The Book of Common

My Ride

This maybe the last chapter of Common, that is if ole Common makes it one Chapter, it all depends on him, as to how long this takes. Ya know Common he may just get off track an start another story, or just get long winded an not want ta stop. Common after all is Common, sometimes he has common sense other times he has none at all.

Before I go any further an bunch ya up, an make ya think, Common won't go on in some shape or form.
Well, let's say Ole Common is a part of me, ya know Dram12. Like a best friend that, ya know better than yourself. One ya may not a seen in years, ya sit down talk like it was just yesterday, or few minutes ago.

Common ya see, has more of my traits and feelings than I care ta admit. Yes Common will go on, ifin I have ta write another story, well, like Common I am a half rate Story Teller at Best, Folks yep at best.

Maybe Commons ride west, or Common my thoughts. Hell Common a know when it's time ta start it an finish it. Just like now, Common is saying it's about time ta go Home.

I would like to Thank all that read Common and kept him close, Common loved telling you his life his story. I would like to thank tlryder, for loaning me Billy Bob Travis, this last part of Common, think he will fit in well here. Folks, tlryder, if  I don't do William Travis justice I am sorry, tlryder if you think Travis wouldn't do what I've written I can fix it or take it down. That dear lady is up to you. Sorry like Common I can get long winded, so let's get started.

                                 Home Folks

Dang it all! Sam White hell! Folks I am tired of aching and not able ta move! Still say that young Shield with the red hair, is comin ifin she ain't in the Wasteland, she is dang close! I don't have the feelin like Norm, she must, maybe that is a why I know she is comin. Lan sakes, it's time! Time ta saddle that blame horse a mine, head towards the Wasteland. Ifin I can saddle it, an climb on the dang critter. Maybe seein her is telling me it's time ta head Home, hate ta think it, I is rather old.

Beth she is takin a nap, guess best time as any ta head out. Hell love her ta death, just she would try ta stop me. I'll take two water bags my compass an maps, take Pa's old muzzle loading pistol, don't need my revolvers. Hell can't see past five foot any ways or closer than a foot. Bring this old book of my life ta finish up. Head east an south, shoot fer Black Mountain. Best be a movin or might not get out before Beth wakes I'll leave a note.

Folks left two hours before dark, Beth hadn't woke yet, hell she has the late watch on the Station tanight. Won't be wakin till dark. Close ta midnight now, keep thinkin I see a Ranger just out of my sight. Just know it looks like one just blurry as hell. Know ain't that red head. Lan sakes told ya thought I saw her back awhile ago at Black Mountain. Looked like Carolina Shield makin heading with a compass.

That Ranger thought I saw, well his horse was Bone white, Folks I mean white. Never seen such a white horse before. Brought along enough rations fer three days, can go couple with out food. If I don't find her in two, I head back. Don't know ifin that horse looked more white because of the black ta red hardpack or it's just that dang white.

Didn't unsaddle my horse, just could get off the blame thing. Might tired need rest, Folks just need some sleep. Damn I aches ta much, can not sleep.
Folks it's blasted cold, pillow I gots ta sit on, well let's say it's about shot. No matter how ya fluff it, damn thing just flattens out! Both my blankets wool aren't enough! Norm ifin ya hear me, you were one hell of man. Able ta cross this Wasteland with no horse an all.

Could be I am just ta old fer this, nope I won't admit ta that. May be old, blame old never ta old fer nothin. Quit kiddin ya self Common, you ache can't hardly get on an off a horse. Can't see much good, thinks some red head is out here. Blame fool might end up dead. Hell are ya headed home? Like some ole timer, like that Ranger, lan sakes he was an Ohio Ranger, just like ya are now. Omens Folks good or bad, but an omen.

Corn Licker, yep no glass, hell be a down right heathen an drink from the bottle, just like a drunken lush. Pa always said a heathen drank straight from the bottle. Well Pa guess I am a heathen. Stars are a might pretty, some are faint others bright, some even seam ta flash. Five good hits, this medicinal stuff think I can sleep.

Hush Folks, I hears somethin. Ya best be shoutin hello in the camp! Ranger Common Howard here!
Ya heards me! Speak up damn it! Guess I was hearin thins, no damn wild critters a enter this Wasteland none! Ain't seen a one even think about it! Not even the southern end, saw a few rabbit stop at they edge and then turn an run away. Not even coyote, come near it, heard tell from all the patrol Rangers theys never seen a dead carcass in the Wasteland, only dead animals been horses and humans.

Folks I hears it again, wonder ifin it's that feller on that bone white horse a his. Think he would a shouted out by now. Never ride up on a camp unannounced, that ain'ts proper. Could be he don't knows I am here, no fire a goin dark hell; could be he is lost ridin in circles not even knowin it. Now the noise is gone, well just sleep think that corn drippins done helped some.

Oh mercy sakes alive! I am done stiffened up like a damn stick! Can't move my blame legs, they feel like they is knotted up! Hurts ta unbend my dang knees! Folks I am old, my joints ache. I am tired and just about used up!  Horse ya don't look at me like that! Like I am a fool! If I didn't need ya as much ya need me! Why I'd leave ya! That's it make that  snort sound at me, ya blame silly animal!

Hush Common, hush lan sakes I hears it again. Why? Yellow Rose a Texas? What the Sam White Hell! Texas gots a yellow rose? Ranger Common Howard ya best sound off! Ya dang fool! Damn it!

I hear ya, ya can't hear me? Oh now! That hurts getting up! Dang that was a might painful, it was dang painful. Stand still horse, can'ts get on with ya steppin an stompin around! Then I hears it, ya say yar name was Ranger Common Howard? William Robert Travis here, most call me Billy Bob.
Ranger Texas way!

Folks, I shouted back, Yep Ranger Common here! Where ever ya are, can't see ya but I hears ya! Over here Ranger!