Just Common

Benson & Navajo Land

I want to step in here, before Common starts his story. You've got a look at the past, now Common will do what Common does best, a little Rangering and a look at his life. Common can take over now.

Hi Folks, well this here part the story, well, is what happened after Benson. Folks it a be little befer that when I starts. So ifin ya are ready, let's begin.

I woke ta Tam a whisperin in my ear, an nudgin me ta gets up. Folks that was the most comfortin thin. I gots up relieved myself. Tam had coffee made, we had some stale cornbread an started befer the sun raised its face. Benson was only about two hour ride, ifin that. Like I said folks only fools travel in the dark.

I gots the guts up, ta ask Tam abouts her uniform. Looked Seminole ta me. Red britches an tan boots up ta the knees. Black shirt, an a red vest, hat black with a red band. She say, it was Seminole, she was from the Wetlands. Only leaves ifin other Nations need help, with Rangerin. She doesn't much care ta leave Bama or the Wetlands.

I asks what is it goin on, that they need help. Tam say they been fights over, the Nations Land. Outsiders wants it, I say hell ain't that supposed ta be taken care of by the Nation Rangers an the Lands Rangers. She say it has got pass that, folks don't much care, the Law say that is they Land. Common believes in the Law. So this is a fight with the Navajo and Tam.

Folks, did I tell ya the difference between a Station an a Post? Yeah guess I did, so we rode inta Benson early mornin, sun just raised its head all the way. We gots in the Station, I checked fer updates on the map, new Stations ones that closed an such. Nothin new ta add or drop. Gots my rations fer a week an ammo fer two weeks. Folks always over draw ammo hate ta not have ammo, always hunt ifin I have ta. Tam drew her rations an ammo, Station Master, gots a bit mouthy. Called Tam a Bitch Seminole, an say women an Natives shouldn't be Rangers!

Folks Tam, didn't say a word, or even pull her pistol. She walked out, mad could tell she was ready ta kill. Folks don't care who ya are, where ya live, how ya live. What ya do fer a livin long as it is legal an all, just don't give hoot in hell, but ya attack a friend! Why that is different story!

I pulled that fool across that counter, grabbed him by his ear an back a the neck! Forced him out the blame door! Pushed him ta his knees, an say best apologize buster! I'll shoot ya here an now! Ranger or not! Yar kind shouldn't be a Ranger! Tam talked me down, say he wasn't worth the bullet an I didn't ta die, fer his stupidity. Tam slapped the piss an vinegar out a him. We rode off, I was a lookin back as we did, fool may tried ta back shoot us.

We stopped in Benson proper fer breakfast an I made a look around. Folks couldn't tell ifin they was a hid entrance around, so we moved on. Navajo land is about two day ride. We didn't make real good time that first day. Tam or myself couldn't get comfortable on the horse. Some days ya just get that ways, can't sit or back hurts. Folks felt like my backside was numb an my back was stiff. Tam just leaned over in the saddle like she was on her death bed. We stopped long befer dark, made camp at a Ranger camp point.

What's a Ranger Camp Point ya ask? Well, they are three types folks. Depends on how long they been around fer. First one is normally just couple boxes has firewood maybe, a tent ta set up. Second it's a lean-to maybe some straw wrapped in a seal skin ta sleep on, place fer firewood. Third it's more refined, a cabin with a fireplace maybe a stove an couple beds. These are fer circuit riders ta stay at, they ride one route is all they do.

Folks we got lucky its the second type. Third type are very rare ta say the least, usual is just a tent. We lit our lantern an fixed supper, canned beef an we made cornbread. Tam looked a touch better my back wasn't hurtin near as bad. Think just one those days. Tam took her vest an shirt off, asked me ta loosen her corset. Folks, Tam is the most gorgeous lady I knew at the time. Must say I was all thumbs. Took some work ta get it loose.