Finding Those Not Lost

A less than dogged pursuit.

     I was checking the top of the rise the thief had made over the previous night.  I was nearly bent in half looking for the thief's tracks.  Richard was a few paces away looking as well.
     Preston was below helping clean up what was left from their camp.  The Professor was also helping, but it looked more that he was following around Preston chatting excitedly.
     "Miss O'Shea."  Richard called me to a spot near by.  "I think this is what we were looking for." I knelt down to have a closer look.  He was right it had to be the marks of their thief.
    "It looked as if he was moving fast and had fallen when he crested the hill."  I walked a few paces following the depressions.  After about twenty feet I came upon more tracks.  I knelt again to survey them closer.  Richard shadowed me as we looked together.
     "Looks like he met riders on horse back here.  There are a lot of tracks here.  Hard to get a good idea how many he joined."
     I followed the tracks as they led me west.  It became easier to discern the different tracks. 
     "It looks like seven sets of hooves."  Said Richard as he walked beside me.
     "I am thinking the same.  Though two maybe carrying provisions."  I pointed to two of the sets of tracks slightly deeper than the others.  Which could mean a heavier rider.  Or travel provisions.  Richard knelt besides the tracks looking closer.  He nodded his head in acquiesce.
     "Should we follow the tracks or make our way to the tribes abandoned village?"  I asked.
     "They are heading in the same general direction.  So we should keep to the tracks as long as they keep on that way." Answered Richard.  "If they change direction we can make the decision then."
     "Let's go tell the boys."  We walked back down the hill.
The camp was completely packed away.  While the horses were saddled and fed.  Preston was sitting drawing in a small leather book.  The professor stood near by watching.  I knew it was a book he used to write or draw ideas he had for inventions.  Sometimes he would just draw the scenery of where ever we happened to be.  He was usually would not let others look through his notes, but he always let me.  I think it was one of the little things that always made me feel special about our friendship.
     When me and Richard reached the pair they stopped their work.
I looked at Preston questionably as I grabbed the reins of my horse.
     "I was trying to draw the stolen artifact from memory with the Professor's help.  In case we are unable to recover it."  Answered Preston to the unasked question.
     "It is a good idea.  I hate to think that we may not recover it.  But it is good to do while it's details are fresh in our minds."  Said the Professor.  "Were you able to find tracks left by Sheldon ?"
     "We did.  He and four to six others.  Richard said they were heading in the direction of the tribes last location.  We were thinking we would follow the tracks in that general direction.
If they diverge we can decide what to do then." I said.
     "I think that is as good of an idea as we are going to get."   Said the Professor.  He seemed depressed this morning.  Whether it was the loss of his artifact or thought of riding a horse again.
Preston was still working on his sketch as we led the horses up the hill and towards the tracks.
     "Do you plan on joining us Preston?  Or are you going to sit and sketch while enjoying the scenery." I asked.
     Preston looked up from his work and smiled.  He rose buttoning the leather strap of his sketch journal.  He followed, leading his horse.  We reached a more suitable area to mount.
The Professor did reluctantly.  As we began our pursuit.
     Our pursuit was almost identical to our previous days ride.  The only difference was my rifle Breaker was loose in her holster along my horse's saddle.
I could tell Richard was also keeping a more vigilant watch of our surroundings.  Preston demeanor was unchanged as he conversed with the Professor helping to keep his mind off of his riding.  The day was perfect warm but not uncomfortable.
I had enough of the scenery and wanted more conversation.
     "Richard how did you end up in this part of the country?" I asked.  He seemed to think about his answer for a long moment.
Seemingly weighing his response.
     "I worked in the Carolina's where I grew up.  I met my wife there while I did surveying work.  I was working near Sparta, in Alleghany county when I met her.  She had offered me lemonade on a partially hot day.  I was hooked from that moment.  We were married within the year.  We had a daughter less than a year later.
She looked just like her mother small, beautiful golden hair.  They were both so small and frail.  It was five years after we had met that they both passed away.  Pneumonia took them both quickly.  I remember the trips to the doctor.  How sudden their loss was.  I left soon after.  Not able to take another day in our home.  I knew the railroads needed surveyors.  I have been out here since then.  About ten years."  Richard answered.  Preston and Professor Martz had stopped talking listening to his story.  Richard demeanor did not change.  It was as if he was made of stone.
     "My condolences.  I did not mean to pry." I spoke.
     "You don't have to apologize.  If I didn't wish to answer I wouldn't have.  My life out here has been peaceful and helped me get over their loss.  I feel blessed when I think of our time together."  He said.  He raised his hand then.  Calling everyone to halt.  I put my hand on my rifle.  And looked more closely at our surroundings.    "The tracks are not the same."
     I stepped off of my horse.  Taking my rifle with me as I looked.  Richard was right.  The tracks had changed.  Two of the horses tracks were now gone.
"Two of the horses in the party have left the trail."  I declared.
     "I think maybe some sort of surprise for us I would guess somewhere ahead."  Said Preston.  He took from his bag an unusual pair of binoculars.  They had three lenses rather than the normal pair.  And over the center was several lenses which could be placed over the center lens.  I had seen him use the heavy pair before in the past.  Richard gave them a quizzical look.  While the Professor watched with curiosity.   I knew that when he used steam he could see in low light to great effect.  His invention had led them to safety during an adventure in a Mayan cenote and it's adjacent caves.  "I do not see them in any direction, but it looks like we will be entering some hills and some rocky cliffs soon." Said Preston.
     "That will be were they would likely be waiting for us."  I said.  "We should spring their trap I guess."
     "It seems like the only sporting thing to do." Added Preston.  Richard looked on unquestioningly.  The Professor was more apoplectic.
"What?  Who knows what they may intend.  They could kill us as we ride." Said the Professor.
     "I don't think that is their intention.  They could have tried to attack us last night while we made camp. We only had one person on watch and surprise would have been on their side."  Answered Preston.
     "I agree.  I think we were vulnerable last night.  They choose not to attack."  I said.   The Professor didn't seemed convinced.  But it did not matter I followed the dissecting trail while the others continued towards the village.
     I kept a slower pace as I followed the tracks.  But they seemed to be generally heading upward along a thin trail.  I continued to follow my gun in my hands looking up for our ambushers.  In about an hours time I found their hiding place.
I heard them before I saw them.
They seemed to be having an argument.  I dismounted a fair distance from the sound of their voices and made my way towards them as quietly as I could.  I understood their choice for location.  As I had followed their trail I was able to see clearly Preston and the boys as they were making their way along the trail.  I cautiously came as close I could taking a peek at their spot.  They had rifles, but not in their hands.  They were holstered on their horses saddles.  They were distracted.  It took me a moment to understand  what they were up to.  They were running detonation cord to a dynamite plunger.  They were both armed with pistols.  "I think we should wait until they ride underneath the dynamite before we blow it" said one of the armed men.  He wore a very dirty blue shirt.
     "They said they wanted them alive in case they need to question them.  If the boss wants them delayed then that is what I am going to do." Said the second armed man.  I didn't wait to hear more. I made my way as quietly as I could.
     In two steps I brought Breaker crashing its gun butt into the blue shirted man's head.  He fell limply to the ground.  In one motion I spun my rifle and had it pointed at the second man.
     "Drop your gun."  At that moment I remembered Preston having an armed attacker drop his weapon with his opposite hand. I remember thinking that seemed unnecessary.  This man did drop his gun.  And made no move for it. I kicked his revolver into the brush.  A squatted near his prone partner and removed his pistol. Tossing it into the brush also. 
     "What do you think you are doing." The man said.  I ignored him at first keeping my distance and keeping Breaker pointed at him.  I went next to the dynamite plunger.  I disconnected its detonation cord. Picking the plunger up one handedly and tossing off the nearby edge of the canyon wall.  I then made my way to their horses. I fired a round then into the sky startling the horses and sending them running.  The man watched with almost curiosity at my efficiency.
     "I see this isn't your first time holding men at gun point." The man said.  I gave him a sweet smile for his compliance and a wink.
     "I am also a good shot.  So don't try to follow me.  And of course you should call it a day and head back to some town and give up this venture.  But I know we will more than likely meet again."  I said. 
     "I would love to meet again.  Though under different circumstances."  Said my captive.
I laughed at his bravado.  I have found most men turn foul saying the most offensive curse words when bested by a women. Yet he smiled at ease. I walked away my gun trained on him.  He didn't try to pursue me as I made my way down the path and to my horse.
She seemed anxious so I rode her fast as I laid forward and low on her as we caught up to our party.  We passed several spots where the wall of the canyon seemed precariously close to the edge of the trail we followed.  I couldn't help thinking about the dynamite.
     "Mary!  I was worried sick about you.  Especially after I heard the gun shot." Exclaimed the Professor.  Preston smiled when he caught sight of me relief plain on his face.  Even Richard stoic façade cracked a smile and a nod in my direction.
     "It is good to know someone at least missed me."  I answered.
Though I knew it was a falsehood.  "I think your wayward student has not completely turned against you.  I overheard our ambushers telling of how they were only told to delay us.  I came they were close to arming some dynamite.  So I assume some sort of debris to block our path."
     "That makes me feel slightly better.  I have seen what some pursuits of knowledge can do to people.  I am hopeful the Sheldon will not go to far."  Said the Professor thoughtfully.
     "Did they give you any trouble?" Asked Preston.
     "No.  One rested while they other had the audacity to flirt with me."  I answered.
     "You are rather charming." Said the Professor.  Which made Preston laughs uncontrollably for a few minutes, Richard cracked a most beautiful smile as well as we continued to ride.
      "Now that you have finished making new acquaintances I think we should get moving.  I rather be in camp when night comes."  Said Richard gruffly.
But I saw his smile ruining the stern demeanor.  With a little prodding they were quickly moving.  Putting the tight confines of the valley behind us.  Soon a vast plain opened before us as the hills and mountains seemed to surround us as we made our way forward.