In reply to Cole Trayne (msg #944):

Leave the body above ground.  Buzzards got to eat; same as worms.

Travis moves to the fire.

We'll keep the same watch order.  Mr. Vickers will be the priority obviously.  He's to be killed if he offers the slightest resistance.

Travis unsaddles Horse, looks to his needs then gives him a blanket to keep him warm.

Who has the midnight watch?

Jake gave the man whom they were referring to as "Vickers" -- he supposed that that was the Weasel's given name -- a sour look when Cole spoke of the horse thief having abused Ghost. He turned to Sheriff Beauregard and addressed the lawman from Missouri, "I reckon that you're of the opinion that we got to haul this Weasel bastard back to town with us an' turn him over to the local law, 'stead of just givin' him what horse thieves deserve here an' now, an' bein' done with it?"

As Jake listened to the lawman's reply, he began looking over Ghost for obvious bullet wounds. "You mind givin' Ghost here, a look-see, Perfesser, an' tendin' to what ails him?"

Then, remembering something else that would interest his companions, he raised his voice and said, "Whilst y'all was away from camp, the Perfesser an' me saw some Injuns -- 'bout a half-dozen or so, I'd say -- up atop that little hill over yonder." Jake pointed to a small rise about a hundred yards or so off to the west.

"I got a pretty good look at 'em through my field glasses, so I know for a fact that they was Injuns. Couldn't tell in the dark if they was Apache, Comanche, or Tonks -- though my money'd be on the Tonks, since they're s'posed to be camped hereabouts. They didn't come no closer'n that hill -- I'd reckon that they heard the ruckus an' sent out some scouts for a look-see. They rode away to the west afore y'all got back to camp."

"Any how, come daylight, I reckon that we oughta find some sign o'er that way that we can foller."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:08, Thu 15 Mar 2012.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg #942):

Think nothing of it Cole, it was my duty and pleasure! And we shall surely tip one or two after this!

Seeing that his companions all seem well, and upon hearing Jake's question, ENS turns towards Ghost.

Of course Jake, let's see how Ghost has faired.

ENS proceeds to look Ghost over carefully, mindful that he might be skittish after this race.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg #947):

JEB til 2:00, Jake til 4:00 then me until break our fast.

The remainder of the night-watches pass uneventfully. Travis Sunday and Sheriff Beauregard struggle to stay awake. Fortunately, even when each man drifts off briefly, he awakes to find the camp intact, and things peaceful.

As the sun rises on Sunday's watch, he sees two riders on a hill to the west.

-----------------

OOC: PCs may continue conversation before turning in, if desired, or make skill checks or what-have-you.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #949):

Travis finished his watch preparing for the day.  Horse now properly saddled, Travis pulls his field glasses from his saddlebag and focuses on the brace of riders.

Cole tends to Jack, then himself.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:12, Fri 16 Mar 2012.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg #940):

Mrs Swartz smiles, with her eyes, at the big Mr. Oldman. "As I explained to you last night, that was Mr. Sunday's room you slept in. It only made sense to keep you close to the woman." She glances toward Ayasha's door.

"How is she this morning?"

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #950):

Travis Sunday locates the riders through the lenses. No doubt, they are Indians. His knowledge of the Apache tells him this ain't them. But he's never seen a Tonkawa and doesn't know enough about the Comanche to really tell the difference. Of course, just because Jake mentioned those three tribes doesn't mean these riders couldn't be from yet another one.

As the man from the Butterfield Overland watches, a third horseman appears just behind them. They talk.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #953):

As the Professor looked over Ghost, Jake spent some time trying to calm the horse. "Reckon your nerves is jangled a sight worse'n mine," he said gently. The Texan also pulled the saddle and all of the tack off of the big gray, figuring that the stallion would rest a little more comfortably that way.

When the Easterner had finished his ministrations to the horse, Jake shook the other man's hand and said, "'Preciate it, Perfesser, I purely do."

It seemed that maybe Jake's nerves were a little jangled, for it didn't feel like he got much sleep during Sheriff Beauregard's watch. During his own watch, the Texan spent some time checking on Ghost, and he also kept a close eye on Vickers to make sure that the man wasn't going to cause any more trouble until they could get him hung, good and proper. Soon enough he shook Travis awake for the last watch of the evening.

The Texan was up with the sun the next morning, and as he drank his coffee he wandered over to where Travis was using his field glasses to study some riders off to the west. "Reckon we got their attention last night," he observed.

Turning his head and glancing in the direction of Vickers, he asked, "What you reckon we oughta do with that bastard?"

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg #954):

Travis eyeballs the riders.

Question is are they Tonk because they're not Apache; or more importantly are they rendegades spoiling for a fight?

He brings the field glasses down and offers them to Jake.  His hand extended He looks over at Vickers.

Him? Keep him tied up.  If he helps us find the tribe he can remain with us.  Otherwise he'll return to the flat with the Tin Star.  I don't care if he lives or dies.  That's the deal he was offered, and we'll stick to it until he gives anyone the slightest provocation then the deal changes and he'll be killed.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #955):

Jake took the field glasses that Travis offered him and studied the Indians off to the west for a moment.

After a moment he lowered the binoculars and remarked. "I'm right sorry to hear that Vickers got hisself a 'deal' after what he did."

"Part of Texas where I come from, horse thieves that get caught ain't considered to be holdin' no worthwhile cards a'tall -- nary even a skinny pair o' Deuces. But I reckon that what's done is done, an' I'll abide by whatever y'all've already tole him."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:24, Sat 17 Mar 2012.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg #956):

He's only alive because he surrendered instead of riding Ghost into the ground.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #957):

JEB searches the dead body.

21:28, Today: James E. Beauregard rolled 9 using 1d20+8. Search

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg #958):

JEB finds some metal cartridges for the man's Colt, a knife and a gun cleaning kit.

---------------

OOC: The Judge recollects that someone (Jake?) already took Kirbee's Colt--or at least moved it away from the body. Haven't gone back to double-check that fact.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #957):

"Hunh," Jake muttered, scratching his chin-whiskers thoughtfully.

"If'n that's the way of it, seems as if Vickers had hisself some cards after all."

He nodded approvingly to Travis. "You did the right thing. I'd druther have Ghost back an' alive, even if'n it means that Vickers still is, too."

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg #960):

OK Gentleman time to get moving.

Cole, are all the horses good to go?

JEB are you going to tow weasel on the draft horse he brought along?

What about Jack?

Let's figure out who is doing what.  Ayasha needs some help and we need to take care of our business quickly.  That would probably start with those riders on the hill.  Let's match numbers and go say hello.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #961):

JEB gathers his gear and mounts up, "let's ride. Vickers, grab that draft horse and stay close to me."

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg #954):

ENS gets his medical kit and does what he can for Ghost:

11:05, Today: E.N.S. Ringgenberg rolled 20 using 1d20+4. Ghost: Treat Injury.
11:07, Today: E.N.S. Ringgenberg rolled 2 using 1d4. Grit Restored to Ghost.

ENS gently treats Ghost's wounds and closes them as best he can. When he's done he looks towards Jake.

I think he'll heal fine, but no more chases for awhile!

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg #960):

After getting his gear ready, ENS pulls out his own binoculars, moves over by Travis and Jake, and gives the indians a look.

I've studied anthropology and several indian languages, which means a bit of exposure to their cultures as well, let's see if I have any luck identifying them.

11:21, Today: E.N.S. Ringgenberg rolled 24 using 1d20+13. Knowledge - History.
OOC: ENS knows Cheyenne, Navahoe, and Commanche; so I'm hoping a successful roll would identify one of them, or at least rule them out.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #961):

Cole shrugs.

Reckon the night's rest did the animals some good. Let's not push 'em them, though. Jack and Ghost is still recovering.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg #964):

The professor sees the mounted Indians on yon hill, through the binoculars. His experience with Indians is mostly from reading about them books, or with a few tribesmen who visited the campus back east.

He doesn't recognize these riders.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #966):

Cole you and me are going up that hill.

You ready?  Professor you can come too.

Travis mounts Horse.  To ake and JEB...

Keep those longarms ready... but not threatening... just casual like... yoy know.

Travis exasperated at himself wheels Horse and when Cole is ready rides.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:03, Mon 19 Mar 2012.

Travis Sunday leads a trio of riders up the hill. The others, including Vickers, wait on the plain.

As Travis closes in, he sees that the Indians have their longarms ready, and . . . well, held sort of casual-like. They stand their ground, allowing Sunday's soiree to approach.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #968):

Travis slows his approach as he nears the group.  He raises his right hand, empty and open.  When he gets within 20 feet he stops Horse.

Hello.