Brannan roared. “I thought so, you son of a bitch!” He brought his shotgun up and aimed it at Jeb. “You don’t pussyfoot around my wife and get away with it.”
Jeb was stunned. He heard the hammers click back on the shotgun leveled at his head, and knew he had no chance to reach for the pistol on his belt. “Whoa! Wait a minute,” was all he could come out with.
“John!” Myra shrieked. “He didn’t do nothin’. He just thought he could get back in the bar this way.”
Brannan hesitated, but only for a moment. “You’d best put it down.” He heard a steady voice behind him, and felt the light tap of a rifle barrel on the back of his head. He froze. “Just a little misunderstandin’,” the voice said. “We apologize if there was any offense to you or your wife. Ease those hammers back down, and we’ll be on our way, and no harm done.”
“He’s right, John,” Myra Brannan pleaded. “No harm done. Just a misunderstanding.”
Still feeling the rifle barrel against his skull, Brannan decided it best to do as he was told. “All right.” He finally gave in, and released the hammers on his shotgun. Turning to face Tanner, he issued a final bluster. “But I don’t wanna see the likes of you two around my place again.”
“You won’t,” Tanner said. “Come on, Jeb.”
Without wasting another word, they turned and walked up the alley, leaving the bartender and his wife to work out their differences. “I knew you’d watch my back,” Jeb said cheerfully, not at all concerned that he had come perilously close to getting his head blown off.
“One of these days, I might not be there,” Tanner replied. “What the hell did you wanna go after that woman for?”
“Hell, she wasn’t that bad. Besides, she had a kind of sad look about her. I figured she needed a little attention.”
They passed up the hotel, preferring to bed down in the stable with their horses. Tanner awakened in the middle of the night to find Jeb missing. He awakened again hours later when Jeb returned.
“Took you a long time to piss,” Tanner remarked dryly.
“I knew she needed some attention,” Jeb replied. “She wasn’t gettin’ what she needed. I’m glad I could help her out. That husband of hers is a helluva heavy sleeper, though.” Tanner shook his head, hardly believing, then turned over and went back to sleep.
Bright and early the next morning, none the worse for wear after their visit to the saloon, they spent some of Jeb’s money for a packhorse to carry the supplies that were later purchased at Conn’s store.
Ready to bid Council Grove farewell then, they loped out of town following the Santa Fe Trail. Although it had been their original intention to set out straight to the northwest, on the advice of Malcolm Conn they changed their plans. There were numerous reports of hostile Indian activity along the old Oregon Trail to the north, so it made better sense to follow the Santa Fe, at least to Fort Larned, then head north. That way, they could get information on the hostile situation beyond that point. Neither of the two had any real experience with Indians, but they agreed that if Santa Fe was the safer route, why not take advantage of it for part of their journey?
As near as they could estimate, Fort Larned was a hundred and fifty miles or more from Council Grove, and they held to the Santa Fe Trail, even though it bothered them that it seemed to lead them farther south than they cared to go. After traveling three days and figuring they had only one full day’s ride before reaching the fort, they came to the point where the Walnut River joined the Arkansas and discovered a wagon train camped there.
Jacob Freeman walked to the edge of the circle of wagons, and with one foot propped on a wagon tongue, watched the two riders and a packhorse. As the leader of the train, he was keenly interested in strangers approaching his company of settlers bound for the northwest, whether they be Indians or white drifters. In the twilight of the evening, it was difficult to determine the nature of the two men until they had come within a few dozen yards. “Well, they ain’t Injuns,” he finally called over his shoulder to Floyd Reece, who was standing by his wagon, equally interested in the identity of the visitors.
“Watch ’em just the same, Jacob,” Floyd returned, one hand resting on the barrel of his rifle.
“Hello the camp!” Jeb yelled when he saw several more of the men of the camp gathering to meet them.
Although cautious, since his train was made up of peaceful Christian folk, Jacob was bound to be charitable by nature. “Welcome, gentlemen,” he answered. “You’re welcome to come on in and rest a spell. You’re a mite late for supper, but my missus might scare up some coffee.”
“We’re obliged,” Tanner said, “but we won’t put you out any. We can camp down the river a ways.”
“Why, no need to do that,” Jacob replied. “There’s plenty of room here, and we’ve already got fires goin’. We’d be glad to have your company.” When Floyd Reece cocked an eye at him, Jacob whispered, “It’s the Christian thing to do, and anyway, I’d rather have them where we can keep an eye on ’em.” Only thirty miles
short of Fort Larned, he didn’t like the thought of two strange men lurking around the fringes of his camp.
Jeb looked at Tanner and Tanner shrugged. Looking back at Jacob, Jeb said, “That’s mighty neighborly of you. I reckon we’ll take you up on it.”
They dismounted and led their horses within the circle of wagons. The rest of the people in the train gathered to greet their guests, the men in frank appraisal, the women hanging back initially, the children pressing close to get a better look.
“I’m Jacob Freeman,” the wagon master offered, extending his hand.
Jeb took it. “I’m Jeb Hawkins. This here’s my partner, Tanner Bland.” Tanner nodded. Jeb asked, “Where you folks headed? Santa Fe?”
Several people started to answer at once, but Jacob took the floor. “No, sir, we’re planning to stay with the trail along the Arkansas into Colorado to Bent’s Fort. Then we’re set on turning north to strike the South Platte and Fort Laramie. California’s our destination.”
“How about you fellers?” Floyd Reece asked. “Where are you heading?”
“Montana,” Jeb replied. “Lord and the Injuns willin’.”
“I expect we’d best unsaddle these horses and water ’em,” Tanner reminded Jeb.
“You can just turn ’em out with our stock after you water ’em,” Jacob said. “Plenty of good grass here—best we’ve seen at a campsite the past week.”
“Much obliged,” Tanner replied.
After the horses were taken care of, Tanner and Jeb set up their camp. They spread their bedrolls next to their saddles, under the watchful eyes of the members of the wagon train, and were in the process of preparing to fry some bacon for their supper when Ida Freeman sauntered up with a coffeepot in hand. “There’s a little left in the pot if you’d like some coffee,” she offered. “Sorry there’s no beans left.”
“Why, thank you, ma’am,” Tanner replied, “but we’ve got food for ourselves.”
Ida’s offer of hospitality seemed to be the spark that dissolved the cloud of caution that hovered over the two strangers, and many of the others promptly crowded around to extend greetings of welcome. Within minutes, the two guests felt right at home, exchanging news and answering questions. While Jeb made most of the conversation from their side, Tanner watched in silent amusement at his partner’s gift of small talk. By the time they finished their supper, they were practically old friends of the people of the train, thanks to Jeb’s natural gregarious personality. Those who had not as yet learned the strangers’ names referred to them as “the talker” and “the silent one.”
Always with an eye for the women, Jeb fixed his gaze on a slender dark-haired girl who inched up close to the fire to listen to the gossip swapped back and forth between Jacob and Jeb. Her name was Cora Abbott Leach, and she wasn’t there long before Jeb made it a point to personally introduce himself. “Howdy, miss, my name’s Jeb Hawkins. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“It’s missus,” a gruff voice behind her answered before the girl could reply, and Joe Leach moved up behind Cora. His hand placed firmly on her shoulder, he informed Jeb, “I’m her husband.”
Jeb’s smile broadened perceptibly as he studied the scowling face of the sullen husband. “Well, then, my compliments to you, sir.” After a closer inspection of the man confronting him, Jeb added, “Looks to me like you married over your head.”
Deep-set eyes that glowered out from under heavy eyebrows glared unblinking at the outspoken stranger for a few long seconds as Leach’s hand clamped down harder on his wife’s shoulder, causing her to wince. “Get yourself back to the wagon,” he growled to Cora, and pulled her roughly around. There was a silent pause in the crowd as the young woman dutifully did as she was ordered.
Studying the sympathetic faces, Tanner surmised that Cora’s rough treatment was not unusual. He felt sorry for the woman. Leach looked like a hardhanded brute, and he was still smoldering as he continued to glare at Jeb. Of more than casual interest were the three men who stood close behind Leach. All seemed cut from the same rough stock as the young woman’s husband, and hardly fit in with the rest of the wagon train company. Tanner guessed that they might be brothers, and he saw that the glint in their eyes as they stared at Jeb was far from cordial. Glancing around at the faces in the gathering, Tanner noted that Jeb was the only person chuckling over his attempt to make a joke.
Knowing his partner by now, Tanner was certain that Jeb would not intentionally shine up to a married woman unless he thought she craved the attention. He hoped that Jeb hadn’t caused any trouble for her. As for Jeb, he blithely ignored Leach’s threatening gaze, already having shifted his interest toward seeking out other likely looking prospects in the gathering. After a brief period, Leach turned and followed his wife to his wagon. The three other sullen men followed him. Tanner noticed an immediate relaxation in the crowd’s mood, as if a dark cloud had drifted from overhead.
As the evening wore on, the people dispersed. Morning came early on a wagon train, and most of the folks had already stayed late to visit with the two guests. Two of the last to leave were Jacob Freeman and Floyd Reece. Standing to one side of the dying fire, Jacob asked his friend, “Are you thinkin’ what I’m thinkin’?”
“I expect I might be,” Floyd answered. “Them two might be the Lord’s way of solvin’ our little problem. Might be too much of a coincidence otherwise.”
Less than a week before, the wagon train had met with an army patrol out of Fort Larned. The lieutenant commanding the patrol informed them of a new requirement set by the government because of increased hostile activity between Fort Larned and Fort Lyon in Colorado. There were new restrictions on wagon trains that traveled beyond Fort Larned, since the post did not have the manpower to escort every group of settlers that came through. Each train was required to have at least twenty wagons and thirty men. For the last few days, Jacob and Floyd had talked over the problem. They had twenty-two wagons but only twenty-eight men, including the four Leach brothers. They had almost decided to bypass Fort Larned in order not to be detained. It did indeed seem a stroke of luck, if not a favor from God, that the two young strangers showed up just before the wagon train reached Fort Larned. Jacob and Floyd were agreed.
The proposition was offered to Tanner and Jeb the following morning as the camp was breaking up for the day’s journey. “We’d be much obliged if you fellers would consider it,” Jacob Freeman said after explaining their predicament. “We don’t expect to be at Fort Larned for more than a day or two. We’re got a few folks that need some blacksmith work and some wagon repairs. Then we’re for moving right along. All we’d need from you is to count you as part of our company, just to satisfy the new rule.”
“Whaddaya say, Tanner?” Jeb asked. “I don’t reckon a day or two will make much difference to us. And if we can help these folks get on their way…”
“I suppose it couldn’t hurt us to hang back for a day or two,” Tanner replied. He grinned at Jacob Freeman. “If you folks can stand us…” He figured that he and Jeb could make Fort Larned in one more day’s ride. Tagging along with the wagon train would change that to two days, but he felt in no particular hurry.
“Fine,” Jacob responded. “We appreciate it.” He and Floyd exchanged nods, satisfied that one problem had been solved. “You fellers are welcome to camp by my wagon tonight if you like,” Jacob offered. “My wife might even make up some pan biscuits to go with your supper.”
“I surely wouldn’t turn that down,” Jeb immediately responded. “I ain’t had a good biscuit in I don’t know when.” He nodded toward his partner. “Tanner there ain’t made me no biscuits since we partnered up,” he joked. He was rewarded for his humor with a patient smile from Tanner.
After the day’s travel, the wagon train made camp by a narrow creek with steep banks where it emptied into the Arkansas. As promised, Ida Freeman broke out her big iron skillet and worked up dough for a large batch of pan biscuits. Tanner, a hunter since he was a small boy,
took the packhorse and rode off across the prairie in search of meat. With the slow pace of travel, there had been ample opportunity to scout out away from the wagons, and he had discovered evidence of abundant game along the way.
“Want me to go with you?” Jeb asked when Tanner had prepared to leave.
It was plain to see that Jeb was already in the process of unsaddling his horse and looking forward to socializing with the wagon company. “No, reckon not,” Tanner answered, noting the immediate relief in his partner’s face. “I’m just gonna ride out a ways and see if I get a shot at some meat.”
“All right, then,” Jeb said. “You watch yourself, Tanner. There’s Injuns about these parts.” He dropped his saddle beside Jacob’s wagon. Then, seeing Ida Freeman getting a bucket from the wagon, he stepped up to offer his help. “Here, ma’am, let me fetch that water for you.”
“Why, thank you, sir,” Ida responded with a sunny smile gracing her chubby cheeks. She handed the bucket to Jeb, brushed a stray strand of graying hair from her forehead, and gave the cheerful young man a long looking over. She decided that she liked him. He seemed as carefree and fun-loving as his partner was serious and soft-spoken. The two men were a decided contrast in personality. She turned then when her husband returned from the creek bank with an armload of wood for a fire.
Jeb arrived at the creek just as a woman started to make her way down to the water. He recognized her as the pretty young girl he had spoken to the night before and had been abruptly informed that she was married. Upon seeing him approaching, Cora Leach ducked her head to avoid his gaze. Jeb didn’t speak, but seconds later, he moved quickly to catch her arm when her foot slid on the steep bank and she was about to fall.
“Careful, there, missy,” he said, holding her up by her elbow. “I wouldn’t want a pretty young lady like yourself to go head over heels into the creek.”
Looking embarrassed and frightened, Cora regained her balance and was quick to remove her elbow from Jeb’s grasp. “Thank you,” she managed, barely above a squeak.
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