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Amongst the Indians: Part 4: Chapter 15

June 25, 2008 13:06

A day had passed since the spectacular scene by the creek. Jack wondered what it meant. He was always very careful now to ride close to protection, remaining as near to forest edge as possible. Sometimes he travelled through the forest thinking it may be safer.

It was for this reason he found himself working his way through a sparse grove of poplars. Cloud, as usual, marched on without complaint.

At first Jack thought he had been daydreaming. Then he heard another ‘pop’, and he knew it was not a dream, but gunshot.

He made his way forward for several minutes. Then he brought Cloud to a halt. There was a soft breath of breeze. It faintly rustled the silvergreen leaves of the trees. Suddenly he heard a series of shots.

Jack urged Cloud forward until he could see from the cover of the trees out across the plain. He took in the scene at a glance.

From the tree line the plain gently sloped into a little valley. In the middle of the valley three hundred yards from Jack stood a log cabin. Thirty feet away from that was a barn. It was in flames.

A corral, well and hitching post were arranged near the barn. Several horses wheeled and galloped and reared in panic inside the corral.

Jack could make out two figures letting off constant gunfire. The fire was directed at a small war party of five Indians. They galloped around and around the small farmstead. Some were armed with bows and he could see arrows flying in the direction of the settlers. They also had rearms. Jack would occasionally see a puff of white smoke and shortly hear a pop, as the sound reached him. He could also hear the pounding of hoof beats. This seemed odd to him because the sound hit his ears just as the ponies legs lifted from the ground. He also heard the high pitched yipping of the attackers.

All this he absorbed in a second. The next moment he charged.

Cloud raced in at an angle so that only a part of her right side showed to the attackers.

Jack got off a quick shot and then slipped down over the left flank of Cloud hanging on only by his right arm and leg.

The shot drew the attention of the Indians. All they could see was a white pony racing in their direction. They paused in their attack, stupefied, not knowing where the shot had come from.

Suddenly, Jack swung up on Cloud and simultaneously discharged a volley of three shots. Two Indians fell instantly.

With a blood curdling yell, well rehearsed at bayonet drill, Jack charged the third Indian. Too late the Indian wheeled to meet his attacker, for a fourth shot from Jack’s little revolver felled him.

Startled, the remaining two Indians hesitated, but only for a moment. Then they too, wheeled their ponies about, but to ride off in the opposite direction.

Jack took off after the fleeing Indians. He chased them for a mile discharging several more shots without result.

After assuring himself they were well gone, Jack reigned Cloud around and returned to the farmsite at a slow gallop.

“Howdy, stranger,” said a man, as he only now straightened up from behind an overturned wagon.

“Howdy,” said Jack.

“Much obliged,” said the man.

“Is anybody hurt?” asked Jack.

“Are you okay Nance?” asked the old man.

“I’m fine,” said a woman’s voice.

Until that moment Jack had not taken in the other person. He turned and saw it was indeed a woman. She was small but robust. She set her rifle down then shook her hair back before walking over to Jack.

“I’m Nance Magee,” she said. “This here’s my father.” She nodded to the old man.

“Howdy,” the old man said again, this time sticking out his hand.

Jack took it by leaning over Cloud.

“Just call me Magee,” said the old man as they shook. “All my friends do.”

“You look tired and hungry,” said Nance. “You get down off that horse. I had dinner on when them varmints struck. Can’t do nothing about that barn. Might as well get some grub under our belts. Do you like roast turkey and mashed potatoes?”

She had looked attractive to Jack before. Now she looked beautiful.

“I hope you like apple pie. It’s all I’ve got for dessert. Magee won’t eat nothing
but apple pie.” Jack thought he might just be a little bit in love.

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