The Book of Common

Oddity

Theys a place Folks, just west of the Wasteland. South of it also, called Memphis. Well, get it straight nothing in the place still the start of the hard pack. Point on the map called that, ya see kind of like Biltmore. Just a spot on the map. Told ya about it once before, remember?

Folks theys a plum strange oddity, at this place. They is a bridge crosses the mighty Missasip River.
Only see it during the dry season, the river is lower then. Colors on it well, let's say a deep red ta brown then little black flecks. It's surface is craggy, almost looks like the surface of water. How it rolls and has waves and bubbles.

It only sits maybe two foot above the water. Planned on just waddin across, seein it's only maybe two foot deep, not more than three this time a year. Heard tell of this bridge many times Folks. Never seen it, decided to come check it out.

I'm just tracin the hard pack following it's fingers, know how I said the bridge almost has a water appearance on top. Well, the hard pack kinda looks like that how it ends. Almost like the Ocean Blue, how the waves leaves behind little fingers and such. That's my thinkin. I look out over the hard pack, not a hill or tree spot of grass. Just kinda flat little rolls on occasion. Heat builds up creates a hazy look just above it. I see two riders, maybe mile or two out. Leastways think I do, see what look like riders. They kinda blurry in that haze and heat.

This is where I sees the bridge for the first time. I looks left, the underside of it is, kinda arched looks smooth not broken. Like the water just hollowed it out. I shook my head kinda smiled, never seen such as this. Looks back over ta where I thought I saw riders. Yep folks two red plumes in they hats, Ohio Rangers. Might closer now, one looks ta be mid-teens, say second ride and damn near over. The other early ta mid-twenties, about say five years older. Hard ta tell folks sun beat and weathered faces look might older.

Decide ta hold, see ifin they are goin ta leave the hard pack or not. Tells my horse Rangers bud, Ohio at that. I climbs off stomp my feet and bend a few times, stretch some. Check my pistols over.
Never know folks, just never know. Could be rouge Rangers could be mistaken them for Rangers. Gots ta be ready. They gets closer stop climb off they horses. The younger one shouts howdy Ranger!

I say back at ya, as they walk up smilin and all. The older fella says I am Mat this here is James, be full Ranger when we gets back. I nod say, James ya, should be proud of that. Where ya two headed?

He says place called West Memphis, about a mile west of the river. Small has a Tavern and small house of Pleasantries. No Constable, mindin the place. I check on the town, as part of my ride. I nods well, I needs a good bed and some food. Mind if I rides with ya? Mat nods come along, no minds at all. Gotta walk the horses across that bridge watch your footin is all, might slick.

West Memphis, nice little town. Surrounded by Cotton and tobacco fields, some Corn also. Mat was tellin me, it was all one Farm. Largest damn Farm I'd ever seen. That kept getting reports the owner was usin forced labor. Could never catch her at it.
This time he was goin ta catch her. Then he says Common might just need some help.

Forced labor, I nods I'm in Sir. Just let's me know how and when ya need it. We climb back on our horses. Ride into town proper. Near five in the evenin, we heads to the town Elders home, ta check-in, as is proper. Well, this is where it gets a might sketchy folks. Elder says Miss Lori has armed men watchin the fields. Cotton is ready ta harvest. Pickers all seam fearful of them.

Folks, forced labor is against the Law. I rank it with murder if that tells ya how wrong it is. Make people work no pay at all! Just wrong! Mat nods we'll look into it, want ta catch her I really do. I says I can change out this Ranger vest leaves the badge and shield behind. Kinda ride near those fields, see what is a goin on Mat. Mat says best only take one pistol, only criminals and Rangers carry more than one.