Recently a thrilling adventure featuring profound dilemmas, cruelty and heroism came to my attention. Thinking you will find its dramatic intensity entertaining, I have the pleasure to present it in serial format during the coming weeks.
The story began in June 1877, one year after The Battle of The Little Big Horn in The Dakota Territory with two men atop a ridge near....
PEABODY'S MINE COMPANY
"Even with only one good eye, there she finally be Boss, Peabody's Mine Trad'n Post. Looksss quiet," said Snake.
"No varmints or competition for our trade goods then," grinned Burdette. "Good!"
"Alright, Snake, let's go."
"Two riders are com'n in slow with a pack horse," said Polly.
"Ma' name's Nathan Burdette. We got goods to trade and a powerful thirst."
"You've come to the right place, the only place hereabouts anyway. Take yer horses around to your right, tie 'em up and come in. Polly go fetch dad, will you?" inquired Hank.
"Any trouble with the Lakota?," wondered Burdette.
"Most have quieted down after The Little Big Horn last year and what with the Army chasing 'em afterwards. There are one or two renegade bands still off their reservation hunt'n buffalo but there ain't none within two hundred miles," reckoned Hank.
"Whisssskey'll do and a bath," said Snake.
"Sure thing! Coming right up."
"Nicccce place," stated Snake.
"Much obliged," said Hank.
As three cowboys quietly appeared riding toward the post.
Moments later a gunshot came from within the building and a woman screamed."
Burdette's son Joe, shouted, "Pa and Snake are running out of the building. Fire through the doorway. Cover 'em!"
Hank fell hard struck by a bullet as Snake laughed and hissed.
The two robbers jogged to their horses, mounted, spurred them hard and joined the others. Boss Burdette shouted, "We got the gold. Let's get out 'a here!"
"Californy, here we come," shouted Snake.
Then from around the right....
A Winchester 73 and Colt 45 fired wildly at the fugitives.
"Did we hit them while we was a runnin' Frank?"
"Hard to say, sir, with all the dust and we couldn't stop to take better aim," said Frank.
"Duck!," bellowed, Mr. Peabody.
"Hey Pa," said Joe, "I'll fire a shot to keep 'em back."
"Joe, ferget it. You'll get killed," yelled Boss Burdette. "Ride!"
LATER THAT DAY
"Miss Polly, what happened?," asked Marshall John Chance.
"A robbery Marshall. My brother Hank is near death and our gold was stolen," said Polly. "Dad and Frank rode west pursuing the gang but they're outnumbered five to two!"
"We'll get 'em, Miss Polly," said Chance. "Ryan, ride back to town. Get back here fast with a posse, a week's rations and plenty of cartridges."
"Right away Marshall." He doffed his hat to Polly stylishly turned about and galloped away raising a cloud of dust. "Heyahh!"
"Oh Marshall!, exclaimed Polly. "My brother, dad... What's to become of...."
"We'll make things right Polly. Burdette and his gang won't escape forever. Some of the Army is still in Wyoming and Montana. I'll wire Forts Phil Kearney and Fetterman to be on the lookout for the scoundrels. If we don't get them, maybe some scattered Lakotas still hot and not reporting back to the agencies will."
MEANWHILE, TWENTY MILES AWAY
To the captive, Red Hat sneered, "Do not fall or your fate will be decided now instead of later." Matt, the terrified son of Nathan Burdette increased his speed.
"Hoppo!," [Let us go/hurry], shouted Red Hat.
The other warriors loudly exclaimed approval saying, "Hoye!"
COME BACK IN TWO WEEKS FOR
WARPATH!
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CLOSING REMARKS
Decades ago USA movie theatre patrons viewed serial westerns. Powder River is my first installment homage to that celebrated tradition. Respectfully, Bill P.
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