PREVIOUSLY
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The Burdette Gang fled after a parlay with Red Hat's war party erupted in treachery.
While miles away, C Troop peacefully marching west....
Headed into unexpected trouble.
In moments you will join them down there beside a tributary of The Powder River as we listen to new orders being issued by Captain Brittles in....
ACT 3 - SURROUNDED
"Sergeant Quincannon, we have to get into cover fast. Take C Troop to the campsite just ahead and set up a perimeter. You know the place?"
"I do, Sir. It's just past them twin rocky outcrops I see now."
"Off you go then. I'll bring along the infantry and wagon directly. Also, send a trooper on the best horse we have to the fort explaining our circumstances and need for help."
"C Troop! You heard the Capn'. At the Canter. March!
"Aye, there's fine cool water ahead for the harses' to drink and a shady bivouac for us."
"If you say so, Sergeant," smirked Bugler Daws.
A frowning Quincannon after hesitating said, "I say so."
Daws simply replied, "YO."
"There it is lads through them rocky peaks. Capn' Parmenter's infantry will be countn' on us to set up nice an' proper for their arrival."
"Lieutenant Carpenter, there's cover not far to the right. Double quick the men there firing at the hostiles on the way. Then follow the cavalry to the stream."
"Will do Captain Parmenter."
"Wagon! Follow the cavalry. Hurry unless you want to stay here permanent!," shouted the Captain.
"Independent fire as skirmishers," ordered Carpenter.
"Follow me lads while them Long Tom rifles...."
"Give us covering fire," said Quincannon.
"Is that rain comin' in, Quincannon?," asked Daws.
"Well now, laddy. Didn't I say we'd have shade?"
"Yo."
"And here we are, bees and all!," offered Daws.
"Them's not bees, Daws, you ignorant recruit," scorned Trooper Riley.
"We're tak'n fire at long rifle range!"
As the infantry followed along as quickly as possible pausing now and again to fire from behind a reverse slope mostly keeping the foe's heads down. So far there were no casualties.
THE MARSHALL AND THE BANDIT
"God willing Miss Polly, we'll bring the Burdette Gang to justice. I'm glad your brother is better. He'll make it with your love and care. Burdette only has a day's ride ahead of us. Now I'd better get along with...."
"The Posse."
TWO DAYS LATER
"Alright son. We'll rest in the shade to the left on that yonder hill. Then we'll...."
But Burdette's conversation was cut short when....
Marshall Chance shouted, "NATHAN BURDETTE! You're under arrest for...."
"Is that you Marshall?," asked Boss Burdette. "Fer what?"
"Is that you Marshall?," asked Boss Burdette. "Fer what?"
"The robbery and near killing at Peabody's Mine Trading Post two days ago."
"That weren't us Marshall. You ain't got no proof!"
"Our six rifles and Colts is all the proof we need. Throw down your weapons, get off your horses and lie on the ground with your arms stretched out," demanded Chance.
"Pa, we ain't got a chance!," whispered Joe.
"You try'n to be funny, boy?"
Burdette groaned, "Tarnation. Red Hat's after us!
"Marshall, we gotta talk," cried Burdette. Let's call a truce. Otherwise, we'll all lose our hair."
"Okay. A temporary truce. No time to talk more, Burdette. Everyone, turn around and head for the Little Powder River where there's plenty of cover," said the Marshall.
"We're gonna get cut off!, said Ryan.
"Hoka Hey!" (Charge!)
LITTLE POWDER RIVER CAMPSITE
"Riley, the Capn.' wants you to ride to the fort for help. Take Lone Bear with you and hurry," ordered Quincannon. "Here's...."
"The message for the Colonel. Now be off with ye while things are quiet!"
Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the camp, Lieutenant Parmenter saw a group of cowboys being chased by a war party. He ordered a section of infantry out to provide covering fire.
"Gotta turn a might to get there," shouted Burdette.
"Did you hear that, boys?" exclaimed Flint. "Look!"
A skirmish line fired their Springfield Long Toms covering the incoming riders.
Two warriors were brought down. Realizing the situation had significantly changed, the pursuers turned away as....
The cowboys halted their blown horses at the camp's east end.
"My name's Lieutenant Parmenter. You men are mostly darn lucky we are here. Are you Marshall John Chance?," asked Parmenter."
"Pleased to meet ya, Loo-tenant, answered Chance. Thank you for your support but, what do you mean mostly lucky?"
"Well Sir. Though it's not apparent, we're surrounded. The Lakota are massing piecemeal on the surrounding hills. Escape is unfeasible. The infantry would slow us down too much. We'd be cut down out in the open. So we deployed here in the best cover hear a bouts."
"Well Burdette. I expect this is where I'll stand with my men and take what comes. What about you?," asked Chance.
"Seeing as we have a truce 'tween us, I'll ask the boys. I reckon we'll stay," said Burdette.
Parmenter interrupted saying, "Let's retire into cover. We're exposed to desultory fire out here and the Captain will want to talk with you. C'mon inside. Sundown is not far off.
"What do desultory mean?," asked Mumps.
Much later to no one in particular, Quincannon remarked, "There's more campfires out there tonight laddies. Meybe' they'll come calling at dawn."
COME BACK IN TWO WEEKS FOR
THE CONCLUSION OF POWDER RIVER IN
ACT 4 - THE ATTACK
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1 comment:
I really love this story! Keeps you on the edge of your seat! Can't wait for the next installment!!!!
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