The Skylars

By D. E. Miller

The Skylar children, Tyree, Riley and Macee have lost their parents to violence and are going to lose their farm. Th ey are leaving Hardin, Montana and going to Keeline, Wyoming, where Uncle Alex Skylar is in trouble with outlaws, back shooters, land grabbers, and thieves. They encounter some danger on their trek, but this does not deter their mission to help their Uncle Alex Skylar.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 17, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452095769

D. E. Miller

D. E. Miller is a blue-collar writer from Nebraska who discovered that life's highways and backroads continued to lead him back to where he began.

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© 2010 D. E. Miller. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 12/7/2010

ISBN: 978-1-4520-9576-9 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4520-9575-2 (sc)

Printed in the United States of America

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter One

It was overcast when Tyree went to saddle his line back dun, Sky. He raised and broke Sky from a colt and Tyree knew that on this frosty morning, Sky would try and buck him off.

The year was 1876, and the month and day May 10th. It was a special day for Macee, as it happened to be her 16th birthday, and her brothers invited her friends over to help Macee celebrate, bringing lots of delicious food and a birthday cake. It was a joyous time for them. Since their parents death a year ago, Tyree and Riley had been looking after their sister, Macee, and trying to make a living on the farm that was left to them.

Their parents homesteaded in Hardin, Montana right after the civil war and just barely made a living on it. They raised hay for a living, but was chancy year to year. This last year was the worst, so Tyree and Riley had written to their Uncle Alex Skylar, in Keeline, Wyoming over two months ago, but had heard nothing back yet. He raised cows and horses, and seemed to be getting along pretty well. They had hoped to hear from him by now, and since winter was coming to an end, Tyree, Riley and Macee all agreed that Tyree would ride to Keeline and find their Uncle. If at all possible, they were in need of buying land, and hoped they would find it in Wyoming.

Hey Riley, I need help here; come check Sky’s shoes while I fetch my gear. It’s going to be a long ride from here to Keeline.

Everyone left the party, so Macee ran to the barn to talk to Tyree before he left. Tyree, I really appreciate you and Riley for throwing this party for me. You guys have been great brothers, and I love you for what you do, and I know it can’t be easy. I have fixed some food for you to take along, and if there is anything else you need let me know.

Riley looked at Tyree and they both knew what the other was thinking. Riley, I will be fine, and I will find Uncle Alex and hopefully there will be land that we can buy. I know that I am putting a lot of responsibility on your shoulders, but I know that you can handle it. You turned 18 last month, and I consider you a man now.

Tyree went back to the house to get the food Macee put up for him, and to pack his belongings, plus more ammunition. He decided to take his pa’s 44-.40 Henry and strapped on his 45 colt pistol. Tyree, there is a rider coming in fast. Looks like James King, the deputy. Wonder what he wants and why he is riding like someone is chasing him. shouted Riley.

As James came to a halt, he hurried over to Tyree. Tyree, I just received a letter from your Uncle Alex. Thought I should hurry out, as I heard you are leaving today, and I thought this might be important. As Tyree read the letter to Riley and Macee, he was concerned about what his Uncle had to say. Tyree, just received your letter last week. I am glad you are coming. Be prepared for trouble. Ride careful. If you hear the name of Brink Waters, be aware he is our enemy. Will explain more when you arrive. As Ever, Uncle Alex.

Well Riley and Macee, said Tyree, We have to decide now what we want to do. Do we all go now, or do I go alone? You know we have a buyer for the farm, and even though it may take a week to finalize the deal and to get ready for the trail, we have to hope Uncle Alex will be okay till we get there. What do you two say? Riley and Macee said in unison, we all go in one week. So Tyree told James to wait while he got his horse so he could ride back to Hardin with him.

Riley, said Tyree, you look the wagon over and see to it that it will make the trip to Keeline. Macee, you will be in charge as what we will need on the trail, and pack some things we can use when we get there. I am going to look up Jack Belcher, the banker, and get the papers ready for selling our place. I hope we get a fair price for it. I’ll be back for supper.

As James and Tyree rode for Hardin, Tyree was wondering what kind of trouble his Uncle was having. Uncle Alex was a year younger than Tyree’s father, never been married, and a little on the wild side. He really never got into anything too shady, or broken any law. He was noted for his fast draw and didn’t back down from anyone. He never started a fight, but was fair when he did fight. Now Tyree had to sell and get to his Uncle fast.

When they arrived in Hardin, Tyree went straight to the bank to see Jack Belcher. Belcher told Tyree a long time ago he would help sell his place. Mr. Belcher, I have come to see you about selling my place, and hope we can get it done in a week, stated Tyree. You see, my Uncle needs me, and the sooner I sell, the quicker I can leave for Keeline, Wy. Well Tyree, come on in to my office and we’ll get started on the papers. First of all, how much land do you have, and is it all farm land? Belcher asked.

Well, said Tyree, there are 320 acres in pasture land, and 320 acres in farm land. Belcher sat and figured on what would be the best price to set. what about fifty cents (.50) an acre for the pasture land, and one dollar ($1.00) an acre for the farm land, Belcher stated. That will give you Four Hundred Eighty ($480.00) in the clear, as you owe no debts or taxes on the property. You already have plowed and seeded for this year, and that is why I put one dollar ($1.00) an acre for the farm land. Sounds good to me, Tyree said, us Skylars can use all the money we can get right now."

I have a buyer in mind, said Belcher, and if you want to come with me, we’ll go and see if these terms meet his expectations.

They walked to the livery stable where the hostler Frank Gates, hitched the buggy for Belcher. As they rode through town going East, they saw a lot of their friends on the street, and they were asked to stop and have drinks with them on the way back. Tyree thanked them, but said he couldn’t, nor had the time, but maybe sometime later. He was going to miss his old friends, but knew he couldn’t stay around because of financial difficulty and now because of his Uncle.

Isn’t this the way to Lee and Beth McFadden’s? asked Tyree. Yes, said Belcher, Lee has a brother, Jacob, who has been wanting to come here and live to be closer to his only family he has left. Seems he has a lot of money and wants to start a ranch raising and selling horses. He’s also into race horses and hopes to find an outlet for them back East. I told Lee about your place and he seems interested.

Driving down the lane to the house impressed Tyree. On both sides of the lane, Beth had planted rose bushes, and now the leaves were just coming on, and he imagined how it would look by the middle of June, beautiful came to mind and the fragrance unbelievable. The house was built of logs and was country style. The yard was fenced and the grass was turning green. Playing in the yard was a little girl, age around three, Tyree guessed. Beth came to the door, with a towel in her hand as she was just drying the noon dishes. hello, Mr. Belcher, she said. What brings you here this time of day? I would like you to meet Tyree Skylar, Mrs. McFadden, said Belcher. Is Lee home? No, she said, Not at this moment, he had to go to the high meadow as we have a mare about to foal and he is concerned about her. Won’t you come in for coffee,