In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 948):

No one had given a thought to jawing much just yet, but now that men are at work preparing their mounts, Haverty speaks.

"Damnation," he says aloud, looking west.

EDIT: minor grammatical fix
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:58, Sun 28 Sept 2014.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 948):

17:32, Today: E.N.S. Ringgenberg rolled 9 using 1d20+5. Initiative (+2 per Judge).

Seeing Randy rouse the others, ENS continues watching the area of interest with his field glasses, climbing up on his wagon seat for a better view.

Once the others start readying their horses, he moves to get Amadeus rigged to the wagon.

OOC: Sorry for the posting lag... bad timing eh? Also, FYI, ENS doesn't actually have a saddle for Amadeus... he rented one on the previous ride.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 950):

Cruger speaks up while securing the straps on his kid's saddle.

"This is my responsibility now, gentlemen. I would not blame anyone who holds back. On the other hand, anyone who helps against the heathens will have my gratitude."

In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 951):

As ENS prepares the wagon, he calls out to the others near him.

Gentlemen, it seems odd another camp was so close and we had no idea... could this renegade group be drawing us out into a trap? Make a ruckus over there, then ambush us from the dark when we're more spread out and focused on the goal?

In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 951):

Paying not much attention to Cruger takes no effort from Randy. However, Randy lends a hand to Jake in preparing Ghost for riding. Mr. Big'un knows well the longarm specialist will be a far greater boon than himself in a possible range skirmish.

"ENS, if'n you please, stay here with Rasmin and Cole. And keep a firm hand on my Johnny while I'm gone." Randy implores the Easterner to follow his instruction.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 953):

"Aw, Hell!" Jake exclaimed as he threw off his blanket and rose to his feet. He had been sound asleep, as indicated by the fact that it had taken either Randy or JEB -- Jake couldn't honestly tell which -- to roust him from his slumber. But now that he was up, the sounds of shouting, war-cries, and gunshots could clearly be heard somewhere off to the west.

The camp was a beehive of activity, with most men already rushing to get their horses saddled. Keeping his carbine in hand, Jake rushed over to where Ghost was tied to the length of rope where the horses were tethered for the night. As he moved, he heard ENS ask about a possible feint by the Indians, with the intent of drawing off some of the men and thus weakening their defenses.

"Could be, Perfesser," Jake agreed, "but I'm a-thinkin' that it's most likely just a straight-up attack on some poor bastards over yonder."

By the time that he reached Ghost, Jake could see  that both Pete Haverty and Senor Rojas were well on their way towards getting their mounts saddled up and ready to ride.

The Texan set to work in an efficient, practiced fashion, and he soon found himself aided in his endeavors by Randy, who was tossing bits of tack to him almost faster than he could fasten them in place. "'Preciate it," Jake told Mr. Big 'Un with a nod of his head.

OOC: 00:22, Today: Jake Richardson rolled 24 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 14. Ride Check to Facilitate Saddling.

Edit: Added missing words.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:54, Sun 28 Sept 2014.

Cole gets up and runs to Bess. Calmly, he calls his dog.

Jack. Come.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 953):

Rasmin, who was saddling his mount like others but appeared to be doing it faster than most, hears Randy's comment.

"You got your facts wrong, Big'un. Cole is riding with me and I am riding to the action."

Seeing that Trayne has yet to begin saddling Bess, the bounty hunter adds "Saddle-up, Trayne."

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 948):

Travis rouses from a deep sleep.  Seeing the activity he moves quickly to his tack and horse.  Most think of Travis as a gunslinger but he's also an expert horseman.  It doesn't come naturally to him as it does to others, but steady practice and consistent work makes him a horesmen you can tie to.  He quickly in 5 rounds gets Horse saddled and ready.

Travis Sunday rolled 20 using 1d20+16. Ride check for saddling.

In reply to Garrett Rasmin (msg # 956):

"Fact is, Garrett, that ain't in your charge's best in'trest. I'll report you to the courts, sho'nuff." Smug and snarky, yes, Randy is risking a head shaking or even the dreaded finger wag. But what he isn't doing--and obviously so--is interfering with Rasmin. If the dog of a man pushes Cole to ride to battle, the buffalo of a man won't push back. That doesn't mean Randy will forget his responsibility to protect Cole; it just makes his promise to Circling Hawk a little tougher.

Unfortunately, the complication rattles Randy's ratchets a little more that he cares. The primary duty is to his employer, Rojas, to protect the client, Mr. Trayne. The distant skirmish holds the opportunity to put Cole at risk. Additionally, if Comanche are involved, he has a promise to kill as many as he can for Circling Hawk. That is to pay the debt for his tribe's care of Ayasha.

There's enough here to cause a lesser man to throw his hands up and ride south.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 958):

ENS continues to tend to Amadeus.

Sorry Randy, I fear some of my other skills and equipment will be greatly needed over there! But you can lash Johnny to the back of the wagon since I won't be as fast or maneuverable as any of you!

ENS calls over to Cole.

Cole, should Jack ride in here too? Do we need to tie him up to keep him here?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:23, Sun 28 Sept 2014.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 958):

Rasmin has almost completed fitting the saddle to his mount. "Mayhaps you are correct, Big'un." The bounty hunter turns to Cole and with a feigned sense of importance asks, "You want to stay here, Trayne, while your pards ride into battle?"

In reply to Garrett Rasmin (msg # 960):

Cole starts with the saddle, but decides against it. Without looking at Rasmin or acknowledging him, in any way, the wrangler mounts up bareback. Clearly he is ready to ride with the others.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 961):

JEB saddles up and mounts his horse with rifle out and ready, awaiting orders.

The men work as fast as they can to ready the horses. None rushing the job beyond their limits, as that could mean a deadly unseating during a chase or a battle. Having just awoken, the fog of sleep clears at different rates for different men and they get their mounts saddled or hitched or mounted in succession.

Randy's Fanny was already equipped; the big man had chosen to help Jake's efforts to saddle his Ghost. Meanwhile, Cole Trayne had stared at his saddle for a few seconds, before leaping upon Bess and preparing to ride out bareback.

Garret Rasmin is the next man, after Cole, who is ready to ride. As the bounty hunter speaks, he tosses Cole's carbine to his charge.

"It is loaded. Let us ride, Trayne." Rasmin speaks to the three hunters, who are among the slower of the riders readying their mounts. "Circle north."

By the time Cole catches the Spencer and confirms that it is in fact loaded, Rojas and JEB are also ready to to ride. Rasmin spurs his horse expecting Cole Trayne, at least, to follow.

In a matter of seconds, Travis Sunday and Pete Haverty will be set to mount and ENS will have Amadeus hitched. Richardson, Cruger and the hunters still have some work to do.

In reply to Garrett Rasmin (msg # 963):

Rojas urges his kid to a gallop, just behind Garrett Rasmin.

In reply to Rojas (msg # 964):

Travis follows Rasmin and Trayne maintaining the distance between them.

Johnny gets hitched to Ringgenberg just before Randy spurs his mare toward the dark side of the morning.


edit: you really don't wanna know
This message was last edited by the player at 22:18, Mon 29 Sept 2014.

In reply to Garrett Rasmin (msg # 963):

Once his wagon is ready (including Johnny and Jack as the players desire), ENS will mount up and check that his weapons are loaded and extra ammo is at hand. he also secures his whip close by.

He will standby until Jake and the others start out, following them at a reasonable pace without overtaxing Amadeus in order to keep from getting in the way.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 967):

Jake finished saddling Ghost after some of the party had already thundered off. He looked around to see who was still in the camp, and called out to the three hunters who were in Rasmin's employ.

"Need to ask a favor of you boys," he began. "The Perfesser, yonder," he nodded his head towards where ENS sat atop his wagon-seat, "is gonna be trailin' along behind those of us on horseback, on account of he ain't gonna be movin' at no gallop. That'll make him a powerful temptin' target for any Injuns iff'n he's comin' along by his lonesome, drivin' a wagon that to the way of thinkin' of them heathens, is most likely full of all manner of treasures."

"Ranger Cruger an' me, we'll take yer place circlin' north to foller Rasmin. I need to have you boys ride escort  for the Perfesser. I figure three salty, gun-handy men like yer ownselves'll 'cause them redskins to think twice afore tanglin' with the likes of you."

"It's mighty damned important that the Perfesser gits whaere he's goin' in one piece, seein' as how he's the one's gonna be doctorin' us as need it after this dust-up -- as well as them poor bastards as has already got theirselves ambushed by Injuns over at that far camp. Can I count on you boys to haelp out?"

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

Assuming that the hunters assent to Jake's request, he will glance over at ENS and call out, "Good luck an' Godspeed, Perfesser. See you over at yonder camp."

Turning to Cruger, he will mount up, then nod to the ranger and say, "Let's bust it. We got us some ground to make up."

Without waiting to see if Cruger followed him, Jake touched his heel to Ghost's flank and urged the big gray off at a gallop, circling north and following the line of approach chosen by Garrett Rasmin.

In reply to Garrett Rasmin (msg # 963):

Upon receiving the carbine, the wrangler nods his assent and rides off behind Rasmin, positioning his horse so as to remain adjacent to Rojas.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 969):

JEB follows and matches the speed of Cole's mount.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 968):

The hunters confer with each other. Jake hears one of them say he figures Rasmin would approve, seein' as what he told 'em afore.

They agree to escort the professor's wagon as suggested by Richardson.

Pete Haverty was saddled and mounted before Richardson, Cruger and the hunters were ready to ride. He could have ridden out the same time as Sunday, but when he heard the rifleman speaking to Rasmin's hunters, the liveryman decided to wait an extra few seconds.

"Riding with you and the sheriff, Richardson," he said, spurring his mare to keep up with Ghost.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 968):

William Cruger mounts and rides about 20 yards behind Richardson, as the rifleman leads his horse on a bending path the northwest.