The Book of Common

Let's Talk

Let's just talk, I am so fired up at this point.
Beth my wife of two years, done fired me up
tell you she has away of doing that.

Well she went on about how I didn't know of the
Border Wars! To think I was stuck in the middle
of the last one, by gosh by golly! Family against
Family never seen such as this. I don't know a blame thing! Well I stormed out, grabbed me a
bottle of whisky not the rot gut. The good stuff
I keep for moments like this.

The last one, this aways was right after Norm
and me parted ways, he cut me loose full blown
Ranger. Company D York Ranger, transfered later
to the Virginia's. Blame it all on her, stick to the story.

Well I was up York way, near the Great Falls Niagara Buffalo. That's where company D Post
is. York decided to take Penn, why don't know
don't care to know. Stupid move I think, but they
did and won.

Now here is the part I was in, battle of Snowshoe
what once was Penn. I remember it being rather
cold mid September and all. Part of a scouting party, forward scouting hell the whole Army was
five days behind us. Two troops Ranger close
to two hundred Rangers.

Met a force of least twice our size. Lan sake we were a stupid lot. It commenced about midday
close to it. Now mind you I faced a few stand offs
with Pa that one with Tam number of them with
Norm. Totally different when they is a few hundred more looking down a rifle barrel at ya.

We were caught right in the open, trail head split
like a fork. By gosh must of been hundred bullets
pass by us some hit on target. Well shouts shots
horses falling men falling. Smoke every damn where. Hell my pistol emptied I grabbed the second one. We are charging towards the firing and smoke!

All of a sudden my horse stopped tumbled like a rock threw me off. I lost my pistol I gots low behind my dead horse, trying to reload my first
pistol, stupid thing was taking a week of time.

That's what I was yelling stupid pistol as I was pulling the ram rod down on the last chamber.
Finally got her capped. Then I pulled my saber
laid it next to me.

Dear me those Penn boys were fit to be tied,
bayonets fixed hoopin and hollerin. Probably
thirty of us scattered about that openin.
Hid behind dead animals or small low spot in the
ground.

Well we heard a yell from across the way, you
boys put those guns and sabers down! You'll a live
to see tomorrow!

Cap shouted back, come get us few a you a die
with use! Felting like yellin Cap shut up, we don't
need to be diein today.

I heard Robert that you? Its Marty your brother!
From across the way.

Cap shouted its me Marty! Best be a leaven
things are going to get bad here!

Marty shouted fellers on both sides I am a stepping
out! Don't fire now! Want a talk to Robert now y'all
hear me!  Robert you come on and meet now!
Any of yas fire I'll be a killin you now!

Well Cap was but a step away some how I was the front of the pack. I heard it all, strange I can remember what was said.

Robert best be thinking about quitin we have the
upper hand on ya. Cap said can't do that Marty
wish I could, you sit this one out for me. Don't
need Ma havin two dead sons in a day. Drew pay
Marty take it, don't want those a gettin it. Send
it to Ma she'll need it.

Robert knew I couldn't talk ya down none.
Ma will get it. Well they said good bye shook
hands. Marty shouted Fellers I won't be participating in this ruckus today. Won't have part
of my brothers death!

From the other side, Marty find a safe spot out of the way! Till this is over! We all understand!

They came like wild men at us, loss count we held
them off for a spell. Just know I felt somethin warm running down my leg then burning like
wild fire. Oh my lan sake I've been shot.

Well all but two of us died from York, Cap wasn't part of the two. Me and Marty from Penn way then
were the only ones. They found me half dead nursed me back. Army of York found me in a prison hospital. Few months later.

I don't know about the Border Wars. Well sorry Beth I do know about those things. Saw to brothers
see each other for the last time. Got few more things to talk about while I'm still upset.

Can't know the distant past, who thought that Law
up and why! Maybe we all should know the distant
past. Might stop it From happenin again!

Might gave a man a chance to live his last years
free of worry! Yes worry, I'll not go into it now.
I feel that should be told more towards the end.

Well my first meeting of Norm. Tam got me to
the Carolina's like she said she would.
Post A Columbia, well we checked in she signed off
on my packet. Told the watch I needed a second ride. They asked why she wouldn't do it.

Guy shrugged said I've seen younger do it.
Don't have a detail for ya patrol is all. Want
a few days rest take it. Tam said I'll take the rest,
Common they'll get ya If and when get a bunk.
We'll have some food. Watchman hear that?

Ya Ranger I heard ya, now git both of ya!

Well we just sat down eggs taters and ham.
Feller walked up said hey I'm Norm bet I can
guess what your name is and what you a doin here.

Tam laughed this a joke or you hittin on me?

Norm smiled not a joke could be I'm hittin on you.
as he sat down. You Ranger are Tam the other his
name is Common I won't laugh sir. He needs a person to take him on his second ride and all.

Tam you are fine lady, Common I feel you'll make
a good Ranger, Tam don't head to the Wet Lands
for a spell. Guy lookin for ya, something about
leaving him without a home.

Tam said Norm is it, don't know how you knew these things. Unless you know me, I don't remember meeting you. Couldn't know Common, I'll not ask how.

Norm said I'll take Common on if you think I'll
do. She said lets see, if I feel you can do it.
After a couple days, you'll do. Hang around let me and Common get to know you.

Well Norm we got know each other, think him
and Tam had a go in the sheets. If he did hell
I envy him, fine lady. Well Tam headed off after
two days me and Norm left out the day after.

Heard tell she went to the Wet Lands after leaving
me and Norm. She never came out. Tam if you
are still kicking old Common misses you.
Well that's it for now. More later.