Rose Fourteen The trail

By Christopher Charles

Rose was going to answer him when she saw the Indian boy on his pony twenty feet in front of them. He had quietly ridden around the rise and entered their camp. He sat on his pony looking at Rose.
Startled at first, Rose could not say anything. Recovering, she waved her arm for him to leave.
He did not understand and looked at her puzzling.
Then Mr. Brady saw him yelling “Injuns!” Reaching for his rifle, he brought it to bear on the boy.
Rose threw herself on Mr. Brady yelling, “No!”
The gun went off missing its intended target. The Indian boy kicked his pony hard and disappeared back over the rise. The sound of the large gun discharging startled the horses. They jumped to their feet tearing the canvas in the process.
Captain Bollinger and the troopers came out of their wagon. Most of them had not found their pants, but they all had their sabers. Mr. Brady had knocked Rose to the ground hard and was in the process of reloading his buffalo gun. The trooper, thinking Rose was a victim, ran past her. Captain Bollinger picked up his rifle and followed them.
Mr. Brady finally had his gun reloaded and ran up the hill. Reaching the top of the hill, he found the troopers lined up with their sabers out. Behind them, Captain Bollinger was lining up on the boy with his rifle.
“You’ll never reach him with that,” Mr. Brady said and dropped to his stomach.
“Maybe you’re right, Mr. Brady,” Captain Bollinger said and lowered his rifle.
Mr. Brady laid his buffalo gun on the rise and sighted down on the boy. He was about to pull the trigger when he heard the hooves of a pony coming up the rise. He whirled around in time to partially stand when a foot caught him in the chest and sent him rolling down the rise.
Everyone was caught by surprise. The troopers did not react until Rose was riding out across the plain in front of them. Mr. Brady struggled to his feet and managed to reach the ridge again. He was angry and lowered his buffalo gun.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christopher Charles
• Release date: Jan 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781950901470

Book preview

Copyright 2/21/09

This is the Fourteenth story in the sixteen book series, Rose Chronicles (click).

Other Books by the Author

14 1The Trail

By Christopher Charles

Contents

Prologue

1 Preparations

2 The River

3 Collision

4 Retribution

5 Disembark

6 Beachhead

7 The Trail

8 The Fire

9 Indian Boy

10 Brady’s Confession

11 The Buffalo

Prologue

The River narrows when suddenly the boat engines throttles lock. The boat, out of control, moves up-river rapidly. It strikes the raft carrying the horses and wagons spilling them into the river. Rose is at the wheel.

1 Preparations

It was four O’clock in the afternoon. Everyone had gathered in the palace of the Shanadoa. The surveyors had come aboard an hour before and the remaining soldiers assigned to the detail had arrived along with two wagons full of supplies and survey equipment. There was very little room for personal clothing items. The dock was full of wagons and supplies. Four black men were slowly loading the wagons and horses onto the barges under Sergeant Meade’s supervision. It appeared to be mass confusion with people coming and going.

Of the nine regular army personnel other than the Captain, and Sergeant Meade, there were Corporal Higgins, the cook, and seven troopers. Using Colonel Gatewood’s influence, Captain Bollinger was able to acquire additional horses for the troopers. Their primary concern was the survey party that had swelled to four men.

A Mr. Robert Jacobs, a big man, was in charge of the party and made the decisions. His assistant, Mr. Wetters, was a small man with a mousy type personality. His eyesight was poor requiring him to wear glasses most of the time. The other two men served more as servants to Mr. Jacobs than colleagues. They took care of his personal needs.

The room was full of Mr. Clemens’ party that included Mr. Donovan and Mr. Broden, the survey party, boat men from the barges and the troopers. The only women present were the ones waiting on the men. The bar was opened, and the drinks flowed. All the tables were full with Mr. Clemens taking the large poker table. Every chair was occupied forcing many to stand against the bar. It was wall to wall people all talking at once. Each one was trying to talk above the noise.

Clancy entered the palace, stopped by the door and blew his whistle. The room suddenly became quiet.

Colonel Gatewood and Captain Bollinger entered the room. Captain Bollinger remained by the door while the colonel walked to the bar.

Turning, Colonel Gatewood looked the room over slowly, I believe everyone is here. I thought I would bring you all up to date. Sergeant Meade will be taking the barges upriver tomorrow morning at eight with the wagons and animals. All of the wagons should be loaded and boarded by then. The barges are slower than us. I see no reason why you should not enjoy civilization rather than wait for the barges at the other end. Remember, you can only take what the wagons can haul. Are there any questions?

Mr. Jacobs stood, looked around the room, I would like to know where the survey party stands in all of this? I see wagons outside, but I only see two the army is taking.

Captain Bollinger will be commanding the army detail, Colonel Gatewood said. I will let him field that question.

Captain Bollinger looked at the Colonel hard a second, then he faced Mr. Jacobs, Your equipment and personal supplies will have to fit in one wagon. The army will provide the commissary and cook in the other wagon. If you plan on riding or sleeping in the wagon, then you better be cutting your gear down. I will not have overworked horses here.

Is the army providing horses for my people?

I am having a hard-enough time finding horses for my men. Captain Bollinger said. You will have to secure your own if you wish to ride. I will only provide two horses per wagon.

We should have at least two wagons.

Yes, and I should have twenty men, but it seems we will both have to make do.

I was told we would have the use of two wagons for our personal gear and equipment.

Well that has been cut down to one. If you have trouble fitting everything in, I would suggest you talk with Mr. Clemens. He seems to have adequate wagons for his needs. He looked towards Mr. Clemens, How many people and wagons are you taking, sir?

Mr. Clemens cleared his throat, You will have to ask Mr. Donovan. He’s our trail boss.

Mr. Donovan stood, drew a sheet of paper from his pocket, cleared his throat, We’re taking seventeen people, six wagons, fourteen horses, and one pony. The four blacks will be driving Mr. Clemens wagons. Mr. Broden will be driving his wagon, and I’ll be driving mine. Then there’s Mr. Brady taking his own outfit of one horse and one pack animal. He stopped and looked up at the Captain. Then he continued, Captain Bollinger is bringing ten troopers, one cook, four survey personnel, two wagons, and fifteen horses. I don’t know how many horses the survey party is bringing.

One, Mr. Jacobs shouted, Unless I can purchase a couple more from the army. He shook his head saying, I should not have to be providing my own horses. That wasn’t part of my agreement, He said and sat down grumbling, but no one heard him.

Captain Bollinger ignored him, turned back to Mr. Donovan, Is there anything else?

Yes sir, Mr. Donovan said, I’m going to be hard put to have everything aboard the barges by 8:00 tomorrow morning. I’m having trouble locating supplies.

I will not delay Sergeant Meade longer, Captain Bollinger said, He needs to establish our departure point, and that means the barges have to leave tomorrow. We have to work within our contract, Mr. Donovan. You might look in the army’s local commissary."

Mr. Brady stood up, Is it alright if I go up river with the barges. I kind of like to stay with my pack animals seeing as how you all are a little short.

You will have to check with Sergeant Meade, Captain Bollinger said. It is his detail going up.

Then looking back at Mr. Donovan, Mr. Brady said, You need to be correcting that list of yours. I’ll be taking two packhorses and one I’ll be riding. Then looking up at the Captain, he continued, I don’t want you thinking my packhorses can be used for pulling wagons. They’re for my stuff only. I’m not supplying the army or anyone else with horses. I just wanted to make that clear starting off.

Colonel Gatewood stepped forward after Mr. Brady seated himself, Mr. Donovan, you can purchase supplies after the barges leaves. I can transport anything you feel necessary on my boat. It is only the wagons and animals that need to be leaving tomorrow morning. Now, are there any other questions?

Mr. Clemens cleared his throat, Is it okay for my blacks to go up with the wagons?

That would be appreciated, Mr. Clemens, Colonel Gatewood said, I am sure Sergeant Meade could use the help with the animals. Now, are there any more questions?

I have one, Mr. Broden said. Exactly where are we going?

I think Mr. Brady can better answer that, Colonel Gatewood said.

Standing, Mr. Brady turned around to Mr. Broden, We’re going where the grass grows all the way to your hip. You can run a plow from sunup to sunset and never have to turn around. It’s darn near the prettiest country you will ever see this side of heaven.

It sounds great, Brady, but exactly where is that?

That’s why the survey crew is coming along, Mr. Brady said. When they get back, they’ll tell you where you’ve been if you don’t mind waiting. I’ll be going up with the barges, so they’ll know where the best place is for landing all of you folks. We’ll be setting a fire at night to give you the location.

That’s still not saying, Mr. Broden said.

To be more specific, Mr. Broden, Mr. Clemens said interrupting, We will be going up the Missouri River until we reach high country. Docking facilities have been established there. They’re crude, but good enough for our needs. So, we won’t be needing the fire, Mr. Brady. We will be going overland southwest from there. It is all relatively flat this side of the mountains. I have been as far as the docking facilities, but Mr. Brady claims to have been all through the low country hunting buffalo. I hope that clarifies things up a bit. Please continue, Mr. Brady.

Mr. Brady adjusted himself, You don’t mind if we build a fire to keep warm, do you?

Mr. Clemens smiled, You may keep warm.

What about the buffalo? Mr. Broden asked.

They’re as far as the eye can see, Mr. Brady said. They’re just standing there for the taking.

We won’t be hunting buffalo, Mr. Clemens said.

You will when you get hungry enough, Mr. Brady said sitting down.

Is there any more discussion? Captain Bollinger asked.

Captain Morgan stood, looked around, I would like to extend an invitation to all of you for our departure party. It will be tonight at eight o’clock. It will be a proper party with the ladies from Colonel Gatewood’s boat being invited. The bar will be open, but I don’t want to see any of you gents getting out of hand. You might find yourself going north with the barges tomorrow morning.

The crowd let out a murmur and the group began to filter out of the palace. There was a great deal of work to do before the barges could leave in the morning. The thoughts of the party spurred them to have it completed before dark.

Later that evening Rose rode over in the colonel’s carriage. She was not allowed to walk because of the blow to her head when she fell in the water earlier. Only because she seemed to be okay did her mother allow her to come. She did not want to stay on Colonel Gatewood’s boat and be left alone. She promised to move slowly once she reached the party.

She was helped aboard the carriage by her aunt and mother. "I