Lou Silt Read online

  We rode on, only stopping to rest the horses and water them. By late afternoon we decided to stop for the night. We set up camp near a stream with some trees. As the sun was sinking behind the mountains the air chilled and we had to don our heavy coats. We had some hard tack and I heated up a pot of beans. We set some coffee to brewing and the smell of it coupled with the sweet breezes blowing our way made for a pleasant evening. We cleaned up and settled in for the night. Snug in our bedrolls, we lay staring up at the star-filled sky. The entire Milky Way was arrayed before us and it was a wondrous sight. Millions of stars floated above our heads while Hitch and I rattled on about what might be on those other stars. Was it like our world? Or was we the only life in God’s plan? Mighty big questions for two young cowpokes but you get to musing about such things when them night lights shine down upon you. Just before we nodded off a bunch of shooting stars fell across the sky. An omen of good luck, some believed. As for me, I think you make your own luck and God and his stars ain’t all that

  interested.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  I awoke with a start. Something was not right. I opened my eyes and nearly soiled my pants. In front of us were a group of mounted Injun’s in war paint. I reached for my Colt but Hitch grabbed my arm.

  “Easy Lou, I know these fellas. Let me talk to them.”

  I sat up slowly while Hitch rose with his hands in the air, palms out. He set in to palaverin’ in Injun lingo with them. They did a lot of talking and most of it was with their hands. After a piece Hitch swept his arm towards our little fire and the Injuns got off their horses. A big brave who appeared to be the leader of the band stepped up to me and stared me in the eyes.

  “Lou,” Hitch said. “These are Crow warriors. This here is Two Leggings.” I gazed up at a fearsome looking brave all decked out in fine buckskins. He had beaded fringe hanging from his shoulders and what looked like ermine skins sewed into his tunic. He had a sharp stare and a prominent nose. “Me and him was boys together when I was with the tribe. He is sort of a head warrior and medicine man in training. We ran with each other when I was an Injun. His folks was good to me and made my life a lot better than it could have been. I am sure that if them blue coats had not pulled me away, I would be riding with him today.”

  I stood and raised my right hand in greeting. I never had much to do with the Indians but had surely heard all the stories about the terrible things they were capable of. I was very wary even though Hitch seemed right pleased to see them. They jabbered on in Injun talk like it was some old family reunion, which I guess it was. I could see how easily my friend slid into the Injun way with gestures and movements I had never noticed him make before. He told me the names of some of the others, Medicine Crow and Bull Does Not Fall Down. Mighty peculiar names but I guess our names seemed right strange to them. He told me they was out hunting for meat and also looking to count coup on any Piegans or Shoshone they could find. I knew little of the Crows except that they had a reputation for always fighting with other tribes and being squeezed by the white mans mining and other endeavors.

  We made some coffee and offered them some hardtack and pemmican. It seemed like they was reminiscing about Hitch’s days with the tribe. I asked him to see if they had seen any sign of the Larues on their travels. He asked and Two Leggings said they ran into them at times but they pretty much stayed clear of each other. The Larues had offered to buy Indian woman from them but the Crow was a small tribe and had no captives at this time to sell.

  The Injuns did not seem to have a taste for coffee but they ate everything else we offered. They were looking mighty hungrily at my new Winchester and asked to see it. I looked at Hitch and he said to show it to them. I pulled it from the scabbard and showed them the action while Hitch regaled them about all its fine points. When they realized it held 15 rounds and how easily it handled they wanted to buy it. I, of course, refused. This led to a long bout of Injun talk. They sure wanted that rifle but seemed to accept the fact that this boy was not about to part with it for no amount of horses or women. They spoke some more and Hitch gave them each some tobacco.

  They finally said their goodbye’s and mounted up. They was good horsemen and looked like they was born to ride. Two Leggings and Hitch stared at each other for quite a spell. Finally with a few hoots and hollers they took off. In the morning mist they faded from sight in a flurry of color and feathers. I let out a long sigh of relief and sat down.

  “Well, that was a hell of a way to start the day. Thought we was goners for sure. I do not know how they snuck up on us like that. We got to be more vigilant; who knows who is roamin’ these parts.”

  Hitch began laughing. “I reckon it’s you who got to be more vigilant. I heard them a ways off and circled around to see who it was. If it was anyone else I would have got you up right quicklike. I have kept in touch with the tribe over these past years. They are still my people, in a way. Two Leggings and I go way back. I am sure we would have had trouble if I had stayed with the Crow. He is ambitious and wants to be chief or medicine man or both. He got big ideas about himself but he ain’t seem to have the power. That said, he is a good man to have on your side. Between the Sioux and Commanche, the Crows are in a tough bind. They ain’t a big tribe, and now they are split between mountain and plains people, so they got to be always on guard. Now with rumors of the railroad headin’ our way and white folks streaming in, things ain’t lookin’ rosy for the Injuns. Although I guess it has not looked too good for them since us whites come west.”

  I had not much to say on the subject of Injuns but this mornings events set me to thinking even more about the true nature of my closest friend. If the chips were down and it was me or the Injuns just which way would he go? This was a vexing problem and one I did not want to face. I had always counted on Hitch even if I never outright said so. Pappy had told me long ago that just when you get right comfortable with people they upped and surprised you. Well, maybe so, but I chose to believe our friendship was strong and would endure any crisis. I only hoped that the testing of this belief would not prove me wrong.

  CHAPTER SIX

  With the morning excitement over we cleaned up, doused the fire and saddled up. The sun was fairly high in the sky and the morning chill was giving way to the warm breezes blowing across the foothills. We made our way up into the thick trees at the base of the mountain. Signs of game were everywhere.

  “Heck, Lou,” Hitch said, “Even if we don’t get any satisfaction about them stolen elk, we should still come home with some game. Spring is rightly comin’ in fine this year.”

  “I guess you are right but I am more concerned about them Injuns. I know they is sort of kin to you but the sight of them in war paint sets this child on edge. I been told the Crow don’t kill whites but who can say what they will do if they come up against settlers with shaky trigger fingers? You sure you trust that Two Leggings and his party?”

  “No need to worry about them, Lou. Crows ain’t ever killed Whites. They only want to keep the old ways going. They want to roam and hunt and count coup against other tribes. They are honorable people and just want to be left alone. They ain’t back stabbers like the Piegan or murderous thieves like the Blackfoot. The Crows have been fightin’ off bigger tribes from the Commanche in the South all the way into Canada against the Bloods. As a youngun’ I heard all the tales of battles with them tribes and the Sioux and Shoshones and a lot of others. We raided for horses, women, and to count coup. Crows is fine people and great warriors. You can see the pride they take in their dress and they are mighty pious too.”

  I looked at Hitch with a slight grin. “You shore do miss your Injun days, don’t you? I never knew you still had so much Injun in you. When we was boys you never said much about your time in captivity. How is it all of a sudden you bringin’ all this up? You turnin’ red man on me?”

  “No, Lou,” he said with a serious look on his face. “I doubt I could go back to that life but at the same time I ain’t the enemy to them. I just ho
pe, like I know you do, that I do not have to make a choice. You can set your mind at ease. We is pards and I will always have your back. You and your Pappy was good to me and I ain’t about to forget that but the Crows was good to me also. After awhile with them, when I knew my folks was never coming back, I never even thought of leaving. I wanted to be a warrior just like Two Leggings. Maybe them soldiers did me no favor by bringing me to Lost Path. But here I am and I have to deal with what has been handed to me. Like I said, life is a vexation.”

  I had to agree on that. The sun rose higher and the day continued to warm up. We removed our coats even as we climbed higher up the foothills. As we got closer to the turnoff for the Larue compound Hitch kept looking around. He seemed mighty twitchy, which was unusual for him. At a level crossing we saw the cart path that led to the main compound set up by the Larues many years ago. I decided we would just ride in slowly and state our desire to pow-wow with Old Dorcus.

  As we turned our horses onto the path we heard hooves pounding and coming our way fast. We quickly pulled to the side of the trail and drew our pistols. A horse was coming at us in full gallop. Astride the animal appeared to be a young girl in pants and shirt with long blonde hair flying behind her. She was whooping and urging the horse on. When she saw us she reined the animal in so hard its back legs skidded a ways before it stood in front of us. It was breathing hard and snorting.

  The girl, who was mighty pretty up close, jumped off her horse. “And who the hell might you be?” She said, trying to sound tough.

  I removed my hat and said, “I am Marshal Lou Silt, up from Lost Path. He is Hitch. We have come up here to have a sit down with Old Dorcus. She knows me from town but we ain’t seen each other for a long spell. Could you come back with us and tell her we are here to see her?”

  She cranked her head to the right and then to the left. She looked us up and down and smiled. “Well, Marshal, it is a pleasure to meet you. Him I done seen before.”

  She walked up to Hitch. She smiled at him. He alit off his horse and put out his hand. “Well, well. I don’t believe my eyes. You have grown into a lovely young lady. Seems just yesterday you was runnin’ around in raggedy britches chasin’ all the dogs in camp.”

  She looked at him with a frown of disbelief on her face. She hit him on the arm with her quirt. “Don’t go playin’ games with me, Hitch. You afraid what the Marshal gonna’ say?”

  He turned to me with a red face. “Lou, this here is Dorcas’ grand niece, Breezy. I don’t know if you ever seen her. She only come to town once or twice. And now here she is all grown up and such.”

  “Pleased to meet you,” I said. “I find it hard to believe I would not remember such a pretty little thing as you.”

  She shook out her long hair and stared at me. She had fine features with a freckled face and none of the crudeness so often seen in her kinfolk. It was easy to see that she also had a real woman’s body under those men’s clothes.

  “Why, marshal, that is nice of you to say.” She remounted her horse. “I was wondering when I would see you again, Hitch. Some of my uncles ain’t too keen on you but I think you are just fine company. I hope you plan on stayin’ awhile.” She had sidled up to Hitch and was looking at him in a very unlady-like way. I grinned at him and twirled my moustache.

  “You behave yourself, Breezy. Me and the Marshal is here on business. Don’t go makin’ trouble, for us or for you. I thought your uncles told you to stay away from me.”

  “Well, I’m a grown woman now and I can do as I please.” She spun her mount around and headed back up the trail. “Well, you best be comin in. This ought to be an interesting afternoon. We don’t get many visitors up here and Dorcas sure likes to hold court.” She turned her head and winked at Hitch. I started laughing as he slapped at me with his hat.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The closer we got to the Larue compound, the noisier it got. We could hear dogs barking and children yelling from far off. Houses and gardens were spread across a large clearing. Some animal pens and run down barn buildings lay scattered across the area. Breezy led us up to a large white house which was in bad need of repair. Chickens rooted around the place and the smell of hogs hung in the air. Smoke was rising from many chimneys. Except for some children and a few woman and animals the place seemed deserted.

  “Where is everyone?” I asked Breezy. “They is all out hunting. Most of the women folk go along for the skinning. I am here to keep an eye on the youngun’s but thought I would race my pony a bit. Don’t tell Old Dorcus or she like to have a fit. Wait here and I will tell her we got company.”

  Breezy tied off her horse and went up into the house. Me and Hitch dismounted and looked around.

  “Some spread they got up here. I always wondered what this place was like. I take it you been here before.” Hitch looked around and nodded. “Yes, a few times. I had some dealings with them and delivered a few ponies up to the Larues. Can’t say it was pleasant business but Old Dorcas was ok and seein’ Breezy all grown weren’t too hard on the eyes.”

  I laughed and said, “She appears to be a real handful. You might be better off getting’ yourself a squaw. I don’t see where getting involved with the Larues leads to much; unless you can get her away from here without her uncles putting a load of buckshot in your backside.”

  Breezy came out of the house carrying a rifle in her arms and stood before us. “You is welcome to come in.”

  I looked at her and her weapon. “You do not need that rifle, Miss. We are only coming to talk. How come you women folk are here alone with Dorcas and no men folk? Ain’t that a might bit dangerous what with Injuns and all

  wandering these mountains.”

  “Me and Dorcas can look out for

  ourselves. I would feel sorry for anyone trying to mess with us. We is dead shots.”

  Hitch and I looked at each other in wonder at that remark as we headed inside. We entered a large room with large roughly fashioned furniture. Seated on a big chair was Old Dorcas herself. She looked much the same to me. She had gotten a little larger but she still had that huge head covered in gray hair. She wore an old granny dress and held a shotgun in her lap. A corncob pipe hung out the side of her mouth. She had eyes like an eagle and glared at us as we approached.

  I removed my hat. “Hello, Miz Dorcas, I am Marshal Lou Silt. You may remember me as a boy from town. My pappy was Big Bill Silt. I believe you already know Hitch.”

  She lowered her shotgun and took the pipe from her mouth. “I remember you. You was always fightin’ with my boys. You tykes sure had some battles. I done heard all about the problems you all had down in town. Sorry about your daddy and all. I ain’t what I used to be and don’t get around much. Breezy here is my legs now. Never thought I would see you in these parts. But I am pleased to see you now that you are grown up and such a grand lookin’ lawman.”

  She turned to Breezy who was mooning at Hitch. “Hey, girl, where is your manners? Get that jug out here and offer the Marshal a drink.” Breezy went out the back. “She is one big handful, that girl; headstrong like her daddy. It was a shame when we lost him and then her mother, that low life whore, ran off. I told him she was no good but you men get your self stirred up and what little sense you got seems to fly away. I had to raise her and it ain’t been easy. Well set yourselves down and tell me what you want from this old woman.”

  After some pleasantries I related to Old Dorcas the tale that Jess and Busy had told me about the elk. She relit her pipe as we passed around the corn likker Breezy had brought in. It was a mighty heady potion. One drink and I felt a warmth sink all the way down to my boots.

  “Well, Josephus is a headstrong one. I know he is just waitin’ for this old soul to shuffle off so he can be the head of the family. He ain’t cut out for it but won’t be no one to stop him. He ain’t much of a good influence especially on his cousin Rafe. That boy ain’t right in the head. We keep a tight rein on him but none of this is your business. I am getting’ right chatty in my
old age. I will talk to them and if they did somethin’ wrong I will send someone down to town to deal with you. I don’t see where a couple of elk is such a thing that you had to come all the way up here.”

  I took another swig of the likker and wiped my mouth. “Weren’t only that, Miz Dorcas, I was right curious to see you once again. Now that we got the mines back up things is pretty peaceful in Lost Path and I aim to keep it that way. All them financial problems from back East seem to be getting past and you may have heard that the railroad is planning to come this way. We is getting all moderned up hereabouts. The Injuns will be a problem but hopefully we can settle them down without bloodshed. I am only concerned in keeping things peaceful. I will appreciate any help you can give me on this matter. We do not want to take anymore of your time. It was good to meet up with you again and I surely hope you stay well.”

  Breezy jumped up. “Can’t we have ‘em stay for supper? They ain’t never going to get back down before dark. We should try and be neighborly to the Marshal and his deputy.” She threw a sly glance Hitch’s way. Old Dorcas saw that and began to guffaw in a way that was both a cough and a laugh at the same time.

  “Girl, you better watch yourself. You ain’t foolin’ anyone. You best behave or your uncles will take it out of your hide. You ain’t all that grown yet. But I am sorry, Marshal. It would be a right pleasure to have you to dinner. We got lots of room here for you to stay the night. I am so unused to havin’ company I forget my Southern ways. I know us and the town ain’t had much truck but we come here as strangers from the South and we found there was still hard feelings from the war, so we kept our distance. You best see to your animals. You can put them up in the barn behind the house. Should be some feed out there.”

  “Well, thank you. I did not expect such hospitality. I am sorry for supposing that our enmity extended past my childhood battles with the Larue boys. It would be a right pleasure to share a meal with you. We will see to the horses. Is there anything we can do to help? Do you need firewood or water drawn?”