Wake on this day tired, the Pinkerton men set up watch for an attack at night. Each time they change watch or move about I would wake and point pistol at. Dan only groan when I move to get up so I reckon he is just as tired. Still it is time to be up, though reckon no hunt on this day, best to not scare the soldiers.
Once am dressed head for the fire and get it going then check on what we have left over. Got a fair amount of chili remain, along with mess of egg, bacon, even have a couple onion left. Ponder for moment on then decide combine all to make tortilla wrap. Not that I do yet, most still sleep asides one Pinkerton man who come over to sit by the fire with.
"Apologies on disturbing your sleep, we find it best to not rely on wake at a noise."
"Work well for Dan and me." He snorts and nods.
"Reckon so, part of our training, always have a man aware unless there is no way. On occasion only one agent is assigned to something, though not often."
"Always wear suit?"
"Always in a suit unless we are blending in as part of investigation."
"This is what happen afore there is bounty paper?" He nods and smiles.
"Yes, bounty are filed for known law breakers, usual get named by those who know him. Not all however so those need to be investigated. Fairly often a name is supplied by a sheriff or rail worker who meets the fella. Sometimes a Pinkerton investigation is called for and we need to blend to get name and where they are or will be." Gwen comes and sits by the fire, gets joined by Martin just a little after.
"No hunt today?" Shake head.
"Reckon better to not spook them with a shot, asides town right there." Gwen looks and nods.
"Reckon that is in the right, town after can get on the train to Longwood."
"So what are we doing for vittles?" Look at Martin, Gwen look at Martin then we both giggle.
"Reckon Gwen help make tortilla then cook egg and onion with bacon and the chili left." Gwen ponder on for a moment then nods.
"Sounds like right fine vittles there."
Rest of camp start get up now so reckon best to get move on for vittles. Gwen get to handle cook egg while Martin hand over onion and bacon. Cut that up right quick and drop in egg pan then get to work on make tortilla. Heating up third tortilla when soldier camp light up with fire, reckon on them not being shut eye whole time.
Send Apache to keep look on approach to camp, just in case. Working on ninth tortilla when Gwen add in chili remain to egg. Then we start hand out plates, perhaps we wrong term, Gwen make Martin pass out plate. Gwen fill tortilla and wrap up then give plate to Martin to hand out, he go to Apache first.
Finally finish make enough tortilla, at least reckon so. Take plate of three tortilla wrap to Dan and hand to him as sit. Dan look at plate then me as grab out a tortilla.
"I knew it, you are trying to fatten me like Mr. Johnson." Snort and giggle.
"No Dan, reckon on share third tortilla." Gwen is giggling.
"Like as not do up another closed wrap sack with what is left." Nod then eye town and sigh.
"Reckon on stop in town, need get meat."
"New horse for me." Look up at Dan and sigh then lean against.
"Better lose horse than husband." Husband puts his arm around.
"Reckon the same though is drain on pinto to carry us both." Pinto snort so look up at Dan and grin.
"Pinto no agree."
Dan snorts and chuckles, no talk just go back to vittles. Dan chow down most of third tortilla then I help Gwen make more close wrap tortilla and put in sack. Once done with that we pack up camp then join on horse and head for the soldier camp. They are pack up as we are so no think much on since did say all free to ride on.
Notice they leave horse for dead so all is right in land as we get closer. At least until we get passable close to them while they move to leave, two shoot. Have Winchester in hand so bring up right quick and shoot one. Then Dan is dropping off pinto.
"Janet go after them, shoot any that shoot at you." Look at Dan for moment then Martin goes past while shoot.
"Careful Dan, may have left some life here."
Dan nods then ushers me on so urge pinto in to chase. At least Martin no far ahead, catch up with him right quick. Also shoot one more as catch up to Martin. He is shoot as well then we pass the first dead off fleeing shoot. Pinkerton man catch, same one was in war so unsure on if should but no say against, soldier are proud like warrior.
More come back to shoot at us, a few even slow down to get better shoot. I shoot one right away, second is shot by Pinkerton man who is say something. No hear since am singing luck song as reload and shoot last of the slow down shoot men. Martin shoot another now so there are two still riding behind wagon.
Wagon is going fast, reckon on snap axle if hit bump. Two soldier behind do odd thing then, they speed up and go around. Well know what they mean, leave wagon and try get away, no let get away so urge pinto to faster. Pinto toss head then lower and we go sprint now, pinto fast horse since leave Martin and Pinkerton man behind.
Catch up to wagon and move around with Martin yelling something, would reckon at me though no hear. Still sing and am intent on catching soldier who wish still rob and kill. Catch up front of wagon and find gal that crouch over soldier almost take knife to. Nod at her and wave hand so she slow the wagon down and I keep go.
No let the soldier get away, we have bounty and if they mean to continue am supposed to shoot down all. Start catch up so shoot away, down one then am reload while two shoot back. Bullet whistle past then am reload so bring up rifle rest of way and shoot. This one fall away then reload to find most drop rifle.
Good though still have one with rifle so shoot him then we are getting in to the town. The soldier who drop rifle slow down so I do same then catch up to them. Still have Winchester out so they is nervous, do understand why so smile at them.
"If promise no more rob and kill then collect rifle, wait for wagon. Have enough dead to fill bounty."
"Where are we to go?" Shrug at the man who ask.
"Anywhere want. War over, most no hold against you for fighting south."
"If'n got a volunteer need a deputy here and the lot of you are conscripted to help collect the dead." Look over at sheriff and smile since know him.
"Howdy Tom."
"Howdy Janet, rest of your posse coming?" Nod and wave back over trail.
"Left most in their camp to collect dead did last night. Marshal and Pinkerton man are following along, reckon on stay with wagon. May be some wounded in wagon so your doc has business." Tom nods and smiles.
"Right proper guest you are Janet. Here now, two of you go collect the loose horses. The rest round up your rifles and get the dead off the trail." The soldiers nod and split up, then there is shouting coming out of the saloon. "Janet you go take care of that, I'm taking you under my supervision for time being."
Nod and head for the saloon while put Winchester back in holster. Shall need to clean but have the argument to deal with. Course as I get up to saloon the argument bursts out the door in to the street. Pull both pistols and whistle loud so they turn to look then cock both.
"Stop or be shot." The taller one on the left snorts getting me to look closer. "Dave?"
Dave is fair man, larger nose and big mustache. Shoulders no wide though, he is fair and not much else.
"Howdy Janet."
"What happen?"
"He's been cheating." The man on right says though Dave is shaking his head.
"Dave are you dealing faro?" He snorts and shakes his head.
"Playing poker, no faro here." Sigh and drop off pinto who step to side then move up behind while walk toward the two.
"Dave no cheat at poker. Reckon on can't so he only cheat when deal faro." Getting closer I look up at man on right and point both pistol at him. "Pete told you no more cheat or shoot." His eyes get wide.
"My name isn't Pete, I'm David." Shake head.
"You is Pete and have told you afore. If you cheat again shall shoot and reckon you been cheat." Dave moves in front of David.
"Here now Janet, he wasn't cheating that I saw. Also not Pete, not sure I've met a Pete around here."
"Dave step aside, told Pete he cheat shall shoot and reckon he cheat." Dave shakes his head and stays between us.
"Janet honest this is not Pete and he was not cheating. Come on inside I'll get you a water, or would you like a milk?" Sigh and put pistols back in holster then David skedaddles for the saloon.
"Never met, also no trust on you no cheat. Reckon best do so he forget cheat." Dave stares at me a short spell then snorts.
"Shall have to remember that." Dave take pinto over to post and tie him there then we go inside.
The bar half empty when we come in so get to pick where sit. Decide on the law stools at the end and put Dave in one with. Leaves the rest a little lost on since Dave has only been a gambler so far around here. Then the barkeep comes over and looks at us both for moment.
"Didn't know Tom had gotten a deputy." Shake head.
"Deputy from Longwood after bounty, Tom decide shall handle town while he take care of dead left behind. May have gotten deputy out of remain of soldier that was bounty. I would like milk if'n have."
"I'll take a beer." Barkeep nods and heads to get those filled then Dave turns to me. "Have you talked to Charlie?" Nod and smile.
"Gave Charlie good teach on how have reputation. Dan share on sheriff town. Are you go with Charlie?" Dave nods and smiles. "Do you know where you will be?" Question earns me a shrug.
"New county being formed so they haven't picked a capital town yet. Letter said they are thinking Dodge City, fairly good sized town and no law there." Frown at that.
"Best get more than you and Charlie for. Hard put law in. Reckon on shoot plenty start." Dave nods and shrugs.
"First letter was asking on if I would be interested and who else should be asked. I gave them four names and we can deputize more if'n we want." Nod and sigh.
"You want." Dave nods.
"Do but no telling how bad it will be." Barkeep comes over with glass of milk and beer so reckon can ask him.
"Dave here is going county marshal or deputy, perhaps Dodge City, you know of?"
"Heard the whole area is lawless but naught else." Dave nods and hands over some coins.
"What I was told. Reckon Janet here has a liking for me, she is all concerned." Roll eyes then swat on head.
"No liking, bid get faro table then no come back. Popular and seem make Sally money least."
"Faro is a good game for the house."
"We look add street light Longwood, more deputy, add gambling hall and theater." Dave nods and smiles.
