Another Time in the West, Ch. 01

The sun was setting in the west as heavy clouds were gathering. Seth had made it to a small stream at the bottom of a narrow canyon. He had just had time to water his horse and find some twigs and dry grass. There was a slight outcrop over a spot that offered just a little cover as it clearly seemed to be raining soon.

In the last few days he had gone from his home, his now burned home in Texas, mostly north and was somewhere in either Kansas or Colorado. Hopefully he would catch up before reaching Wyoming, where he had a feeling, his targets were going to. He had been a few days behind when he had returned to the still hot and smoldering embers of his home and found the sorry remains of his Indian house companions.

Seth at an age of just forty, had been through a lot in his life, he was in ways an old man, but his spirit was still burning hot. Especially with vengeance on his mind. Once a lawman he would have been doing it for justice, but this vengeance, would be justice. Only he didn't plan to leave it to a judge and jury, he would enforce it himself.

He settled in setting a fire where there was most cover but leaving room for him to lay down and be dry too. He started warming up a can of beans and enjoyed some of his remaining tobacco. Tomorrow he would catch up, and either he would soon have a chance to resupply, or he would never have a need for tobacco or much of anything again.

He had already had a long life of action when at twenty-five he had made a home for himself and his wife. They had a daughter not long after, a spitting image of her mother. Life had been good, it had been simple, it had been hard. But mostly life had been good. He had been to town that day but came home to his home all quiet and no sounds to be heard. He had found his wife dead along with his daughter, both having been shot. Seth guessed it had been accidental. His wife's clothes were torn, and signs on the floor showed that multiple men had been inside. His daughter must have come running to her mother, a shotgun must have gone off and both mother and child had been wounded. Two gunshots to each had made sure either had gone silent, but the shotgun wounds would not have been fatal. Clearly whoever had been here, had little use for a wounded woman and a wounded child. House was ransacked and anything of value was taken, most of rest was broken. That was fifteen years ago.

Seth looked at the sky and thought to himself how he had always loved sleeping under the great night sky. Thunder started to rumble in the distance and Seth shook his head and spoke to himself "God I hate sleeping outside" he chuckled some to himself at how within a minute he had gone from missing the outdoors, to missing his bed. He threw the remains of the cigarette into the fire and took his beans and started to eat. Soon after he settled into his blanket on his bedroll, years of travelling like this made him fall into patterns fast. He slept a dreamless sleep.

Not far away what looked like a young but small almost petite boy was undressing at their small farmhouse. No one was there to see the young perfect woman, that had been inside those boyish clothing. Natalie, Nat but most called her Nate, had learned long ago that life was rough for a young woman and she was still a tomboy less than ten when she had rudely learned this. Her mother and she had lost her father to sickness, leaving a single woman with a seven-year-old daughter, alone to tend to a small farm. While the father had lived, he had been able to keep farmhands, and they were able to produce enough to sell and slowly better their lives. But as soon as he had died, troubles had set in, and the farmhands had found work elsewhere not loyal enough to stay over and wait for more prosperous times to return. Natalie had seen how her mother had been mistreated, as a woman alone she had no say, and no support. One man or another might come from time to time and stay shortly, but after they left, her mother was sad and cried herself to sleep for days. It was years later that Natalie had realized what the visits had been, it had been survival.

So, Natalie, Nat to her mother, had decided to be Nate, so she wouldn't be treated the same way. She had told her mother that working at the farm it was easier to do much of the work in pants and shirts, and her mother could see the logic in this. Later as Natalie started to become a slender but young woman, she had insisted to her mother that she call her Nate, and to keep her hair mostly short. Also, her mother was to refer to her, as he or him, not as she or her. Natalies father had taught her to do much of the things he did, him not having a son, but having a daughter that was always curious and interested in learning, and smart as a whip. Included in this was using the rifle but also his old revolver. He had mostly taught her how to maintain the things, and Natalie was very adept at all that which was not so ladylike. She would practice shooting, and whatever she could earn doing things for neighbors, often was used on a luxury or two for her mother, or on ammunition to keep her skills sharp. She never walked around armed, but the weapons were kept clean and handy.

Natalie laid down to sleep, looking out through the small window and seeing the gathering clouds, only rarely did the moon shine through, or a star show. Thunder started off in the distance. She started her waking dream of a life of adventure, travelling and seeing places. She fell asleep and had dreams that she hated remembering, because they usually included her dressed in pretty dresses and being a real lady. She would always wake up after dreams like this knowing this wasn't life for her. But she missed her father, she missed feeling safe, she missed the life she had been born to.

Seth woke up to the rising sun, having been lucky. The wind had turned the evening before, and the rain had fallen heavily but away from the mountainside against which he had sought cover. He woke up dry, and his horse was unaffected by the rain too. Thunder had never come closer to him, so it hadn't spooked his horse. He finished the cold beans leftover from the night before and checked his weapons and gear before saddling his horse and continuing. Rain would have removed tracks but luckily, they were in an area which had ridden paths and trails, and they seemed to hold to these on a route mostly north.

A few hours after starting he found the remains of the campsite of his quarry. From there it was easy to follow them along the path north, with plenty of fresh tracks. But trouble soon arose when shortly after the path forked out in a toward the northeast and toward the northwest, and approximately half followed either path. Seth hesitated to ponder which route to take. He had heard rumors about the band having roots in Wyoming, so that meant the route northwest was the destination, so those heading northeast were likely heading toward farmsteads and homes like his own for further raids. It would turn out to be mostly right, though the motivation for those heading northeast was the days on horse back without female companionship, had a few of the men feeling it would be worth it to get a little fun, and maybe make some more money too.

Most likely the leader of the gang would be with the group going northwest but Seth sighed to himself, thinking of his wife and daughter, whom he had failed years ago. Also thinking to the lone Indian woman with a mute daughter that had lived with him last few years, he had failed them too. He was about to start heading northwest but pulled on the reins and turned his horse right. Whoever was out there needed saving, and revenge would have to wait. He would not fail again. He increased his pace knowing that every minute he hesitated would likely be fatal for some innocent homesteaders.

It was midday and the sun was burning hot; Natalie had come inside having done much of the chores she had to do. Her mother had lunch ready for them, and they were sitting and eating when they heard what sounded like a couple of gunshots coming from not that far. It was probably from Johnson's farm half a mile away. They had a good relationship with the Johnsons, and Natalie made most of her extra earnings working extra for them. Their own farm had mostly become working to just be enough for their own needs, a few cows, some pigs, and chickens. They grew vegetables too. Johnsons had a bigger farm, plenty of cattle and with a few farmhands on staff.

Natalie was quickly on her feet and went to grab the rifle, quickly loading it and walking outside. But she barely opened the door when she was hit right in the jaw and dropped to the floor, never realizing she was hit, knocked out cold. In came two sweat rude men, both armed. When they saw it was just a woman and a boy, they put their guns away, and one pulled a knife as he went and grabbed onto Natalies mother, Lisa.

One of the men with a scar along his right cheek said "Take it easy Jim, don't spill the food" he hurried over and took the two bowls of half-eaten food while Jim tore the dress off Lisa and pushed her over the table.

Tim started to eat while very excited watching his brother have first go at this fine woman. He laughed rudely as he watched Jim spit in his hand and grease up his cock before ramming it into the woman bend over the table. He worked at it fast, Tim knowing his brother was quick to do his deed, was quick to finish a bowl of food. Jim grunted happily being down and took the other bowl from Tim and said, "Your turn" and they both chuckle.

Tim turned the woman over and took time to rudely manhandle her curves before laughing as he mounted her and said "You should learn to go second, they are always much better greased up" he laughed sinking his cock into Lisa. Lisa had tears down her cheeks but didn't make a sound. She just accepted what was happening, her focus was on Natalie on the floor who was starting to regain consciousness. She had had to let men have her way with her a few times when they couldn't afford bills or was coming up short for supplies. This seemed much more important, their lives depended on it. She managed to get Natalies attention when she woke up, desperately shaking her head to make Natalie know she shouldn't do anything but just lay there.

Natalie trusted her mother, lay there silently cursing herself. She thought that knowing how to shoot a gun would be all that she needed, but here she was, helpless. She didn't want to look but her face was facing toward her mother, and she couldn't turn away. She couldn't make herself close her eyes and just watched how this vile man took her mother.

Suddenly more gunshots could be heard in the distance, again from the direction of Johnson's farm. Horses could be heard coming close quickly. Voices calling for Tim and Jim, telling them trouble had found them. It was maybe two or three men outside that dismounted and ran this way and that. Jim threw the bowl aside and started to move outside. Looking at his brother "Get your cock out and get outside."

What happened next surprised Natalie, her mother lifted her legs and wrapped them around Tim who had been grunting and clearly sounding like he was close to being done. He had been about to obey his brother, but Lisa surprised him, and he moaned happily and resumed fucking this woman, who clearly liked him. Gunshots could be heard outside, a scream of a man dying nearby. Jim came rushing inside, saw his brother still busy pounding into the woman and loudly grunting as he finished, seeming proud of himself. More shots, someone falling over heavily not far from the house and another scream to the other side. This scream turned into a low death rattle and then all seemed silent. Jim crouched down and looked out the open door and started to open fire but seconds later a heavy knife sank into his chest, and he collapsed back onto the floor. Just managing to look at his brother before he breathed out.

Tim very slowly moved towards the door. Outside steps could be heard, a single shot was fired clearly putting someone out of his misery. Tim peeked outside and then started to raise his gun, aiming it carefully. Natalie was surprised to hear how loud a gunshot was inside a house. She looked down and saw that she was holding the rifle that had just fired a shot. Tim turned surprised and Natalie fired again, and again. Tim fell over, coughing up blood, and then he lay dead on top of his own brother.

"Hold your fire" a calm masculine and commanding tone called out from outside. After a moment the voice said calmly "Are everyone okay inside, can I come in, or do you want to come out?." Another pause and then he added "My name is Seth, I am an ex-lawman, who has been hunting a gang from Texas and all this way."

Lisa gestured to Natalie to lower her weapon. She gathered her torn dress to cover herself and let Natalie stand in front of her as they stepped outside the door to have a look. Outside stood a lone figure, very tall but lean. He was unshaven but clearly from being on the road without a chance to groom himself else he looked like he was a man that took care of himself. He had a holster with a gun on his left hip and was picking up a rifle he had had to throw aside during the gunfight. He took his hat off and politely greeted Lisa and smiled at the boy with the rifle.

"Boy, take care of your mother, I will double check everything and I have to ride back to the other farm over yonder" Seth said pointing toward Johnson's farm.

"And boy, thank you" Seth said giving Natalie a small and respectful and acknowledging nod. Natalie understood that she had probably just saved this man and the man knew it. She also knew that this man had probably just saved herself and her mom, and maybe also the Johnsons'. Before leaving for them Seth walked inside and quickly dragged the two brothers outside so the mother wouldn't have to look at them, also made sure to retrieve his heavy knife that had followed him all his life.

Mr. Johnson was just over fifty and had a younger wife, his second, she was just over thirty. He had had three children with his first wife all married and moved away from home. He had two more children with his new wife, but he had only ever gotten daughters. He had farmhands to help, but he had seen better days and luckily for him, he had been unable to defend himself, so he had been punched a couple of times and pressured into finding any hidden gold. A farmhand that had raised a hand, had been shot in the leg but else they were all unharmed. Seth had come upon them before any of the men could start raping and pillaging. Mr. Jonhson had been quick to say he would find them his hidden gold, but having a limp, he had been slow at it and that had been to their advantage.

Mr. Johnson was mighty appreciative of Seth and had asked him what he could offer for his greatly timed arrival. Seth had told that, he would like Mr. Johnson to help the mother and son at the smaller farm and told that the mother had been mistreated by two men. Also asked for a couple of farmhands to go help carry away the dead and have them buried. Seth had often ridden alone when he had been a lawman but what had just happened before, made him realize that alone wasn't necessarily a good thing. So, he asked if there was one of the farmhands that could shoot and who would follow him to get rid of the rest of the gang that was heading for Wyoming. None of them had been in gunfights and no one seemed inclined to go along. Seth knew he needed a cool head to help and thought of the boy that had saved his bacon. He was a small boy but clearly quick to act and able to comply.

"I might ask the boy at the other farm if he is willing to go along, if so, could you assist the mother there and help her out?" Seth had made as a final request, which Mr. Johnson readily agreed to without hesitation. Mr. Johnson sent him off giving him a horse that he often let Nate use when he was over doing odd jobs for him. He gave the saddle along that Nate was happy enough to use, even if it used to belong to one of his now adult and married daughters. Seth had commented and even praised the young boy for having saved him and had been impressed with how well he had handled a rifle, so Mr. Johnson added a saddle scabbard for a rifle, since the horse was to be used to go after the remainder of the gang Seth had been following.

Natalie heard horses approaching, she had been busy helping her mother. Lisa had cleaned herself up, had put on another dress and put the other aside to mend it, but it was badly ripped and a sore reminder, so she decided if she could use the fabric for something else. Natalie picked up her rifle and went outside but had learned now not to rush. She had made some hard learned lessons today, in a fight clearly the use of a weapon was important, but far from the only, and maybe not even the most important thing. Coolness under fire, presence of mind and the most painful lesson, how to take a punch and fight through it. Her jaw still ached, and she found herself frequently touching it, almost to remind herself that it was hurting, to make the lesson sink it more clearly.

Seth was approaching the farmhouse on his horse but had another horse behind him that she knew very well. She stepped outside and quickly asked:

"Why are you bringing 'Dust-devil?" she asked so surprised, she forgot to keep her voice a tone or two deeper than it was naturally. Seth heard it but at this point thought little of it. He just smiled and gestured the boy over and handed him the rein.

"It is yours, a gift from Mr. Johnson", he said and then asked, "Can you get your mother out here?" he looked at Natalie with a serious look and Lisa came out without anyone needing to call her.

Seth went on to explain that he was after this gang, and that he could do with a help for the remainder of the trip. It wasn't without danger, but he would like to bring Nate along, he had handled himself well, but Mr. Johnson had both given this horse to Nate for this and had promised that he would have his farmhands help around here. Sheriff was called for and there would be arriving men to clear the dead and help with repairs and such shortly. But if Lisa was willing to let her son come along, they would need to go the next morning.

Lisa would readily have declined it, but she knew the heart of her daughter and furthermore could see it on her face clearly. She knew she couldn't handle the farm alone but if Mr. Johnson would help, she had the help. But this wasn't safe, and she might not see her daughter again. Luckily men arrived to start putting the dead bandits onto a wagon, and there was also the sheriff that had a long talk with Seth. This gave Lisa a chance to talk to Natalie.

And while they debated her leaving, after much pleading from Natalie to go with Seth, Natalie had been allowed to go along. She had to promise that when she returned, she would become Natalie and let Nate be a thing of the past. Seth was getting excellent advice on which trails and routes to take northwest of here to maybe catch up with the gang before they reached Wyoming. The local sheriff could not offer any help, even if he wished he could, but since all the men that had been involved in anything here had all been killed, he couldn't ask the town council to cover expenses to apprehend crime committed elsewhere. He offered Seth ammunition and supplies, a nice pouch of tobacco amongst it.

Nate helped her mother cook dinner; Seth had been invited to stay the night. Dinner was eaten in silence, Seth never used to talk while eating. Lisa was worried she might cry thinking about letting her daughter ride off to hunt criminals but understood it. Natalie had to fight every urge to start talking, last night she had gone to bed wishing for adventure and here she sat the night before going off into the wild. She found her eyes drawn to Seth and that was probably what kept her silent. He was handsome without being pretty, he had a look in his eyes that showed he knew the way of the world, and how to carry himself. And his green eyes when he looked at her, bore right into her soul. She had missed her father for years but in a way this final meal before leaving, she sat feeling like a family.

When all the lights were turned off, Lisa wept silently in her bed, having had to go through this ordeal but also having to let Natalie ride off. Natalie fell asleep way too fast for her liking, she thought she would never sleep thinking about tomorrow, but the things that had happened today had made her burn out fully and she literally went out like a light. Seth contemplated on the day and what to anticipate for the coming days. He did also think about Nate, and preparing him for gunfighting but more than that, the rough days ahead. Nate was clearly a clever boy, but he sure was small, probably plenty of girls taller than him, he thought to himself. But he was sure Nate would learn to handle himself, he clearly was made of sturdy stuff, reminded him of when he had been made to take the trails as a twelve year older. He came from a family with five sons, he was the fourth and had been told there were too many mouths to feed, so he had to find a place to serve. His father had given him his knife, that was all he had from his original family. His father had gotten a deal out of giving him to serve a cattle rancher and for three years he had been a cowboy.