The Book of Common

Almost Folks

We rode up till about midnight. Took a break knows we made good half day on them. Are plan was ta sleep till four maybe five and move. I was up at three, my mind is not into sleepin at all folks.
Norm was up few minutes later. We just nodded let Jan rest a touch longer. Norm hands me some Corn Licker, I takes a small swig. Then hands it back. Folks coffee been nice, no fire untellin how close we may be. I am thinkin a good half day behinds them. Who knows travelin with ladies chained up is slow movin. Plus still makin raids an all.

Hell could be closer than that. Trail keeps gettin fresher so who knows. Jan sat up like she just heard a shot! She looks around, breathin real hard.
Why are you two up? What ya darn well lookin at?
Norm laughs, you silly, looked like a jumped rabbit wakin up!  Jan shook her head, dreamed about a gun fight is all. Nasty one too, never been in one like that. Well we're up, might as well gets ready ta ride.

Norm hands her his Corn Licker. Jan hits it hands it back. She says small town, about three hours get some coffee. Do some thinkin on what we do when we finds them. Folks think we can afford ta stop and talk over, our priorities. Do we let them gets inside the Stockade or do we try and take them in the open. Both are a challenge, in the open more innocent ladies could get killed, not ta mentionin Beth and Liz.

Norm nods agree with ya Jan. Gots a bad feelin about these ones. I can feel an almost evil about them. Can't place it at all. I says yeap we stop, knowing if Norm feels it is antsy then best take notice.

They seem bound and determined ta get ta that old Post Boilin Sprins. They haven't varied off course by only a town. Almost a straight shot in. Last Slavers I ran into. That Privateer helped that Stanson feller, first name don't come ta mind. Wonder if these came from the same boss? I may of opened this on myself! Lan sakes wouldn't be the first time.

As we gets close ta town, Jan says place is called Rocky Hollow. People don't much care for outsiders. Most here don't want ta be bothered. Don't even like Rangers around. We get our coffee maybe breakfast. Do our discussion and go. They won't bother us, they just like bein alone. Not friendly at all. Norm smiled I am to the point don't care much for people. Just want ta sit my years out at the Station.

Jan folks she is the youngest of us all, she laughed said I'm not ready for a station. Folks as we rode in ta town. They were all standin at the local Saloon out front. Just daylight mind ya, mostly men few ladies in the back. Did not look good, shoutin and such. Think those Slavers may a hit.

Jan motions a stop, tells us ta hold. She gets off her horse, hands me the reins. Walks the fifty or so yards ta them. Less intimidatin folks, closer ta them. On a horse you tower over people, that has a tendency ta make some mad. Ya know it shows power and such, well seems Jan lived here for a spell. Her real Pa the one her momma left lived here. He was a Ranger, Lan sakes her real Pa a Ranger! Turns out her real Pa is dead, most Folks still know her.

On track Common, people don't need a long story in a story. Jan got them ta calm down and disperse.
The two town Elders they calls them Mayor and Treasurer. Stayed we all walked inside the Saloon had a coffee and pancakes with some sausage. Folks this part needs ta be told.  It matters a lot to the story. Remember names and such unlessin I knew ya well, I can forgets. So I'll xplain best I can.

This here statement is from my evidence, wrote in that Mayors own writin a Mayor Miller.

It started about one in the mornin, doors bein banged on! Town Folk brought out to the street near the Saloon. All of us children, older folks, young.
Men wearing chains around they waist. All had at least two pistols and a rifle.

Folks I wants ta tell ya only people can afford that kind of hardware, well they criminals. Back ta the statement.

Four men one lady took least ten ladies of varying ages inside the Saloon. Five stood watch over us. The one that appeared ta be the leader was a lady. She looked over all the towns women and teenage girls.
I didn't see a gun on her, only two knives and a hatchet. She was old much older than the rest. Couple called her Ma, when she talked it was slow. Like she was searchin for the words ta say.

They took two girls, both of age Linda just turned thirteen and Carla sixteen. They killed her husband Jack. This Ma said we follow or try and stop them. All the ones they had would die. She did a crazy type laugh. Then spit some tobacco juice, threw her plug on the ground. They had one wagon rest rode horses. The ladies must of took turns walkin.
They took one of Johns wagons and team. Left about three this mornin.

Well, folks might larger group of Slavers than we thoughts. Have two wagons, move a little faster. Least eleven watchin over these ladies. Brave have ta know theys bein followed. Just have ta! We are four maybe five hours behind them. Six by the time we left.

We decided best lets them get ta the Post. They might be inside, least ways not in the open. Folks know ya are a thinkin let them get inside the stockade! Folks we just might be able ta take them at night. Sneak in get the job done with less gun fire. Not the best plan, it can change. Sometimes thinkin on your feet best way ta do thins.

Norm hadn't spoke well since we left Rocky Hollow. Been three hours, he finally says. Common Jan, we just stepped into a mess! I know your wife and daughter are in that group. I can tell ya these aren't normal Slavers, don't think theys intend ta send them ta Mid America. Think these a go ta those illegal Houses. Ya know the ones they lets the men do as they please.

Folks that gets my blood ta boilin me and Pa took one those out. Man or lady pays a few, can beat hurt do what ever to these ladies. Hell some have died in the process. If they do person pays out more trinkets or ends up dead they self. Might scary, Norm thinkin that. As ya know Norm is right most times.

Just about six in the evenin we makes Boilin Sprins
Post ain't meant to be a defenses position. Just a place for a company of Rangers and supplies plus horses. So we had a good view of it from a hill top east of the Post proper. I'll gives a little detail of what we saw. Then think best finish up next time.
Just ta let's ya know.

Folks what we sees is might scary for the three of us. Least twenty Slavers. Must be near hundred ladies held in leg chains movin about the Post. What in blazes is goin on here? Never seen the likes. Norm dropped his field glasses from his eyes.
Think this is the House, they use this as the place those rich sick minded Folk can have fun.

Jan nods says, can't get a better place. Rich guy or lady pays. They bring them out. Who would know what goes on, hell middle of nowhere? Norm points, eastern side of the Stockade. Graves Folks least twelve maybe more. I thinks we need more guns! Lan sakes I am fearin for they lives now!

Well may take bit ta finish this one, don't want ta be long winded. So till next Folks.