The Man From Catspaw

By James M. Glass

This is a western story of Brad Jennings, his adventures and his interesting friends. Captured by Apaches at nine, he was sent to business school at fourteen and returned to help civilized Apaches. He became very wealthy and was manipulated into marrying a beautiful but scheming woman.

Brad became an expert prize fighter and gun fighter, and later tracked his thieving attackers to exact his vengeance. He purchased a ranch in bad shape, and hired his Indian friends to restore it. During his inspection of the area he confronted two cowboys who were kidnapping his neighbor’s daughter. One month later he found the same girl in shock in the rain caressing her horse that had broken its leg. His bitter wife sent two gun fighters to kill him before coming to see him. Many months later he assisted in the capture of four young boys who had rustled cattle.

Later he was with the group who arrested two bank robbers. There are many other side stories, including a gold mine, and falling in love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Mar 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9781387692170

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The Man From Catspaw

THE MAN FROM CATSPAW

by James M. Glass

© 2018

James M. Glass

COVER IMAGE

CHAPTER 1: THE RAID

The wagon train consisting of thirty wagons left Kansas with the objective of reaching California.  The wagon train was plagued with troubles from the very beginning.  Every person had been required to sign articles of agreement setting forth the rules of the train, but there were people who didn’t plan on following the rules.  These included people who had overloaded their wagons and others who brought along a supply of liquor.  There were a few constant complainers who were dissatisfied with the speed of the train or the rough trail.

Heavy loaded wagons began breaking down within the first fifty miles.  When they had to lighten their load they blamed everyone except themselves.  Jeb Smith the wagon master considered turning back when the complaints kept multiplying.  He had never turned back one of his trains, but the group were totally unprepared for the difficulties ahead.

Jeb called a meeting of the entire group on the third week out of Kansas.  He tried to explain to them the dangers which lie ahead of them.  He told them of the heat, the lack of water and the danger of Indians.  Ralph Sanders, a former saloon owner, who had too much liquor, told the group Jeb was only trying to scare them.  He said he had it on good authority the Indian problem was over.  The group started walking away without listening to Jeb.  They believe Ralph over their wagon master.

At the next meeting Ralph spoke out declaring they needed a captain of the train to oversee the wagon master.  He told them this would eliminate complains being ignored.  Many of the men present were supplied by Ralph with whiskey.  They were not going to vote against Ralph.  The others were too timid to object.  Ralph was elected to be the captain.  The wagon master was to consult with him on all matters.

Jeb was furious, but there was little he could do about the vote.  He realized he should have turn the train back weeks ago, but now it was too late.

Ralph was taking his new role seriously.  He told Jeb he wanted to know the route they were taking to California.  Jeb figured it was better to keep peace on the wagon train.  He met with Ralph.

In answer to your question we are cutting across the corner of Oklahoma and Texas before entering New Mexico.  We will travel across New Mexico and then Arizonian before reaching California.  The weather will be very hot creating a shortage of water.  There are roving bands of Apaches we must avoid.

I’m not worried about Indians.  We can always buy them off.

Ralph you can’t buy off a war party.  They’re looking for scalps and children.

Jeb the world has changed.  You’re still living in the past.  I’ll handle all Indian trouble.

Nothing Jeb could say would change Ralph’s mind.  Jeb finally gave up and walked away.

Entering New Mexico they were weeks behind schedule.  Constant break downs on overloaded wagons reduced their travel to a couple of miles per day instead of eight miles.  Bickering, arguments were a nightly affair.  Water shortages began fostering hard feelings towards the wagon master.

On a bright Sunday morning a band of Apaches appeared in the distance.  Jeb called out to circle the wagons, but Ralph shouted out for everyone to stay the same.

I’m going out to talk to them.  I’ll work out a deal.

You fool.  They are wearing was paint.  You can’t talk to them.

Jeb I told you I’ll handle-- this.  You’re out of date so shut up.

The people in the train relaxed.  Most of their guns were in their wagons.  They were content to let Ralph handle the Indians.  They watched as Ralph rode up to the Indians.  Before Ralph could say a word an Indian split his skull with a hatchet.  The people were horrified as they ran to get their riffles, but it was too late.  The Indians swept through the train killing most of them.  The others were killed on their ride back through the train.  Only the children were left alive.

The children had gathered together, huddled in fear in front of one of the wagons with the exception of one nine year old boy.  He stood alone in front of the children with his legs spread holding a hunting knife.  His dark hair was matted, his face was dirty and his clothes were little better than rags.  It made the Indians laugh to see a small boy defy the Indian tribe.  Black Cloud wasn’t amused.  He couldn’t stand little children.  He wasn’t about to let the boy live.  He picked up his spear and threw it at the boy.  He wanted to impale him to serve as an example to the other children.  The small boy dropped his knife, turned his body sideways and grabbed the shaft of the spear as it passed.  He reverses the spear and threw it back with accuracy.

Black Cloud let out a yelp and dropped from his horse to avoid the spear.  The Indians laughed at Black Cloud which infuriated him.  He pulled his knife.  He was going to kill the boy and take his scalp.  He ran towards the little boy throwing all caution aside.  The little boy didn’t move, but stood with his legs spread.  When Black Cloud was almost to the boy, the little boy dropped on his back with his wide kegs closing his legs 0n the Indian legs.  With the Indian legs firmly between the boy’s legs, the boy rolled on his side slamming the Indian face down to the ground.  The boy quickly moved to the Indian’s back, placing the point of his knife point on the Indian’s neck.

The boy yelled out, Yield or die.

The Indian knew if he didn’t yield the boy would kill him.  I yield.

Louder I didn’t hear you.

The Indian screamed out, I yield!-

The nine year old stood up to hear the other Indians making a range sound.

Ooh, ooh, ooh.

They kept repeating this sound for several minutes.

It was many months later the boy found out this were the sounds the Indians made when a warrior performed a great feat.

He stood facing the Indians when an older warrior rode towards him on a large white horse.  The Indian had white eagle feathers sticking out of his hair.  In perfect English the man spoke to him.

Put away your knife.

The voice was commanding and the boy put the knife in his belt.

Give me your right hand.

The boy held out his right hand and the Indian grabbed it firmly as he swung the boy behind him on his horse.

What is your name?

Brad Jennings.

You will now be known as Little Eagle.

The boy looked behind him to see other Indians taking the various children.  Babies and toddlers were killed.  The Indians only wanted children who were capable of traveling.

Brad found out this was an Apache raiding party raiding out of their territory.  They wanted to avoid any fight with another tribe.  They rode late in the evening before they re-entered their territory.  They camped near a stream where Brad was told to gather firewood.  There was no place to escape.  Brad did as he was told.

The sun was just beginning to rise as the Indians rode west.  Brad now had his own horse to ride, but he had to stay next to the Indian who claimed him.  He found out this Indian was the chief of the tribe.  His name was Eagle Feather.  As long as Brad was under his control, Black Cloud would never dare harm him.  Black Cloud hated Brad for making him lose face with the tribe.  He vowed he would find a way to kill Brad without being blamed.

They all rode in silence, pushing the horses to their limit.  It was late in the afternoon when they arrived at their camp.  They were greeted as heroes on their return.  The chief stopped Brad’s horse in front of a large tepee.  He was told to go into the tepee and wait for the chief.  When Brad entered the tepee he noticed an older woman sitting inside.  The woman motioned him to sit.

Brad sat for two hours watching the woman sewing before the Indian returned.  He informed Brad his name was White Eagle, leader of the tribe and Brad belonged to him.  He would serve his wife and other women of the tribe gathering firewood and carrying water.  He must learn to speak their language or be punished.  If he performs too slowly in gathering, the women would use their switches on his legs.  It would not damage his legs, but it would sting as bad as a bee sting.  The chief gave him the words for water and firewood, but stressed he must learn all the rest.

The first two weeks were very difficult for Brad.  The women constantly whipped his legs when he delivered firewood or water.  He decided to make a game out of it.  He would anticipate their action and jump out of reach before they could use a whip on his legs.  It took time, but eventually he was successful in fifty percent of the time.  The women became aware of what he was doing and went out of their way to hit his legs.  They had developed a good feeling for the boy.  His laughter and good humor impressed them.

Part of the day, he was allowed to wrestle with the other Indian boys.  All of them were older, but he was able to give the boys a good workout.

An older Indian by the name of Johnny Long Step taught the boys how to read a trail.  He showed them the different animal tracks while teaching tracking humans and horses.  Brad had the ability of remembering everything he was taught. 

During the day, if Brad had any free time, he would practice with the bow and arrow.  At first he was very clumsy, but with a few instructions from other Indians he became very good.  He wasn’t allowed to go hunting with the older Indians, but after he had been there for three years the Chief believed Brad would do nothing to dishonor him or the tribe.  Meat was very scarce.  The tribe had been on meager rationing until the hunters