Longwood Sixth Hunt Day 04-06

Wake on this day and just stare up. Sky is look nice in night just afore light for sun. See some cloud up there and whole mess of star. Just stay there a short spell then hop up and get fire go. With fire go check on dough to find is do good so prepare the last little that need and get the camp oven up in good spot little over fire.

That heat so get to sit and ponder on what make for vittles. No hunt so limit on what make, then recall syrup so get pancake mix all together. No cook yet on account need do bacon and that is tough when need mind pancake. So get out cutting board and start cut bacon with pan sit on rack to get hot with bit of oil in.

Bacon all done so start do pancake in same pan. Add good flavor when cook pancake in bacon fat. So have three pancake cook up when mind on the camp oven so check on to find hot door on. Get open with little towel that use for handle hot then shove bread pan right on in and shut up. Get work on do up rest of pancake, Dan like have four then check on bread.

Is no cook yet so get all cook on plate for Dan and me then go sit next to Dan. He take plate from and look over, smile then frown.

"Janet why are you not wearing anything?"

"Is morning Dan, no cold out and fire right there."

"Yeah but you are sick, sorta anyway." Lean against Dan and sigh.

"Dan am get old. Have shoot two pig on account no know there was two in bush." Dan swat on head.

"You are not old, still just as fast as ever. Honest there is not a man alive can take you. Reckon on you can take on gang by yourself and win. You got magic about you, folk that were soldier shoot at and no hit." Giggle a bit and look up at Dan.

"Janet magic Dan."

Dan chuckles a bit until hand plate to and check on bread. Is almost a good brown so shut up and sit against Dan afore taking back plate. Just sit and mind on vittles for a little spell then go check again, is done now so pull out.

"Just one?" Sigh and pinch Dan.

"Just one is enough make sandwich for you, me, Bartholomew, Mark, Chad, and Bonita for two day. Need take out of pan in a bit so cool off proper but we shall have sandwich bag."

"Thinking shall buy a lunch pail." Look up at Dan little lost, he notice after poke so chuckle until pinch. "Ouch, a lunch pail is a metal box, looks a bit like Mr. Gladstone's doctor bag. You fill it with vittles you can have later, keeps the critters out of your chow."

"So better than use bag?" Dan nod.

"Yes, asides that bag we loaded with the deer you shot when we went painting." Look at bag then swat Dan.

"Have washed bag Dan."

"Is still a bag, be better to have vittles stuffed in something else." Look at bag then up at Dan and swat.

"No stuff vittles in bag Dan, place careful."

Dan sigh and no say anything so finish off vittles then get bread out of pan. No so easy do on account bread went above pan and spread out. Do manage with only little bit of bend in that reckon will fix on own soon enough. Then get out cheese and the extra butter to open up little box is stuff in. All that done get to on clean up after vittles.

After a spell of check on bread now and then is cool enough so do test cut and stay up. Happy with result, cut out enough to make six sandwich. Get the sandwich made up right proper and right quick like. All done now make big production of put sandwich in bag all careful like. Get Dan laugh while do then we are get all on horse and join everything.

Get under way and just ride on for a spell, reach another town and ride on through. Is odd though, many folk notice us and comment on how is taking black girl to south. Then a few notice belt and much consternation on what we is do. Then we through town and speed up, after short bit Dan is chuckle.

Reckon on Dan right, folk are gonna assume am black gal. No see why, am injun and no look like black gal. Had one work in brothel with she had wide nose. No have wide nose, she also confessed jealous of cheek. Seem have pronounced cheek which she no have and wish did. No see why, get what Great Spirit decide have what happen then is what you can convince fella do.

"Dan do you reckon look like black gal?" Dan chuckle more and shake head.

"No Janet, mind on, there no many injun in south states. Just most white folk don't go near a reservation so they have no notion on what an injun look like."

"So am thought black gal on account am not pale?" Dan nod.

"That is in the right. Keep in mind while riding it is hard to read your belt. Once we get to a town we are fixing to look through proper folk can read belt and you will be known."

"Reckon be thought of as crazy injun." Dan open mouth then laugh for a spell.

"Honest, you were only thought of as crazy injun by the conscripters. Asides them you were the scary injun to those we hunted and Cherokee Janet to the marshals."

No have anything say on so just mind what we pass. Take delight in point out tree to Dan, pass a goodly number of them. No close tree but many in distance on account we is get close river. Finally hear whistle come from boat in river. Reckon on is want go under bridge but some thing stop so is blow whistle as way of say move out of way.

Then bridge come in view, along with many house. Course house no look good, most is shack with perhaps good roof above. Is confuse thing so look over at Dan. He look back when whistle then shrug so we head for town. As get closer realize is black folk in town, only black folk and the bridge is long.

If'n they work in far town, why over here and walk so far. Then no seem be store in this town, just small mess of house. Whistle at Dan then nod to side to get nod so look about and find gal just sit, look to be an older gal, got some white in her hair. Her jaw drop when hop off pinto and head for her.

"Heavens, what be you?"

"Am Cherokee Janet, Washington done send us on tour like marshal is fixin do. Is this town?" She just look at for a short bit then shake head.

"This is the nigga section of that town. We no mind on account different state so no voting on their government, the curs leave us be mostly."

"Not a bad notion, is there any law breakers in this section?" We both look up at Dan.

"Not so'se you notice. We all poor on account they refuse pay much, we get enough to live on. Honest is no big thang."

"No saloon over in here?"

"We got a tent saloon, folk go on in there most night and sing, dance, drink and make merry. Reckon on have four gal with child come out of visiting the tent." Smile and look up at Dan.

"Dan reckon can visit the tent?" Dan snort and shrug.

"Reckon can, mind on best not come. Being the only white fella attend can lead to you needing do slaughter." The old gal speak with snort and giggle.

"Oh no, we get plenty of the younger fellas come on over from there to listen. Most try and get a gal alone, least two babe are coming from a fella across the river." Sound fine just one thing best be asking on.

"Are they make gal give out roll?"

"Not in the tent, do hear of happen farther in, best keep those pistols on the ready. The fellas are eager for putting a gal on her back and no take disagreement on matter. Seems they thing since nother state is nother world and no call hear back on what leave with a gal."

This no good speak on, also bit hungry so go fish out a sandwich. Have another in bag so offer to gal and she take with a smile. Then we head for bridge and forget bridge on account Mississippi is mighty big river way up here in sky. Get middle of bridge and seem go on forever and ever in all direction.

Also have steamboat tool along going upriver, with plenty of folk stand and walk on the different outside section. Big nice look white steamboat with plenty of golden bits on. Even have little triangle flag sway in wind so is quite a fine see. Then we get close to far side of river and the town is a mite on the no nice side seem.

Have building down at river, seem have spot to put steamboat though no steamboat. Town is move away from bridge a mite so can follow along aside river would reckon. For the boats afore the steamboats when need use donkey or like to pull boat upriver. Building can see no look been kept nice, number look have hole in, so is look over at Dan.

"Janet don't you worry none, once the fellas know you is here and deadly it calm right on down for the period we is stay."

No agree but also no have something say so we keep right on go for town. Sheriff office is easy find at least, seem almost like add on recent on account is at edge of town away from Mississippi. Dan go on inside and leave out to keep eye on saddle bag. At least until commotion so smack window then head for noise.

Get close and know what is happen, fella is beat down another fella. Find the beat down happen between two building. Is white fella beat on black fella, no like but only on account of fella no suppose beat down another for no reason. So whistle on account of no see thief bag or nothing. White fella look over at and leer.

"Go on git nigga, if still there when finish beat down gonna beat on you some then mayhap have me some of what you offering up." Pull pistol and cock both.

"You is stop that now and explain." He does stop that and stand up proper, with hand travel on toward his own revolver.

"Nigga you is gonna put them toys away then you'se best just get on your back like a good little slave."

Look down at the black fella still on ground then up at the white fella. His hand is travel closer to own pistol and take step toward, so just go on and shoot him. He take two bullet with burst of blood and fall over with scream. The black fella is get up quick like so I let him go on past and retrieve the pistol from sobbing man.

Get back to walkway and find a fair number of folk come out of the building. Couple have grabbed the black fella and are making noise about hanging. Well no stand for this so just go on and whistle loud. Hold the whistle for a spell until all them round eye are look at.

"Am going say plain, am Cherokee Janet, you listen or be shot. You call anything but Janet or deputy you be shot. You anything but nice in see you be shot. Any fella want try contest?" Not a soul say a thing, though those two fella still hold the black fella. "Hand off that fella there."

The two fella no look ready to do that so pull Colt fast as please and shoot both. Plenty of scream go with and those two fella fall over. The black fella turn and run for bridge so reckon on he no hurt bad. Like as not the round eye beat on is worse shape so is fitting punishment. Look around at rest just to make sure on no get shot at.

Dan come over then with sheriff and most folk clear on out of street. Aside the two shot fellas, they is still lie there. Life in still on account can see move little, just in pain so is call good meet of town.

"Janet what on earth is all of this?" Smile up at Dan.

"Fella back there was beat on a black fella. Since a beat on is no good thing without good cause try and have fella stop, he insult and refuse so pull Colt and he go on about how am going to get on back for him. Since he no listen at all shoot twice. Those two no listen so shot. Reckon on town will listen now." The sheriff is chuckle now.

"They listen fine, just no see injun so assume you is just nigga. Tis no matter, you were discharging your duties fine. Going to impose and have you write up the report on this." Dan snort and shake head.

"Janet and fountain pens is a bad idea. Shall write up the report for her." Sheriff snort.

"Have quill pens, never saw a need to have one of them fountain pens." Smile at that, learned to write with quill pen.

"Shall write up report then, learned to write on quill afore the war was even think of start." Sheriff smile at that.

"Well now, that is a nice turn. You do know English proper yes?"

"Yes, shall even use full sentence. Oh and here is pistol on the first shot fella."

Get usher toward sheriff office so head for and giggle a bit when a man carry doctor bag come out of corner building. Then am in sheriff office where find sheet of paper to write down report. Quill pen are lovely ostrich quill, rather nice for small town sheriff. Reckon on just is do fine in town on account of steamboat.

Perhaps there is gamble hall in town somewhere, no see much of yet. Not that mind on much, am all about write up report. No do silly cursive, just use the letter that had learned, also same letter as use by the newspaper. No see reason use different letter than what see in newspaper and book. Am finish with write up and have start clean pistol when Dan and sheriff come in.

"Janet did you finish writing that report?" Nod without look up, Colt is important so must make sure is clean. "Had a number of folk saying as how should lock you up. Their faces when explain you was only doing what supposed." Look up then and sheriff is grin.

"They no believe am injun and not black folk?"

"Oh no, they are believing on that one, you done put the scare in them. Helps we got an old coot who know Cherokee injun, he share tales on them."

"Got a look over on town, we got an eatery, saloon and gambling hall." Look at Dan for a short spell then well there is a question to be asked.

"Why the holes in building? Most of the folk seen no carry a revolver."

"Goes back to the war, afore siege of Vicksburg this town was one of those used to drop off the yanks. They went north toward Vicksburg driving us afore them, we was retreat and make ambush just they brought more's than we had."

"Why no big battle here?"

"We had not come down this far, they done fooled our scouts on where attacks would come. So we were a bit north of here when they came in this town. They was land a few place so we couldn't be going on against em at the river fully. Forced a retreat and we end up in Vicksburg and sieged." Nod then well there is a question that come to mind.

"Were you in war?" He nod and look down.

"Was in Vicksburg when the siege happen. Ugly business, honest wish had met you and gone off to stay out."

"Not easier do this, we do slaughter on regular." Sheriff look up and grin.

"Yeah Dan has been sharing, tell you the truth us soldiers of the south loved your books. Few times we would call peace just to see if the north had a new book and wanted the old we had." Look at Dan who is grin so giggle.

"Still no sure how no know there are book."

"I asked in the letter sent off after our second hunt out of Longwood. Marshals asked to not receive the books in Kansas City. Would have upset you, all those folk come to talk to you and not do roll." Well have to allow as that is true, then realize am hungry.

"Dan can go have vittles?" Dan frown and look out window then nod.

"Little early for supper but yeah come on."

Sheriff wave off when look at so load up Colts as we head for eatery. No many in eatery when go in, but as Dan say is early. Also with child so do get hungry more often. This eatery is fair nice, have plant here and there, especially on booth along walls. Dan look about then we head for a booth with a gal follow along holding menu.

Looking nervous to boot so reckon on she had come out to see the fuss when was making speech and shoot. She hand menu over to Dan who look it over and order up a steak then hand over menu. Take a bit to look at then order up the chicken fried steak, is a good vittle that no make near enough would reckon, get curtsy then gal skedaddled.

"Dan, reckon on best be asking Bartholomew to make the beat up steak more often." Dan snort then just look at.

"Janet, most wives do the beat up themselves. Aside that it is done by those who don't make much on account can use small bit of meat. Bartholomew talks to me as well." Sigh then kick Dan.

"Am duly appointed deputy, mean no have time to be doing the beat on steak." Dan snort and chuckles a spell.

"You always have time to be doing bread and making a sandwich." Sigh and roll eye.

"Dan, most of bread make is wait on rise. Sandwich are easy do, have sandwich meat all cooked up over the night then just slice and put on bread."

"So the most you do is when make tortilla?" Shake head.

"Biscuits take a bit to make then if do stew with tater take a spell, same with mashed." Gal come back over looking pale.

"Would you two like anything to drink?" Look at her then Dan.

"If you got milk Janet would like that, do you have a good whiskey?" Gal look surprised for moment then recover.

"Why yes we do have a good whiskey, not any of that slop you yanks like." Dan snort.

"I'll have a whiskey then, and not a yank, I'm from Kentucky." That get a smile for Dan, so may as well share.

"Tribe was put in reservation just a bit outside Florida." Gal just look at moment then shake head.

"Must mean the uprising tribe and you was clear in Florida, the border been reworked since." Sigh and shake head.

"No uprise, was not give meat so went nearby town to try for meat, call cavalry." Her jaw drop then recall Dan ask for milk and whiskey. "We is thirsty."

That get her to giggle then she curtsy again and head in to back. After spell come back with big glass of whiskey and mug of milk. Honest is surprise on get mug of milk, also good so raise to her and take sip. Dan take sip of whiskey and smile so she go in back again, at least until more folk come in.

"Dan how long we stay?"

"Reckon on we will take off in the morning, have vittles and head for the next town. We are not to stay long, just a little visit and on our way." Well that make sense.

"So made us thirty dollar?" Dan nod and chuckle.

"You did, reckon Washington not going to be happy on. If this town any indication you will need do speech like at each. Will make us plenty of monies."

"Is good, can put more in toward town hotel."

"Janet we are there to keep folk safe not pay to add in buildings, a town business means we all share the monies made."

"Sally is make most and she no want pay for hotel, reckon may as well make sure get enough monies to add. No like we add much in monies to town as is."

"You whore enough." Shake head.

"Get called Apache by the visiting fellas Dan. No me they come to roll, they come to be with Apache."

"True, but then you are also the one coming up with most of the ideas on things to add." Sigh and shake head.

"Gwen one told of street light, and theater, Dave think of bowling. Cucaracha one figure out how do bank. Honest if they no think of we no have, no know of thing can add in town."

"True, and Andrew told you about gun store. Still going to say you provide enough for town."

"Dan not one add money for hotel, you have money." Dan snort and shake head.

"Most of the money we have is because of you." Sigh then eye Dan whiskey.

"Dan give little."

Dan look down at his whiskey then hand over so take sip. Is odd flavor to this whiskey, little like bread then bit like good earth in mouth. Make face on account is odd taste to and no that nice.

"No see why like that. Is all whiskey like that?" Dan shake head.

"The whiskey that Sally gets is not as good tasting."

"Dan you drink beer."

"Yes I do but I can't be drinking whiskey all day. Honest the whiskey isn't that good neither. Really need see if Sally can order some good Tennessee whiskey."

"Dan make want say no drink but water and milk."

"Oh no, we are not going there. Asides if you take away coffee I won't be doing rolls." Frown and shake head.

"Always have coffee in morning."

Gal come back with plates for us so forget speak and fall to on vittles. Is look good on plate and smell good. Quick as please cut up bit of steak and shove in mouth to chew. Is good flavor to on account of the gravy. Dan have odd expression when notice look, guess moaned at bite so cut off bit and feed Dan. Dan is smile at taste have then he look around and wave at gal.