In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 663), Jacob Richardsen (msg # 665):

Tracy nodded, indicating his understanding of Jake's thought process. "Perhaps we can get a better sense for our plan once we see the terrain closer to the Throne."

After Red Shirt pointed out the tracks to the rest of the group, Tracy knelt down near them, hoping to get a sense for the answers to Jake and Earnest's questions. The investigator knew that the guide would likely know the answers himself, so he was merely testing his own more basic knowledge of tracking. Besides, any discovery he made could only help their cause.

Along the same lines, Tracy continued his search for any leads by scanning the terrain nearby the tracks for any other evidence. If the outlaws traveled through this area, perhaps they left something behind.

OOC:

18:49, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 7,5 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (4+3)7,5.  Tracking, RS cattle and horses.

18:49, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 7,15 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+6+1)13.  Notice, other evidence near tracks.

This message was last edited by the player at 22:58, Mon 15 July 2019.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 665) and Earnest Ringgenberg (msg #666):

The Paiute moves slowly back and forth, inspecting the tracks. "Maybe five horses, maybe twenty head. Moving toward the mountain."

Red Shirt continues his study of the tracks.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:46, Tue 16 July 2019.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 665):

When Richardsen had commented on the heroes being caught with their trousers down at the switchbacks, the young Knight scoffed.

"Those two were greenhorns with a hogleg, compared to you men. Even compared to me," said Daniel. "If Elizabeth's captors are no better, we shall prevail."

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 666):

"Down near the canyon is no place to free graze cattle, I figure," says Daniel. "No signs of any ranches in these parts."

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 667):

Tracy draws the same conclusions from the sign as does Red Shirt. He doesn't notice anything of interest besides the tracks in the immediate area, but reminds himself to keep looking for such things if they decide to follow the tracks toward the Throne,

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 670):

Earnest listens to both answers before commenting.

Hmmm, good to know.

While Tracy and Red Shirt are examining the tracks, Earnest pulls out his binoculars and checks what he can (e.g., the mountain ahead, any further mesas, the canyon, etc.; whatever there's a clear line of sight to).

18:41, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 6,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,3.  Notice: Scan with Binos.

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 669):

Addressing Daniel's comment...

"You've got spunk kid! A bible in one hand, your dick in the other, ready to take on the world aren't ya?"

Turning to Tex: "It's amazing how wise these kids are these days!"

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 672):

The professor had been studying the map during the journey. It has proven valuable, although Earnest has begun to realize that it may have flaws. Or if not flaws, then discrepancies in scale, or omissions, or inconsistencies. Completely understandable, as the breadth and ruggedness of the Zion Canyon area make any attempt at cartography a difficult business, at best. Whomever drew this map did a fine job, but it cannot be taken as gospel.

That becomes more clear now, as the professor works to orient himself. The Great White Throne rises to the west-southwest, towering above another smaller mountain that is closer to the heroes and surrounded by a canyon system. It appears that this is the place labeled Echo Canyon on the map, which is now directly ahead of heroes, that is, to the west and in the direction that Red Shirt and Tracy have indicated the tracks are headed.  They had crossed what must be the Virgin river a couple of hours ago -- and since then they have crossed a few sizable streams while they had encountered nothing like the river as depicted near Echo Canyon on the map.

Through the binoculars, the professor sees what appears to be a pass into the Echo Canyon area. He cannot discern any details about where it may lead, as the path twists and turns amongst the rocky terrain, like many of the trails along which Red Shirt has led the group.

In reply to Dave Walker (msg # 673):

The young Knight, perhaps thinking of Matthew, turns his mount away and ignores Walker's jab.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 674) Red Shirt (msg # 668):

With the Professor spying the pass into what appeared to be Echo Canyon, Tracy took out his own spyglass to survey the area.

The spyglass still held to his right eye, Tracy addressed Red Shirt.

"Are we headed for that pass?"

In reply to Dave Walker (msg # 673):

and

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 674):

Jake smiled at Mister Walker's comments. "I don't know about you, but I can still remember when I was just as full of piss and vinegar," he replied to the New Yorker's comments about Daniel Knight. He found himself wondering the Bible had any passages addressing people who went around with their dick in hand.

He noticed that the Perfesser and Mister Windham were surveying the terrain through their field glasses. The Texan considered taking his own field glasses out of his saddle bags, but decided to wait and hear what his pards had to say first.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 676):

"You tell me," answers the Paiute.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 677):

"When I was his age I was workin' in a civil war hospital with my mother, hackin' off arms and legs from wounded soldiers."

"Some who were barely a few years older."

Thinking back to his old life he recounts his time after the war with his young wife Hannah. He sure did grow up quick during the war... not so much time chasing girls around the mesa. As he drifts off into deep memories of lives past he thinks of his daughter...

~ Emily is close to Daniels' age now I wonder if I'll ever see her again? ~

OOC: The Judge is waiting for the players to determine their next course of action. Red Shirt has led them to the general area of the Great White Throne, which is the general area where they saw the smoke from across the canyon earlier in the journey. The Paiute will certainly take the lead again for navigating the terrain for whatever direction the group decides to take, but the Judge is looking to the PCs for any such decision.

In reply to Dave Walker (msg # 679):

The young Knight, who was obviously listening to the conversation even as he had turned away and fallen silent, maneuvers Rex back towards the others.

"Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword."

Daniel sighs, his veneer of strong will evaporating momentarily.

"If we go further today," he adds, regaining his composure, "two of you should switch horses."
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:54, Thu 18 July 2019.

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 681), Red Shirt (msg # 678):

Having grown to like Lefty quite a bit, Tracy initially felt a bit reluctant to switch horses. However, he realized that if he truly did care for the animal, then he should let him rest a bit after doing such a fine job carrying him around for a couple of days.

Besides, he was getting horse advice from the remuda leader after all.

"I'll switch," Tracy replied to the young Knight. "You have any recommendations for which horse I should take?"


At Red Shirt's answer, the investigator smiled slightly.

"Then I say we head for it. Anyone else have any thoughts were we should go?"

In reply to Dave Walker (msg # 679):

and

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 682):

"That bein' the case," Jake replied after Mister Walker had spoken of his wartime activities, "I'm right pleased that I never had the oh-caeshunn to meet up with you or your mother durin' the Laete Uhn-pleasantness. Nuthin' personal, you uhn-derstand."

The Texan glanced over at Mister Windham and Red Shirt as they were discussing where to head next, and took the opportunity to raise his left arm straight up into the air. "Is thaere a reason we shouldn't just foller the tracks uhv them beeves an' horses?" he asked.

"Won't that lead us right to whaerever these yalla-bandanna rascals is sit-uaeted?"

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 683):

"Maybe. How can we know until we follow the tracks?" says Red Shirt, posing a rare question of his own, albeit rhetorical.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 682):

"If you like Lefty, I would say go with Gus."

In reply to Red Shirt (msg # 684):

"Anyone feelin' lucky? Let's flip a coin..."

In reply to Dave Walker (msg # 686):

To everyone's surprise, Red Shirt issues a belly laugh. It is brief, but alarming.

EDIT: Judge initially chose the wrong PC name label for the post.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:19, Fri 19 July 2019.

OOC: The Judge's assessment so far is:
2 PCs vote to follow the tracks.
1 PC wants to flip a coin.
1 PC hasn't weighed in yet (professor is traveling RL, so we will give him time, as it is possible he will vote to flip a coin and there will be a tie amongst the four PCs)

Meanwhile, of course, PCs may continue to converse or post narrative as desired.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 688):

Earnest lowers his binoculars and turns to the others.

The tracks seem to head for that pass, so I think we should as well. But let's take our time... both for the horses' sake and to make sure we don't get ambushed or spotted. Red Shirt, can we head towards the pass in way that mostly keeps us out of sight?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 689):

"It will be dark, soon," says the Paiute, reminding the professor and everyone of the time of day. Earnest checks his pocket watch and sees its hands approaching 5 p.m.

"If we go now, we cannot take our time."

In reply to Red Shirt (msg # 690):

"Sounds like our choices is to either go fast or maeke camp," Jake said after Red Shirt had made his observation.

The Texan lowered his arm and rubbed his neck. "We lost some time today, tanglin' with them two yahoos. Although theare warn't nuthin' for it -- they dealt the hand."

"Any how, I'd vote for findin' a good spot an' maekin' camp for the night. I don't much cotton to our bustin' in on them rascals, hell-for-leather."

Glancing over at Daniel Knight, Jake added "Then, tomorrer, we go an git Elizabeth."

Privately, the Texan wasn't so sure about that. But he reckoned that it was better to paint things up in optimistic colors, for Daniel's sake.