Destination Nez Perce

By R.R. Woodruff

"Destination Nez Perce" is an action packed early American adventure story.

If your soul is stirred by adventure, be it real life or vicariously through the pages of an adrenalin pulse driving novel, then this one can be placed at eye level on your shelf. You'll find yourself sneering at evil while at the same time humorously cheering the triumphs against it. As you follow Cameron Macovey, the grandson of Jacob Macovey, one of the first explorers to venture west of the Missouri River. Jacobs re

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9781634175036

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R.R. Woodruff

Copyright © 2014 R.R. Woodruff

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc. 2014

ISBN 978-1-63417-502-9 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-63417-503-6 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Destination’s Nez Perce Cast

Order of appearance, by category

Macovey Family:

Jacob Macovey - Grandfather, explorer, trapper and hunter

Conner Macovey - Father.

Cameron Macovey - One of the leading caricatures

Doozy - (Silver/ Black Birds Eye Appaloosa), Cameron’s horse.

Curly - (Reddish/ Blond Birds Eye Appaloosa), Cameron’s pack horse

Silver Bows version of Law Enforcement:

Sheriff Martin Slimly

Mortimer - Deputy

Jedidiah - Deputy

Gunther - Deputy

Vanderpot Ranch:

Ned Vanderpot - Owner

Violet Vanderpot - Owner, wife of Ned

Charee Amie McLain - Niece of Ned

Jack Brown - Ranch foreman

Jacoby - Ranch smithy, inventor designer

George - Ranch hand

Darrius - Ranch hand

Alex LaChapell - Mule skinner, ranch worker

Flora LaChapell - Alex’s wife

Darwin Fenton - Ranch hand

Clarence Stiner - Mining accountant and payroll

Omar Svenson - Explosives and powder man

Villainous or suspect characters:

Horace Berkley - Obnoxious reporter, weekly independent

Dante LaChapell: Trapper & hide hunter

Bill Bradley - A.K.A- Butcher Bill- Scalp hunter, murderer

Lemuel - Another trashy bully drunk

Francey Boucher - Guide, company man and leader of the Metis

Kacy Burlington - Burly Burl, Ornery Keel Boat Captain

Panther Pete - He who Conquers Swamps. River Pirate, murderer

Jiggy - River Pirate, murderer

Bingham Needham - Self-aggrandizing Boston Blue Blood

Jared Samuels - Slimly bottom feeding attorney

Herbert Goldberg - Auctioneer

Norman Gahty - Thug, No neck Norman

Vincent Gwedo - Thug, Vinnie the Vampire

Silver Bow Mercantile:

Aaron Bonner - Merc owner

Dorothy Bonner - Merc owner, wife of Aaron

Wilbur Dumase - Part-time employee, town handyman

J.P. Gemmer - Gunsmith

United States Marshall & other honest officials:

Ezekiel (Zeek) Nelson

Sapphire - Zeek’s horse

Alan McKinna - Denver City Marshall

Judge Bagley - Western Circuit Judge

Danial Maddox - Appointed legal council

Silver Bow Towns People:

Shadrack - Buffalo hunter

Mrs. Fitzgerald - Widow, owner of the Fitzgerald boarding house

Abigale Clarke - Stern Schoolmarm

Molly Clarke - Teachers assistant, sweet on Zeek

Gilbert - Newspaper artist, assistant

Claude LaChapell - Brother of Dante

Barthelemy Thimonnier - Inventor of the sewing machine

Cyrus McCormick - Inventor of the harvest reaping machine

Blood Atonement Terrorists, Avenging Angels:

Nephi - Horse thief murder and rapist

Maroon - Horse thief murder and rapist

Brigham Young - Thief, murder and rapist, self-alleged prophet

Joseph Smith - Coward, swindler, rapist, liar and murderer

Hyrum Smith - Coward, swindler, rapist, liar and murderer

Mortimer Schnitzel - Horse thief murderer and rapist

Captured Terrorized and Kidnapped Women:

Martha - Matriarch of the girls

Ursula - Young girl, daughter of Martha

Sophie - Youngest daughter of Martha

Delilah - Niece of Martha

Desirae - Niece of Martha

Clays Landing:

Clay Banyon - Part owner of the Landing

Matilda Banyon - Part owner of the Landing

Nimiipuu (The People) Nez Perce Nation:

Strong Thunder - War Chief under Chief Joseph

The Wolf that Growls - Native Nimiipuu scout, hunter

Big Moon - Young Native Nimiipuu, scout, hunter

Cat Man - Young Native Nimiipuu, scout, hunter

Silver Back - Native Nimiipuu, scout, hunter

Swift Eagle - Native Nimiipuu, scout, hunter

Cloud that Rains Rock - Native Nimiipuu, scout, and hunter

Fast Horse - Father of Big Moon

Bright Smile - Mother of Big Moon

Yellow Rock - Native Nimiipuu, scout, hunter

Spears Antelope - Native Nimiipuu, scout, hunter

Old Chief Joseph - Tuekakas Joseph the Elder

Chief Looking Glass - Looking Glass Around Neck

Chief White Bird - White Goose, or birds with white feathers

Claws That Rip - Shoshone war party leader

Eyes that dance - Young Shoshone warrior

Blackfoot: Bugs Boys. Piikani. Miko Ew Blood thirsty Piegan.

Horn of Bull - Evil Ware Chief

One Man - Young Piegan Twin

Two Mountains - Young Piegan Twin

Swift Moose - Father of the Twins

Shining Hair - Mother of the Twins

Captain Jack - Chief

Yellow Horse - Chief

Iron Shirt - Chief

Red Crow - Chief, A.K.A. Sitting Whit Buffalo

Crop Eared Wolf - Chief

Jumping Sky - Piegan Runner

Flying Hawk - Father of Jumping Sky

Bright Cloud - Piegan Maiden

Two Barking Beaks - Horn of Bull Loyalist

Trappers & Fur Company Men.

William Henry Ashley - Mountain Man, fur trader, born 1778 to 1838

John Coulter - Mountain Man, fur trader, born 1774 to 1813

James McMillan - Born 1783 to 1858, fur trader, explorer, North West Fur Company

Dave Thompson - Fur trader for the North West Fur Company

CHAPTER 1

WHY DID HE CONTINUE TO TOSS AND turn in this fitful night of semiconscious sleep, the continuous nickering of the horse, the rattling of dishes in his bouts of partial slumber and that human muttering? Cameron was awake, snapped full alert, and staring into the eyes of four ugly unshaven faces. Was I that tired? He thought as he stared at the empty space where he had previously left his rifle and holstered revolver propped against his saddle.

Cameron knew now that Doozy his horse had been trying to warn him of coming intruders while he slept so deeply.

Okay, what’s next, which one of the four of you is the one in control here? And since you have my coffee pot, I’m gonna guess it’s you.

As Cam stared into the bloodshot eyes of the squatly potbellied hawk nosed ugliest of the four, the other three were in a tight battle for second place.

The odor from the four of them completely fouled the air in the camp. The evil villainous wretch on the far left passed gas as he slurped another slice of Cam’s canned peaches, adding to the already polluted air.

Hope your flagellating friend there is enjoying my camp supplies. He addressed coffee pot man as he noticed a tarnished star inside the stained vest the man was wearing. I am going to take it that since you’re toting a badge that you represent the law. Out here and where I am from, stealing a man’s supplies is no better than stealing his horse. My name is Cameron Macovey. Now I’m doing all the talking, and what you see here is what I own, so I suggest you state your business.

Well now, that’s just fine, Mr. Macovey. My name is Sheriff Martin Slimly, and these here fellers are my depades, and your point on what you say you own brings the pitch fork to the hay, that two stocken Appaloosa in your camp belongs to a rancher in these parts named ah Ned Vanderpot and you’re a low life horse thief. Any concern ya might have about supplies Mortimer over thar may be digest-in are of no more use to you than the turds fallen out of that horse’s butt as you’ll not live out the day.

Well, that’s a mouthful, Sheriff Slimely.

It’s Slimly, the sheriff gruffed as he drew his gun, struggling to his feet, obviously insulted at the name slang. We got ever’ right to fit a rope round your brazen neck right now, but we’re gonna let Mr. Ned Vanderpot do that honor his own self. Tie him up and gag him boys. Mr. Macovey, you’ll be a walk-en those six miles to Mr. Vanderpot’s ranch as his horse will not be a toten you another step.

Four guns on him now and in no position to resist, Cameron’s wrists were lashed and with a lead rope around his neck and a dirty, stained kerchief forced around his head and through his mouth, he could only mumble.

Jedidiah, the sheriff barked, you lead or drag Macovey, don’t care one ta other long so’s we get him there alive, Mortimer ya’ll put a lead rope on Mr. Vanderpot’s horse and bring him along. Gunther you tag along behind.

Cameron wanted desperately to try and state the facts of his ownership and to stave off any attempt these imbeciles might make at trying to put a lead rope on Doozy. The sheriff ambled over to Doozy, and while he was reaching and leaning up to the saddlebag, Doozy nonchalantly just stepped sideways. This move caused the inept sheriff to lose balance, lurching forward, catching his boot toe on a root wad while doing a face plant on the rocky ground.

Fuming Slimly rose to his feet, the gash at the bottom of his chin and his mashed nose oozing blood. A blue streak of foul cursing directed at the horse, Cameron, and the snickering deputies only ended when Slimly finally realized that the blood pressure from the tantrum was directly related to his rapid loss of blood and the onset of a severe migraine.

Mortimer meanwhile, not being the shiniest agate on the beach, wanted ever so to brighten the sheriff’s foul mood. Grabbing a lasso off the nearest saddle, he opened the loop approaching the Appy. Doozy was an intelligent, loyal, and blooded horse Cam’s father had presented to him as a yearling on his eighteenth birthday. They had been together four years.

Mortimer knew little of horse demeanor so gave no thought to Doozy’s head going down with his ears laid back as he approached the horse. Mortimer was bending over to put the loop over Doozy’s head when with sledge hammer power Doozy brought his head up, neck muscles at full speed, catapulting Mortimer ten feet through the air, falling on top of Gunther who was blowing on a scalding cup of coffee while holding the reins of the four horses.

The next several minutes exceeded anarchy. The four horses belonging to the sheriff and his three deputies stampeded along with Cameron’s pack horse in several different directions, one of which trampled Jedidiah, opening a scalp wound and breaking several ribs.

Gunther was screaming in pain, suffering as the burns from the coffee down his neck began to blister. Mortimer was lying on the ground unconscious, nose mashed, his eyes blackening. Sheriff Slimly, also having been trampled, was on all fours moaning. He was holding one of his front teeth, looking for the other as he tried to stem the flow of blood.

Cameron stepped over and stood beside Doozy, knowing this would be the safest place for him in his restrained incapacitated condition. With three concussions, blood loss, three broken ribs, two broken noses, tooth loss, and second degree burns, the departure to the Vanderpot ranch would be delayed for several hours at best.

Not one of the four town employees wanted to set a horse but with the insistence of Slimly, who could no longer verbally pronounce the letter S without his front teeth ordered. Put Jed on the horth tho we can get thith horth thief to juthtith.

It took five minutes for Gunther and Mortimer to load Jedidiah who screamed, pleading to be left to die rather than endure the pain of a horse ride. Gunther was now fighting mad, his struggle with Jedidiah opened the oozing broken blisters. Neither Slimly nor Mortimer could see clearly out of their eyes as they were blackened and swollen to slits.

Slimly decided that Cameron would be tied in the front, remain gagged, but for he and his deputies, they wanted nothing further to do with the disposition nor contact with the Appaloosa. Cameron would walk, leading the Appy by the reins on the six mile trek to the Vanderpot ranch. Covering barely two miles per hour on flat ground, it took the better part of four hours to reach the Vanderpot main ranch house.

CHAPTER 2.

VANDERPOT, WHO APPEARED TO BE A MAN in his late fifties or early sixties gazed from aloft the front porch at the astonishing spectacle in front of him. Vanderpot’s lovely wife, standing next to her husband seeing the cuts, blackened eyes, gashes, and blood soaked shirts, gasped and stated. Ned, I must see to these men’s injuries.

Ned put his arm out stopping her advance Hold on, Violet, I need to find out what is or has happened here. Sheriff, what in the name of decency has brought you and your men here in this dreadful condition?

Well, Mitther Vanderpot, we were told by the good thitithin that a man came through town riden one of your hortheth and knowing that you never thell your new breed herd you’re a building, we lit out after him. We cut thith here horth theifth trail and capthured him and rethcued your horth tho you could have the pleathur of hanging him yer own thelf.

Stop, declared Vanderpot. Looking over at his foreman Jack Brown, he sternly said, Jack, have your men relieve that horse of its saddle, get it over to the troff for water. Help the sheriff and his men down and in the name of all that is holy ungag and untie that man, get the rope off his neck and I want every man jack of them inside in my office.

With the gag and restraints off, Cameron raised his hand and quickly exclaimed, Mr. Vanderpot, hold on please. My name is Cameron Macovey, and the reason these men are in the condition they are in is precisely because they tried to handle Doozy, my horse. If you’ll allow me to care for his needs, supervised or not, I will come directly to your office when finished.

Ned Vanderpot looked intently at Cameron and said, That is perfectly agreeable, Mr. Macovey. Then turning to the foreman, he stated Jack, there will be no need to supervise this man’s care of his horses, Mr. Macovey, I will see you inside at your leisure. Violet, darling, will you please see to the generous supply of soap, hot water, and medical supplies. Jack, have the men escort this troop of officers to the back yard water pump. Have the men supply them with clean clothes from the steamer trunk in the bunk house after these men have doused themselves off. You two men burn their clothes in one pile at the back of the outhouse after they strip and please get Cameron some of my store bought pants and shirts from my supply.

But, Mither Vanderpot, ain’t ya gonna hang him.

Shut up, Sheriff, Ned bellowed as he retreated into the house.

Suddenly Cameron started feeling an immense relief. Perhaps he was coming to the end of this night mare. After stripping Curly, the pack horse of his burden, and Doozy of the saddle and blanket, he let his friends take some cool water from the troff while he pulled out the brush and began the grooming strokes Doozy so loved. The afternoon had been hot but had passed its apex of heat, so Cameron took a water bucket and a towel and began rubbing Doozy down while pouring the cooling water over the horses’ hides.

Alone in an upstairs room, watching through a lace curtain, Ned admired the devotion the man gave to his animals and just shook his head at the injustice that the man must have had to endure at the hands of the sheriff and his henchman.

While looking out the window deep in thought, Ned noticed the dark buggy coming up the valley on the road to the ranch. The ranch was near the base of Mount Hagen in the Anaconda range several miles from the fast growing little town in western Montana. Great, thought Ned, as the closer the buggy approached, the more it looked like that obnoxious reporter Horace Berkly from the Weekly Independent, a paper from the Silver Bow community. The paper rarely printed the facts. Nothing ever seemed to be in the correct chronological order, always embellished on, and sensationalism seemed the priority in their printing practice.

Ned hastily started down the stairwell, intending to cut off the reporter before he could get his pencil to work on Cameron. Too late, Horace had his note pad out making a bee line in the direction of Cameron dotting his blackened tongue with the lead end of his pencil as was his incessant habit. The sheriff and his men had meandered around the house, hearing the arrival of the buggy as they peeked around the corner.

Hello, Horace Ned stated.

Good afternoon, Ned. I have been dispatched with the news of a horse theft and the upcoming hanging. I see this man brought your horse back. I need to jump into the middle of the facts here. Where is the suspect, and where and when will the hanging take place?

Ned sighed, shaking his head, then slowly responded, Horace, hold on here, you’ve got your bowels in an up roar. The only jumping everyone seems to be doing is to erroneous conclusions.

Ned continued, My stock is 100 percent accounted for, there has been no theft, and this man is my guest. Now put that pencil away before you die of lead poisoning. There is no story here unless you want to talk to the sheriff and get the facts on how he and his men came to suffer such grievous injuries.

Horace was crestfallen but soon regained his normal starved vulture to the carcass energy when he caught a glimpse of the carnaged appearance of Sheriff Slimly and his men. If only he had his artist here to recreate the massacred likeness of the quartet so the picture could be placed below the ominous headline THE MAULING IN THE MOUNTAINS. Horace had his blood lust image interrupted when Ned asked him to wait for him on the veranda where Violet as if by magic had appeared with a pitcher of lemonade. Ned went over to Cameron where he would be able to speak to him in private.

Seeing Ned coming in his direction, Cameron asked, I’d be obliged to pay you for a nose bag of grain for Doozy.

Jack who was never far from the needs of his boss turned on his heel at the nod from Ned. He retreated into the barn. Cameron had unlatched the buckle on one of his saddle bags and retrieved a thick leather pouch. From it he pulled an onion skin legal parchment. Cameron handed over the paper to Ned with an explanation.

The sheriff never gave me a chance to offer this up, or none of us would have to go through this. Sorry they interrupted your busy day.

Ned examined the document, which amongst other things contained the ownership, birth, brand, and ascending line of parentage related to Doozy.

Ned chuckled. Best he did not get his hands on this. He never would have been able to read it, let alone understand it. May I call you Cameron and please call me Ned. I can only say that I have a deep regret for the actions of Slimly and his henchmen. Should you choose to prosecute them for any of the dozens of charges you could hold them accountable for, I will support your claims personally and back you financially.

Cameron accepted the grain bag from Jack, thanking him. Ned refused the offered coins, replying, It is I who wish to pay you, Cameron, let me explain.

At this juncture Ned was interrupted by the fidgeting Horace. Mr. Vanderpot, I am anxiously awaiting an audience with the duly elected sheriff so I can be on my way.

Cameron could see that Ned was a business man at heart, and it seemed to him that he was respected by his men. Cameron was not surprised when Ned turned to Horace and mildly replied, Well, Horace, I have previous business I was conducting with the sheriff who for the record was not elected but rather appointed by the city fathers as no one would run for the office. My business with Slimly and his men was prior to your arrival, so if you’re unable to be patient, I guess, as you say, you can just be on your way.

Horace harrumphed a few times, ending with a profound Well, I would have thought that a man of your dignity would be a little more cooperative with the power of the press and the first amendment.

Cameron, let’s make our way into the house, and as for you, Horace, I have the total and utmost respect for the Constitution and its amendments, including the freedom of your press. What I will not tolerate is an abuse of its power whether by public deception or an attempt at subversion by spreading dissension through irresponsible journalism. Now either wait or say no more.

Cameron went with Ned into the home followed closely by Horace, whom Ned seated in the den, a secluded room opposite the side of the house where Ned’s office was. When they arrived in the office, the sheriff and his three deputies were all fidgeting and doing their best not to look wretched. Ned seated Cameron and left the other four standing.

Ned opened the conversation, addressing Sheriff Slimly. "Sheriff, I hold in my possession Mr. Macovey’s clear title of ownership to the horse you said he stole, yet it was you four who took the horse from him, therefore in truth you are the horse thieves.

I think you realize by now that all your fat is in the fire. You no longer have your weapons, my men have confiscated them. Through your own misguided zeal and exuberance you have broken more laws than you could ever enforce in a full career. Unlawful detention, assault, abuse, torture, theft, and who knows how many others of this man’s freedoms and rights you four have stomped on. If this man chooses to, he can arrest the four of you, and I will support him by having my men bind you and escort you back to town to sit in your own jail until Circuit Court Judge Bagley arrives next week.

With the threat of his future at stake, Slimly immediately broke down. Oh, pleath, Mither Vanderpot, I can tell you that we have learned a terrible lethon and athure you that we have thuffered the fate of the damned already. Mither Macovey, we are beholden to your merthy on uth, pleath athept our thorry.

Cameron, the only one in the room besides Ned who was not suffering or injured, raised his hand and spoke. For now I accept your apology, bygones be bygones means let the past be forgotten. In this case I do not know if there is a limit to the time that I can press these numerous charges, but if Mr. Vanderpot notifies me of another similar abuse by you and your men, I will return to your fair country to pursue a warrant and see to it that you are imprisoned and made to answer.

Ned broke the silence. Mr. Slimly it looks like you’re still the sheriff for now that is by Cameron’s good graces, you will be leaving shortly. It is certain you will be intercepted by Horace on your way out. Continue outside and be past the front gate before he engages you in his pending interview. That should allow you plenty of time to fabricate whatever fictional story you need to dream up. You can pick up your guns from Jack at your horses. Don’t have any more terrible accidents like a land slide on your way home. That will be all, good bye.

Sheriff Slimly thanked both Ned and Cameron and told his men not to say a word to anyone while leaving and that he alone would speak to Horace later. He then led his three men out of the office, directly passed the den, and on out the front door. Catching Horace off guard at the speedy exit, Horace looked at Ned but realized that the only information he would likely get would be from Slimly, so he beat a hasty retreat following the four in an effort to catch up. Jack had the armament piled on a table and accepted the nod from Ned indicating they could be returned. Jack picked up the pile and started towards the men and their horses.

Thankfully, Cameron noticed that his monogrammed Colt revolver and his prototype Winchester rifle had been set aside with his sack of supplies of ammo. Cameron suddenly remembered his ceremonial shirt, the moccasins, and the bone handled obsidian knife all given to his grandfather Jacob by Old Chief Joseph. He did not see them.

Cameron ran to the saddle where the bags, bedroll, and valuable packs were located. In the saddle bags, much to his relief. In addition to his spare handgun, he found those items that were so important to this mission he had been sent on by his ailing father. Having found these Cameron knew that this was not the time to completely undo the packs due to the sensitive, valuable nature of the cargo, nor would he need to as the custom figure eight knot loops had not been tampered with.

Ned as well as Jack noticed and recognized the objects that were removed from the saddle bags but said nothing. Violet came out and informed Ned that the evening meal would be ready and that she had a place set for the guest. Violet hailed Cameron from the porch to let him know and set the clean clothing articles on the rail with a towel. Cameron tucked the articles back into the bag and retrieved the clothing, heading for the water pump in the back yard. Cameron could hear the yammering coming from Horace as he verbally assaulted Slimly with the constant barrage of questioning till they were out of sight down the road.

Cleaned and refreshed with new, crisp clothing Cameron came back around the house as his nose was attacked by the rich smell of the home cooked meal.

I hope you’re hungry, Ned said as Cameron vaulted up the stairs, meeting Ned at the doorway.

Cameron chuckled. Compare it to the ravenous appetite of a grizzly fresh out of the winter den.

Cam followed Ned to the dining area in no way expecting his hunger and need for nourishment to be side tracked by anything.

Cameron exclaimed, This food smells and he was staggered in mid-sentence by the beautiful reddish auburn-haired young lady standing across the table with an amorous grin on her face. So good, finishing the sentence with what he knew had to be a stupid looking grin on his face that he could not seem to get rid of, nor could he take his eyes off her.

Apparently no longer in command of reason, he decided that he would be unable to talk, and the best thing he could do is pull a chair out for her to sit down. Cameron was mesmerized. How can anything be that hypnotic? He thought as he looked at her gorgeous full red mouth. Knowing it was impolite to stare he finally caught himself, and as Violet brought a huge platter of beef roast to the table, Cameron made an attempt at introduction.

My name is Cameron lips.

And the entire room burst into laughter.

Cameron knew that his face went scarlet and with his countenance at an all-time low he stammered through a correction, Please excuse me, Macovey, Cameron Macovey is my name, as he felt the blood beginning to drain from his ears as the room settled down.

Violet, with all the grace of a queen, rescued both of them by interjecting, Cameron, please allow me to introduce my niece Charee Amie McLain staying with us for the summer and through the round-up. Now let’s dig in, you must be starving.

Charee was captivating and elegant, ever so attendant to the new guest and his needs. More potatoes, Cameron, and you must try the sweet yams, ever so good with that fresh-churned butter, but be sure to save room for the rhubarb pie.

Cameron was impressed at the variety of food served. He had never had fresh asparagus but knew that it would be a food that he would like to introduce to his family back home.

Cameron asked if all of the hands ate this good, and Jack, who had been fairly quiet till now, explained that they ate the same food while they were in the immediate proximity of the main ranch house. Otherwise they were well stocked at line cabins or had cook wagons during all large cattle movements. Violet was quick to add that although she had plenty of help with the cooking, it was the clear responsibility of the hands to clean all of the dishes after each meal, which they did not seem to mind since they ate like kings.

Cameron offered to assist at clearing the table, but Charee would have none of that and ushered him out with Uncle Ned to the veranda where Ned fired a stone stem pipe.

Ned said calmly, She has that sort of effect on all the young men who come around this country.

Cameron thought briefly and replied. Does that mean she has a lot of gentleman callers?

Ned was quick to reply. Absolutely not, and I won’t have it take place while she is in my care. I promised her father and my dear sister that would not take place and I will hold to that promise.

Cameron understood his place quickly and so as not to beleaguer the topic changed the subject.

"Ned, I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate you standing up to those men, and were it not for you, I might have been fodder for the buzzards. We were interrupted earlier in the yard and did not get to finish our conversation, but now I feel that I can tell you what it is I am doing here, where I am going, and why. Many years ago, as a young man my grandfather Jacob was one of the first trappers to explore and work his trade as a free trapper from Montana clear through the Oregon territory.

"During his trapping explorations, Grandpa had located a valley where he loved to spend the off