The Book of Common

Gotta Go!

This is another suggestion by Johnuri62, hope you like this one as much as the first.

I gets ta the Station off the horse before it even stops! Runs in, Jeb I shouts need four boxes ammo thirty-six and a sharps, four boxes for it! Five days rations! Gots ta move! Jeb, you gots the Station till I return! He shouts Common what is the problem!
Beth and Liz slavers my Pa is in a bad way at my place! Jeb pulls six boxes ammo seven days rations. Common he shouts two Rangers out in the
Sleepin rooms lookin for ya, ya might need help.

I say load my bags up. I'll see who it is! Just might need me some help. Low and behold Folks its Jan ya know that Ranger Texas way, her and Norm are in the bunk room. Lan sakes ain't seen Norm well since I took Jacob out on his second ride. They both could tell, I was a might worried. Jan hugged me, asked why I looked so gloomy? Told her and Norm about it. Norm gritted his teeth said, ya don't have ta ask, I am goin Common! Maybe old I can still shoot! Jan grabbed her pistol belts, ya twisted my arm enough Common, Norm best draw supplies. So we can get moving! Folks feel a might better with help. Ifin my Pa was made ta run. Well, he doesn't run, even shot!

Near dark, by the time we got packed double checked our gear. I am chompin at the bit! Wantin ta get movin. Norm calmly says Common, just relax, do us no good ta leave not have whats we need. Folks he is right, Jan climbs on her horse, gents she says best be ridin. Norm nods at me, says see were ready. Which way we goin? Charlotte I says. Let's do this, Mat catches us as we are leavin Common he says a might sorry, ya Pa he passed.
Ya three get those bastards!

Folks we ride most of the night, I didn't sleep while ridin Norm slept a spell so did Jan. By mornin, I was plum tired. We stopped about hour little over, ate I took a short nap, maybe hour. Took off again,
Got ta where Pa was shot, we knew by two dead fellers, could tell they Mid Americans copper skin an all. Jan looked them over, Slavers alright look only ones I've ever seen carry leg chains. Wearin them like a belt, see.

Norm, nods odd ain't it, only wear those on a raid.
Must of just gathered some, when Chester found them. Jan smiles thinkin the same, could be this a slow them down some. Captured ladies one girl we know of. Down two, they don't travel much bigger than eight tops. I say trail is old, hard ta see or follow. Pa thinks they makin for Biloxi, guess we take the worst route ta Biloxi. Won't be hittin any major towns. Least I wouldn't want ta.

Both Norm and Jan, ask why Biloxi? I say Pa didn't say why. Just he thought they was. Good enough for me. They both nod say good a bet as any. Want ta split up check east south and west a day. Norm asked that. Good idea, the thought of doin a wide search, well I said nope go with Pas' gut. So we did Folks.

About day later, come on a place called Pleasant Point. Heard right, Folks middle no where. Just a Saloon, Stagecoach stop and a House of Pleasantries. Slavers hit the place, took four House workers one young lady from the stage. Not more than a day ago, late last night. The ladies must be walkin part of the time then ridin. Folks or the wagon is full up. Walk and change places.

Lan sakes I want ta push on, we've been goin like wildfire. Very little rest, we decides ta spend the night at the Coach house. Sleep till two or so head out. Stage detective wants ta come along, with us.
Not sure I want her, looks bit seedy ta me. Well, she is a form of Law. We let's her come along. Folks group is gettin little big. Three is plenty unless was Pa. By Gosh they gonna pay, take my two ladies love dearly then kill my Pa! Done messed up Folks.

Next mornin that Stage detective, no where's ta be found. We heads out, find the trail easy nough. Norm points headin kind a west now, not sure why. Damn Post that way. Why ta Rangers?
Jan laughs, that Post closed up Norm. Army doesn't even use it. Good place ta hold up rest before they push on.

Norm ya see, he has been retired a while now. Only reason he was up this away. Well, folks ta visit is all. In a fights besides him and a few others. Hell wouldn't any one else with me. Norm and Jan, maybe Tam, ya know what happened with her. Ya know I am even considered retired. Runnin the Station House.

I stand in the stirrups backside is kinda numb. Haven't rode this many days in row in long time. Norm gets off his, paces a bit, looks at me then Jan.
He says why they this far north? Chester lives Roanoke way. Mostly stay close to the coast ta make a run for it. Then not make for the Outer Banks. Hell good place ta get contraband and slaves out!
Then he says these are brave or dumb, maybe both.

I got off my horse, Jan shakes her head best walk these critters a spell. Norm is right though, why this far north? Hell lived near the Banks best place for Privateers and such to get thins off a ship or on it. East Coast ways. Norm is worried, I best be thinkin clear, wees all gets killed. Well, Folks we finds a young girl. Dress ripped and tore off her in places. About sixteen I'd say. This is strange, not only is she dead.

Folks Jan checked her over. They had time with this one. Rape Folks, two years above age of marriage. Then kill her! Why? Can't make money off a dead girl! Folks we can't push on just leave her layin so we bury her. Folks that Detective catches us. About the time we bury her.  Not in any mood ta hear her! She starts yellin about us leavin her.

I say we said before the sun was up! You didn't make it! So shut ya self up! Ya aren't real Law! She got quiet. Jan took her aside. Calmed her some. Jan smiled at us, said well she is another gun. I'll keep an eye on her. Norm looks at me, says don't say it Common. Just don't say it. Folks he knows me well.
I was about ta say, send her back! Yell at us, because she can't get out a bed!

Norm says best move, headed ta that Post Boilin Springs, best catch them before hand. Folks we moved on. About noon we come on a small farm. Small Cabin corncrib no barn shed cow few pigs under the roof hangin out. Figure best check place looks empty, besides best water the horses fill or water bags. Folks I shout hello! This time a day be eatin or about ready ta do other jobs around the place. Lady be tendin the vegetable garden man a
be checkin his corn maybe cuttin firewood and such.

Folks I decide ta open the door, lan sakes the man is dead, throat cut wide open! Lady of the house!
Alive but, cryin her girl thirteen. Folks they took her. The lady won't even cover herself. Cloths are off, she is pacin the place, like a mad woman. Jan and that Detective ask us ta leave. Well, I not goin ta argue that. Those two a better at this than me or Norm.

Jan comes back out, about twenty minutes later. Says they raped her, left her. She said she wasn't what they was lookin for. Told her, her girl was young and pretty still. Not sun beat and farm work beat. She said, she was still good nough for each ta have a turn. Jan got madder by the word! Common that Detective will take her back nearest town. Make sure is safe and all. We can move on.

Folks best place ta take a break here. Next time we might just finish up this one. Till next time. Gots ta add somethin here. Remember that Ranger, that pissed me so. One wouldn't listen made fun of my writtin and such. Well guess what! Come on guess!

Well, ifin you guessed he was back! Ya, be right! By golly turned into a damn fine Ranger! Folks he stops by, ta talk on his circuit. Ya see he rides The Wasteland checkin the border. Beth is callin supper is ready. Folks he is here the youngster is here. Gots someone ta listen ta my stories.
Next time now!