In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 923):

I think it's important we get Miss Kate back to town without delay, but your concern brings up a good point. You should stay to back up the Professor and Jake.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 924):

"I'll get your doggies back safe'n sound, Major."

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 925):

Jake scowled at the big man and turned his head to spit. It was one thing to help out a pard, or to work together to get a job done. It was something else again to give the impression that you were taking care of a couple of shave-tails who had never seen the elephant.

Cole slowly exhales, clearly growing impatient with the current goings on. Once all the horses are freed, he quickly mounts up and waits.

Travis and Cole have mounted their kids, with Indian Kate also settling into Diablo's saddle. A few of the horses--those belonging to the men who intend to stay until the professor's search is done--are now untended although they seem happy to rest where they are.

The man named Rory leads the draft horse out of the barn. He resumes his tacking of Moirin under the moonlight while the others wait.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 928):

ENS finally finds his Colt. He holsters it, then shrugs his shoulders as he approaches the others.

I think Kate's escorts should be more wary... Mr. Xu wouldn't come back with me but that doesn't mean he's left. He went off in that direction by the way...

ENS points eastward, past the barn.

...but it's your call deputy. Now, Mr. Jameson, may Jake and I proceed?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:38, Wed 10 July 2013.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 928):

JEB leads Kate's mount at a walking pace back to town. He does not wait for Rory figuring he will catch up soon enough.

Men, Mr Xu is on the loose so keep an eye out. He's wounded but not right in the head so I wouldn't put anything past him.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 929):

Jake thumbed the hammer down on his Spencer and glanced expectantly at Jameson as ENS asked his question. The rancher and Injun Kate had seemed to be on quite good terms, so Jake couldn't follow why she would be hiding out on his property without telling him. Normally he wouldn't have believed her when she said that Jameson didn't know she was here, but the man's surprise at her being found on his ranch had certainly seemed genuine.

Damned if I can figure it out, the ex-Wells Fargo man thought to himself. Reckon it ain't my problem though.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 929):

"Oi already said to go ahead . . . professor." Jameson takes a long look at the departing deputy, glances at the remaining men, and then focuses on Richardson.

"No need for that, boyo," says the rancher.

In reply to Fionnbharr Jameson (msg # 932):

Jake used some of his back muscles to push away from the wall of the cook-shack, which he had been leaning against in an attempt to stay out of the wind. "I agree, Sir -- I'm not lookin' for no trouble," he replied to Jameson.

OOC: I apparently was unclear in describing Jake's actions in my previous IC post for him. When I wrote that he "thumbed the hammer down" on his Spencer, I meant that he was un-cocking the weapon (he had cocked it in a previous post, and had left it that way until the potential confrontation with Jameson and his men was, in his mind, resolved). To my ear, thumbing (or levering) the hammer "back" (as opposed to "down") means that Jake is cocking the weapon, and thumbing it "down" means that he is un-cocking it (and reducing the threat level, so to speak). Am I using incorrect (or confusing) terminology? How *should* I be writing it? Thanks.

P.S. I guess that I could just write "cocking" and "un-cocking." :)
This message was last edited by the player at 12:05, Thu 11 July 2013.

The actor remains atop his horse, but silent now. He observes the goings-on. Also, he's amused with his own quip even if it blew away with the chilly wind.

Randy is trying to figure out why Jake Richardson is acting so cocky.



edit: final thoughts
This message was last edited by the player at 16:06, Thu 11 July 2013.

In reply to Fionnbharr Jameson (msg # 932):

Seeing JEB start moving towards town finishes the discussion, so ENS starts towards the kitchen.

Thank you Mr. Jameson, we won't trouble you long.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 935):

Jake nodded to Jameson, then fell into step alongside ENS. He leaned over to whisper in the man's ear, "A mite earlier, whilst I was sneakin' along the outside of the east wall of the cook-shack, I heard somethin' inside that sounded like a cook-spoon clangin' on the inside of a cook-pot. Iff'n we get inside thaere an' find that there warn't no victuals bein' prepared . . . waal, it occurs to me that Injun Kate might've heard somethin' that alarmed 'er an' hid somethin' inside somewhaere's metal -- mayhaps a cook-pot, mayhaps the chimney of the cook-stove . . . who knows?"

Cole looks at the departing JEB, then back to the departing professor and Jake.

Shrugging, Cole follows JEB.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 936):

ENS continues into the kitchen. After Jake speaks, he replies, also in a whisper.

Good to know... I didn't get a chance to get a good look at her dress yet, so we may be looking for stashed clothing or a weapon, likely a large knife.

Once in the kitchen, ENS begins to search for the items mentioned (Take 20). He will look inside any likely vessel, but makes sure to replace everthing where it was.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 938):

Jake stepped inside the cook-shack with the Perfesser, and commenced searching the small building, paying particular attention to pots with lids and other likely hiding places that would produce a sound like the one that he remembered hearing from when he was outside. Noticing that ENS was taking his time and conducting a thorough search, Jake did the same.

OOC: Jake will take 20 on his search as well, giving him a 20 on his Search Check.

Edited to clarify that Jake was performing a Search check, not a Spot Check.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:11, Sat 13 July 2013.

Jake and ENS enter the kitchen. Unlike the larger barn, the kitchen's walls and shuttered windows let in minimal moonlight. Even with the door open, the interior is dimly lit, making a thorough search more difficult. The men have enough light to avoid stumbling into furniture, or otherwise endangering themselves in the cramped space, but there are plenty of shadows and dark areas that require methodical patience to search effectively.

Before long, the professor finds a lantern on a small table in the center of the room. Lighting the kerosene wick, the two men now have enough light to perform the search, although they are still at a disadvantage as compared to full daylight.

Indeed, the room contains what one might expect from a kitchen, including a wood burning stove, cupboards, a table with chairs, two barrels and various foodstuffs hanging from the ceiling. The men find easily a total of four large knives and other sundry cooking and eating utensils. The only clothing they turn up is a soiled apron. Jake finds a pile of rags in one of the cupboards, but if they were ever a person's clothing, it was long ago. A few minutes into their search, with Jake holding the lantern and ENS inspecting a wall-mounted shelf, the professor puts his hands on a small firearm, some sort of breech-loading piece. After roughly ten minutes of searching, including attempts to put things back where they were found, the men conclude their search.

OOC: Map pending.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 940):

"You been workin' on the investigaeshunn lots more'n me," Jake remarked to ENS as he held the lantern while the Easterner concluded his search.

"Find anything that ties in to what you was lookin' for?"

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 940):

Holding his composure in the weather before the land owner takes a might more concentration than Randy expected. However, the concentration focuses him and keeps him alert and awake. He's not trying be a tough guy, but he doesn't want to look dandy one bit. Really, not many folks would accuse him of such, but Randy needs to hold onto that small part of his past a little longer.

He awaits his companions' exit from the cook house and the eventual return to town.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 941):

ENS take a moment to look in the wood burning stove as well (if it wasn't included in the previous search.

Nothing definite yet Jake, but would you mind asking Mr. Jameson to join us?

ENS sets the knives and the firearm on a counter, looking over the knives more carefully.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 943):

"I'll step out an' fetch him," Jake replied, "iff'n he's still standin' round out thaere, an' hasn't gone back inside the house to get hisself out've the cold."

Jake placed the lantern down on the table and stepped through the door on the south side of the cook-shack.

Jake finds Jameson without trouble. In fact, he doesn't even need to leave the structure. The Irishman has been watching the men as they search his kitchen, from just outside the door frame. 

"What do ya need?"

Meanwhile, the man named Rory completes his tacking up. He mounts as Mr. Big'un watches, and then he rides off toward town. It doesn't take long for him to catch up with JEB and the others. Cole Trayne hears the hoofbeats approaching and all three men see the horse gaining ground after Cole alerts his pards.

"Tanks for waitin'," he says, when he catches up. "Y'all roight, Kate?"

In reply to Fionnbharr Jameson (msg # 945):

"Mister Jameson," Jake acknowledged the other man with a nod of his head, having been so wrapped up in the searching of the cook-shack that he hadn't noticed the Irishman standing in the shadows just beyond the open doorway.

Since it seemed that Jameson had heard ENS's request that the farmer join them, Jake waited for the Perfesser to respond to the Irishman's question.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 947):

Oh! Sorry Mr. Jameson... didn't realize you were right there. Now then, can you just make sure that all these items are your property?

ENS indicates the knives and firearm. He watches him as he answers.

21:48, Today: E.N.S. Ringgenberg rolled 4 using 1d20+3. Sense Motive.
21:54, Today: E.N.S. Ringgenberg rolled 3 using 1d6. AP Augment.
Total: 7