In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 898):

Travis dismounts and investigates further.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 899):

Jake looked thoughtful when he rode close enough to see the burial mounds in the gulley, but he stayed silent and kept his own counsel.

As Travis dismounted to take a closer look, the rifleman moved Ghost to the edge of the gulley and turned his attention to the surrounding area, intending to keep a careful look-out while the Michiganer conducted his investigations.

OOC: Just to clarify, Jake (who is still mounted) is positioned at ground level above the gulley, where he will have a slightly better line of sight than if he were down in the gulley.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 899):

Having dismounted, Sunday gets a better look at the burial mounds. Nudging the rocks of the second mound with the toe and heel of his boot, he is convinced that it is also covering the dead body of an Indian. At this time, he hasn't disturbed the mound to any obvious extent, just enough to get a glimpse of another black-haired warrior's head.

Travis lacks specific knowledge about the burial ceremonies of the plains tribes--he cannot even be certain to what tribe these two belonged--but to his eye, it appears that both of these Indians could be Comanche, Kiowa or even Tonkawa. Their size is about right for any of the local tribes. Even if he were to remove the rocks and earth, he would not know for sure how to identify their tribal connection.

Jake and JEB remain mounted. Neither rider has noticed any signs of movement nearby. To the east Rasmin, Cruger and Haverty await, the former keeping watch through his field glasses, while Rojas and the others have begun to settle into a campsite.

EDIT: Updated to correct mis-click on posting name.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:38, Sat 20 Sept 2014.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 901):

Travis does not disturb the burial mound.  He calls Horse and remounts.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 902):

Jake waited until Travis was mounted up, then turned Ghost back towards the main column.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 903):

ENS moves with the others to the campsite, keeping an eye one the other surrounding directions. Once they all dismount, he keeps monitoring the outskirts but walks over to Rasmin while doing so.

Mr. Rasmin, a word please? Are you from the San Francisco area?

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 904):

The bounty hunter did not join the campsite until after Jake had ridden back to join the main group.

Now, all of the men have gathered at the spot chosen by Senor Rojas. There is enough day light to care for the horses and make camp.

Among the various conversations ensuing, from the mundane questions such as whether to have a campfire to topic of the dead Indians, Rasmin replies to Professor Ringgenberg.

"Not originally. Why do you ask?"

OOC: The Judge is assuming Jake gives a report of the findings in the gully.

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

Sheriff Cruger offers the following after hearing Jake's report.

"That is how the Comanche bury their dead. Or much like it. Usually, they would prefer a cave, but I suppose a ravine would do. The rumors about Comanche activity in this area seem less fancy and more fact with each of these discoveries."

In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 906):

After riding back to the camp and dismounting, Jake related what the threesome had found when they explored the gulley. "Reckon them three boys that got kilt gave a pretty good account of theirselves," he remarked when Ranger Cruger gave his opinion that the grave-sites were most likely Comanche.

ENS and Rasmin were in conversation with one another when Jake rode into camp, and the Texan waited until the two men were finished, then spoke to the easterner. While he was waiting he checked the time on his pocket-watch, then returned it to his pocket.

Once ENS was done speaking with Rasmin, Jake said, "I'm a-thinkin' that you might want a closer look-see of them Injun graves for yerself, Perfesser. By my reckonin', we got, oh, maybe ten minutes of light left afore dark-fall."

"I'll ride over yonder with you right now, but ye might feel pretty rushed. Or, we can ride over at first light tomorrer mornin', whilst the others are eatin' breakfast."

"'Course, by mornin'-time thaere could be sumpthin' -- or sumbody -- in the gulley that crept in overnight that ain't thaere now, iff'n ye take my meanin'."

"Or, maybe not," the Texan chuckled.

"What's yer druthers?"

In reply to Garrett Rasmin (msg # 905):

Well, I know it's not your affair, but I'm trying to get a feel for the corruption level of the courts there... given what you know, do you think Mr. Trayne will get a fair trial?

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 907):

ENS perks up at the mention of the graves, when Jake addresses him directly, he answers quickly.

Most definitely Jake! Let's go over in the morning to investigate! But for now, we should prepare here... I fear we may be closer to this group than we'd like.

OOC: I'm conducting these dialogs separately since they occur at different times.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 908):

Travis hears the Professors question and chuckles to himself.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 909):

"All right," Jake replied to ENS with a slight nod, "tomorrer mornin' it is, then."

"An' as to yer other point, 'twouldn't ser-prise me a-tall."

Cole moves off to check on the horses

While he tends the animals, he takes the opportunity to discreetly glance in the direction of the hunters.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 908):

Rasmin regards the professor. "Assuming it goes to a trial, I have no reason to believe Trayne should not get a fair one."

He pauses for a moment before continuing. "I have to say, professor, I appreciate your willingness to engage in civil conversation. Some of your pards seem to view me as the spawn of hell, as if I might sprout horns at any moment."

He doesn't appear to expect an answer.

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

After ENS and Jake speak, Rasmin rejoins the conversation. "Professor, you heard me say I believe Trayne is an honorable man. I have been thinking of returning his carbine in case we encounter these Indians. Do you think that is a good idea?"

OOC: ENS and the Judge should be able to keep track of the conversation flow, whether in separate or combined messages. I am okay either way.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 911):

Rojas waits for a chance to engage the rifleman, whose leadership of the party here on the plains has become, at worst, accepted by everyone.

"Senor, as the professor has suggested, I believe these Comanche are close by. Perhaps we should go without a fire tonight . . . unless your thinking is to attract their attention."

In reply to Rojas (msg # 914):

"Attract the Comanches' attenshunn? What sorta feller do you take me for, Senor Rojas? A fire-eater who sticks his hand down rattlesnake holes on a dare?" Jake smiled at the Mexican to let the man know that his reply was intended to be good-natured.

"No, I think that yer idea of a cold camp tonight is a mighty fine one. Do me a favor an' pass the word -- some o' these fellers may be gittin' a mite tired of hearin' it all from me."

"Oh, an' por favor, let everyone know that we're on the same watch roe-tae-shun as before."

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 915):

The Mexican smiles in response to Jake's answer. He spreads the word, as asked.

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

OOC: Pausing here to allow further conversation at the evening's camp, if any PCs desire it. Depending on PC activity, the Judge will likely move the plot forward 24 hours from now.

In reply to Garrett Rasmin (msg # 913):

ENS nods.

I believe Mr. Trayne will keep his word Mr. Rasmin. My concern about San Francisco is that Mr. Trayne is accused of killing a corrupt, powerful man, and I fear that the man's associates may use any means to get revenge on Mr. Trayne.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 915):

ENS rubs his chin while Jake talks to Rojas, when the lawyer leaves, he turns to Jake.

Jake, what if we were to set a campfire a ways from the camp... could it draw them off? We could also keep an eye on it with binoculars from here.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 917):

"What makes you think the man that Trayne killed was corrupt?" asks Rasmin, a puzzled look on his face.

In reply to Garrett Rasmin (msg # 919):

Travis hears Rasmin's query.

This is why I think of you, not as a spawn of hell, but a giant asshole.  You couldn't be less interested in Cole's situation before you were surrounded by his pards.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 920):

"You got a point, Sunday?" answers Rasmin. "I mean, besides the one atop your head."

Thinking it best to be mostly away from Cruger, or anyone else for that matter, Randy asks Rojas for a quiet moment to talk.

"I cain't say as I is all that happy 'bout what Cruger has up and done. He had all manner of opportunity to warn us of his plans and the intention of drawing forth the raiding party. We cain't do a thing 'bout what's been done, but I'm guessin' Cruger needs to be held to answer for this.

"I bring this to you on account of you intended to have me keep Cole safe on the trip to Frisco. Cruger is putting Cole's life up as bait. All the rest of us can ride off to hell knows where any chance we wants. Ol' Cole, though, he's caught now where he ain't got to choice but to face off betwixt Injuns and prosecutors. And Cruger's toyin' with Cole's life cause he knows he can."

Mr. Big'un is worked up just shy of a lather. "I'm just about ready to pop him a good one. That, or serve him up when the arrows start to rain."

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 918):

Jake scratched his chin-whiskers for a moment while he considered ENS's suggestion. "That's an' intrestin' idea, Perfesser. I got to admit that I hadn't thunk of it."

"I'm pretty sure that it wouldn't fool them Injuns for very long, though. Once they git in the gen'ral area -- which they may already be, mind you -- I don't think it'll taeke 'em long to figure out whaere our real camp is."

"On the other hand, iff'n by some chance they ain't spotted us yet, a nearby fire would pull 'em in our gen'ral die-reckshunn."

"Plus, I don't much want any of the men on guard duty spendin' none o' their time starin' at a fire off yonder in the distance. They all need to pay close attenshun to what's happenin' near to our camp an' the hosses."

"So, although it's a right intrestin' idea, I ain't in-clined to do it."

"But keep thinkin', Perfesser," he encouraged the easterner. "Yer a damned smart feller, an' I got a hunch that you're likely to come up with ideas that might not occur to the rest of us."

OOC: Edited to fix typo.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:14, Tue 23 Sept 2014.